7 Best AR Mobile Games to Try in Public Spaces

You stand in line with your mobile device, bored. You want to play a mobile game in stores, parks, and sidewalks. You need a game that uses augmented reality (AR) without a headset.

Pokemon Go hit mobile devices in July 2016. It used AR technology to add creatures to your real world. This post lists seven of the best AR apps you can play in public spaces. You will find fun mobile games for every outing.

Read on.

Key Takeaways

• AR games bring virtual creatures into real streets and parks. Pokémon Go (July 2016) led the craze with over 1 billion downloads, $6 billion in player spending, and 150 million monthly users. Ingress Prime adds team-based portal battles, and Jurassic World Alive lets you catch and fuse rare dinosaur DNA in your neighborhood.
• You can cast spells, chase zombies, or sling birds on the go. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (2019) drops magic traces on your GPS map. Zombies, Run! mixes 200+ missions with Apple Health and Google Fit. Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs offers 40 levels free on iOS via Apple ARKit.
• The Machines and Smash Tanks show how AR turns homes and parks into battlefields. The Machines (iOS-exclusive) lets you duck behind couches in HD field fights. Smash Tanks maps flat surfaces for local or online tank duels with power-ups.
• Top AR-game features include GPS and map integration, ARCore/ARKit support, social sharing, multiplayer modes, real-time updates, cross-device sync, and safe-play tips like area scans and parental controls.

Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go launched in July 2016 and sparked a craze in mobile gaming. It uses GPS geolocation, the smartphone camera, and smart spectacles to layer creatures on streets and parks, and sparks interest in virtual reality (VR).

Trainers catch Pokémon with poke balls, they meet at gyms for epic clashes. The AR technology lets players see virtual critters pop in real spots.

The app uses AR tools, and by November 2020 it earned over $6 billion in lifetime player spending. Players downloaded Pokémon Go more than one billion times, and 150 million still fire it up each month.

It runs gym battles, team play, and cooperative raids, so any spot becomes a playground. This title ranks as the leading augmented reality game for public spaces.

Ingress Prime

Ingress Prime drops a digital layer over real streets. Niantic built this augmented reality game after Pokémon Go hit the market. Players launch the mobile app on iPhone or Android to start.

The game taps GPS and real-world maps for fun. AR technology brings portals to life in your town. Multiplayer action keeps you on your toes around busy blocks.

Agents race in teams to control territory across cities. They capture portals at landmarks, street corners, and public parks. Players link three portals to form a control field over areas.

Each field nets points for your faction. You hack portals for resonators and mods to boost power. Teamwork and strategy shape each battle. Ingress Prime shows how augmented reality apps can turn any sidewalk into a battleground.

Jurassic World Alive

Jurassic World Alive drops dinosaurs into your surroundings, letting you catch, gather, and battle beasts as you stroll in parks or city streets. AR technology overlays a stegosaurus on a bus stop, and a velociraptor beside a fountain.

Tapping on creatures lets you capture them, then add them to your collection. This mobile phone title ranks high among augmented reality games, as it uses geolocation to show dinos on your map, and it feels like a mini safari each time.

Dinosaurs come in rare and hybrid forms, so you can mix T-Rex DNA with triceratops genes to craft new monsters. Daily bonuses appear each morning, and they nudge you back into the hunt.

Social sharing lets players post captures or battle wins on social networks. Subscriptions and in-app purchases unlock extra packs, and battle mechanics let you test skills against other players.

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite hit app stores in 2019. This augmented reality mobile app uses GPS navigation to guide players. It drops the wizarding world into parks, plazas, and busy streets.

You track magic traces that appear on your device screen. The game feels like Hogwarts in your hand.

You pick a house, gear up your wand, and dabble in wand and character customization. You team up in real places to battle magical beasts and solve tasks. The multiplayer setup invites you to work with friends in live quests.

This mobile phone game taps ar technology and live chat to spark more fun.

Zombies, Run!

Zombies, Run! turns a simple jog into a thrilling chase. It uses AR technology and GPS to place zombie hordes on your path. Players hear zombie groans behind them and sprint to safety.

It sends real-time updates and fits with Apple Health and Google Fit. Voice commands call out supplies or warn of horde attacks. Over 200 missions push you to run faster, longer, and stronger.

Cross-device syncing lets you switch from phone to tablet.

You can listen to your favorite music while you play. AR glasses or earbuds work great on city streets. The app counts steps, miles, and calories. It stands out among augmented reality games that focus on exercise.

Smartphone sensors map each route with precision. Gamers join the metaverse vibe and explore their town. This title ranks high on AR apps lists for fitness buffs.

Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs

Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs offers about 40 levels, free on iOS devices. Players sling birds at virtual towers that sit on real tables or floors, via augmented reality games powered by Apple ARKit.

The Unity engine handles physics and three-dimensional bird models with ease. The game showcases ar technology in real time. The title uses a three-star scoring system, so you chase perfect scores.

Families can pop balloons, knock down castles, and laugh out loud as pigs tumble.

An internet connection keeps the fun rolling, as it loads fresh obstacles. This ar app taps ARKit in mobile app development to anchor structures on your surfaces. Kids and parents join forces to launch feathery missiles at pig forts.

You can play with a phone or slip on ar glasses for bigger thrills.

The Machines

iOS-exclusive multiplayer strategy game turns parks and living rooms into battlefields, thanks to augmented reality software and AR technology. HD graphics pop in your real world and 3D environments build an epic, moving war zone.

You can duck behind a couch cushion, or dive under a table, as metal tanks roll on your carpet. A headset option lets you link AR glasses for a headset-free thrill.

Players share game codes with friends, to spring traps and charge across the rug. A live leaderboard updates on every win, so you fight for a shot at global rank. Cool chat bubbles pop above each tank, for a bit of trash talk before the final blow.

This AR app blends virtual and augmented reality, so each match feels like a mini blockbuster.

Smash Tanks

Smash Tanks turns a tabletop into a tank battlefield. It uses augmented reality (AR) technology to map flat surfaces. Players swipe across screens to aim and blast. They grab power-ups, like speed boosts or rockets, for strategic edge.

The app lets two people battle on the same table or join online matches.

Gamers can play this augmented reality game indoors or outside. It sits beside other AR apps, such as Pokémon Go and Jurassic World Alive. You may use AR glasses, or just your phone, to see tanks hide behind cups and books.

The simple swipe controls teach new players fast. Smash Tanks shows one use case for augmented reality games, proving they can mold real rooms into play zones.

Features to Look for in AR Mobile Games for Public Spaces

Public play demands solid AR technology and safe design. Players need clear camera and real-world maps.

1. GPS and Map Integration: Games use GPS, camera and mapping to place creatures on sidewalks in Pokémon Go.
2. Device Compatibility: Apps run on recent iPhone and Android devices with ARCore support.
3. Social Sharing: Titles let players snap AR photos and post on social media, as seen in Jurassic World Alive.
4. Multiplayer Modes: Ingress Prime and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite offer team events for crowds.
5. Real-Time Updates: Games push live events and sync sensor data for fitness tracking in Zombies, Run!
6. In-App Purchases: Players buy optional item packs or subscriptions to unlock skins or boosts.
7. Augmented Visuals: Dinosaurs roam your park bench and birds swoop across coffee tables in Angry Birds AR.
8. Cross-Device Sync: Mobile play and tablet or wearable sync keep goal tracking seamless.

Tips for Playing AR Games Safely in Public Spaces

Stay alert at all times. Keep your focus on real surroundings.

1. Scan the area before you advance. Keep your phone at chest height. Watch for cars, bikes, or uneven ground.
2. Use parental controls in AR apps. Block in-app purchases for kids. Check family modes in Angry Birds AR and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
3. Set privacy options for social features in augmented reality games. Turn off live feeds in Zombies, Run! and Pokémon Go. Share only with trusted friends.
4. Respect local regulations and signs. Skip private yards or restricted zones. Review city rules on AR technology use in parks.
5. Carry a portable charger and weather gear for long augmented reality (ar) sessions. Pack a power bank for Ingress Prime and Jurassic World Alive. Dress for sun and rain.
6. Select secure payment systems. Link only verified cards to avoid unwanted subscriptions. Spot phishing in AR apps ads.
7. Wear bright or reflective clothing at night. Use AR glasses to free your hands. Stay visible to traffic and passersby.
8. Pair up in crowded spots. Warn each other about hazards or curious onlookers. Test each other’s GPS and headset.
9. Limit play time in one location. Move every 20 minutes to avoid crowd build up and sunburn. Keep your body fresh.
10. Keep your device updated. Install the latest Android operating system and AR apps. Lock unknown trackers and apps.

Takeaways

Mix your park stroll with a quick monster hunt. Your phone turns sidewalks into AR playgrounds. You can chase dinos, cast spells, or sling virtual birds. Titles like Pokémon Go, Jurassic World Alive, and Angry Birds AR spark laughs with friends.

Try one out and make your next outing pop.

FAQs on Best AR Mobile Games to Try in Public Spaces

1. What AR games should I play in a park or plaza?

Start with pokémon go. It uses augmented reality (AR) to put creatures around you. Ingress Prime taps your team spirit. Jurassic World Alive brings dinos to your steps. A magic adventure app, harry potter: wizards unite, adds spells, proton packs and secret maps.

2. How do augmented reality games differ from virtual reality (VR) apps?

Augmented reality games like pokémon go layer creatures on your world. They augment reality to spark your fun. Virtual reality (VR) apps sweep you into new scenes. You lift your phone for AR, you don a headset for VR.

3. Can I get a workout with AR mobile games?

Yes, zombie, run! turns a jog into a horror chase. Temple Run pushes you to dodge and dash, though it is not true AR. Both show use cases for fitness in phone games.

4. Do I need special gear like AR glasses or proton packs?

Most games run on a normal phone. AR technology works on current models. You can add ar glasses for a bigger view. Some ghost style apps let you wield proton packs on screen.

5. Are there brand tie ins or promos with AR games, like Happy Meal?

Yes, brands use ar apps for cool offers. You scan a code on a happy meal toy to see burgers jump in your space. Restaurants know these use cases help fans join fun quests.