"Plants Vs Zombies Celebrates 16th Anniversary"

It's been an incredible 16 years since the initial release of Plants vs Zombies. As we reflect on this seminal mobile classic, it's fascinating to see how the series has evolved. From its modest beginnings to navigating through corporate acquisitions and expanding beyond mobile platforms, PvZ has rightfully earned its status as a gaming icon.

The journey began with developer PopCap Games in the late 2000s, culminating in the release of Plants vs Zombies on desktop in 2009. However, it was the transition to mobile in 2010, coupled with the adoption of a free-to-play model, that propelled PvZ to global fame.

In 2012, EA acquired PopCap, and despite a challenging shift to mobile that included several layoffs, the PvZ franchise solidified its place in mobile gaming history with the release of Plants vs Zombies 2: It's About Time in 2013.

Beyond Mobile

EA had grand plans for the PvZ franchise, aiming to make it a staple in console gaming as well. Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville were released, offering a new third-person shooter experience that deviated significantly from the original's tower defense roots. These titles received mixed reviews, reflecting the bold shift in gameplay style.

Plants vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia, which has been in development since 2020, is currently undergoing a significant overhaul. After pulling the soft-launched version offline, the game is poised to return to its roots with a fresh art style and a focus on classic tower defense mechanics, much to the anticipation of fans eager for a revival of the series' original charm.

For those interested in exploring more of the genre that Plants vs Zombies helped popularize on mobile, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of the top 25 best tower defense games available on iOS and Android.