"Plants Vs Zombies Celebrates 16th Anniversary"

It's been a remarkable 16 years since the initial launch of Plants vs Zombies, and as we reflect on this iconic mobile series, it's clear why it remains a beloved classic in the gaming world. From its humble beginnings to its expansion beyond mobile platforms, the journey of Plants vs Zombies showcases a franchise that has continuously evolved and captivated players.

The story of Plants vs Zombies began with developer Popcap Games in the late 2000s, culminating in the release of the original game on desktop in 2009. However, the true surge in popularity came with the transition to mobile in 2010, coupled with the adoption of a free-to-play model, which propelled PvZ to new heights of success.

In 2012, EA acquired Popcap, and despite some challenging transitions and layoffs, the focus shifted heavily towards mobile. The release of Plants vs Zombies 2: It's About Time in 2013 solidified the franchise's status as a mobile gaming icon.

Beyond Mobile: EA's vision for Plants vs Zombies extended beyond mobile, aiming to establish it as a key player in console gaming. Titles like Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville introduced a third-person shooter style, which, while different from the original tower defense gameplay, received mixed reactions from fans.

Currently, Plants vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia, which has been in development since 2020, is undergoing a significant overhaul. After a soft launch and subsequent offline period, the game promises to bring back the essence of the series with a fresh art style and a return to the classic tower defense mechanics that fans adore.

As anticipation builds for the next installment, fans eager for more tower defense action can explore our curated list of the top 25 best tower defense games available on iOS and Android, a genre that Plants vs Zombies helped popularize on mobile devices.