Plants Vs Zombies Celebrates 16th Anniversary

It's been an incredible 16 years since the initial launch of Plants vs Zombies, and the iconic mobile series continues to thrive. As we reflect on this seminal mobile classic, it's clear how much it has evolved from its modest origins to becoming a gaming icon, navigating through corporate shifts and expanding beyond mobile platforms.

The journey began with Popcap Games in the late 2000s, culminating in the release of Plants vs Zombies on desktop in 2009. The transition to mobile in 2010, coupled with the adoption of a free-to-play model, propelled PvZ into the stratosphere of gaming fame.

In 2012, EA acquired Popcap, leading to a challenging period marked by a shift towards mobile focus and subsequent layoffs. Despite these hurdles, 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 harbored grand visions for the PvZ franchise, aiming to establish it as a pillar in console gaming. Titles like Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville introduced a third-person shooter dynamic, diverging significantly from the original's tower defense roots. These releases garnered mixed responses from fans and critics alike.

Currently, Plants vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia, in development since 2020, is undergoing a significant rework. Recently taken offline from its soft launch, it's poised for a comeback, promising a return to the beloved tower defense gameplay with a fresh art style. With PvZ 3 still in soft launch, fans are eagerly awaiting its full release.

If you're keen to explore more in the genre that Plants vs Zombies helped popularize on mobile, don't miss our curated list of the top 25 best tower defense games available on iOS and Android.