Top 15 best arcade games for iPhone and iPad (iOS)
Some of these games aren't old-school but they do have that vibe
If you've been looking for the best arcade games for iPhone or iPad then look no further. We've compiled this list of the best quick-run, score-chasing games for your reading pleasure.
Back before everyone had a gaming device in their home or on their body, arcades full of simple games were very popular. Arcades are still around, but so is a plethora of games that you can actually just play at home, often without dumping loads of coins into them.
Deffinition of 'arcade games'
As time has passed the definition of 'arcade' as a genre has changed a little bit, not least due to the games themselves moving out of the clunky, standing machines of yesteryear. However, a lot of the mechanics and ideas behind the games are the same: the games should have short, limited-life runs which you can sometimes extend beyond normal means.You should, realistically, be chasing a high score, or at least looking to hit some major milestones ahead of you, and -well- they don't need to be extremely realistic. Nowadays, however, lots of games get listed as arcade-based which might fit in other genres, and sometimes that's simply down to aesthetics.
In this list of best arcade games for iPhone, we have everything from cabinet classics like PacMan through to runners like Subway Surfers, but we also head off to less conventional, more-roguelike efforts as well. Have a read, and let us know what you think of our choices.
So, click on the big button below to read on and find out our favourite arcade games for iPhone and iPad, and if you think we've missed something then leave us a comment, because we do occasionally revisit our various lists to make sure that we've kept them completely up to date and true to the genre.
1
Skies of Chaos
Skies of Chaos reminds me of an old arcade game that I use to play as a child, if I am honest! It's an arcade shooter, where your plane moves forward, shooting ay whatever is coming at you. It's colorful, there is a lot to dodge and avoid, and many, many power-ups to collect. The game is free to play as long as you have a Netflix subscription, which at this point, who doesn't?
2
Fruit Merge: Match Game
Fruit Merge: Match Game became all the rage, and now I've seen it in several arcades by the seaside! This game is simple; you need to drop in fruit that can then tap the same fruit, combining, creating another fruit. This next fruit is a bit bigger, taking up more of the space in the container, and your goal is to gain as many points as you can before one of the fruits goes over the edge and out of the container. It's not so challenging, but sometimes you can become a little unlucky.
3
Angry Birds 2
I’ve actually played Angry Birds 2 in arcades, on a big machine, but even if I had not it would make the top of this list. Angry Birds 2 is a simple concept - you are slingshotting birds towards structures that need to be destroyed, filled with green pigs that need to be popped. You can destroy as much as you have birds for, as long as you get rid of those horrid pigs.
This strategic game easily deserves the landing spot in our best arcade games on iOS. And if you haven't tried it yet, you should read our Angry Birds 2 review and get ready for a hurricane of pigs, bricks and colourful looking birds! We have some tips to help you out too!
4
Fruit Ninja 2
I have played quite a bit of Fruit Ninja 2 in my time, both in physical arcades and on my mobile phone in highschool. Fruit Ninja 2 is a simple game where you need to swipe at fruits as they fly onto your screen and avoid bombs as they appear. If you’d like, you can battle other players and customize your avatar in the mobile version of this!
There's nothing quite like this classic, fast-paced fruit-slashing madness to give you a genuine experience straight from your iPhone.
5
Crossy Road
Crossy Road is a pretty cute game, where you just need to cross a bunch of different roads, over rivers, and more, trying to keep your character alive. There are a bunch of different animals you can play as and the world is generative, so each time you die you will face a slightly different level, but it’s still a challenge!
Super addictive, super fun, and insanely adorable. Crossy Road is one of the greatest arcade games for iPhones you can dive into today, and enjoy forever.
Here is how to get every Crossy Roads character, and here is our Crossy Road review! Check them out!
6
Jetpack Joyride (previously Machine Gun Jetpack)
Jetpack Joyride is an endless runner game where you can fly using your jetpack and try to collect coins as you ride dragons, use your extra boosts, float in submarines, and more. There is a lot of stuff in each level, with traps everywhere, boxes that can help you, a moving background, and of course those golden coins. It’s a lot of stuff to get used to, making the round often short!
The game has so much play and re-play potential, that the developers even decided a sequel would be in place. One where you get to shoot at random space rocks! We even got a Jetpack Joyride review!
7
Cosmic Express
A beautiful pastel puzzle game, Cosmic Express has you picking up and dropping off a number of passengers on an alien planet. You will need to create the route that is followed across the world, before deciding who gets left and who gets dropped off. There are obstacles to face, challenging levels, and a lot of aliens!
Cosmic Express is a title that might not be familiar to many, but by all means, it's one that you should try out. This game is fun and packed full action, making it one of the top picks of the genre. We've got more details on that in our Cosmic Express review though!
8
Subway Surfers
There are a bunch of endless runners like Subway Surfers, but this is the current favorite of mine. Subway Surfers has you running forward, dodging and using oncoming trains to continue going forward. There are a bunch of coins to be collected, ramps to use, signs to duck under and more when it comes to staying alive!
In Subway Surfers there are constant updates, events and new characters to add to your collection, making it a game that you'll never get bored with! Truly one of the best arcade games for iOS.
Take a peek at our redeem codes for Subway Surfers, there will surely be something for you! Otherwise, you can read our Subway Surfers review or scroll through our increasing collection of other Subway Surfers guides.
9
MUJO
MUJO tasks you with combining tiles to make larger tiles, that are then able to attack monsters. You can stack three or more connected tiles by holding them down, creating a powerful tile that will have more power the bigger it is. Once you have them created, you can use them to destroy monsters at the top of the screen, while leveling up heroes at the bottom.
The best part about MUJO is that it's unlike many other titles on this list. It's a simple, fun, and highly interactive game, which makes it a fine choice. It’s a simple and fun game - make sure you check it out. If you're not convinced yet, then you should read our MUJO review!
10
Lanota
Lanota is a rhythm-based adventure game where you must tap and hold in time with the music, keeping the rhythm of your magic. Your goal is to help recover the planet’s bright colors after natural disasters, keeping the planet alive for a bit longer. Though the gameplay is simple, it’s very much like rhythm-based games I’ve played before in arcades!
We'd strongly suggest giving this one a try, even if you don't typically go for rhythm games - Lanota might just change your entire take on it (yeah, it's that good)!
11
Death Road to Canada
Death Road to Canada is a really lovely zombie shooter where you need to try to make it to Canada by making decisions, stopping at areas for supplies, growing or shrinking your team, and killing off any zombies who start to attack you. It’s an addictive game that I have really enjoyed playing, and it has zombies!
DRTC takes you back to those massive shooters in the physical arcades, but kinda minimized into a cutesy-pixel graphic style. And if you haven't tried it yet, you should do so ASAP - you don't want to miss out on one of the best games (ever!).
You should also read our Death Road to Canada review if you've got no idea what to expect from this game.
12
Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga is the king of match-3 games, which are arcade games, so it’s included in this list. Match-3 is a pretty simple concept, when three of the same block (or more) is near each other, you can tap to destroy them. Candy Crush Saga has cute graphics and colorful gameplay, which does make it stand out in this genre.
With thousands upon thousands of levels and countless spin-offs (and plain rip-offs), this game is easily one of the classic titles to mark the list, alongside Pinball Arcade, Pac-Man, Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja. This is a brilliant Arcade iOS game and while our Candy Crush Saga review doesn't exactly expand on that, you can still give it a try - if you like match-three games, that is.
13
Pinball Arcade
Have you been to an older arcade that has pinball machines? Then you might want to play pinball on your phone! Pinball Arcade is a good default choice, as it has a bunch of classic pinball machines all made digital and added to your phone.
You can ping the ball around, gaining points, before it inevitably avoids the bumper. It's easily one of the best arcade games for iPhones, even in 2021. As you might've guessed - nothing screams arcade more than a classic pinball game! And there is nothing more arcade-y than a game that plays as well as this one on mobile. Just check our Pinball Arcade review!
14
Basketball Arcade Machine
Basketball machines are also essential at an arcade, so Basketball Arcade Machine just makes sense. Not only does this game look like the machines you can find at arcades, but it’s also just fun to play without all of that physical effort that playing in real life takes. You can also earn achievements in this and nobody will steal the balls out of it, making the game unfair.
Love shooting baskets but can't be bothered to go outside? Play this game. Want to show your friends who is the meanest 3-point shooter in the group? Definitely play this game! It's fun, competitive, and plenty fun!
15
Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom
Another endless runner, Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom is a great arcade game where you just need to avoid traps and collect rings through a bunch of different, quite lovely looking, worlds. You can play as other characters from Sonic, or just be the blue hedgehog himself. They all have their own charm, so either pick is a fine one.
As for the history behind this character, you probably know that Sonic's been around for ages. Having an arcade game with Sonic the Hedgehog in it should be expected! You can read more about it in our Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom review though - it should give you all the ins on this iOS arcade masterpiece!
