16 of the Hottest iOS Games to Chill out and Play This Summer
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Summer is here, the UV rays are pounding down, the sweet smell of sunscreen is in the air, and the beach is calling your name. But if it’s too hot to go outside, you're stuck on a flight, or just looking for something fun to do while waiting in line at California Adventure, the iOS App Store has plenty of games to keep you in the summer mood. From games that get you outside to ones you play on your couch, this list has something for all of us. Browse 16 of the hottest games to play this summer by pressing the right arrow.
16 Beach Buggy Racing
Mario Kart isn’t on iOS (yet), but Beach Buggy Racing is here to make up for it.
Current App Store Rating
4.5/5 based on over 1,100 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Escape to Paradise!
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Awesome physics
- Fun multiplayer experience
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Nothing beats the beach when the sun is shining down. Hop in a 3D, virtual buggy and race against friends (or CPUs) to see who will be the coolest champion this summer.
Get Beach Buggy Racing on the App Store
15 Playground AR: Physics Sandbox
Playground AR lets you place and control toys in an augmented world. You can drop, stack, and even blow up basic toys in a virtual environment.
Current App Store Rating
4.7/5 based on over 550 ratings
Highlights
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- ARKit support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Available in English and Spanish languages
- Fun for children and children at heart
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
AR is decidedly in, no matter how gimmicky it may seem. Playground AR lets you play with fun toys whether your camping, swinging in a hammock on the beach, or lounging on your couch.
Get Playground AR: Physics Sandbox on the App Store
14 Oceanhorn
It’s like Legend of Zelda on your phone. Beautiful graphics, a quality soundtrack, and a great gameplay.
Current App Store Rating
4.4/5 based on over 350 ratings
Highlights
- Editors’ Choice Award
- Featured in App Store Story: Games That’ll Put Wind in Your Sails
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- No in-app purchases
- Available in 10+ languages
- Fantastic adventure game
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Oceanhorn’s gorgeous island world will make you want to take a trip to sea. It’s available on a wide variety of platforms and feels and plays like a well-made console game.
Get Oceanhorn on the App Store
13 Slide the Shakes
In this deliciously difficult game, players slide shakes across a counter and try to get it to stop in just the right place. Careful, if you slide the shake to hard it will fly off the counter and break.
Current App Store Rating
4.5/5 based on over 225 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Play Your Breakfast
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Available in 10+ languages
- Easy-to-play
- Fun recipes
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Milkshakes are an awesome way to stay cool on a sizzling summer Sunday. Not only does this game look chillingly good, it also provides great recipes as you progress through the game. So you can pull up a spoon and relax!
Get Slide the Shakes on the App Store
12 Zombies, Run!
A workout app with a terrifyingly awesome twist.
Current App Store Rating
4.9/5 based on over 6,500 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Zombies, Run! (Game of the Day)
- Apple Watch support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- HealthKit support
- Real-world experience
- Motivating and fun workout game
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Taking a run is a great way to exercise and get your perfect beach bod. Zombies, Run! takes running a step further by adding virtual, brain-munchers to your workout experience. Better get moving.
Get Zombies, Run! on the App Store
11 Just Dance Now
The popular dance game is now available on Apple TV and iOS devices.
Current App Store Rating
4.6/5 based on over 13,300 ratings
Highlights
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- HealthKit support
- Available in 10+ languages
- Controller companion app available for Apple TV and console devices
- Versatile gameplay
- Fun for all ages
- Excellent multiplayer experience
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Just Dance is the gold standard for dancing games and it’s great for people of all ages. Apple TV is where it’s at when it comes to Just Dance Now and you can take the fun with you on iPhone and iPad. Getting a summer party started has never been this easy.
Get Just Dance Now on the App Store
10 Mammoth Mini Golf AR
Mammoth Mini Golf AR lets you experience mini golfing in the real world anywhere, anytime.
Current App Store Rating
4.5/5 based on over 175 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Get Started with AR Gaming
- iPad support
- Apple Watch support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- No in-app purchases
- Multiplayer support
- Intuitive use of AR
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Augmented Reality games are taking the world by storm, and Mammoth Mini Golf AR is an excellent use of the up-and-coming technology. It’s to-scale gaming experience puts a full mini golf course in your living room or backyard.
Get Mammoth Mini Golf AR on the App Store
9 Cooking Dash
This classic time-management game will keep you on your feet as you take customers’ orders and deliver their food.
Current App Store Rating
4.7/5 based on over 40,800 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Food-Themed Fun
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Available in 10+ languages
- Great classic game that’s still fun to play (and up-to-date)
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Just about everyone knows summer isn’t summer without a good ol’-fashioned, backyard BBQ. Amazingly Diner Dash's Flo is still going strong and it’s a great way to get into the American diner groove. So grab your iPhone and iPad and fire up that virtual grill.
Get Cooking Dash on the App Store
8 Pokémon GO
Catch, trade, and battle pocket monsters in the real-world.
Current App Store Rating
3.9/5 based on over 66,300 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: How to Game Pokémon GO (Gaming 101)
- Featured in App Store Story: It’s Pokémon GO Community Day
- Featured in App Store Story: Trade Pokémon With Friends (How to)
- iPad support
- Apple Watch support
- iPhone X support
- ARKit support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Available in 5+ languages
- HealthKit support
- Online multiplayer support
- Popular AR game that is consistently updated with new content and events
- Great game for kids and adults
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Playing games is great, but summer is best spent soaking up the sun. Pokémon GO encourages players to get out and explore their community. With support for Apple Watch, players can go for a walk, jog, or run and hatch eggs or spin Poké Stops along the way; and, with dynamic, real-time weather effects, users will encounter different Pokémon in the sweltering summer heat.
Get Pokémon GO on the App Store
7 Riptide GP: Renegade
Race around gorgeous 3D water courses on your very own hydrojet.
Current App Store Rating
4.6/5 based on over 325 ratings
Highlights
- Editors’ Choice Award
- Apple TV 2016 Game of the Year
- Featured in App Store Story: FOR THE HARDCORE: Love Letter: Motion Blur
- Featured in App Store Story: Real-Time Multiplayer Games
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Multiplayer support
- Fantastic graphics and realistic water
- Fun, thrilling, hydrojet races
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
There’s nothing like feeling the wind rushing through your hair and the water splashing on your face when it’s hot outside. But if you don’t have a boat or wave runner—or if you’re nowhere near water—you might want to check out Riptide GP: Renegade. This fast-paced, water racer should get your blood pumping and give you that feeling you get when your riding the waves.
Get Riptide GP: Renegade on the App Store
6 Boom Beach
Build your base, raid enemy camps, battle bosses, and make friends in this online multiplayer game.
Current App Store Rating
4.7/5 based on over 89,700 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: When Tiny Troops Go to War
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Online multiplayer support
- Fun strategy game from the makers of Clash of Clans
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Beaches are fun, but beaches with ongoing battles and pirates are even better. This online multiplayer game is from the makers of Clash of Clans. You’ll take on bosses, team up with other players, participate in raids, attack enemy bases, and more. Boom!
Get Boom Beach on the App Store
5 Hole.io
You’re a sinkhole that grows larger and larger as you swallow objects in this 3D world. Become the biggest sinkhole in two minutes to be declared the victor.
Current App Store Rating
4.5/5 based on over 213,000 ratings
Highlights
- Currently, the number one free game on the App Store
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Addictive gameplay
- Impressive 3D .io world
- Multiple game modes
- Local multiplayer support
- Option to play free with ads or pay to remove ads
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Hole.io is currently the number one game on the App Store. So there’s a pretty good chance some of your friends are playing it too. If you're into .io games and want to play one of the most popular games this summer, hole.io is your go-to game. Unlike other .io games, hole.io limits play to two minutes (although there are some new modes including local multiplayer). Limited time means you can play a quick game here and there; but, be careful… it’s insanely addictive.
4 Mr. Crab 2
Jump through an exciting, 3D puzzle world to save some baby crabs in this cute and casual puzzle adventure.
Current App Store Rating
4.1 based on over 175 ratings
Highlights
- Editors’ Choice Award
- Featured in App Store Story: Unacceptably Cute Characters
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- iMessage stickers
- Supports Family Sharing
- Available in 10+ languages
- Fun and adorable puzzle adventure
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Beach. Sand. Sun. Crabs. Need we say more? You can’t experience the full sensations of summer without an adorable crab puzzler.
Get Mr. Crab 2 on the App Store
3 Horizon Chase - World Tour
A classic-arcade-like racer set in a modern world.
Current App Store Rating
4/5 based on over 2,000 ratings
Highlights
- Editors’ Choice Award
- Featured in App Store Story: Horizon Chase - World Tour (Game of the Day)
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Cross-save support for iOS and tvOS
- Supports Family Sharing
- High-speed arcade racing for any screen size
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Racing has never been so old-school, yet so modern at the same time. Horizon Chase feels like a retro arcade racer, but offer stunning 3D visuals. Enjoy a California-like drive as you set off into the sunset.
Get Horizon Chase - World Tour on the App Store
2 Surfingers
Go surfing in this unique, side-scrolling, endless runner. Move waves up and down with your finger to keep the surfer from wiping-out.
Current App Store Rating
3.8/5 based on 37 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Not Your Normal Sports Games
- Apple TV support
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- iMessage stickers
- Supports Family Sharing
- Easy-to-play, colorful, endless surfing
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
If The Beach Boys were Surfin’ USA in 2018, they’d be sure to download Surfingers. This easy to play, endless racer will have you feeling like a trip to the beach after just a few rounds.
Get Surfingers on the App Store
1 Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Go camping, fishing, and more with characters from Nintendo’s Animal Crossing.
Current App Store Rating
4.8/5 based on over 271,000 ratings
Highlights
- Featured in App Store Story: Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp (Game of the Day)
- Featured in App Store Story: Embrace the Cuteness (Gaming 101)
- Featured in App Store Story: Escape to Paradise!
- iPad support
- iPhone X support
- Supports Family Sharing
- Available in 5+ languages
- Fun, quality game for kids (and adults) of all ages
- Builds on the popular Nintendo franchise without feeling generic or gimmicky
Why It’s Cool for the Summer
Camping is fun, but “glamping” could be better—especially if you do it with your animal buddies from Animal Crossing. This unique Nintendo experience lets you design your own campsite, complete tasks, and go fishing, shopping, and bug catching in a virtual forrest. Visit the beach in your retro camper to get the true summer experience.