For years, Apple devices were not synonymous with gaming, but this perception has shifted since the release of Apple Arcade in 2019. The video game subscription service offers a library of over 200 titles for a single monthly subscription fee of just $6.99. Best of all, some of the greatest Apple Arcade games also work on macOS. This allows you to put all that graphics processing power your Mac has to good use. This list presents the best Apple Arcade games to get you started.
1. Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls
Genre: side-scrolling action game
The legendary Castlevania series makes a grand entrance on Apple Arcade with Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls. This exclusive title is a love letter to fans and newcomers alike. Like a love letter to an established series should, it respects its roots but also brings something new to the table: improved graphics, 3D models, and a gameplay experience that’s optimized for the Mac.
Set in a world where Dracula has been sealed away, it opens a new narrative that interweaves the past and present of the Castlevania universe. And with 60 levels packed with varied equipment, plus daily and weekly missions, Grimoire of Souls can keep you engaged for a long time.
2. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Genre: life-simulation adventure game
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a life simulation adventure game and a must-play for anyone who loves Disney’s enchanting universe. The game’s plot revolves around an idyllic land struck by the Forgetting, a calamity that causes beloved Disney and Pixar characters to lose their memories. It’s up to you to restore their memories and bring back the magic.
The gameplay in Disney Dreamlight Valley is a mix of quests, exploration, and interaction with iconic characters. You’ll find yourself gardening with WALL·E, cooking with Remy, or fishing with Goofy. As you work to restore Dreamlight Valley to its former glory, you can customize your character, house, and just about every other corner of the valley.
3. LIMBO+
Genre: side-scrolling puzzle platformer
This Apple Design Award winner is a masterpiece that combines puzzle-platform gameplay with horror elements. The game has received widespread acclaim and over 100 awards. The “plus” version is available exclusively on Apple Arcade, bringing the game to all Mac users.
In LIMBO+, you guide an unnamed boy through a dark, eerie world in a quest to find his sister. The game is presented in stark black-and-white tones that are combined with film grain effects and a sparse, ambient soundscape. To progress, you must complete puzzles, many of which require you to face failure before you can find the correct solution.
4. The Oregon Trail
Genre: adventure game
The Oregon Trail is a classic game, and kudos to Gameloft for refreshing it. This refreshed version is beautiful and plays so well on the Mac. There’s a mix of pixel art and visual styles that feels just right for The Oregon Trail formula. They immerse you into a game world you may remember from two decades prior. With 12 different journeys, you are responsible for monitoring the health of your entire group, as well as the wagon – all while learning about the places you travel.
Hunting, rafting and other mini-games await and continue to serve as nostalgic reminders of a game where you may have spent far too many hours. Make sure you have the right balance of supplies before you take off on your adventure to enjoy this game on a big screen.
5. Asphalt 8: Airborne+
Genre: racing game
When it comes to high-octane racing games on Apple Arcade, Asphalt 8: Airborne+ is a serious contender for the top spot. This 2021 reimagining of the classic 2013 game injects new life into the beloved series, offering a premium racing experience free of in-app purchases and ads.
The game boasts an impressive collection of over 250 official speed machines that you can drive in over 400 career events, 1,500 car mastery challenges, and six unique game modes. Whether you’re a fan of Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, or any other iconic brand, this game has them all.
6. Fantasian
Genre: role-playing game
With the release of Fantasian, Apple has brought an incredible RPG game to its subscription platform, filled with 150 different places to explore. The game is centered on a character named “Leo,” who must unravel the mysteries of a mechanical infection that is slowly engulfing mankind.
Each diorama-based level is nothing short of a work of art for the Apple Arcade platform and quickly immerses you into an RPG world. Between its unique story, incredible development team and similarly world-class composer, everything about Fantasian just clicks, especially when you play on a larger screen.
7. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Genre: 3D adventure game
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure takes you on a heartwarming journey set in the picturesque, fictional island town of Secarral in Spain. You play as Alba Singh, a young girl visiting her grandparents. During your visit, you embark on a quest to protect the local wildlife and environment.
The game’s open-world design allows for a sense of freedom and exploration, and the visuals capture the essence of a Mediterranean paradise. Ustwo Games has created a world that feels alive and vibrant, and the soothing soundtrack certainly helps set the right mood.
8. PAC-MAN Party Royale
Genre: retro arcade game
Another attempt to play on nostalgia, PAC-Man Party Royale is a great game to play with friends. The framework of the original PAC-MAN craze is intact, but this reimagination for Apple Arcade takes the arcade favorite to an entirely new level. Playable with up to four people, PAC-MAN is best played on a large screen, like a Mac, with separate Bluetooth controllers.
When your party is ready to play, you can square off in the Battle Arena, or if you want to go it alone, you can face players from around the world. No matter how you play, you will still want to stay away from the “Ghosts” that have hunted PAC-MAN for decades. On top of the nostalgic fun, the graphics are colorful and fun, which just adds to the replayability of this excellent title.
9. Hot Lava
Genre: action-adventure platformer
Have you ever avoided the floor as a kid because it was lava? Of course, you have! Hot Lava brings that classic childhood game to life. The gameplay is simple and fun: navigate through nostalgia-packed environments where the floor is lava. Leap from furniture to fixtures, swing from light fixtures, and wall-run across rooms to avoid the molten peril below.
Each level is a rich, colorful playground that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, from school corridors to home living rooms. Explore these environments alone or play with your friends, as Hot Lava offers a fantastic multiplayer experience.
10. Football Manager 2024 Touch
Genre: football management simulation
The latest iteration of the world-renowned soccer management simulation is here. Football Manager 2024 Touch is a must-play for all football fans who enjoy the intricacies of managing a soccer team.
While the core of the game remains largely the same (you can even import your career from Football Manager 2023 Touch), Football Manager 2024 Touch offers many new features and gameplay upgrades, that together create a more immersive and realistic management experience.
The Apple Arcade subscription service truly offers an incredible value for macOS users, opening up a world of high-quality gaming experiences that span virtually all genres. For more value, get the Apple One bundle and access to various Apple services with a single subscription.
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
