The best Apple Arcade games for 2025

Engadget - Apr 17th, 2025
Open on Engadget

Nearly six years after its launch, Apple Arcade continues to offer a diverse array of games, making it a worthwhile investment for mobile gamers willing to explore its extensive library. Notable titles like Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE and Balatro stand out as highlights, showcasing the eclectic mix and quality the service provides. Despite the ebb and flow of new additions and some games being removed, Apple Arcade remains a compelling platform for those seeking ad-free, high-quality gaming experiences.

The service initially promised exclusive high-quality games playable across Apple's ecosystem, but recent years have seen fewer high-profile releases. Nevertheless, Apple Arcade's library features a mix of original titles and classic App Store games enhanced for the platform. With a subscription fee of $7 per month or $50 per year, Apple Arcade still holds value for mobile gaming enthusiasts, offering a retreat from the ad-laden, in-app purchase-heavy landscape of typical mobile games.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively highlights the variety and appeal of games available on Apple Arcade, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the service in 2025. Its strengths lie in its clarity and timeliness, offering engaging descriptions of individual games that cater to gaming enthusiasts. However, the piece could benefit from a more balanced perspective, incorporating critical viewpoints and comparisons with other services to provide a fuller picture. The lack of explicit sourcing and transparency regarding the author's basis for evaluation may affect the perceived reliability of the content. Overall, the article serves as a useful guide for potential subscribers but could be enhanced by addressing these areas.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Apple Arcade's offerings, focusing on specific games and the service's evolution. It accurately mentions the launch timeline and the current state of the service, such as the availability of around 200 games and the subscription pricing. The description of individual games, like *Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE* and *Balatro*, aligns with known details about these titles, supporting the article's factual accuracy. However, some claims, such as the removal of specific games from the service, require verification against Apple's official announcements. Overall, the story is largely accurate, but it could benefit from more explicit sourcing or references to verify all claims.

7
Balance

The article primarily highlights positive aspects of Apple Arcade and its games, showcasing a variety of titles across genres. This focus on positive reviews may create an impression of bias, as it lacks critical perspectives on the service's shortcomings or comparisons with competitors. Additionally, while the piece mentions the removal of some games, it does not delve into potential reasons or user dissatisfaction. A more balanced approach would include both strengths and weaknesses of Apple Arcade, offering a fuller picture for potential subscribers.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured, with each game receiving a dedicated section that outlines its key features and appeal. The language is clear and engaging, making it accessible to a broad audience, including those unfamiliar with Apple Arcade. The use of headings and subheadings aids in navigating the content, and the tone is consistent throughout. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, particularly for readers new to mobile gaming.

6
Source quality

The article appears to be based on the author's personal experience and observations, which lends some credibility but lacks the authority of external sources or expert opinions. There is no direct attribution to developers, Apple representatives, or industry analysts, which could enhance the reliability of the information presented. The absence of varied sources limits the depth of the analysis and may affect the perceived impartiality of the reporting.

5
Transparency

While the article provides clear descriptions of the games and their features, it lacks transparency regarding the basis for its evaluations. The author's personal preferences and experiences are implied but not explicitly stated, which could help readers understand the context of the recommendations. Furthermore, there is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, such as partnerships with Apple or game developers, which could impact the article's impartiality.

Sources

  1. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/best-apple-arcade-games-140053796.html
  2. https://www.engadget.com/tag/apple-arcade/
  3. https://obsessive4966.rssing.com/chan-5303939/article25081.html
  4. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ninja-gaiden-ragebound-is-a-love-letter-to-the-series-nes-roots-150050773.html
  5. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/balatro-is-apples-arcade-game-of-the-year-because-of-course-it-is-140030994.html