NBA 2K26 Leads October’s Apple Arcade Releases
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Apple typically adds new titles and game updates to its Apple Arcade service every month, but some months are more exciting than others, and October looks like it’s shaping up to be a big one.
Perhaps it’s partly inspired by the new dedicated Games app in iOS 26, but Apple is headlining this month’s Apple Arcade releases with NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition, a sequel to one of the most popular sports titles in its lineup.
Of course, that’s not all that’s coming, but the rest are smaller additions by comparison. Tomorrow, Apple is adding Thomas & Friends: Let’s Roll+ by StoryToys, Dominoes: Classic Tile Game+ by MobilityWare, and Piffle+ by Mighty Games and Hipster Whale. This week also saw an update to TMNT Splintered Fate that adds a new playable character, Metalhead.
While previous monthly releases have been more varied, it’s clear that Apple wants October’s focus to be on NBA 2K26, and it’s put a lot of work into the new release.
As with prior chapters, NBA 2K26 will let you build a championship team and compete in online games, and it has the usual fresh season additions like trade updates and new players.
The biggest new highlight to this year’s release is a new NBA Eras mode. This new feature allows fans to relive “defining decades of basketball history,” starting with the famous rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Players can recreate these “historic clashes” and even make highlight reels that feature basketball legends. Rebecca Chan, the general manager of the development team behind NBA 2K26, said they had an “absolute blast” developing it.
Working on NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition has been an absolute blast, and we’re thrilled to unveil our latest feature, NBA Eras. Starting with the legendary Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson era, players can relive decades of drafts, championships, and create some epic highlight tapes with the GOATs.
Rebecca Chan, Visual Concepts’ general manager
MyCAREER has also been expanded with multiplayer games that let you take your custom player beyond a solo experience. The new MyCAREER mode lets players “craft builds just like Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, or your new cover athlete, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander,” Chan notes.
NBA 2K26 follows September’s release of NFL Retro Bowl ’26 and February’s PGA Tour Pro Golf in expanding Apple Arcade’s lineup of licensed sports titles.
Apple Arcade offers a well-rounded gaming experience that goes beyond sports. Although we’re unlikely to see another epic game like Fantasian, there’s an ongoing collection of casual games that are fun for all ages. This year’s new entries include Jeopardy! Daily, plus new entries in classic franchises, such as Angry Birds Bounce, Katamari Damacy Rolling Live, and Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve. There’s also a great selection of kid-focused titles, with recent standouts that include Hello Kitty Island Adventure, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures+, Crayola Create and Play+, and this month’s Thomas & Friends: Let’s Roll+.
Apple Arcade offers access to over 200 games that can be shared with a family of up to six, all without ads, in-app purchases, or other hidden costs. A standalone subscription is $6.99 per month. It’s also included in Apple One bundles alongside Apple Music and Apple TV+. The Individual plan ($19.95/month) provides 50 GB of iCloud+ storage and, while Apple Music is limited to a single user, both Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ can still be shared with up to six family members. For households that want shared Apple Music, the Family plan is $25.95/month and ups the iCloud+ storage to 200 GB.
Whether you subscribe to Apple Arcade on its own or as part of Apple One, the service offers a growing catalog of ad-free, family-friendly games that everyone in the household can enjoy together.
