Summary
- “City builder games like RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch offer quest-based gameplay similar to The Simpson’s Tapped Out.”
- “SimCity BuildIt provides a realistic city-building experience for players who prefer some realism in their mobile games.”
- “Games like Family Guy: The Quest For Stuff offer constantly updating content to keep players engaged and entertained.”
Players have been looking for something to fill the hole left behind as a longstanding Simpson’s game bows out. As sad as it is to lose an iconic mobile game like The Simpson’s Tapped Out, there is a long list of similar games to distract and delight. While one of the best features of a city builder is the satisfaction of a well-designed layout, something else drew players to The Simpson’s Tapped Out.
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The sense of comfort and familiarity players get from rebuilding such an iconic fictional town was a real draw for Tapped Out players. With that in mind, the following recommendations bring similar mobile games featuring childhood favorites, iconic characters, and some seriously addictive gameplay!
Updated on January 19, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: City-builder still remains one of the most beloved genres on mobile, as the gameplay mechanics just fit this platform perfectly. All players do in these games is to collect resources and then spend them on expanding the city.
There is always a desire in players to see what’s next for the city. What will the next upgrade to a building look like? What else can be built to make the city look more awesome? How about changing the layout? All these questions just make players come back and follow their progression every day.
13
RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch
Create And Manage An Exciting Theme Park
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: February 22, 2017
- Developer(s): Nivizzio Creations
- Genre(s): Simulation, Strategy Video Game
RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch has all the excitement of the original RollerCoaster Tycoon in a neat mobile game package. As a building sim and management tycoon game, it has similar quest-based gameplay to The Simpson’s Tapped Out. Players can place buildings and rides wherever they like, and add decor to boost any nearby ride’s value.
A RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch park just keeps growing thanks to the continuous quests, new rides, and booths to add. Managing the ever-expanding theme park will get more intense as players progress – the bigger the theme park, the more can go wrong! RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch is a colorful, fun, never-ending, addictive game with a surprising amount of detail for a mobile title.
12
SimCity BuildIt
Create A Stunning Metropolis
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: October 22, 2014
- Developer(s): Tracktwenty
- Genre(s): City-building, Strategy Video Game
For mobile gamers who want what The Simpson’s Tapped Out has to offer but prefer some realism, there is SimCity BuildIt. Based on the popular city-building game SimCity , this is a simplified (but not easy!) version of the original title. Creating a city from scratch is a tough job but, luckily, players have everything to hand that a decent mayor could wish for. The choice of layout and landmarks is entirely up to the individual player but just don’t neglect the welfare of the citizens!
At first, players are guided by Simlish-speaking helpers but eventually, the world-building is all their own. Once the city is growing, the real excitement starts. Players can visit other mayors in their cities and team up to help each other create amazing cities. There is the chance to compete too, and defend against incoming dangers! Some players like to create amazing fantasy cities, while others love to recreate existing skylines like Tokyo or London. It is easy to spend hours perfecting a dream city in SimCity BuiltIt.
11
My Cruise: Idle Ship Tycoon
Build A Luxury Ship And Help Travelers Have Fun
- Platform(s): Android
- Release: December 14, 2023
- Developer(s): Focus Apps
- Genre(s): Management, Tycoon
While most builder games focus on cities, this game lets players to a luxury cruise ship with hundreds of travelers. It didn’t take My Cruise: Idle Ship Tycoon to become immensely popular on mobile platforms, thanks to its creative approach. It’s quite important to impress the guests in this game and increase the ship’s reputation.
The sky is the limit for how many upgrades can be applied to a cruise ship, but the downside is the heavy grind. Similar to most games in this list, there is a progression accelerator in My Cruise: Idle Ship Tycoon too, and those who decide to ignore it will have a long way to go to the higher levels. However, for patient players, that shouldn’t be a problem.
10
Fallout Shelter
Save Humanity From Extinction
Fallout Shelter brings the perilous fun of Fallout to mobile so players can build their very own post-apocalyptic bunker. The game starts simply: players must build rooms and provide power, water, and food to the vault dwellers. Soon, however, it becomes a careful balance between saving more wastelanders and saving resources.
After leveling up, players can explore the Wasteland in Fallout Shelter in the hope of discovering junk and caps. The real excitement comes when the Overseer sends players on quests to win exclusive gear and weapons, blueprints, and Nuka Cola. Fallout Shelter has all the addictive qualities of The Simpsons Tapped Out but with extra post-apocalyptic adventures! Gamers don’t have to be fans of Fallout already, but there are plenty of easter eggs to make the game extra special for those who do.
9
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C
Explore and Decorate The Great Outdoors
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo EPD
, NDcube - Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Released
-
November 21, 2017
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C is perfect for players who loved the task list element of The Simpson’s Tapped Out. Of course, there is also a lot of fun decorating and design with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C but the real fun lies in growing the friendships with the animals around the camp.
As is also the case with games like The Simpsons Tapped Out, each new season brings new themes and items with which to decorate the camp. This keeps the great outdoor camping experience fresh and interesting! Every week, players can take on new tasks and help their animal friends with interesting challenges. Unlike city-builders, this Animal Crossing game has more of an adventure life sim feel to it and is worth trying for the cozy, casual vibes players may be seeking.
8
Smurfs’ Village
Grow The Perfect Smurf Paradise
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: November 10, 2010
- Developer(s): Capcom Interactive
- Genre(s): Simulation, Management
The poor little Smurfs have been lost throughout the land thanks to the evil Gargamel. Players must help Papa Smurf and the rest of the gang adventure through the forest to find them all. As the Smurf population grows, it is up to the player to rebuild the Smurfs’ Village with cute mushroom houses and farmland.
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Just like The Simpsons Tapped Out, there are tasks to complete by each Smurf villager, from planting crops to repairing buildings. A bonus of Smurfs’ Village is that players don’t just have to simply tap to complete some tasks – there are mini-games to play too. Whether it is Whack-A-Smurf or a speedy baking game, there is so much to do in the Smurfs’ Village.
7
American Dad! Apocalypse Soon
The Smith Family Needs Help
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: October 20, 2019
- Developer(s): MY COM
- Genre(s): RPG, Base-Building, Strategy
Aliens have landed in Langley Falls and the Smith family have turned their house into an operations base. Players must build new rooms and create powerful Roger clones to fight for the fate of the Earth. American Dad! Apocalypse Soon is an exciting mix of RPG fighting game and builder game where players must balance creating a huge bunker, manage the clone army, and send them out on missions.
Much like in The Simpsons Tapped Out, players get addictive character quests and city-building elements, all combined with PvP and PvE battles. American Dad! Apocalypse is packed with the same humor as the TV show and is a special treat for fans of the alien Roger as he takes center stage in much of the action!
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Family Guy: The Quest For Stuff
Rebuild Quahog With The Griffin Family
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: April 10, 2014
- Developer(s): TinyCo
- Genre(s): City-building
From one iconic cartoon family to another, fans of The Simpson’s Tapped Out may appreciate this city-builder based on the irreverent adult cartoon, Family Guy. Family Guy: The Quest For Stuff is constantly updating with new content to keep players coming back. Just like Tapped Out, the voice lines are all performed by the talented cast of the hit TV show, which is a real treat for die-hard fans.
Family Guy: The Quest For Stuff has so much in common with Tapped Out, starting with the basic premise. In both games, the main patriarch (in this case, Peter Griffin) has accidentally destroyed the town, and it is down to them to rebuild and bring everyone back. Family Guy: The Quest For Stuff has quest upon quest for players to complete to unlock each character and fill the town once again.
5
Disney Magic Kingdoms
Build A Unique Disney Park
- Platform(s): IOS, Android, PC
- Release: March 16, 2016
- Developer(s): Gameloft
- Genre(s): City-building, Strategy Video Game
Everyone’s favorite Evil Queen has drawn a dark veil over the Disney Kingdom, and it is up to the player to break the curse! Mickey Mouse and Goofy are the first to arrive at the scene and begin to look for their friends. Soon, the park fills with childhood favorites like Woody from Toy Story, and Rapunzel from Tangled.
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Disney Magic Kingdoms combines the wonder of Disney with the addictive gameplay of a city-builder. It has all the essential elements of a city-builder like The Simpsons Tapped Out but with a few fun rollercoaster sim features. The recognizable Disney themes that play when each character is selected are delightful, and the task-based gameplay is as addictive as players may expect!
4
Spongebob Adventures: In A Jam
Clean Up Bikini Bottom
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: September 26, 2023
- Developer(s): Whaleapp
- Genre(s): City-builder
Spongebob Adventures is another adventure sim game based on a popular 90s cartoon just like Tapped Out. Another of Plankton’s dastardly plans has backfired, and it is up to the two hapless heroes, Spongebob and Patrick, to save Bikini Bottom. Just like The Simpsons Tapped Out, there are areas to uncover as players progress and well-known characters to unlock. Spongebob and Patrick’s tasks are almost endless, from clearing debris to growing crops and crafting jellyfish food.
Unlike Tapped Out, there seems to be more variety in Spongebob Adventures, plus Bikini Bottom takes less time to clear up than Springfield! Players can visit new locations like the Jellyfish Fields to uncover treats and top up energy, so Spongebob and Patrick can continue with their mission to tidy up their town.
3
Brixity
Combine Blueprints And Create New Worlds With Playable Activities
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: August 18, 2023
- Developer(s): Devsisters Corporation
- Genre(s): Sandbox
As a creative playground, Brixity is one of those rare games that actually allow players to do whatever they want. It’s more of a pocket Minecraft, where players use Blueprints to craft unique buildings and locations that also have a purpose.
That being said, it’s not that simple. The main problem with Brixity is that players can only access a certain series of Blueprints with the base version, as the other series remain behind a paywall. Of course, it’s worth it for those willing to pay, as a new pack of Blueprints delivers tons of new ideas to life.
Aside from the builder side, Brixity also allows players to customize their characters and engage with the created buildings through a variety of activities. Like racing circuits that allow players to compete against each other.
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Goosebumps Horror Town
Fill The Town With Monsters
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: January 19, 2018
- Developer(s): Pixowl Inc.
- Genre(s): City-builder
Next up is something spooky for the kids who were always first in the queue at the Scholastic Book Fair. Goosebumps Horror Town is a cute but creepy city-builder with an array of Goosebumps easter eggs threaded throughout. Each main mission is based on a Goosebumps book, with themed quests and a lot of bonus fun that will please even the most casual Goosebumps fan.
This Goosebumps game offers lots to do and plenty of ways to get extra cash and resources, such as crafting disgusting treats and researching the town at the library. One of the best features in Goosebumps Horror Town is when players build monster dens and invite the creatures to rampage through the town, scaring the children! Fantastic frightening fun.
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Pocket City
A Lovely City-Building Experience With Zero In-App Purchases
- Platform(s): IOS, Android
- Release: July 30, 2018
- Developer(s): Codebrew Games
- Genre(s): City-builder
Unlike all the games above where there is a glass ceiling of in-app purchases that prevents players from a faster progression, Pocket City is a game made by gamers, for gamers! The game puts the player in charge of a small town and gives them some resources to grow it.
As the player makes progress, maintaining a balance between industrial, commercial, and residential districts becomes more important. The small town in the beginning gradually grows into a metropolitan while the challenges become bigger and bigger. Pocket City almost feels like a minimal version of Cities: Skylines.
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