If you like Bloons TD 6, the best games to try next are other tower defense games that keep its core loop (waves on a path, towers you upgrade, a hero to back them up) and change one ingredient: the theme, the lanes, or who does the defending. Below, the games are sorted by what they change, so you can pick the twist you actually want.
What makes Bloons TD 6 work
Bloons TD 6, from the studio Ninja Kiwi, asks you to stop waves of balloons ("bloons") from reaching the end of a track by placing monkey towers beside it. A few things make it hard to put down:
- Upgrade paths: each tower can be pushed down several branches, so two players rarely build the same defense.
- Short, readable waves: you see what is coming and react.
- A hero on the map: one stronger character that levels up during the match.
- A long meta-game: new towers, maps and bonuses to unlock between matches.
When people search for similar games, they are usually keeping some of these and swapping the rest.
Games like Bloons TD 6, sorted by what they change
Same idea, different theme: fantasy towers and heroes
Kingdom Rush, by Ironhide Game Studio, is the usual first answer: towers on fixed spots along a path, plus heroes and boss fights, in a fantasy realm. If your favorite part of Bloons TD 6 was the hero, start there. We compare it in detail on our page about games like Kingdom Rush.
Same idea, different geometry: lanes instead of tracks
Plants vs. Zombies (PopCap) swaps the winding track for straight lanes, and swaps towers for plants you pay for with a currency that regenerates. It is a gentler, more puzzle-like take. See games like Plants vs. Zombies for how it compares.
A different twist: squads instead of towers
Arknights, by Hypergryph, is tower defense where the defenders are operators with roles, and where placement and timing count for more than raw numbers. It is a good fit if you enjoyed positioning in Bloons TD 6 more than stacking upgrades.
Heroes are the defense: Astrakeep
Astrakeep is the tower defense game we make at Djoox Studio, so read this section as coming from the developer. In its campaign there are no towers to build: your heroes are the defense, one per platform, and each has a role such as rapid fire, area damage, frost, bombs or a melee fighter that blocks ground enemies. Each hero charges a special attack that you fire with a tap when you choose. Between battles, the loot grows a kingdom of floating islands. The campaign has 145 levels across 28 chapters, each chapter ending on a boss. Astrakeep is free to play, with optional in-app purchases, and you can play it in your browser today; the mobile apps are coming soon. For the idea behind it, see our page on tower defense games with heroes.
A map of the genre
If you would rather see the whole genre first, our guide to free tower defense games lists the families, and our mobile tower defense guide covers what to check before installing.
How they compare
| Bloons TD 6 | Kingdom Rush | Plants vs. Zombies | Arknights | Astrakeep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who defends | Towers + a hero | Towers + heroes | Plants | Operators | Heroes only |
| Layout | Track | Path | Lanes | Grid | Path with hero platforms |
| Theme | Monkeys vs. balloons | Fantasy | Plants vs. zombies | Sci-fi fantasy | Fantasy |
| Between matches | Unlocks | Upgrades | Collection | Collection | Kingdom building |
Which one should you pick?
- You want the closest cousin: Kingdom Rush, for towers plus heroes on a path.
- You want something calmer: Plants vs. Zombies.
- You want to think about positioning: Arknights.
- You want your heroes to be the whole defense, with a kingdom to build: Astrakeep. The campaign guide shows the chapters and the bosses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest game to Bloons TD 6?
Among fantasy tower defense games, Kingdom Rush is the usual answer, because it also pairs upgradeable towers with heroes. The right pick depends on which part of Bloons TD 6 you liked most: the upgrade paths, the hero or the theme.
Are there games like Bloons TD 6 for free?
Many tower defense games are free to start, with ads or optional purchases. Always read the store listing. Astrakeep is free to play, with optional in-app purchases, and the game states that gems never buy summons.
Is Astrakeep a Bloons TD 6 clone?
No. In Astrakeep your defenders are heroes placed on platforms rather than towers, and the game adds a kingdom to build between battles, raids against other players and alliances.
Can I play Astrakeep on my phone?
You can play it in your phone's browser right now. The mobile apps are coming soon and are not in the stores yet.