Apple Arcade is a subscription service that brings together the best gaming in one place. For a small monthly fee, you can get quality arcade games in your App Store. There’s a separate tag dedicated to these games.
Even without the subscription, the App Store in iOS is filled with some pretty cool arcade games that you can play any time you’re bored (think bus rides, lunch breaks, and airport layover).
Without further ado, here are the best arcade games for iOS:
Skate City
Ever since Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games came on the scene, skateboarding games have started getting really popular. However, it’s hard to find a game that’s even remotely near to the real thing.
Skate City is an exception as this mobile game provides the closest thing to skateboarding on screen. With swipe-based controls, it’s kind of like skating with your fingers. The best part is the thrill of seeking places in the neighborhood to practice and perform tricks, which is basically what a lot of real-life skaters do.
Grow Castle
Grow Castle Tower Defense combines the best of traditional arcade games and modern interactive mobile games. It’s a defense game where you protect the tower from enemy attacks. Each floor has a hero, and more than 80 heroes can use different skills to provide defense.
This is a ranking-based game, so the more you play, the more experience you gain and climb the ranks. It ranks players worldwide, so you can see where you stand amongst all the players. You can also play with your friends in real-time with the online guild system.
If you like this game and want to play it on PC, you can do that with an emulator.
Butter Royale
Much like Fortnite, Butter Royale also has the last man standing philosophy. However, it’s much more like an arcade game with no violence. Instead of guns shooting bullets, the weapons in this game shoot condiments. How fun?
Another reason why it’s a great game to play on your iOS device is that it’s part of the Apple Arcade universe, which means there are no annoying in-app purchases. Whatever you want, you will have to earn fair and square.
Cat Quest II
If you love cats or dogs, you’ll love the Cat Quest II, which is a sequel to the original Cat Quest. Now with the second edition, you can also play this RPG game with your friends. You go on adventures that are filled with magic quests.
A player can be both a cat or a dog. The graphics are too good for a mobile game, which is why it’s one of the best games to play on your iPhone or iPad.
Creaks
Creaks is a one-of-a-kind game developed by a Czech studio. The dark nature of the game, paired with the puzzles, makes it a must-play for anyone who enjoys a bit of mystery.
The game is set in a never-ending mansion where you must manipulate machines and monsters to get to the end. This is more of a logic-using game that would appeal to someone who is looking for some brain exercise too.
The highlight of the game is the graphics, which are hand-drawn beautifully.
Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows
Yes, the show Game of Thrones is over, but the Game of Thrones – Tale of Crows game is still available on iOS. It’s based on the Nights Watch in Game of Thrones that protected the ice wall from the White Walkers. So it’s pretty much a strategy game than actual action.
As the incharge of the Nights Watch, you’ll be setting plans and putting them into action. You’ll also be sending rangers out to resolve problems. It’s not one of those spur-of-the-moment games, but one that you continuously play.
It can take hours for rangers to send reports and for you to make decisions. It could be good practice for someone looking for some management skills.
Grindstone
Grindstone is another popular Apple Arcade game that takes block-matching to the next level with some monster-killing action. You match blocks, but sometimes those blocks bite back and must be tamed. Your beefy hero in the game has the chance to slay those dangerous blocks.
It’s a combination of puzzle and splatter-fest, as the makers of the game describe it. The goal is to find the fortune, but that can take a while as you make your way to the top. This is a game that requires cognitive skills to solve puzzles.
World’s End Club
The World’s End Club is a Japanese game that’s as dark as it gets. Its creators are known for their dark games, but this one is especially great.
A small group of students wake up in an underwater amusement park and have to find their way out. They can either do it together or fight it out to be the last survivor. There’s just one hour and one key that only one person can hold.
Wrap Up
Whether or not you use Apple Arcade, you can enjoy some really cool arcade games on your iPhone or iPad. Some games do features advertisements or in-app purchases, but still, the fun you’ll have makes them worth your time.