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Top 13 best local multiplayer games for iPhone and iPad on one device

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Top 13 best local multiplayer games for iPhone and iPad on one device

Physical fun in virtual worlds - local multiplayer on iPhones

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Updated on July 26th, 2023 - re-checked the list. Original Article by Mark Brown.


If there's one downside to the explosion of mobile gaming, it's the insularity of the experience.

Headphones in, eyes down, brain fully engaged. At this point, you're often cut adrift from the rest of humanity, a digital explorer blazing through your own little fantasy world.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Mobile devices are light and flat - ideal for passing around or for plonking in the middle of a table for all to see.



Often, it's easier to have a bunch of pass-and-play games on your phone or tablet, passing them around the table and using them to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

A mobile gaming session can, therefore, be every bit as sociable as a home console session on a big screen. Here are ten local multiplayer games for iPhones on one device to show you how it's done.

 

Click Here To View The List »

1
Out of the Loop

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Multiplayer, Party/mini-games
Find out more about Out of the Loop
Out of the Loop

Out of the Loop is a local multiplayer party game where one takes a turn looking at the screen, which will display a word. Each player will see the same word, apart from one player, who will instead see nothing. They are the impostor, who must now pretend they know the word in order to keep themselves in the competition. Now, every player needs to ask each other specific questions, seeing who knows what the word is and who does not.

Once the group thinks they've found the impostor, they can vote them out, and if they are right - they win. Otherwise, the impostor wins. It's super fun, competitive and makes for one of the best local multiplayer iOS games on one device!

Download Out of the Loop

2
Battle Golf

Publisher: Colin Lane
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Sports
Find out more about Battle Golf
Battle Golf

Battle Golf is a local multiplayer sports game full of humor where two golfers, who are standing across from each other with just a lake in between them, need to get their ball inside whatever hole appears on the screen. In the lake, animals and small islands will appear, challenging you to quickly get your golf ball into the hole to score a point!

Both players are able to play on one screen, attempting to quickly outplay each other. However, it's turn-based, so you'll need to pass the device to your friend for their turn. No sabotaging! We know just how tempting it might get to send your friend's ball into the void. If you don't trust us, read the Battle Golf review!

Download Golf Battle

3
Tsuro

Available on: iOS
Genre: Card/board game
Find out more about Tsuro
Tsuro

Tsuro is a board game, made digital, where players pick one of three tiles and place them on the board. Their stone character then follows the path that was created, hopefully ending at a black spot and not crashing into other players or falling off the board. Tsuro has a very simple look and is a great title for both young and old - it's a classic board game for a reason - and can support up to 8 players online or on one device.

If you and your friends want to try it out, we would definitely recommend it! It's one of the best local multiplayer games for iPads because the bigger screen makes it just that much better! Read the complete Tsuro review.

Download Tsuro

4
Ludo King

Available on: iOS
Genre: Card/board game
Find out more about Ludo King
Ludo King

It doesn’t matter if you’re all in the same room or not - Ludo King lets you play Ludo anytime and anywhere.

Ludo King brings the classic board game to your mobile. And just like the OG board game, you and your friends can take turns on a single device. Simply put, Ludo King is a digital replacement for the board.

To add to that, the game also allows players to join a room and play online. You can create a room for your friends or even join a random room and play with random players.

Try Ludo King with your friends today.

5
2 3 4 Player Games

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Multiplayer, Party/mini-games, Simulation
Find out more about 2 3 4 Player Games
2 3 4 Player Games

More of a variety of mini-games, 2 3 4 Player Games have a lot to offer all in one app. This game changes depending on the number of players you have, giving you the best it has to offer depending on the number of players that are around to play. There are over 20 mini-games within it, as well as a 4-player battle cup. From shooters to fishing, you'll find something for everyone!

This collection is ideal for a family gathering, a gaming night, or pretty much anything in between. You can enjoy the games from the same device, and that makes for some pretty interesting gameplay.

Download 2 3 4 Player Games

6
MONOPOLY

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Card/board game, Multiplayer
Find out more about MONOPOLY
MONOPOLY

You've probably heard of Monopoly before - who hasn't? Maybe you've lost some of the money in your set, or you misplaced your board. Maybe, you just haven't picked up a copy because it takes too long to take out. Well, the mobile version of Monopoly doesn't just hold all your pieces in one space, but it's also a shorter game that can be played, through pass and play, with members of your family or friends around you. There are a number of different rule sets, maps, and lots of cute characters - a classic well remade.

If you want to go for MONOPOLY but are being held back by the long duration of ONE single round, don't worry. The mobile version is much faster than the good ol' board game, and you can also add a bunch of house rules to make the rounds much more challenging and quick. Easily one of the best local multiplayer games for iPhones out there. Cross-platform online multiplayer makes Monopoly mobile perfect to play while under quarantine!

Download Monopoly

7
King of Opera

Developer: Tuokio
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Arcade, Multiplayer, Party/mini-games
Find out more about King of Opera
King of Opera

Combining battling with music, King of Opera is great for those who want to battle against each other, but might not be up for violence and real fighting. This game allows up to four players to control opera singers, who are trying to push their opponents off of the stage to get all of the glory! They can do this by keeping their beat and using their spotlight power to knock others off. It's a fun game with a unique theme.

The game will turn you against your friends, and test just how strong the bond between you is. Sounds fun, but the competitive nature behind it makes it something to behold.

Download King of Opera

8
2 Player Games : the Challenge

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Arcade, Multiplayer
Find out more about 2 Player Games : the Challenge
2 Player Games : the Challenge

2 Player Games is a bundle of many simplistic and classic games that you can play right on your mobile device. With ping pong, spinner war, air hockey, snake, pool, penalty kicks, and sumo wrestling, there are just a lot of quick titles in this selection. The graphics are clean, allowing players to easily understand what they are seeing and get right to the game.

It's a good one to have on your phone if you regularly want to play little games together with friends or family!

Download 2 Player Games: the Challenge

9
Fruit Ninja

Publisher: Halfbrick Studios
Available on: iOS + Android + Mobile + PS Vita + Windows Phone
Genre: Action, Casual
Find out more about Fruit Ninja
Fruit Ninja

Did you know Fruit Ninja has a two-player mode, on one screen? You can battle against another player, swiping fruit in a small area against a timer, in hopes of having a higher score than the other side of the screen. Chances are, someone might already have Fruit Ninja installed (I do!). It's a simple version of the game, but can be very fun if you enjoy it yourself or are playing against someone who has played a lot of Fruit Ninja themselves.

While it might get a tad bit more difficult in the multiplayer mode, the game is plenty of fun and offers a genuine local multiplayer experience, thus landing it in our best local multiplayer games on iOS on the same device. Read the Fruit Ninja review and find out why we gave it a silver rating!

Download Fruit Ninja

10
Heads Up!

Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Available on: iOS
Genre: Puzzle, Word game
Find out more about Heads Up!
Heads Up!

Heads Up! Is basically the reverse of Out of the Loop. Instead of one player having a different word and trying to guess which player that is, one player has a word on their device, holding it against their head. The rest of the group then works together in an attempt to give clues to that player, so that they can guess the word before the timer runs out, dip down their head, and then get another word. They want to get the most they can within the time limit! Heads Up! has several categories, providing something for everyone, and is always very fun.

Heads Up! is one of the most fun local multiplayer games on iOS we've ever tried, and if you enjoy a challenge together with your friends, you must give this one a shot.

Download Heads Up!

11
Badland

Developer: Frogmind Games
Publisher: Frogmind Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Adventure
Find out more about Badland
Badland

This very beautiful and atmospheric game has repeatedly received awards and nominations in the App Store. The first part of BADLAND is often sold at a good discount, sometimes the application is even available for free.

You can try to play Badland with two, three, or even four friends. Each player is given their own corner of the screen to control creatures of a certain color. The rest of the gameplay is no different from the single mode.

Playing the game together is much more difficult and exciting, so we highly recommend playing with friends. Stock up on patience and endurance in advance.

Buy Badland

12
Mini Militia - Doodle Army 2

Available on: iOS
Genre: Multiplayer
Find out more about Mini Militia - Doodle Army 2
Mini Militia - Doodle Army 2

You can’t talk about local multiplayer games and not mention Mini Militia.

For those who haven’t tried it yet - Mini Militia is a 2D combat game. At a go, 6 players can join in and go head-to-head. The game offers over 20 maps to explore and a wide range of powerful weapons - so you can load up your arsenal for the battle.

And if you’re offline, you can enter into survival mode to pass some time.

Join the fun today! Download Mini Militia for your iPhone and iPad.

13
Ice Rage

Available on: iOS + Android + Bada
Genre: Sports
Find out more about Ice Rage
Ice Rage

Ice Rage is a hockey battle game that you can play together with your friend. At some point, Ice Rage became number one in the charts among sports games in 70 different countries around the world. This is an arcade hockey game with two characters on each side: a goaltender and a forward that can be chosen from dozens of characters who differ in appearance and characteristics.

You can play both single-player mode and multiplayer mode. If you are looking for a sports game that you can play together with your friend, you should give Ice Rage a try!

Download Ice Rage
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