12 best Apple Arcade games for iPhone, iPad & Mac in 2024

Sam Smith
Apple arcade banner

Apple Arcade offers a vast selection of games for iOS users. We’ve compiled a list of the top Apple Arcade games for iPhone, iPad, and Mac to play in 2024, considering there are so many amazing options.

While Apple Arcade’s subscription model mirrors that of Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Extra, it sets itself apart by offering titles that are compatible with Mac, iPhone, and iPad, as opposed to PC and console games.

The service costs $4.99 a month and offers big hitters in franchises like Monster Hunter, as well as new games from the likes of PlatinumGames. With around 200 titles included, it can make it tough to settle on your next download.

Thankfully, we’ve rounded up the best Apple Arcade games you can play right now.

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Apple Arcade has grown with new games being added regularly.

What The Golf?

What The Golf key art from Apple Arcade
What The Golf? is a truly unforgettable experience.

Golf isn’t for everyone, but What The Golf? is no golf game. Every level breaks free from the game’s core concept in interesting new ways, like hitting your own character into a hole, or, uh, hitting a hole into another. It’s truly off the wall and always surprising.

Bleak Sword

Bleak Sword gameplay
Bleak Sword is like an 8-bit Dark Souls

If you’re looking for a grim 8-bit throwback with Dark Souls and Undertale vibes, then check out Bleak Sword. While the gothic retro art style won’t be for everyone, the game’s combat is remarkably fluid. It’s also highly addictive and difficult to master. Be warned, this one’s definitely a throw risk.

Beyond Blue

Beyond blue banner
Beyond Blue is like a playable BBC Blue Planet documentary.

Beyond Blue feels like you’re living in a David Attenborough documentary as your character explores the ocean and its wildlife. It is undoubtedly one of the best Apple Arcade games on offer. Its story is also as deep and immersive as the environments you’ll explore, and it’s a great technical showcase on all platforms.

Grindstone

Grindstone key art from Apple Arcade
Grindstone is some of the most fun you can have on Apple Arcade.

Grindstone is an addictive color-matching puzzler that takes the genre’s cutesy appeal and flips it on its head. Instead of matching gems, you’re actually slaying monsters, grabbing “Grindstones” to change color midway through and keep your streak going. It’s incredibly addictive, with fun bonus objectives and boss battles, too.

Monster Hunter Stories

Monster Hunter Stories key art from Apple Arcade
Monster Hunter Stories is Monster Hunter meets Pokemon.

Monster Hunter Stories is a little different from the base Monster Hunter game, swapping slaying monsters for taming them and raising them — not unlike Pokemon. This Apple Arcade version features the entirety of the first game that was originally released on the Nintendo 3DS.

Sayonara Wild Hearts

This neon-tinged adventure is like a playable music album. It’s full of stylish visuals and incredible music, and while the experience is short, it’s utterly unforgettable. Music fans, or fans of rhythm titles should really download this.

Oceanhorn 2

Oceanhorn 2 gameplay
Oceanhorn 2 is like Breath of the Wild at the beach.

Oceanhorn 2 is a real improvement over the first game. It also wears its Zelda Breath of the Wild inspiration clearly on its sleeve. While some will criticize Oceanhorn 2 as unoriginal, it’s actually a very fun experience. It’s also the closest thing you’ll ever get to Zelda on Apple Arcade.

Assemble with Care

Assemble With Care screenshot
Assemble With Care is a unique title that’s great for relaxing.

This relaxing, puzzle-solving Apple Arcade game will have you putting treasured items back together. From tape players to cameras, it’s a delight that makes excellent use of the touch screen to let you manipulate analog technology.

Hitchhiker

Hitchhiker gameplay

Hitchhiker is a tense mystery game that really deserves more attention. The premise is that the protagonist is hitchhiking across the country to a mysterious destination, chatting to drivers as they go. The fun is piecing together why you’re going there, and who you really are. Those who enjoy immersive single-player experiences with access to Apple Arcade should really give this a look.

Fantasian

Coming from Hironobu Sakaguchi’s Mistwalker studio, Fantasian carries forth a lot of Final Fantasy DNA while also adding a unique twist. Much of its backgrounds and environments are dioramas, giving it a dreamlike feel, with excellent turn-based combat.

World of Demons

As you’d expect from PlatinumGames, World of Demons is full of stylish action. It also offers a stunning cel-shaded art style that really pops on newer iPhones and iPads, as well as the ability to summon monsters to fight alongside you.

Gris+

Gris Steam screenshot showing traversal through a landscape

Gris was a gorgeous adventure full of stunning colors and landscapes when it launched back in 2018, and thanks to Apple Arcade, the entire game is playable on your Apple device through your subscription.

There really are few games that look this good, particularly on more recent devices.

So, there you have it – the best Apple Arcade games you should play in 2024. For more list content, be sure to check out the following:

Best Pokemon games | Best games like Animal Crossing | Best open-world games like Skyrim | Best gacha mobile games | Best MMO games | Best mobile games | Best co-op games like It Takes Two | Best cozy games | Best Nintendo Switch RPGs | Best games like GTA | Best JRPGs of all time | Best free games | Best games on the Steam Deck

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About The Author

Sam is a Senior Games Writer for Dexerto specializing in Survival Horror, Diablo, Final Fantasy, and Soulslikes. An NCTJ accredited journalist, Sam also holds a degree in journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and has many years of experience as a professional writer. Being able to marry his love of writing with his addiction to video games was always one of his life goals. He also loves all things PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo in equal measure. Contact at sam.smith@dexerto.com