Best Apple Arcade games to play in 2024

Apple Arcade is genuinely one of the best gaming subscription services around. Not only does it have a huge library of games that encompass countless genres and big IPs, but the selection of games is expanded significantly every month. Not only does is the library of the best Apple Arcade games filled with classics and modern hits, but there are a number of exclusive releases in the mix too.

Those who use a Mac can essentially enjoy these like the best free PC games, as like most current Apple devices, they are compatible with Apple Arcade. For most people though, it’ll be a case of playing on your iPhone or iPad. However you play, and whether you prefer the best farming games or the best platform games, we’ve got a list of recommendations here that encompass a little bit of everything that the service has to offer.

Here are the best Apple Arcade games:

Stardew Valley+

Concerned Ape’s 2016 indie masterpiece, Stardew Valley, put farming sims on the map in a big way and is widely regarded as one of the best indie games ever made. If you have yet to play this delightful cozy game, you can enjoy it as part of an Apple Arcade subscription. Though the + in the title may lead you to believe that it’s a new version of the game, it’s essentially identical, just with the added benefit that you can switch between any Apple Arcade-compatible device and keep your file going – which is handy if you’re playing on your Mac at home, then want to continue on your iPhone on the way to work.

But, anyway, for those who are unfamiliar with this game, it harkens back to the classic Harvest Moon games, but gives them a slightly nicer coat of paint with its modern pixel art style, and really smashes through the glass ceiling in terms of the freedom it gives you. In addition to the farming you’d expect, you can romance just about anyone in your local community (including same-sex characters), have or adopt children, explore caves, fight monsters, go fishing, and loads more. You can easily spend over 100 hours in this fantastic game.

Slay the Spire+

The Apple Arcade version of Slay the Spire, similar to Stardew Valley, only differs from other versions in the sense of having the ability to easily access your save across different devices. Aside from that, it’s the same deck-building dungeon-crawling roguelike that we all know and love – if you’re not familiar with the game, that might just sound like a random mishmash of genres, but believe us when we say, it works perfectly.

The game includes a selection of four characters who each have their own unique approach to battle. The dungeons you make your way through are made up of a number of turn-based battles which give you the chance to play cards from the decks that you’re continuously enhancing. The more dungeons you clear, the more cards you can add to your retinue, and the more unique combinations of attacks you’ll be able to create. This leads to some really fun and varied battles. There’s quite a decent spread of enemies too, each of which requires a slightly different technique. There’s a very good reason we put this on our list of the best card games.

Sonic Dream Team

A 3D Sonic game that utilizes a gameplay style rather similar to that seen in the Sonic Adventure games. Not only is it really cool, but it’s is currently exclusive to Apple Arcade, which will be a huge pull to Sonic fans of a certain age. While most (though not all) 3D Sonics have focused on speed above all else, this one rewards exploration too with secret red rings hidden around the maps. On your first play-through of a level you might rush through the obstacles to get to the end as quickly as possible, but on your second play-through, you can take things slow.

It’s also one of those games that’s not ashamed of the expanded Sonic cast, with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream, and Rogue all playable. When was the last time you could be most of them in a Sonic game that wasn’t a spin-off? Despite being a relatively low-key release, it really is one of the best Sonic games in a while. Whether you’re a longtime fan looking to recapture that certain nostalgic feeling, or someone who’s never played Sonic before looking for a fun platforming fix, this is well worth a try.

Monument Valley+

Truly one of the best puzzle games of recent years – if not one of the most beautiful too. The game sees you navigating some bizarre, impossible, and otherworldly architecture. At its heart, it’s a simple case of walking from one point to another, but to do that, you have to manipulate the buildings that you’re navigating. Here you’ll find things that look like Penrose triangles and other optical illusions – often it will seem like there’s no solution, but it’s very satisfying when you finally figure out how to progress.

In writing, it may not sound so enticing, but when you play you’ll see it’s a super charming game. There’s a peaceful, zen-like feeling to it (with a hint of creepiness) and it’s this atmosphere that makes it a truly unforgettable experience. The + version of the game included with Apple Arcade has the added benefit of all the game’s original DLCs being accessible from the get-go. These aren’t the only extra challenges either, because if you play through it all, you can dive straight into Monument Valley 2+ (also on Apple Arcade) when you’re done.

What the Golf?

If you go into this game expecting the kind of straight-laced golf game that typically appears in lists of the best sports games, you’re going to find yourself saying “what the heck?” An argument could even be made that this is not a golf game, despite it being in the title. While it is true that each level is based around hitting something into a hole with a flag in it, the bizarre things you’ll find yourself doing stray very, very far from traditional golf.

You’ll realise this as soon as you start the game, where in the first level instead of hitting golf balls across the course, you’re hitting the golf club itself. If that sounds wacky to you, you’re in for a wild ride, because before you know it you’ll be rolling barrels around the moon to knock over giant bowling pins. You never know what What the Golf? is going to have you do next, and for that reason alone, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again to see what strange challenges it has in store.

Galaga Wars+

Galaga is one of those retro games that many gamers have a huge soft spot for, and which continues to be very fun to this day. Galaga Wars was originally a free micro-transaction-based game that took a modern approach to the old formula, and the Apple Arcade version of it is the same experience with the micro-transactions stripped out.

The game has you flying out into the galaxy and getting into outer space dog fights. On your first outing, you’ll probably find yourself getting blown up pretty quickly – but the good news is that you collect coins each time which are then used to upgrade your ship, or even to buy new ships. What’s really cool is that these other ships are all taken from other classic arcade shooters like Xevious or Galaxian. There’s even a Pac-Man ship! It’s a lot of fun and a perfect game to play whenever you’ve got a bit of time to kill.

Return to Monkey Island+

The Monkey Island series has long provided gamers with exciting pirate adventures with a decent helping of humor in the mix. Return to Monkey Island is a continuation of what came before, with plenty of references and Easter Eggs to make old fans smile, while still being perfectly accessible as a jumping-on point for anyone who hasn’t tried a Monkey Island game before.

This is a point-and-click adventure where you play the pirate adventurer Guybrush Threepwood (a series mainstay). You’ll find yourself visiting iconic locations like Mêlée Island and Monkey Island itself, as he hunts to find the titular location’s deeply hidden secrets and treasures. The whole game is filled with memorable characters and fun puzzles that require creative thought. If you like a good story-based game, then this is one to try.

Disney Dreamlight Valley: Arcade Edition

If, like a lot of people, you grew up watching Disney movies, then Disney Dreamlight Valley will be a wonderfully comforting and nostalgic experience. In it, your avatar character explores the titular valley, where many iconic Disney characters reside, including Mickey Mouse (obviously), Woody, Scar, Gaston, and loads of others (read our full list of all Disney Dreamlight Valley characters to find out more). There’s a dark influence corrupting the valley, and it’s up to you to help get to the bottom of that.

The gameplay is mostly based around running errands for and with the different characters you encounter. These errands may take the form of doing some cooking together, doing some gardening, or finding certain items for them. It might sound a bit basic when written out like that, but the game excels in its presentation (perfectly capturing that Disney charm) and its writing, which really sets it apart from other games. A cozy experience like this is the ideal way to bring together all these Disney characters in one place and part of the reason we consider it one of the best Disney games.

If you enjoy mobile gaming, read our list of the best PC games you can play on mobile. We’ve also got a list of the best clicker and idle games, which has some pretty cool recommendations in it.