Top 10 Apple Arcade Games You Should Be Playing Right Now

Picture this: It’s a Saturday afternoon, and you have just finished a long week of work. You want to relax, but you don’t want to mindlessly scroll through social media. You want to be entertained. You want something that requires a little brainpower, yet is still relaxing. You open your Apple device, and there it is — Apple Arcade, a treasure trove of games that cost nothing beyond your subscription. But with hundreds of titles, how do you know which ones are truly worth your time?

You don't want to scroll endlessly through options only to feel overwhelmed and play nothing. You need a curated list. Something that feels like a good friend's recommendation. Well, here it is — a list of the top 10 games on Apple Arcade that you need to download immediately. Let’s dive right into the games, starting with some that will blow your mind right from the get-go. But there's a catch. Stick around to the end to find out which game will steal your heart.

1. "Fantasian"
From the creator of Final Fantasy, Fantasian takes you on a visually stunning adventure set in a world crafted with real dioramas. The story involves traditional RPG elements but brings an artistic twist, incorporating a unique mix of hand-crafted sets and digital characters. This game feels like stepping into a beautifully constructed, miniature world, allowing you to lose yourself for hours without noticing the time passing. The battles are tactical, the visuals are unmatched, and the soundtrack — composed by Nobuo Uematsu — is pure magic.

2. "What the Golf?"
Do you like golf? Well, it doesn’t matter because What the Golf? isn’t your traditional golf game. It’s an absurdly fun and unexpected take on the sport. Instead of just hitting golf balls, you’ll be hitting…well, just about anything: office chairs, cars, and even the golf club itself. It’s hilarious, wacky, and never takes itself too seriously, making it one of the most entertaining games in Apple Arcade's collection. You’re never sure what’s coming next, and that’s the beauty of it.

3. "Sayonara Wild Hearts"
Sayonara Wild Hearts is not just a game; it’s an experience. This rhythm-based action game combines high-speed motorbike chases, dance-battles, and shooting, all set to a stunning pop soundtrack. The visuals are as mesmerizing as the music, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. It's as if you're playing through a music video, where every moment is perfectly synchronized with the beats of the songs. Expect to feel a rush of emotions as you navigate through heartache and healing.

4. "The Pathless"
From the creators of Abzû, The Pathless is an open-world exploration game where you control a master archer and their eagle companion. The art style is breathtaking, blending vast, mysterious landscapes with fast-paced, fluid movement mechanics. It’s all about finding your own path, with no maps or markers, just the thrill of exploration and puzzle-solving. The bond you form with your eagle adds a layer of emotional depth, making this game as much about companionship as it is about adventure.

5. "Grindstone"
Grindstone takes the match-three puzzle genre and flips it on its head. You control a warrior slicing through enemies, and the more enemies you chain together, the bigger the combo. This game is easy to learn but hard to master, making it a perfect mix of strategy and arcade action. It’s the kind of game that keeps pulling you back in for "just one more round." Before you know it, hours have passed, and you’re deep into its cleverly designed levels.

6. "Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm"
If you’re a fan of The Legend of Zelda series, Oceanhorn 2 will feel like coming home. With gorgeous 3D visuals and a compelling story, it’s the closest thing you’ll find to a Zelda-like experience on Apple Arcade. The game offers a huge world to explore, filled with dungeons, puzzles, and epic boss fights. It’s a perfect mix of action, exploration, and puzzle-solving, all wrapped in a colorful, fantastical world.

7. "Mini Motorways"
From the makers of Mini Metro, this game tasks you with building a city’s road network. Sounds simple, right? But soon you’ll be managing an intricate web of roads, dealing with traffic jams, and strategically placing highways to keep everything running smoothly. The game’s minimalist design belies its depth, making it a surprisingly addictive experience that challenges your brain in the best way possible. Each city feels unique, and the challenge ramps up perfectly as you progress.

8. "Spire Blast"
In Spire Blast, you’re tasked with demolishing colorful towers by matching blocks. It sounds simple, but the physics-based gameplay adds a layer of complexity. You have to think carefully about how you want to bring down each tower, making it more strategic than your typical puzzle game. The vibrant graphics and satisfying destruction make it an enjoyable, laid-back game that you can play for a few minutes — or a few hours.

9. "Sneaky Sasquatch"
Want to live the life of a sasquatch? Of course, you do. In Sneaky Sasquatch, you play as a mischievous but lovable creature, sneaking around campsites, stealing food, and causing all sorts of humorous chaos. But there’s more than just hijinks — you’ll also be solving puzzles, racing cars, and even playing golf (yes, seriously). It’s a quirky, lighthearted game that’s perfect for players of all ages. There’s something endlessly charming about being a sneaky sasquatch, and the game’s humor makes it a standout in the Apple Arcade lineup.

10. "Exit the Gungeon"
A follow-up to the wildly popular Enter the Gungeon, this game is a fast-paced bullet hell shooter where you’ll be dodging hundreds of bullets while fighting your way out of the dungeon. The game is as challenging as it is exhilarating, with a host of unique weapons and power-ups that keep each run fresh and exciting. It’s the kind of game where you’ll die often, but you’ll always want to jump right back in to try again.

There you have it — 10 of the best games Apple Arcade has to offer. From heart-pounding action to relaxing puzzle-solving, there’s something for everyone in this curated list. But if you’re wondering which of these games is the absolute must-play, I’ll leave you with this: Fantasian. The art, the story, and the sheer creativity make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t want to miss.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your device, head over to Apple Arcade, and start playing. You won't regret it.