The GameSir X3 Pro includes features many mobile controllers leave out. Photo: GameSir
The newly launched GameSir X3 Pro Mobile Gaming Controller packs Hall Effect sticks, dual rumble motors, micro switch triggers and detachable grips. And its USB-C connector and telescoping design means it fits a range of iPhone and Android models.
A stand-out feature is a cooling plate designed to prevent the handset from overheating while playing very demanding games.
Unwrap some holiday gaming this year. Photo: Apple
Looking forward to some holiday downtime, maybe hunched over your Apple device with a glass of eggnog by the fire? Apple is set to expand its gaming catalog of over 200 titles with 15 new Apple Arcade games this holiday season. They include highly anticipated releases and reimagined classics. That sounds like hours of holly jolly fun.
NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition doesn't skimp on graphics or features. Photo: Apple Arcade
NBA preseason games start this weekend. If you didn’t make the draft this year, you can still get in on the basketball action with NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, which launched Thursday. This is the definitive basketball game for Apple devices, and each new annual upgrade adds even more features.
The feature-packed offering is now on Apple Arcade for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
Are you ready for some seriously retro football? Photo: Apple Arcade
Football season starts Thursday, and basketball season is only a few weeks away. Get in the game now with NFL Retro Bowl ’25, and NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition launches in a few weeks.
Both are part of Apple Arcade, Apple’s gaming service.
Turn your iPhone into a retro handheld game console with GameBaby. Image: Bitmo Lab
GameBaby from Bitmo Lab is both an iPhone case and a game controller. The innovative design allows users to play retro games on their phone with real buttons.
Fortnite for iPhone is back! But only if you live in the right area. Photo: Epic Games
The Epic Games Store launched Friday, allowing iPhone users to install the popular Fortnite for the first time since Apple kicked Epic out of the official App Store in 2020.
But there’s an important caveat: the new iOS app marketplace is available only in the European Union.
Are you ready for some seriously retro football? Photo: Apple Arcade
Apple is set to bolster Apple Arcade gaming with three exciting new titles in September. NFL Retro Bowl ’25 headlines the additions. It’s an exclusive collaboration between the National Football League and the creators of the popular App Store game Retro Bowl.
More developers seem to say the honeymoon is over with the service, launched in 2019. Photo: Apple
Frustrated game developers continue to vent about working on Apple Arcade titles, in a new report citing anonymous sources. In the story, a follow-up to one from earlier this year that noted “the smell of death around the service,” devs complain about poor communication with Apple, slow payouts, and big problems working on Vision Pro games.
The opinions expressed in the new story aren’t entirely negative, but they paint a pretty ugly portrait of Apple Arcade from some developers’ perspectives.
Epic Games teamed up with AltStore, and they've returning the popular Fortnite game iPhone. Image: Epic Games/AltStore
Epic Games will make its highly popular game Fortnite and other titles available via AltStore PAL, the first app marketplace for iPhone to open in the European Union. The game developer is also continuing to work on its own iOS app marketplace, because it’s banned from Apple’s App Store.
So the days of playing Fortnite on iPhone will be back soon … but only for those who live in the right region.
Playing Roia is a unique and relaxing experience. Screenshot: Emoak/Cult of Mac
New game Roia challenges players to guide a river down a mountain by rearranging the terrain. It’s another unique premise from Emoak, a team of developers with a history of creating standout games.
I spent a couple of hours playing it on my iPhone, and found the game to be demanding but also relaxing. And not like anything I’ve played before.
"Temple Run: Legends" looks like a lot of fun. Photo: Apple
Apple Arcade is set to welcome three exciting game titles in August, further expanding its diverse catalog of over 200 ad-free games. The new titles are Temple Run: Legends, Vampire Survivors+ and, for Vision Pro, a spatial version of Castle Crumble, the iPhone giant said Tuesday.
Outlanders 2: Second Nature is one of three new games now on Apple Arcade. Image: Pomelo Games/Apple Arcade
Outlanders 2: Second Nature, a town-building strategy game, offers new players new tropical and wintery environments to build in, much more resources to work with, and more challenges.
It’s one of three games to launch on Apple Arcade on Wednesday, along with Punch Kick Duck+ and Zen Koi Pro+.
You'll can now play Resident Evil 7 biohazard on your Apple device. Screenshot: Capcom
Resident Evil 7 biohazard by Capcom launched Tuesday on iPhone 15 Pro, top-tier iPad models and M-series Macs. The horror title is the latest AAA game to hit these Apple devices.
Two other games in the series are already available for premium Apple devices, and Resident Evil 2 Remake is in the process of being ported, too.
Game Mode will further improve the gaming experience on Apple devices. Screenshot: Apple
Apple is introducing a new Game Mode in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The feature minimizes background activity to deliver higher sustained performance and smoother gameplay.
Additionally, Game Mode will reduce audio latency with AirPods and game controllers for better responsiveness.
Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse by Ubisoft is one of four additions to Apple Arcade today. Photo: Ubisoft/Apple Arcade
Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse from Ubisoft is a deck building game featuring a crazy collection of characters exploring five outlandish universes. It just launched for iPhone, Mac and more.
It is joined by three classic games that are all now playable via Apple Arcade.
Winners will get their prizes at WWDC24 on Monday. Photo: Apple
The Apple Design Awards recognized 14 “best-in-class” apps and games, the iPhone giant said Thursday. It will hand out the awards, which celebrate excellence in design and outstanding technical achievement, to winners at WWDC24 on Monday.
“It’s inspiring to see how developers are using our technology to create exceptional apps and games that enhance the lives of users,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “This year’s winners have demonstrated how apps can create powerful and moving experiences — and we’re excited to celebrate their hard work and ingenuity at WWDC this year.”
And this year the awards added a new spatial computing category.
You can play nearly any classic game with one of these emulators. Photo: Daniel De Matteis/Henrik Rydgård
Those who want to play classic retro games on iPhone or iPad have a couple of new options. RetroArch can emulate a wide variety of consoles, while PPSSPP is a PlayStation Portable emulator.
There’s been something of a flood of these since Apple dropped its ban on them.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to Mac -- no PC needed. Image: Ubisoft
When Ubisoft launches Assassin’s Creed Shadows this November, Mac will be on the list of platforms supported by the action-packed role-playing game.
The adventure is set in medieval Japan, and players can choose either a samurai or a shinobi for very different gaming experiences. For more details on the game’s setting and storyline, check out the latest updates on Assassin’s Creed Japan.
The iOS 17.5 update includes a new word game, additional alerts for tracking tags, fresh Pride wallpapers and more. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The new iOS 17.5 update brings cross-platform tracking notifications for unwanted Bluetooth trackers plus a new Quartiles spelling game and an Offline Mode for Apple News+ subscribers, Apple said Monday.
And that’s in addition to the new Pride and Unity Lock Screens and Apple Watch faces we can expect. As far as other Apple OS updates go, macOS 14.5 got compatibility with Apple News+ features and bug fixes, watchOS 10.5 incorporates new Pride updates and the rest are performance and stability updates.
Gamma PlayStation emulator is a reminder that PS1 games are low-res. Photo: ZodTTD/Cult of Mac
The just-released Gamma retro game emulator brings original PlayStation titles to iPhone. It’s ready to bring Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy 7 to the device you carry around everywhere.
The app is free and supports game controllers and iPad.
New Apple Arcade games in May and early June include five titles. Photo: Apple
Coming soon to Apple Arcade are five exciting new games, the iPhone giant said Monday. You can look forward to Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse, Return to Monkey Island+, Tomb of the Mask+, Fabulous – Wedding Disaster+ and Vision Pro spatial title Where Cards Fall.
It starts on May 30 with the arrival of 3D puzzle game Where Cards Fall. The other four titles follow on June 6.