Plants Vs Zombies Celebrates 16th Anniversary

It's been a remarkable 16 years since the initial release of Plants vs Zombies, a journey that has solidified its status as a beloved mobile classic. As we reflect on its evolution, from its origins to its expansion across platforms, it's clear why PvZ is considered an icon in the gaming world.

The story began with developer Popcap Games in the late 2000s, culminating in the desktop release of Plants vs Zombies in 2009. However, the real game-changer was the shift to mobile in 2010 and the adoption of a free-to-play model, which propelled PvZ into the stratosphere of gaming popularity.

In 2012, EA acquired Popcap, and despite some challenging transitions and layoffs, PvZ emerged as a flagship mobile franchise with the launch of Plants vs Zombies 2: It's About Time in 2013.

Beyond Mobile

EA envisioned PvZ as a major player in console gaming as well. Titles like Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville were released, offering a third-person shooter experience that diverged significantly from the original's tower defense roots, eliciting mixed reactions from fans.

Plants vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia, in development since 2020, has recently undergone a major overhaul and is currently in soft launch. This iteration promises to bring the series back to its roots with a fresh art style and a return to the classic tower defense gameplay that fans adore.

With PvZ 3 still in soft launch, the appetite for a return to form is palpable among fans. As we await its full release, why not explore other tower defense games? Check out our curated list of the top 25 best tower defense games on iOS and Android to see what else the genre has to offer.