So, you’re trying to figure out how old is Brawl Stars, and honestly, the answer depends on who you ask. If you check the official global launch date, you’ll see 2018. But if you’re a real "OG" who remembers playing in portrait mode with a joystick that barely worked, you know the story goes back much further.
The game isn't just some recent trend; it’s a survivor. It survived a brutal beta phase where Supercell almost "killed" it, and it has since evolved through a wild series of identity crises—from a sci-fi space shooter to a gritty western, and finally to the vibrant, chaotic world of Starr Park we know today.
As of early 2026, Brawl Stars has been a part of the gaming landscape for nearly nine years if you count the very first public tests. That is a lifetime in the mobile gaming world.
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The Timeline: When Did Brawl Stars Actually Come Out?
To get the full picture of how old is Brawl Stars, we have to break it down into three specific eras. Most players only know the last one, but the first two are where the game’s "soul" was actually built.
1. The Pre-History (2014–2017)
The project started way back in 2014. Back then, it wasn't even called Brawl Stars. It was codenamed "Laser." The team, led by Jon Franzas, originally wanted a fantasy-themed game because Supercell was already comfortable with that style from Clash of Clans. They eventually pivoted to a space theme, then a Western theme (codenamed "Gun Town"), which is where Brawlers like Shelly, Colt, and Spike were born.
2. The Beta Era (June 15, 2017)
This is the "technical" birthday for many. On June 15, 2017, Supercell soft-launched the game exclusively for iOS in Canada. It looked nothing like the current game. You played it holding your phone vertically (portrait mode), and you moved by tapping the screen. It was weird. It was clunky. And for 522 days, the developers weren't sure if they should even keep it alive.
3. Global Launch (December 12, 2018)
This is the date Google will give you. On December 12, 2018, the game finally went live for everyone on both iOS and Android. By this point, the game had shifted to the landscape (horizontal) orientation we use now. It was an instant hit, grossing over $63 million in its first month alone.
Why the "Age" of Brawl Stars is Deceiving
If you just look at the calendar, the game is roughly seven years old globally. But in "gaming years," it’s a veteran. Think about it. Most mobile games have the shelf life of a banana. They're popular for six months and then disappear into the "Games You Might Like" graveyard.
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Brawl Stars stayed relevant by constantly murdering its own mechanics. They removed the original Gacha boxes—a move that was incredibly controversial at the time—and replaced them with the Starr Road and later Starr Drops. Just recently, in late 2025 and early 2026, we've seen massive additions like "Buffies" (special power-ups for gadgets and star powers) and the "Upside Showdown" mode.
Key Milestones in the Brawl Timeline:
- 2017: iOS Beta launch (Canada only).
- 2018: Global release and the shift to landscape mode.
- 2020: The introduction of the Brawl Pass and the "Starr Park" lore explosion.
- 2022: The death of Loot Boxes (replaced by Credits/Starr Road).
- 2023: Hypercharges arrive, fundamentally changing the meta.
- 2025: Collaboration era peaks with Subway Surfers and Stranger Things events.
Is the Game "Too Old" to Start Now?
Honestly? No. It’s actually easier to get into now than it was three years ago. Supercell has spent the last year (2025) reworking the Trophy Road and adding "Records" to make the early-game grind feel less like a chore.
One thing people get wrong about how old is Brawl Stars is the idea that the player base is shrinking. It’s actually the opposite. In early 2026, the game is seeing a massive resurgence. According to recent data from ActivePlayer, the monthly active users are hovering around 8.8 million, with a nearly 9% growth spike just this past month.
The esports scene is also huge. The 2024 World Finals hit over a million concurrent viewers, and the 2025 circuit proved that even after seven years, people still want to watch professionals play "Snake Prairie" or "Brawl Ball."
Surprising Facts About the Game's Origin
Most players think the game was always meant to be a 3v3 arena. Not true. The very first prototype was actually a deathmatch-style Battle Royale. The team only switched to 3v3 because they realized playing with friends was the only way to make the game feel "sticky."
Also, did you know Mortis used to be a common brawler? Or that Poco’s Super didn’t used to heal himself? The game has been tweaked so many times that the 2018 version would feel like a bootleg copy to someone playing today.
The Evolution of Rarity
Back in the day, getting a Legendary felt impossible. Now, with the Starr Road, you can actually see your progress toward a brawler like Pierce or Leon. They even briefly experimented with an "Ultra Legendary" rarity in 2025 before admitting it was a bit too much and rolling back some of those monetization changes.
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Actionable Next Steps for Players
If you’re coming back after a long break or just curious about the game's history, here is how you should catch up:
- Check your "Records": If you haven't logged in since the 2025 "Welcome to Starr Park" update, go to your profile. The new Records system gives you rewards for stuff you've already done years ago.
- Ignore the Meta Lists from 2024: Everything changed with the "Buffies" update. Brawlers like Shelly and Colt are suddenly top-tier again because of their power-up synergy.
- Watch the WKBRL Radio Lore: If you want to know why the game feels "creepy" sometimes, look up the Starr Park lore timeline. The game isn't just about shooting; there's a whole weird 1950s conspiracy theory baked into the background.
Brawl Stars isn't just an "old" game. It's a platform that keeps reinventing itself. Whether you've been here since the 2017 tap-to-move days or you just downloaded it for the Stranger Things collab, the game's age is just a number—its momentum is what actually matters.