Apple Arcade has become a kind of hidden treasure within the Apple ecosystemIt's not the most massive gaming service on the planet, but as soon as you start scratching the surface... Apple Arcade catalog You'll discover true gems for iPad, iPhone, Mac, Apple TV, and even Apple Vision Pro. If you're thinking about renewing your subscription or taking advantage of the free months Apple often offers, you'll want to know exactly how you're spending your time.
In this article we've gathered the best Apple Arcade games for iPad.Mixing recommendations from specialized media with titles that have earned the affection of gamers: from Zelda-style adventures to retro American football simulators, minimalist puzzles, frenetic arcades, and meticulously crafted narrative experiences. All this without ads, without in-app purchases, and with the convenience of downloading and playing even offline.
How Apple Arcade works on your iPad (and other Apple devices)
If you're already subscribed to Apple Arcade, playing on your iPad is as simple as opening the App Store Then tap the Apple Arcade tab at the bottom or in the side menu, depending on your iPadOS version. From there, you can browse collections, new releases, personalized recommendations, and themed playlists.
Apple Arcade games are downloaded just like any other appYou go to the game's page, tap "Get," and it will install on your device. Keep in mind that many games are several gigabytes in size, so it's a good idea to check your available storage before downloading huge RPGs or graphically demanding sports games.
Another great advantage of the service is that all the data needed to play is downloaded locally.so you can play offline, perfect for trips, holidays or those daily commutes on public transport where you want time to pass faster.
With the same subscription you can enjoy games on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and even Apple Vision ProApple is working to make visionOS fully compatible with the Arcade catalog. Many titles include progress syncing via iCloud, so you can start a game on your iPad and continue it on your Mac or Apple TV without losing any progress.
As for the price, Apple Arcade costs €6,99 per month on its standard planIt's also included in Apple One packages starting at €16,95 per month. Apple often offers several months of free trial with the purchase of a new device or through special promotions, which is ideal for thoroughly testing the service before committing to a long-term subscription.
The Apple Arcade games that look best on iPad
The iPad is probably the device where Apple Arcade shines brightest.Large screen, good power, support for external controllers, and comfortable touch controls. Below you'll find a wide selection of the service's most outstanding titles, mixing action, sports, strategy, puzzles, narrative adventures, and highly original offerings.
Oceanhorn 2 and Oceanhorn: Cronos Dungeon
If you enjoy Zelda-style adventures, Oceanhorn 2 is practically a must-have on your iPad.It's an action RPG with expansive 3D environments, dynamic combat, dungeons, puzzles, and a story that unfolds over many hours. The controls are very well adapted to touchscreens, and the colorful art style is perfect for showing off on large screens.
Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon changes direction and opts for a formula closer to the classic dungeon crawlerWith shorter matches, procedurally generated dungeon exploration, and clear inspiration from early Nintendo console adventures, this game is sure to hook you if you miss the old-school couch co-op sessions with a top-down view and straightforward action.
NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition and other sports greats
For basketball fans, NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition is the absolute benchmark within Apple Arcade.It includes updated templates, the ability to embody your favorite stars, and even a very deep level of customization, allowing you to adjust details as specific as tattoos and player appearance.
Beyond basketball, Apple Arcade also caters to football fans with Football Manager 2023 Touchwhich adapts the essence of the team management simulator to a more direct touch environment. You manage signings, tactics, training, and all the decisions that make the difference between a mediocre club and a champion.
For fans of retro-styled American football, NFL Retro Bowl is a little gem.It blends management and action with a pixel art presentation reminiscent of the 16-bit era, but with modern gameplay and short matches that fit perfectly into quick gaming sessions.
Tamagotchi Adventure and other adorable games
The legendary Tamagotchi franchise has also found a place on Apple Arcade with Tamagotchi Adventure, an adventure title in which you control an inhabitant of this universe willing to save his kingdom by solving puzzles, exploring and meeting all kinds of endearing characters.
In the same vein of tender experiences with a message, Alba: a Wildlife Adventure is another must-see.You accompany a girl who decides to clean and protect a Mediterranean island from pollution, on a journey that mixes relaxed exploration, ecological awareness and a truly beautiful low-poly visual style.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure follows in the footsteps of quiet life games like Animal CrossingBut with Sanrio characters as the protagonists. You explore a paradise island, decorate spaces, complete quests, and gradually unlock content—ideal for leisurely play sessions on iPad.
Return to Monkey Island and great narrative adventures
Return to Monkey Island marks the triumphant return of one of the most beloved sagas in video game history.With its characteristic humor, witty dialogue, and signature puzzles, it's perfect for enjoying at your leisure on the iPad, whether using touch controls or a controller.
Gris+ is another must-see experience if you value art and storytelling above all else.It's an adventure film with spectacular visuals, immersive music, and a deeply emotional story about grief and overcoming adversity. It's not excessively long, but it leaves a lasting impression and looks fantastic on the big screen.
Samorost 3+ and Creaks, from Amanita Studio, complete the trio of adventures with their own personalitySamorost focuses on dreamlike scenarios, environmental puzzles, and a leisurely pace, while Creaks invites you to discover a hidden world behind your bedroom wall, with strange creatures and ingenious puzzles.
Cypher 007 adds a touch of classic espionage to the mixYou play as James Bond trapped in Blofeld's mind traps, having to solve situations with stealth, ingenuity and some action to escape the enemy base.
Puzzles and strategy games to devour for hours
If you're looking for "couch games" to relax on your iPad, Apple Arcade is full of puzzle and strategy games. that fit perfectly with the tablet format and its precise touch controls.
Mini Motorways challenges you to design and manage the road network of a constantly growing cityYou'll start with a few simple crossings and end up with a maze of bridges, tunnels, and highways that will require careful planning to avoid monumental traffic jams.
Mini Metro+ brings the idea to the world of underground public transportwhere you'll have to draw subway lines connecting stations as demand grows. Its clean, minimalist aesthetic makes it perfect for quick sessions, although it's one of those games that often ends up becoming "just another game."
Cityscapes: Sim Builder picks up where classics like Sim City left off, but without the in-app purchase layer. which often detract from other games in the genre. You build your city, manage resources, balance services, and try to keep your citizens happy… while the city grows more complex almost without you noticing.
Outlanders proposes a more tranquil vision of settlement buildingThere are no major battles or extreme tensions: it's simply about expanding a town, managing resources and watching your community grow, ideal for de-stressing at the end of the day.
Stitch is a puzzle game that mixes embroidery and logic into a curious cocktailYour mission is to complete designs by stitching over patterns, always finding the right way to fill in each shape. It's challenging, but also very relaxing.
Grindstone raises the bar in the puzzle genreHere you play as a warrior who must eliminate hordes of enemies by linking creatures of the same color across a board. It's visually striking, highly addictive, and has much more depth than it initially appears.
Action, platforming, and frenetic arcade games
For those looking for something more adrenaline-pumping, Apple Arcade also has a good catalog of action and platform games. They feel very comfortable on the iPad, especially if you combine them with a Bluetooth controller.
Exit the Dungeon acts as a sort of spiritual sequel to Enter the GungeonIt changes the perspective and some mechanics, but it retains the frenetic action, wacky arsenal, and challenging final bosses that made the original famous.
Shovel Knight Dig takes the shovel knight on a vertical adventureDigging down in search of treasure while battling enemies and traps. It retains the retro aesthetic and charm of the original game, with a perfect pace for handheld gaming sessions.
TMNT Splintered Fate opts for the roguelike format with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as protagonistsThe rooms are randomly generated, the fights are fast and spectacular, and each attempt brings you a little closer to mastering its mechanics, with a very high level of replayability.
BEAST: Bio Exo Arena Suit Team simplifies the formula of competitive shooters like Fortnite in more accessible 3v3 matches. The combat is direct, the matches are short, and its design is intended to be enjoyed by players of virtually all ages.
Rayman Mini perfectly adapts the classic style of the saga to mobile devicesPrecise jumps, speed, fluid animations and a constant explosion of color on screen, with phases that invite you both to beat the level and to come back to perfect your times.
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is aimed at fans nostalgic for the Cartoon Network seriesIt's a 3D action game featuring all the iconic characters from the franchise, katana combat, and environments faithful to the show's aesthetic.
Musical experiences, absurd and difficult to classify
There are Apple Arcade games that are difficult to categorize into a single genre.And that's precisely why they stand out so much. If you're looking for something different, here are some suggestions that are out of the ordinary.
What the Golf? is an absolutely delirious “non-golf game”Sometimes you hit balls, sometimes you hit houses, cats, or the player himself, with levels that break all logic and humor that is surprisingly good.
Taiko no Tatsujin Pop Tap Beat represents the best of Japanese rhythm gamesYou follow the beat by tapping the screen to the rhythm of the music in increasingly challenging levels, with catchy melodies and a very cheerful visual style.
Sayonara Wild Hearts is a kind of interactive musical journey It combines racing, light combat, and surreal sequences to the rhythm of a flawless pop soundtrack. Each level is like a playable music video, ideal for enjoying with headphones and a big screen.
Reigns: Beyond incorporates the card mechanics and quick decisions of the Reigns sagaBut it takes it to space with an intergalactic theme as its common thread. You swipe cards left or right to make decisions, balancing resources and uncovering unexpected events in short but highly replayable games.
Hidden Folks+ is the interactive evolution of the classic "Where's Wally?" booksYou will have to search for specific characters and objects in gigantic black and white scenarios, full of small details, animations and surprises when you tap on the elements.
Mobile classics and well-known franchises, now without ads.
One of Apple Arcade's greatest strengths is bringing back well-known games and brands by freeing them from ads and microtransactions.If you've ever been frustrated by banners or waiting times, you'll enjoy this on another level.
Angry Birds Reloaded brings back the classic formula of launching birds at structures, with new levels and the charm of the original, but without gems, forced purchases, and constant interruptions.
Subway Surfers, available in a special version for Apple Arcade, maintains the essence of the world's most popular endless runnerRun non-stop, dodge obstacles, surf on rails and collect coins and power-ups, but with the peace of mind of having no advertising or in-app purchases.
Taiko no Tatsujin, Rayman, the Ninja Turtles or Lego star wars battles They also contribute their fan base to Arcadewith specific releases or versions that take advantage of the absence of microtransactions to offer a cleaner, more gameplay-focused experience.
New releases featured on Apple Arcade
The Apple Arcade catalog continues to grow, with new titles added every month. which renew interest in the platform. Among the latest additions are several particularly noteworthy titles for playing on iPad.
Subway Surfers, as we have already mentioned, arrives in an edition designed for Arcade, without ads or in-app purchases, which greatly improves the experience on tablets and allows you to spend hours playing consecutive games.
SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2 expands SpongeBob's adventures with a very colorful platform game, packed with coins, enemies, and familiar Bikini Bottom locations. Your mission will be to help good old SpongeBob recover the secret Krabby Patty formula.
PowerWash Simulator brings one of the recent phenomena on PC and consoles to the iPadYour only mission is to clean stages from top to bottom using a pressure washer, something that sounds simple but becomes almost hypnotic when you get into the loop of making everything shine.
Cult of the Lamb Arcade Edition adapts a popular role-playing and dungeon crawler game to the mobile environment in which you control a lamb that must create and lead its own cult, facing false prophets and enemies of all kinds while managing your camp.
NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM+ delivers the necessary dose of anime-based 3D fighting, with spectacular battles, iconic characters from the series and graphics that look especially good on large screens like the iPad.
All of this is in addition to the regular collections that Apple releases with sports franchises like NBA 2K or Football Manageras well as other surprise titles that are completing an increasingly varied and deep catalog.
In the end, Apple Arcade has established itself as a highly recommended service for those who regularly play games on iPad.It offers dozens of high-quality titles, with no ads or in-app purchases, ranging from deep adventures like Oceanhorn 2 and Return to Monkey Island to quick games like Jetpack Joyride 2, Mini Motorways, and Subway Surfers. If you take advantage of a free promotion or subscribe to Apple One, it's easy to recoup your subscription costs by playing just a couple of these games. Before we say goodbye, here's another guide for gamers to Apple Arcade: The best RPG games on Apple Arcade and other great role-playing titles for iPhone and iPad. We hope to see you in the next article!
