The Most Popular & Best IO Games to Play

On April 27th, 2015, a 19-year-old Brazilian developer announced Agar.io on 4chan. Within weeks, Agar.io became one of the most-played games on Miniclip and quickly found its way into the hands of popular Twitch streamers and even YouTubers like Pewdiepie. This marked the beginning of a whole new genre of browser-based multiplayer games.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what “.io” games are and explore some of the reasons behind their widespread popularity. We’ll also show you some of the best .io games you can try in 2024. So, get comfortable and let’s dive in!

The Basics Behind .io Games

.io games are simple yet highly engaging online multiplayer games that you can play directly in your web browser. There are hundreds of .io games, each offering a unique gameplay experience. The “.io” in their name comes from the .io domain, which actually stands for the British Indian Ocean Territory. At first, this domain wasn’t used very much, making it both affordable and attractive for developers.

↪ What Makes .io Games Special?

1. Easy to Access: There’s no need to download or install anything. Simply open your web browser, visit the game’s website, and start playing right away.
2. Simple Controls: Most .io games use very basic controls—usually just your mouse and a few keys. This makes them easy to learn and perfect for beginners.
3. Multiplayer Fun: You can play with people from all around the world in real time. This keeps every match exciting and full of surprises.
4. Short Game Sessions: Most .io games are designed to be played in quick rounds, making them perfect for a short break or some quick fun.

After Agar.io became a huge hit, many developers started making similar games using the same domain. But what really kept these games popular is their accessibility; all you need is a browser to jump in and enjoy growing your character or battling other players. Even with simple gameplay mechanics, it’s hard not to hit the “Try Again” button—these games can be seriously addictive!

Best IO Games To Play in 2025

Whether you’re in the mood for action or something more strategic, there’s a .io game that fits your style. Here are some of the most popular and player-favorite IO games of 2025.

1. Mope.io

Mope.io is a survival game where you play as an animal trying to get bigger and evolve. The game offers three different game modes: Free For All, Team Mode, and the unique Wild Mope mode. While you’ll find plenty of players in Free For All, the other two modes might be a bit quieter.

You start by picking an animal, each associated with specific biomes such as Land, Ocean, Desert, Arctic, or Forest. Your chosen animal will spawn in its suited biome. As you progress, you’ll climb into higher tiers, and starting at Tier 2, you unlock special abilities. Every animal gets either an offensive or defensive ability to help in battles against your opponents.

On top of that, Mope.io features a ton of content for a browser game, including a shop where you can personalize your animal with different skins. Even after 8 years of existence, Mope.io keeps players hooked with its broad exploration options and a rewarding progression system.

2. Skribbl.io

Skribbl.io is a fun, online multiplayer drawing and guessing pictionary game with a simple idea: one player draws, others guess. Before you jump in, definitely try out the character customization—it’s a small, creative way to kick things off and have a laugh.

Each game consists of three rounds. In every round, one player gets to pick what to draw from three random words. After choosing, you have 80 seconds to draw, while the others try to guess by typing in the chat. The first correct guess gets the most points, the second gets a bit less, and so on.

This process repeats for each round (so the number of turns matches the number of players). The player with the highest score at the end wins. Skribbl.io also lets you set up a “private game” to play just with friends—perfect for a bit of creative competition. Overall, Skribbl.io is a great way to have fun, get creative, and spend time with friends online.

3. Diep.io

Diep.io is a 2D MMO game where you control a tank and shoot both objects and other players to level up and strengthen your tank. While the basic controls are simple, Diep.io is surprisingly deep. You can upgrade your tank, boost specific stats, and try out new tactics each round—so it never gets boring.

You start as a simple circle with one cannon. Your goal is to shoot at Polygons to gain experience and level up. As you progress, you unlock points to boost stats like Health Regen, Bullet Speed, Reload, and more. When you reach Level 15, you can upgrade your tank into a Twin, Sniper, Machine Gun, or Flank Guard.

Each tank upgrade brings new abilities, so it’s worth experimenting to find your favorite playstyle. Further upgrades happen at Level 30 and Level 45. There are plenty of different game modes to try, like FFA, 2 Teams, 4 Teams, Maze, and more. Diep.io’s upgrade system and variety keep it exciting, making every session feel fresh.

4. YoHoHo.io

As you’ve probably guessed from the name, YoHoHo.io is a Pirate Battle Royale browser game where the last pirate left standing wins. The goal is to take down other pirates, collect gold and chests, and grow bigger with each takedown. Like other battle royale games, there’s a shrinking storm circle that keeps the action intense.

As soon as you enter the map, use your left-click to swing your sword at other players. For a stronger attack, hold down the left mouse button to charge up a dash attack that can deal major damage. You’ll also find gold around the map—that’s the main currency used to unlock new characters and pets.

There are over 20 characters you can unlock as you play. The more expensive the character, the stronger their attack power. YoHoHo.io is simple to pick up for new players, but the progression system gives you plenty of motivation to keep playing and unlock new pirates.

5. Taming.io

In Taming.io, you play as a survivor in a fantasy world filled with wild creatures like spiders, wolves, and eagles. Your main goal is to survive and defend yourself against both other players and the environment by gathering resources, crafting items, building shelters, and even training creatures to join you.

Like most survival games, you start with nothing and need to scavenge for resources like wood, stone, and food in order to build shelters and tools. As you progress, you unlock better gear and stronger buildings—not only to help you survive longer, but also to gather resources faster and defend against enemies.

One cool feature of Taming.io is the option to tame creatures. You can train wild animals and monsters to become loyal companions, helping you in combat and even gathering resources. With lots to explore and plenty of adventures, Taming.io brings a unique twist to the typical .io game formula.

Play Anytime and Anywhere

Whether you’re blasting tanks on Diep.io or growing your mouse on Mope.io, .io games have something for everyone—and all you need to do is open a website to start playing. Even after more than 9 years, .io games still have a strong community and continue to deliver fun, fast multiplayer experiences that anyone can enjoy.