Show you have the chops to manage a world-class football club. Photo: Sega
With the FIFA World Cup a week away, the latest version of the Sega’s hugely popular sports management game Football Manager 2023 launched for a range of Apple devices. Play to find out if you have what it takes to take a club to the top.
It’s available as a stand-alone app or as part of Apple Arcade.
Don't just watch the games. Get into the action in NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition. Photo: 2K
Basketball season starts today, and that brings the launch of NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition. In the new version, players can take on “Greatest of All-Time” NBA players. That includes Michael Jordan, Shaq and more.
The game is now available on a range of Apple devices for subscribers to Apple Arcade.
The Gardens Between+ is one of four classic games recently added to Apple Arcade. Photo: Voxel Agents
Apple Arcade subscribers can now enjoy The Gardens Between+, which challenges player to solve puzzles by manipulating time. It’s a classic title joining Apple’s game service.
In recent weeks, Gris+, Gin Rummy Classic+ and Spider Solitaire: Card Game+ also joined Apple Arcade.
★★★★☆
Play games on the Gamevice Flex without taking off your iPhone case. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Gamevice Flex is an iPhone game controller that mimics the design of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con with the controls set on either side of the display. Similar iPhone controllers make you take the case off your handset to play but the Flex wraps around the handset even if it’s in a protective case.
The wired controller includes a full set of buttons, sticks, bumpers, etc. so you can enjoy games like Fortnite from Xbox Cloud Gaming or similar services, or almost anything from Apple Arcade.
I spent quite a few hours testing Gamevice Flex – here’s why I like it.
The shovel is mightier than the sword! Photo: Yacht Club Games/Apple Arcade
Fans of classic arcade games should enjoy Shovel Knight Dig, a retro adventure game that launched Friday. Players guide a hero down deep into the earth to fight monsters and win treasure with the aid of his trusty Shovel Blade.
The latest offering from Yacht Club Games debuted Friday on Apple Arcade for a range of Apple computers.
Ted Lasso's relentless optimism has taken him to a brand new venue. Photo: Electronic Arts
Ted Lasso‘s AFC Richmond will be fully integrated into Electronic Arts’ FIFA 23 when it kicks off later in September. Lasso, Coach Beard and the biggest stars of the hit Apple TV+ show have all been digitized.
Mac, iPad and iPhone users will be able to play the upcoming sports title though Google Stadia cloud-gaming service.
A new match-3 game includes plenty of fuzzy bunnies. Image: Playdots
Garden Tails: Match and Grow is a new match-3 game for nature lovers who are looking for a calming time-killer. Play through a series of levels to unlock flowers, bushes and friendly animals.
It debuted Friday on Apple Arcade, and there are versions for a range of Apple computers.
Dodge your rivals in a new retro racer for Apple computers. Photo: Aquiris Games
Race around the world in a custom car in Horizon Chase 2, the latest addition to Apple Arcade. The retro racer offers beautiful visuals and online multiplayer for all game modes.
The title is available to download now for Apple computers big and small.
★★★★☆
The PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus game controller works beautifully with a range of Apple devices. And there's an iPhone mount, too. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The PowerA Moga XP5-i Plus has the same basic design as an Xbox controller, but with a focus on Apple devices. Put your iPhone in the adjustable mount, or remove the mount for iPad or Apple TV gaming.
It stands out from the crowd with a built-in battery for recharging your handset while you play. Plus, PowerA added a couple of useful extra buttons.
I’ve enjoyed gaming on the Moga XP5-i Plus for a few weeks now. Here’s why.
Test your brainpower in Hanx101 Trivia from Tom Hanks. Photo: BlueLine Studios/Apple Arcade
Screen legend Tom Hanks just launched a game for a range of Apple devices. Hanx101 Trivia has questions in categories from history to math, geography to food.
It’s available now exclusively in the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The great John Madden himself is the face of Madden NFL 23 Mobile. Photo: Electronic Arts
Grab your iPhone or iPad to play Madden NFL 23 Mobile, which has just been updated for the new football season.
This is the ninth season of the mobile game from Electronic Arts. It not only put players on the field in the biggest games of the season, it also has a General Manager mode to let players build a team.
Jetpack Joyride 2 is just as action packed as the original, but with better graphics. Photo: Halfbrick Studios
A classic action game gets fresh update in Jetpack Joyride 2. There are new weapons and equipment, and tougher enemies, too.
Fans of the original can strap on a jetpack and fly through a version with plenty of new features, on Apple Arcade starting today. And it’s now for Mac, too!
Play pinball with Luke, Han, Leia, Anakin and Ahsoka. Photo: Zen Studios
Play pinball in a galaxy far, far away as an update to Zen Pinball Party adds two new tables based on Star Wars. Enjoy characters and music from some of the bast of the Skywalker saga.
The pinball game launched on Apple Arcade in 2021, and already lets players have a go at tables with a Kung Fu Panda theme, or Trolls, or How to Train Your Dragon.
Konami's Amazing Bomberman is a new take on a classic gaming franchise. Photo: Konami
There’s a fresh addition to the classic Bomberman series. Like its many predecessors, Konami’s Amazing Bomberman involves moving through various game levels while blowing things up, but is more musical than before with original songs.
The action title debuted Friday, August 5 in Apple Arcade. It’s playable on a wide range of Apple devices.
There's more to enjoy in Oceanhorn 2 thanks to a significant update out now. Photo: Cornfox & Brothers
The latest update to the RPG Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm adds two new sidequests. Plus, the latest version makes the on-screen character faster and more agile, and improves the audio.
The new update for the multi-platform game takes it to version 4.0. It’s code named Secrets of Gaia.
HEROish is an adventure/tower defense game that doesn't take itself too seriously. Image: Sunblink/Apple Arcade
HEROish from Sunblink challenges layers to, “(almost) save the world and (kind of) look good while doing it.” The latest addition to Apple Arcade offers single-player adventures, but it’s also player-versus-player deck-building tower defense game.
The fantasy-themed title is available now for a variety of Apple computers, including iPhone and Mac.
Don't miss out on 15 games leaving Apple Arcade soon. Photo: Apple
In the very near future Apple Arcade will lose 15 games, according to a new section in the Arcade area of the App Store labeled as “Leaving Arcade Soon.”
So if you subscribe to Apple Arcade or think you might — it’s $4.99 a month — consider downloading those games before they’re gone.
And according to new information about the situation, some games may return, but Apple Arcade subscribers who had them will have to re-download them.
The "wonderfully weird" Samorost 3+ is the latest App Store Great to join Apple Arcade. Screenshot: Amanita Design
Apple Arcade offers many original games, but the collection also includes quite a few App Store Greats: classic titles that have joined Apple’s gaming service. Recent additions include Samorost 3+, My Bowling 3D+, Jigsaw Puzzle+ and Pro Darts 2022+.
They join dozen of other classic games that players used to have to pay to play individually but are now all available with a single Apple Arcade subscription.
Princess Arch needs your help to defend her planet in Air Twister, now on Apple Arcade. Photo: YS Net/Apple Arcade
Air Twister combines the fun of flying with the challenge of fighting off invaders. The endless shooter debuted Friday, June 24 through the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The just-released Disney Mirrorverse is darker than the company's usual games. Photo: Kabam/Disney
Disney Mirrorverse takes classic characters in a darker direction. Alternate-reality versions of these screen icons have to team up face a “dark, unrelenting threat.”
The free-to-play action team-based action RPG debuted Thursday in the App Store.
There is even more RPG action in Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon - Golden Edition. Image: Cornfox & Brothers
Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon – Golden Edition adds new enemies to the dungeon crawler, along with new levels, special items, power ups, legendary weapons and more.
The update released by Cornfox & Brothers on Wednesday even includes the town of Nexus – previously the game took place entirely in the dungeon.
Craig Federighi, Apple software chief, made a pitch for more Mac and iPad gaming at WWDC22. Screenshot: Apple
Mac is not the preferred platform for most gamers, but Metal 3 in macOS Ventura shows Apple hasn’t given up. And iPadOS 16 is getting support for a wider range of game controllers.
These are just a couple of gaming features Apple is bringing to Mac and iPad.
Competition is making things harder, but game apps climb the App Store charts much more easily than non-game apps. Photo: Sensor Tower
New data from a couple of analytics firms shows that it’s harder now than ever to get an app to the top of App Store rankings, thanks to stiffer competition.
But the data shows that gaming apps have an easier time of it than other types of apps.