Honor of Kings vs Mobile Legends: Which Should Malaysians Play in 2026?
By KITAMEN Esports Solutions • June 2026
Executive Summary
- Mobile Legends is the entrenched market leader in Malaysia, while Honor of Kings is the fast-growing challenger backed by Tencent.
- Both have strong Malaysian competitive scenes: MPL Malaysia for Mobile Legends, and the Malaysia Honor of Kings League, where local teams are a global force.
- This is a factual comparison to help you choose, not a verdict that one game is simply better than the other.
Deep Dive: Same Genre, Different DNA
Both games are 5v5 mobile MOBAs, but they come from different houses. Honor of Kings is developed by TiMi Studio Group and published internationally by Level Infinite, both part of Tencent; it is the global version of China’s Wangzhe Rongyao and launched worldwide in 2024. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is made by Moonton and has been the dominant mobile MOBA in Southeast Asia since the mid-2010s.
On content, Mobile Legends carries the larger hero roster, while Honor of Kings continues to expand its global roster patch by patch. Reviewers generally describe Mobile Legends as faster and more accessible, and Honor of Kings as having more complex hero kits and a steeper learning curve, though the core MOBA structure of lanes, jungle and roles is shared. Honor of Kings already has real momentum here: it won Google Play Best Game of 2024 in Southeast Asia.
Local Insight: Both Scenes Are Strong in Malaysia
This is where Malaysia is unusual: it is a powerhouse in both titles. Mobile Legends has the deep, established MPL Malaysia ecosystem and a dynasty in Selangor Red Giants. Honor of Kings, despite arriving later, already has the Malaysia Honor of Kings League, and Malaysian teams swept the podium at the Honor of Kings International Championship 2025. If you want the biggest established local ecosystem today, Mobile Legends is the safe pick; if you want a rising scene where Malaysia is genuinely world-class, Honor of Kings is a compelling choice. Many players simply play both.
Quick Data Snapshot
| Metric | Value (2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Honor of Kings maker | TiMi Studio Group / Level Infinite (Tencent) | Level Infinite |
| Mobile Legends maker | Moonton | Moonton |
| Global launch (HoK) | 2024 worldwide | Level Infinite |
| SEA recognition (HoK) | Google Play Best Game 2024, Southeast Asia | Level Infinite |
| MY competitive scene | MPL Malaysia (MLBB), MKL (HoK) | Liquipedia |
| Regional status | MLBB leader, HoK fast-growing challenger | Esports Insider |
The KITAMEN Connection
For event organisers and brands, the rise of a second major mobile MOBA is an opportunity, not a dilemma. KITAMEN runs mobile esports tournaments across Malaysia and can build a competition around whichever title fits your audience, whether that is an established Mobile Legends bracket or an early-mover Honor of Kings event while the local scene is still taking shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honor of Kings or Mobile Legends more popular in Malaysia?
Mobile Legends is the entrenched market leader in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, while Honor of Kings is the fast-growing challenger, backed by Tencent and a strong Malaysian competitive scene.
Who makes Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends?
Honor of Kings is made by TiMi Studio Group and published internationally by Level Infinite, both part of Tencent. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is made by Moonton.
Is Honor of Kings available in Malaysia?
Yes. Honor of Kings has been available in Malaysia and Southeast Asia since its global launch in 2024, and it won Google Play Best Game of 2024 in Southeast Asia.
Which game is easier for beginners?
Reviewers generally describe Mobile Legends as faster and more accessible, while Honor of Kings has more complex hero kits and a steeper learning curve, though both share the same core 5v5 MOBA structure.
Does Malaysia have a competitive scene for both games?
Yes. Mobile Legends has MPL Malaysia, and Honor of Kings has the Malaysia Honor of Kings League, with Malaysian teams sweeping the podium at the Honor of Kings International Championship 2025.
Call to Action
Thinking of running a mobile MOBA tournament in Malaysia? Chat with Ki on WhatsApp, email [email protected], or explore our services.
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Versi Bahasa Melayu
Honor of Kings atau Mobile Legends? Kedua-duanya permainan MOBA mudah alih 5v5, tetapi berbeza asal. Honor of Kings dibangunkan oleh TiMi Studio Group dan diterbitkan di peringkat antarabangsa oleh Level Infinite (kedua-duanya milik Tencent), dilancarkan di seluruh dunia pada 2024. Mobile Legends pula dihasilkan oleh Moonton dan menjadi peneraju pasaran di Asia Tenggara. Mobile Legends mempunyai senarai hero yang lebih besar dan dikatakan lebih mudah dipelajari, manakala Honor of Kings mempunyai kit hero yang lebih kompleks. Di Malaysia, kedua-dua skim kompetitif kuat: MPL Malaysia untuk Mobile Legends, dan Liga Honor of Kings Malaysia (MKL), dengan pasukan Malaysia menguasai podium Kejohanan Antarabangsa Honor of Kings 2025. KITAMEN menganjurkan kejohanan esukan mudah alih di seluruh Malaysia.
