Mobile Gaming Leaders: April 2016

This analysis examines the mobile gaming landscape for April 2016, focusing on download trends and top-performing titles across the U.S. App Store and Google Play. The findings are derived from the Store Intelligence platform, which provides daily download estimates for both U.S. and worldwide markets. While monthly install volumes experienced a slight decline compared to March 2016, the industry demonstrated positive year-over-year growth. Worldwide App Store game downloads increased by 16.6 percent compared to April 2015, reaching 585 million, while U.S. App Store downloads grew by 14.2 percent over the same period.

The market was dominated by the breakout success of the indie title slither.io, which secured the top spot across both platforms with over eight million total installs. Other significant performers included Disney Crossy Road, which generated 3.6 million U.S. installs, and Nintendo’s debut mobile title, Miitomo, which achieved a strong fourth-place ranking. The data highlights a trend of established intellectual property and console-to-mobile adaptations driving significant user acquisition.

Platform-specific performance revealed nuanced differences in consumer behavior. On the U.S. App Store, Rovio’s Angry Birds 2 saw a notable resurgence, bolstered by a partnership with Apple’s Apps for Earth campaign. Conversely, the Google Play Store maintained consistent interest in established titles like Color Switch and Candy Crush Jelly Saga. Overall, the mobile gaming sector in April 2016 remained highly competitive, characterized by a mix of viral indie hits and high-profile brand launches that leveraged existing franchises to capture market share.