Apple Arcade Is Here! 10 Games You Should Download First
Credit: AppleApple has entered the gaming market in a whole new way. With the public release of iOS 13, Apple has also introduced the world to Apple Arcade – an all-new subscription gaming service, exclusive to Apple users. Promising over 100+ games this fall, Apple Arcade has – at the time of writing – 64 games and counting.
What Is Apple Arcade?
Apple Arcade is a new gaming subscription service for just $4.99 per month after a one-week free trial period. It's exclusive to Apple users, and every game supports Game Center, iCloud syncing, and works on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac.
The games are premium and don't contain any in-app-purchases (IAPs). From what we've seen, most of the games feature fantastic graphics, phenomenal audio, high-end voice recordings, and more; including console-like gameplay for some titles.
How Do I Get Apple Arcade?
Apple Arcade is available to the general public with the release of iOS 13. Update the firmware on your device, open the App Store, and select the Arcade tab. Here you can sign up for Apple Arcade and start downloading all the games you want to play.
What Makes It Better Than Purchasing or Downloading Free Games from the App Store?
The App Store offers a huge selection of games already. While there are many great titles, some are more casually designed, utilize pay-to-play models (usually through IAPs), and it can often be hard to find games that break the mobile mold.
Many quality, mainstream games cost between $20 and $60 on platforms such as Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch; and, while iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS may not be considered in the same league yet, all that might be about to change as Apple begins to offer hundreds of titles for less than a Starbucks frapp.
Here Are 10 Games You Don’t Want to Miss!
Apple says it will add over 100 games to its new subscription game platform over the fall season. Although there are plenty of games on Apple Arcade that might pique your interest right now. We've been playing Apple Arcade for a few days now, and here are some games that really caught our attention. Continue reading to browse 10 Apple Arcade Games You Should Download First.
Hot Lava
Wow. Apple’s teased us with this one for a while; but, wow! While the game controls feel a bit clunky and it will definitely take some getting used to, this game is absolutely fantastic as far as the thought and effort that was put into it.
If as a kid you ever pretended the floor was lava, then you already know the basic rules: don't fall in the lava. The characters are from a fictional TV show that seems to inspire a child's imagination before bedtime. Jump from furniture to furniture as the whole home is consumed with lava. As the imagination becomes more vivid, the home seems to disappear entirely and lava monsters enter the fray. Can you survive your own imagination? Hot Lava will put you to the test.
The Pinball Wizard
I remember the early days of Windows and playing pinball every chance I got. There's just something fun about pinball on a computer. The Pinball Wizard puts a new twist on the game by turning it into an adventure story where each level has its own enemies and obstacles.
The main character is—you guessed it—a wizard. This wizard acts as the ball. Use the flippers to send him where you want him to go, bounce off of enemies to attack them, and get the key to unlock the door to the next level. This is a fun, casual game that you may find hard to put down.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Music games are a dime a dozen, it's hard to find one that is unique from the ground up. Sayonara Wild Hearts, seems to get this right.
From its neon, techno-like graphics, its high-speed gameplay, and immersive storyline, expect Sayonara to take you on a journey full of unique challenges and ear-popping beats.
When playing this game, be sure to put on a pair of headphones to get the full experience. It's as relaxing as it is challenging, but you're just going to have to download it to see what I mean.
Where Cards Fall
This stunning puzzler places you in a world of adventure, where the main character explores using taps, drags, swipes, and pinches. Use your fingers to guide your hero though the courses, making good use of the playing cards that are available at different junctures of each level.
Gamers can expand each pack of cards to create bridges and other structures to help the character progress. You can even move the decks where you want them and choose the size of the structure you build. This game is one-of-a-kind and will keep you captivated for hours on end.
Agent Intercept
Growing up, one of my favorite games was Spy Hunter! In this game, you controlled a futuristic car that could shape shift into different vehicles including a motorcycle and a boat. You had fun gadgets and fought enemy vehicles as they appeared.
Unfortunately, Spy Hunter isn't on the App Store, but it doesn't matter because now we have Agent Intercept. This is essentially a better version of the classic game, and although I haven't spent a lot of time with it, I spent enough to know that it brings the same level of thrill as the aforementioned classic spy game. It's definitely worth a play.
Mini Motorways
If you've ever played Mini Metro, you may want to check out Mini Motorways. Both games are developed by Dinosaur Polo Club, but Motorways is only available to Apple Arcade subscribers.
In this fun, traffic simulation game, you'll build roads connecting buildings and homes. Add stoplights, bridges, and highways to control the flow of traffic. Make sure your population can get where they're going in a reasonable amount of time, or it's game over!
Mini Motorways provides hours of fun and challenges users with its combined puzzle and simulation genres. You will find it both tranquil and stressful, both relaxing and challenging. It's easy, causal gameplay makes it perfect for waiting rooms, or just relaxing on the sofa.
Assemble with Care
An amazing puzzler with an equally amazing storyline. This beautiful game takes you through the story of Maria, a women who loves fixing broken things. Help solve puzzles and discover new stories along the way. I don't want to spoil the engaging storyline, so try it out and see what you think.
Don't Bug Me!
If you love tower defense games, you're sure to love Don't Bug Me. This game ditches the standard tower defense formula for something slightly different. You're hanging out on Mars in the late 1970s, but with very not-1970s technology, fighting off aliens ambushes. Instead of a path with towers, you'll protect a single base point as monsters come at you from all angles.
This game is hard to put down and offers a great challenge for both new gamers and experienced tower-defense players.
Oceanhorn 2
If you haven't played the original Oceanhorn game, go play it so you can fully appreciate its sequel. The Oceanhorn series is very similar to The Legend of Zelda, but still has its own creative storyline and game mechanics. Oceanhorn 2 feels like a console-like game that fits in your pocket.
Frogger in Toy Town
This is possibly the best game currently offered on Apple Arcade. The graphics are incredible! The physics! The attention to detail. It really is an outstanding game.
If you're young and don't know what Frogger is, think of it as the inspiration for Crossy Road. In this version of Frogger, don't expect to die and then try again to see how far you get. This is more of an adventure.
In Frogger TT you'll rescue lost “froglets,” explore detailed environments, and experience a side of KONAMI that you've never seen before.
And Many More…
The truth is, there are too many games right now to even try them all and offer an in-depth opinion; and, Apple keeps adding more and more. These are just first impressions and time will tell which games are hot and which ones flop. Some titles are still experiencing some errors, or features such as online play weren't working when we first tested them.
Here are a few other awesome titles to check out:
- LEGO Brawls
- RaymanMini
- Spaceland
- Cat Quest II
- Dodo Peak
- Grindstone
- Stella
- Over the Alps
More to Come
You can expect several more games to be added over the next several weeks. Try them out and let us know what you think of Apple Arcade. Will you subscribe? What do you think of the content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section and on social media.