Public perceptions are crucial for mangrove conservation and are shaped by education, research, media, and personal beliefs. Education extends beyond formal schooling to include online activities and gaming. To evaluate the scientific accuracy of game-based learning about mangroves, this study assessed traits of mangrove forests and their biota in games found on Google Play and Apple Store. Each game was reviewed for the correct representation of (i) mangrove tree traits (e.g. growth form, roots, propagules), (ii) mangrove environment features (e.g. proximity to the sea, creeks), (iii) animal presence (e.g. crabs, fish, birds, monkeys), and (iv) human use (e.g. mangrove wood). Results show that mangroves appear both as central biomes (e.g. Minecraft) but also constitute less conspicuous landscapes of little importance for the game play (e.g. jungle racing games), with scientific inaccuracies present in both. The study highlights examples of effective and poor game-based mangrove education and proposes a list of essential features for accurate ecosystem representation. While game-based portrayals of mangroves may offer only a superficial impression, this is acceptable as long as certain basic elements such as tree structure, coastal setting, characteristic fauna and human use are represented correctly. These foundational traits are essential to ensure that even a simplified depiction provides an accurate sense of what mangroves are. We also recognise that not all features are relevant to gameplay. For example, in Forza Horizon 5, where only cars are present, direct human use cannot be shown, but indirect indicators such as presence of fishing nets near mangrove roots or mangrove wood poles for housing piled along the creek banks can still effectively reflect human interaction with the mangrove forest.