12 best Apple Arcade games for iPhone, iPad & Mac in 2023

Apple Arcade offers a large library of games to play on your Apple devices. The subscription app is home to countless great experiences, and if you’re wondering which are the best Apple Arcade games to play in 2023, we’ve got the answers.

The subscription model of Apple Arcade isn’t that different from something like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Extra. Of course, all the titles on Apple Arcade are compatible with Mac, iPhone, and iPad instead of 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.

The best Apple Arcade games

Here are the best Apple Arcade games in 2023:

Football Manager Touch 2023

We awarded Football Manager 2023 a very positive review when it launched, and we’re pleased to say that the (slightly) stripped-down experience of Football Manager Touch 2023 is just as life-consuming, offering an excellent way to take your tactics board on the go.

What The Golf?

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

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 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 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 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 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

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 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 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.

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So, there you have it – the best Apple Arcade games you should play in 2023.

For more list content, be sure to check out the following:

Best Xbox Game Pass games | Best Nintendo Switch games | Best Meta Quest 2 games | Best party games | Best MMORPGs