Plants Vs Zombies Celebrates 16th Anniversary

Plants vs. Zombies, now 16 years strong, remains a beloved fixture in the gaming world. Let's take a nostalgic journey through the history of this iconic mobile series, especially as anticipation builds for the soft-launched Plants vs. Zombies 3.

The saga began with Popcap Games launching the original Plants vs. Zombies on desktop in 2009. However, the franchise truly skyrocketed with its transition to mobile in 2010, embracing a free-to-play model that captivated a massive audience.

In 2012, EA acquired Popcap, navigating a challenging shift towards mobile gaming that included layoffs. Despite these hurdles, the franchise solidified its status in the mobile realm with the 2013 release of Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time.

Beyond Mobile: EA harbored grand visions for Plants vs. Zombies, aiming to make it a console gaming staple. Titles like Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare and Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville introduced third-person shooter mechanics, diverging significantly from the classic tower defense formula. These releases met with mixed reviews, reflecting the challenge of evolving the series while staying true to its roots.

Currently, Plants vs. Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia is in development, undergoing significant changes since its announcement in 2020. The game, which has been taken offline for a major overhaul, is poised to bring back the beloved tower defense gameplay with a fresh art style, fueling fans' hopes for a triumphant return to form.

If you're eager to explore more games in the genre that Plants vs. Zombies helped popularize on mobile, check out our curated list of the top 25 best tower defense games available on iOS and Android.