The Best Console and PC Games You Can Play on Your iPhone

Not everyone likes mobile games. After all, they have a bad reputation for misleading advertising, pay-to-win practices, and just being dull. Luckily, that's not the case for all games. There are actually a dozen fantastic, cute games that you can play on the go.
And that's to the iPhone's power; you can even play some really high-quality demanding console games, too. No, we're not talking about emulators — although that's now an option, too; there are many console and PC games available natively for your iPhone.
Not only that, but sometimes they're even cheaper than the console and PC versions. If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, read on for 11 of the best console and PC games you can play on your iPhone.
Papers, Please
Papers, Please is a different kind of puzzle game, but that doesn't make it any less fun and interesting.
The premise is simple: you take on the role of a border inspector for the great and fictional country of Arstotzka. After six years of war with Kolechia (another fictional country), your job is to examine immigrants' papers and decide if they can get into your country or not.
Sounds easy, right? But the game starts to get harder the more you progress. Not only will you have to determine who can enter your country based on their papers, but also based on what's best for your country, your family, or yourself.
The game is simple and extremely fun. There are many different endings to achieve, so you can play for hours and explore different routes.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger has been regarded as one of the best games of all time, and there's a reason for that. This charming role-playing game (RPG) sets you on an adventure where you'll have to travel to the past and future in order to prevent the end of the world.
Despite being around for over twenty years, Chrono Trigger still features a unique history, with great gameplay and colorful characters. When it was released, it introduced many new features that we still see today.
Whether you love RPGs or this is your first time getting into the genre, Chrono Trigger is a great game to play on your iPhone.
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is one of those big console games that recently hit the App Store. It's the first game that the acclaimed director Hideo Kojima worked on after he left Konami.
This game is pretty simple; in a post-apocalyptic world, your job is to bring America back together. How will you do that? By being a delivery driver, of course.
Yes, it sounds silly, but there's actually more to the game than that. You'll have to fight against a weird human-like species, a terrorist group, and even rain.
One of the things that makes this game stand out is its graphics. When you look at it, you won't believe you can play a game like this on your iPhone.
Unfortunately, most of us probably can't, as it's limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max with Apple's powerful new A17 Pro chip. You won't be able to purchase it on the App Store for older models, but it's a universal app that also runs on Apple M-series iPads and Macs, so you can start there and you won't need to purchase it again when you do get a new iPhone.
Dead Cells
If you're a fan of platforming or Castlevania-inspired games, then you'll love Dead Cells. This fantastic game will have you playing, dying, and coming back for more.
You'll play as a living being called Prisoner. You are capable of possessing dead bodies and controlling them however you want. The good news is that you're immortal. The bad news is that the bodies you possess are not.
This basically means that once you die, you'll go back to the beginning to try again. Of course, you won't go back empty-handed; you'll unlock different upgrades as you make your way through the prison. This game is extremely fun and will have you playing for hours on end.
Dead Cells' controls are really responsive, even if you play on your iPhone's screen, but you'll enjoy it even more if you use an external controller.
Journey
The journey is a great game for folks who just want to lie down, relax, and have some fun.
The story isn't quite as clear as with other games. Instead of telling you the story, you'll learn more about the civilization that existed before you and what happened to them.
The game stands out for its stunning visuals. Even though it's a decade old, Journey still looks amazing, and its soundtrack is immersive and fantastic.
Terraria
Terraria is an indie game that took the world by storm. This unique 2D game changed the way we thought about action, adventure, and sandbox games.
Your goal is to explore the world around you while fighting enemies, crafting your weapons, and building your life. In some ways, it borrows a lot of aspects from Minecraft.
For instance, the world is procedurally generated when you start it. This basically means that the game randomly creates a new world every time you play, making your experience different than others. It also lets you find and collect items that you can then use to craft equipment you can use to defend yourself or become more resistant.
Despite these similarities, Terraria still manages to be a completely different and unique experience. While some features, like the multiplayer mode, work best on PC, the game is still really fun to play while you're on the go.
Inside
If you love side-scrolling games, cryptic stories, and eerie environments, then you'll love Inside. This game was developed by the team behind Limbo, a critically acclaimed indie game from 2010.
Inside might not have been as popular as Limbo, but it's still a joy to play. When you start, you'll have no idea what's happening. The only thing you do know is that you're alone, and you need to keep moving if you don't want to get caught and die.
Just like with other games on the list, you'll know the story of Inside by looking at its environment and making up your own narrative as you go. To progress, you'll need to solve a lot of puzzles along the way. Most of them are pretty straightforward, but some of these puzzles will force you to think outside the box.
Hearthstone
Are you a fan of card games? Then Hearthstone is a great game to play on your iPhone. The best part is that you can download it for free and start playing without spending any money.
The downside is that, just like most other card games, if you want to build a really good competitive deck and become the best, you'll probably need to spend at least a bit of money.
Still, Hearthstone offers unique gameplay that you don't see very often. Both you and your opponent start with a hero and a 30-card deck. Your goal is to destroy your opponent's hero while protecting yours.
While you'll need to hone your skills to be the best, the game is still pretty simple and easier to learn than other more mature card games, making it a good starting point for most people.
Little Misfortune
Little Misfortune is probably the cutest-looking horror game you'll ever play on your iPhone. However, it's worth noting that this game deals with some heavy topics like death, addiction, and cruelty. While it's a good game, it's definitely not for the feint of heart.
With that said, if you give this game a try, you'll find yourself mixed with emotions from laughter to horror. And it's all thanks to Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez, the protagonist of the game whose goal is to play the game of the narrator. The catch? Today is the day Misfortune dies, and the choices you make will help you find out how it happens.
This game might not be for everyone, but it has a unique charm that's rare in games these days, especially on the App Store.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil has finally made its way to the App Store with both Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4, and it doesn't matter which one you choose; you'll enjoy both.
However, considering that Resident Evil 4 is a remake, if you're looking to play a new game, then Resident Evil Village is the way to go. You'll play as Ethan Winders three years after the events that happened in Resident Evil 7.
After a rocky start, you'll find yourself stranded in a village filled with werewolves, vampires, and creepy dolls. Your goal is to rescue your daughter and escape however you can.
While this game is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7, you don't really need to play that one to know what's happening in this one. Some of the most important parts that you need to know about the previous game are explained here. Plus, this game is less about the story and more about the surviving aspect.
Just like Death Stranding, this game is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and M-series iPads and Macs because of its demanding nature — it's the full PS5-quality console version for the iPhone, not a mere port, which means it needs the additional power that only the A17 Pro or Apple's M-series chips can deliver.
Granny
If you love scary or silly games, you'll love to play Granny. This simple game quickly became extremely popular and it's all thanks to its gameplay.
Sure, the graphics aren't the best, but the enemy is a bit silly and sometimes unfair. However, you'll love exploring your Granny's house and trying to find a way to escape.
The game is easy to pick up, but if you want to survive, you'll need to understand the environment, the weapons, and the possible exits.
Again, don't judge it by its cover; it's actually a pretty fun game to play.