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They all share the name MapleStory, but each title offers a very different feel. The best place to start depends on what you want—whether that is playing on PC, playing on mobile, or recapturing that older Maple atmosphere.

Today, I’ll go over a simple way to approach the MapleStory series as a beginner.

MapleStory has been played by more than 250 million people worldwide across PC and mobile, and in Korea especially, it is such a well-known franchise that registered players account for around 45% of the total population. As a long-running and major IP, it has also expanded into several different titles. Broadly speaking, you can group them into three categories: the original MapleStory on PC, MapleStoryM on mobile, and MapleStory Worlds.

Since the experience changes completely depending on which title you choose, it is important to pick the one that matches your situation and preferences. Let’s go through them one by one.

MapleStory began commercial service on April 29, 2003, and celebrated its 20th anniversary on April 29, 2023, making it the core title of the series. It is known for its signature SD characters and charming visuals, and one of the franchise’s biggest strengths is its hybrid world centered on Maple World—a setting where a warrior in plate armor and a thief in hip-hop fashion can stand side by side without feeling out of place, while also spanning fantasy fairy realms, slums, and Native-inspired highlands.

The original PC version offers the largest amount of content. With more than 200 classes, dozens of regions, boss raids, Star Force enhancement, and a guild system, there is an enormous amount to do in a single game. It is a strong choice for players who want to dig in deeply, and for anyone who enjoys flashy skill effects and the satisfaction of progression. That said, because there is so much content, it can take a little time to find your footing at the start.

MapleStoryM brings the feel of the original PC version to mobile. It carries over the original game’s classes and worldbuilding while adapting them for a mobile environment. The game is still updated steadily, with examples such as Cubes being added to the Mileage Shop lineup in the February 2026 patch.

It is a good fit for players who want to enjoy Maple on a smartphone anytime and anywhere, or for those who find it difficult to stay at a PC for long stretches. The auto-hunting system also makes it easy to enjoy casually, while still leaving plenty to explore if you want to go deeper. It is an especially solid choice for players who enjoyed the original MapleStory and want to continue that same feeling on mobile.

MapleStory Worlds is a slightly different kind of title. It is a platform where Nexon has opened up MapleStory resources so users can create games themselves, and on that platform you can play a range of user-created worlds such as MapleLand, Artale, and Maple Planet.

MapleLand in particular recreates pre-Big Bang MapleStory, so it is a very good match for players who want to revisit the atmosphere of older Maple. A defining characteristic of MapleStory Worlds is that legal recreations of classic MapleStory and classic The Kingdom of the Winds have become possible, and an overwhelming majority of new users come specifically to play those. Cross-platform support on both PC and mobile is another advantage.

In short, this is how you can choose. If you want flashy skills and deep progression, the original PC version of MapleStory is the way to go. If you want a more convenient mobile experience you can enjoy anytime and anywhere, MapleStoryM is a better fit. If you want to revisit the old Maple atmosphere from before Big Bang, MapleLand within MapleStory Worlds is the right choice.

All three titles share the same MapleStory universe, but the feel of the experience is different in each one. If you are completely new, one good approach is to start with MapleStoryM to get a sense of the series, then move over to the original PC version afterward.

Which title in the MapleStory series are you playing? Let me know in the comments.