Plants Vs Zombies Celebrates 16th Anniversary

It's been a remarkable 16 years since the launch of the original Plants vs Zombies, and the iconic mobile series continues to thrive. As we reflect on its journey, we see a franchise that has evolved from a simple desktop game into a cornerstone of mobile gaming, navigating through acquisitions and expanding its reach beyond mobile devices.

The story began with Popcap Games in the late 2000s, culminating in the release of Plants vs Zombies on desktop in 2009. The game's transition to mobile in 2010, coupled with the adoption of a free-to-play model, propelled it to unprecedented heights of popularity.

In 2012, EA acquired Popcap, and despite the challenges of shifting focus to mobile and subsequent layoffs, the franchise solidified its status in the mobile gaming world with the release of Plants vs Zombies 2: It's About Time in 2013.

Beyond Mobile

EA's vision for Plants vs Zombies extended beyond mobile, aiming to establish it as a key player in console gaming. Titles like Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville introduced third-person shooter gameplay, which, while innovative, received mixed reviews due to its departure from the original tower defense format.

Currently, Plants vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia, in development since 2020, is undergoing a significant overhaul. After a soft launch, it was taken offline for further refinement. This upcoming installment promises a return to the series' roots with a fresh art style and the classic tower defense gameplay that fans crave.

As anticipation builds for Plants vs Zombies 3, players are eager for a revival of the series' original charm. In the meantime, if you're interested in exploring similar games, check out our list of the top 25 best tower defense games on iOS and Android to discover what's currently available in the genre that Plants vs Zombies helped popularize on mobile.