TL;DR
- Honor of Kings was initially China-only, with its world model launching in 2024. It emphasises strategic gameplay rooted in Chinese language mythology.
- MLBB was launched in 2016, with fast-paced motion, a relatively simpler solo queue, and dominates by way of esports presence with quite a few leagues.
- Each video games are 5v5, with comparable maps and equivalent position programs, impressed by League of Legends.
- Honor of Kings is extra widespread in relation to day by day energetic customers (principally in China), whereas MLBB leads globally in downloads and viewership.
- The higher selection relies on your preferences: HoK for technique and visuals, MLBB for accessibility and world esports.
Cellular MOBAs are not simply informal video games, however now dominate in world downloads, income, and esports. The 2 video games main this cost are Honor of Kings and Cellular Legends Bang Bang (MLBB).
As the 2 video games compete for world dominance, gamers are sometimes left asking: “Honor of Kings vs MLBB, which is healthier?”
On this article, Esports Insider dives deep into the variations between the 2 titles, evaluating all the things from gameplay to esports scenes that can assist you resolve which recreation to play in 2025.
Honor of Kings
Honor of Kings was developed by Tencent’s Timi Studios and was initially launched in 2015 — solely in China. Concurrently, Tencent launched a world model of the sport, known as Area of Valor, which featured DC characters resembling Superman, Batman, and Surprise Lady.
Nonetheless, this recreation did not develop into a hit globally, regardless of advertising and regional esports leagues. Advertising was largely stopped by 2019, exterior key markets the place the sport nonetheless dominates, resembling Vietnam.
In 2023, it was introduced that Honor of Kings would go world. The worldwide model was launched in June 2024, that includes a big roster with Chinese language mythology and lore. The sport emphasises strategic and team-based fight with a excessive talent ceiling.
MLBB
Cellular Legends: Bang Bang, alternatively, was launched by MOONTON Video games (owned by ByteDance) and launched globally in 2016. The sport featured fast-paced motion, with matches typically ending in beneath eight minutes.
Gamers additionally really feel that it has a decrease barrier to entry and is simpler to solo queue by ranked.
MLBB at present has over a nine-year headstart over Honor of Kings in non-China markets. By this time, the sport has been extensively marketed, usually by big collaborations and has managed to develop a booming esports ecosystem.
This consists of two franchised esports leagues, with a 3rd on the way in which, regional leagues globally, and two worldwide tournaments per 12 months. The sport’s most up-to-date world championship in Malaysia peaked at over 4 million viewers.
MLBB vs Honor of Kings: Comparability
Variations between Honor of Kings and MLBB
| Characteristic | Honor of Kings | MLBB |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | Barely slower and extra strategic | Quick-paced and aggressive |
| Hero design | Chinese language Mythology-inspired | Anime-style, flashy |
| Honor of Kings vs MLBB graphics comparability | Greater constancy, 3D detail-rich environments | Less complicated however stylised visuals |
| Monetisation | Closely skins + occasions | Barely Gacha-like and skin-driven |
| Controls | Conventional MOBA mechanics | Accessible and mobile-optimised |
| Esports | Massive in China (KPL) | International, particularly in SEA |
| Localisation | Just lately world | Lengthy-term world presence |
Similarities
When Honor of Kings is in comparison with MLBB, the core gameplay loop, map construction, and position system are almost equivalent, with most variations stemming from aesthetics and pacing quite than mechanics. Each have the standard three-lane 5v5 map, separated by jungles.
The target is to take down the three towers on any lane and destroy the enemy’s base.
MLBB has over 100 heroes, and whereas Honor of Kings does too in China, the worldwide model at present has over 80 characters, with extra rapidly becoming a member of the sport. The roles for these characters are additionally comparable, together with Tank, Fighter, Murderer, Mage, Marksman, and Help.
One of many causes behind the large similarity between each titles is that they’re impressed by the identical recreation: League of Legends. In actual fact, Honor of Kings was developed by Tencent after Riot refused its proposal to make a cellular model of MLBB.
MLBB, alternatively, had been embroiled in authorized circumstances with Riot since its launch. These authorized disputes finally resulted in 2024, when the 2 firms reached a world settlement.
Which is extra widespread?
By sheer day by day energetic customers, Honor of Kings reportedly takes the win as the sport with increased recognition. It’s because it’s one of the crucial performed titles in China. The sport’s developer claims that it has 100 million day by day energetic customers, most of whom have to be in China.
When speaking about world recognition, Honor of Kings was launched somewhat over a 12 months in the past. MLBB, alternatively, has been constructing the sport from the grassroots since 2016 and has since racked up over 1.5 billion downloads, regardless of solely releasing in China this January. Subsequently, when speaking about world recognition, MLBB dominates, which could be indicated by its esports match viewership alone.
Which recreation do you have to play in 2025?
| Participant kind | Really helpful recreation | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcore MOBA fanatic | Honor of Kings | Deeper technique from the get-go |
| Informal or newer MOBA participant | MLBB | Fast matches, enjoyable gameplay, higher solo queue expertise |
| Esports participant | Depends upon area | MPL thrives in SEA (MLBB); KPL is elite in China (HoK) |
| Visuals and narrative-driven gamers | Honor of Kings | Greater visible constancy and cultural storytelling |
| Quick motion and mobile-friendly | MLBB | Simpler to choose up and optimised for low-end units |
In the end, each video games have many similarities and variations, and selecting one relies on participant choice. Most significantly, each video games are rather more enjoyable when performed with pals, so selecting a title might come right down to what your acquaintances are enjoying.
Conclusion
The Honor of Kings vs MLBB debate received’t finish any time quickly. Each titles are persevering with to develop globally, with elevated investments in advertising, group growth, and esports.
Whereas MLBB has constructed a stronger base with its first-mover benefit globally, Honor of Kings has a legacy in China, which it needs to convey around the globe. Each video games have extra similarities than variations, with the latter boiling right down to smaller in-game intricacies.
In the end, the choice between Honor of Kings or MLBB relies on what sort of gamer you might be—and what your pals are enjoying.
FAQs
Are MLBB and Honor of Kings by the identical firm?
No, MLBB is by MOONTON, a subsidiary of ByteDance, whereas Honor of Kings is developed by Tencent’s Timi Studios.
Nonetheless, MOONTON was co-founded by Xu Zhenhua, who was beforehand a Tencent worker. Tencent later sued him, claiming violation of a non‑compete clause, and accused him of copying Honor of Kings.
Finally, the court docket dominated in Tencent’s favour, ordering the MOONTON CEO to pay over $167,000 for breaching the contract.
Is Honor of Kings higher than MLBB?
Each video games are very comparable, and the selection between which is healthier boils right down to participant choice.
Which is extra widespread: Honor of Kings or MLBB?
By day by day energetic customers globally, Honor of Kings is extra widespread. Nonetheless, these customers are principally in China. Subsequently, when excluding China, MLBB is extra widespread, having launched almost 9 years earlier than Honor of Kings.
