The best iPhone games (June 2022)

While gaming phones are picking up steam, there’s often no better gaming phone to buy than the latest iPhone. With more than a million iPhone apps available in the App Store, the gaming options on the iPhone are nearly limitless. But finding the best iPhone games isn’t always easy. Not every app in Apple’s massive game library is worth the money — or your time, for that matter.

Luckily for you, we’ve taken on the burden of sorting through the heaving sea of game apps to bring you some of the best iPhone games. So, whether you’re looking for a casual match-three game, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), or a battle royale, take a look at our list of the best games you’ll find on your iOS device. They’ll even work on an iPad (but don’t let anyone know we told you).

Most of these games should work on any iPhone running iOS 15, which includes phones all the way down to the iPhone 6S. Subscribers to Apple’s library of games — which we think contains enough gems to justify the price of membership — should check out our picks of the best Apple Arcade games. For more ideas, check out the best Android games, because many of them are available for the iPhone as well. And if you want to switch off that screen, the best board games could offer a welcome alternative.

Diablo Immortal

The game infamously launched with the words “do you guys not have phones?” has finally launched, and despite the outcry, it’s actually pretty good. Diablo Immortal is here, and if you’re a fan of the Diablo games or anything similar, then you’re sure to love it. The genius here is that this isn’t some cheap mobile imitation — this is a fully fledged Diablo game in all its glory, and that makes a serious difference. Alright, it’s rammed to the gills with microtransactions, but if you want to sample the game everyone is talking about, then you’ll just have to hold your nose.

iOS

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (free to start/$7 for full game)

Star Wars is a huge franchise at the moment, thanks to the release of Kenobi, so why not enjoy a great Star Wars game? Star Wars: TCS is a port of the 2007 Lego Star Wars game of the same name and has content from Star Wars I to Star Wars VI, so don’t expect anything from the sequel trilogy in this. But regardless of that, you get to play through the six mainline movies, starting in the Trade Federation negotiations and fighting your way through to the second Death Star above Endor. There are over 120 characters to play, and you’ll need to use other characters’ strengths to get all the secrets in every level. It’s free to start playing, with Episode I unlocked for free. Subsequent episodes will cost money, though you can buy the full game for $7.

iOS

Barbarian Merge

Born into a world where angels and demons wage eternal war, the titular barbarian must explore the Sanctuary to find a way to prevent the demons from returning to the mortal realm. A relatively straightforward RPG in some ways, Barbarian Merge puts a fun twist on the genre where inventory management is concerned. Instead of just chucking away old swords, axes, and helmets, you instead merge multiple copies together to make more powerful versions. It’s a fun twist on a loot-centered game and one that removes what can often be a tiresome chore. After all, what makes managing loot better than that loot turning into better loot?

iOS

Square Valley ($2)

Square Valley puts you in the shoes of the Spirit of Valley, whose purpose is to take a square of land and make it habitable for incoming villagers. You’ll need to place houses for them to live in, animals to farm, rivers for water, and trees for wood. The trick is that each portion of the land can only take certain tiles, so you’ll need to balance what you place where. It’s a fun and engaging concept, and one that should tickle puzzle-lovers for hours.

iOS

Medieval II: Total War ($15)

Older gamers will remember when games like Medieval II: Total War were new and technically demanding — and now, you can play it on your iPhone or iPad. It costs a princely sum of $15 to buy, but there’s a full PC game here, and one that’s been converted rather well. Play as one of 17 playable factions, and fight, scheme, and trade your way to building your empire. Like Rome: Total War, the battle gameplay takes a little getting used to, but once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s just as easy to use as on the PC.

iOS

GT Manager

Racing games are great, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to manage your own race team? Wonder no longer, thanks to GT Manager. Manage every aspect of your very own racing team, including building up your headquarters, hiring drivers, and managing everything on race day itself. Unlock and collect official racing cars from brands like Porsche, McLaren, Audi, and more, and you can even go head-to-head with other players through the online multiplayer.

iOS

PUBG Mobile

You might think of PUBG Mobile as being a buttoned-up, brown version of Fortnite‘s colorful explosion, but that’s not the case. The fourth anniversary of PUBG Mobile‘s launch has brought with it a number of new features. There’s a new vibrantly colorful theme, colorful bicycles, and the new aerial battlefield mode that’s utterly bonkers and unlike anything else you’ve seen in a battle royale game. Other than that, you can still find the classic gameplay you love, along with 10-minute matches, and a massive new range of aesthetic items to collect and wear.

iOS

ARK: Survival Evolved

What’s better than a survival game on your iPhone or iPad? A survival game on your iPhone or iPad with dinosaurs! ARK: Survival Evolved is now something of a classic of the survival genre, and it’s easy to see why it’s still around when so many other games have dropped off the radar. You’ll start the game by, well, surviving — but once you have that solid base in place, you can start to set your sights a little higher. Create a home all your own, and train, tame, and even ride over 80 different dinosaurs.

iOS

Fill the Fridge!

There are few games so easily described by their title, but Fill the Fridge! is exactly what it sounds like. Fill your fridge with the delicious goodies that are currently not in your fridge. Weirdly, dragging your finger along to place goods becomes quite the compulsive and fun, and, if you’re anything like us, you’ll find yourself playing for far longer than you’d originally intended. It starts out simply, but levels soon become fiendishly difficult, and require some quite precise button presses to accomplish.

iOS

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links

Sitting alongside Pokémon as the childhood game of choice for many people, Yu-Gi-Oh can now be enjoyed on your iPhone or iPad. Duel Links has a strong tutorial in order to teach you the rules, so don’t worry if you’ve never played before, or are a little rusty. There are microtransactions, but they’re not required to progress, and you can get a lot of free cards from playing the in-game events. A good choice if you’re curious about playing a collectable card game, are an existing Yu-Gi-Oh player, or simply want to indulge in some nostalgia.

iOS

Mario Kart Tour

Who doesn’t love Mario and his happy band of friends and foes? Mario Kart Tour is the mobile version of the madly popular and decade-spanning Mario Kart series. It’s a simple formula — choose a character and race against other characters, whether A.I.-controlled or player-controlled, and aim to take first place. Win races, collect stars, and unlock new characters, karts, and badges. It’s free to play but has optional paid elements.

iOS

Roblox

Roblox is a weird game. In some ways, it’s not actually a game at all, it’s a place to make and share games. Roblox lets you create vast, sprawling adventures, neat competitions, or just a place to hang out and chat with your friends. It has to be experienced to be understood, and thankfully, it’s free to play, though there are paid elements using the Robux currency.

iOS

Happy Clinic

This one isn’t for anyone looking to relax. Running a hospital is a stressful business, and no one knows this more than the nurse you play in Happy Clinic. Manage your time to keep the hospital running and improve it, helping out the doctors, preparing medicine, and sending patients to the correct departments. But there’s even more here than just that, including an engaging and dramatic storyline centered around the nurse’s past.

iOS

Joe Danger ($2)

The game created by Hello Games that isn’t No Man’s Sky, Joe Danger is a side-scrolling racer where you take the eponymous Joe Danger through a series of levels, jumping, backflipping, and wheelie-ing over obstacles. Recently revamped to work on newer devices thanks to a fan’s desperate plea, it’s a great little game with a lot to offer.

iOS

Geometry Dash Lite

Geometry Dash Lite is a platformer that likes to describe itself as “near impossible,” so it’s fair to say you can expect a challenge after downloading this one. Lovingly rendered in 2D, Geometry Dash Lite revels in its, well, geometric-shaped obstacles that you need to jump, fly, or flip your way past. There’s a range of levels, each with its own musical soundtrack.

iOS

Shadow Fight Arena

Take control of a fighter and battle other players in Shadow Fight Arena, a beat-em-up in the vein of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. You can unlock and level up a variety of heroes, and while it’s free to play, there’s also a subscription that offers free chests and coins for spending in-game. You can challenge friends to PvP battles or just fight random online strangers.

iOS

Genshin Impact

The buzz about it may have died down, but Genshin Impact is still a massive game with an enormous following and some great gameplay to get stuck into. The story challenges you to find your lost sibling on the unknown world of Teyvat. But really, when there are mountains to climb, lakes to swim, and gliding to do, it’s easy to find yourself waylaid fairly quickly. Select from a range of diverse characters, harness the power of the elements, and enjoy the gorgeous visuals on display.

iOS

Beatstar

Rhythm beat games are a classic genre, and it’s been a while since we’ve seen a really good one. Beatstar is just that, combining top music tracks with some simple (but compulsive) gameplay. Tap the blocks as they land in the bar at the bottom of the screen, and build up your streak. Master songs to unlock new song tiers and challenge your friends to beat your scores. It starts simple but becomes extremely challenging as you play more.

iOS

RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch

The classic PC game comes to iOS with RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch. Build your fantasy theme park by designing your very own rollercoasters, pairing thrill-seeking rides with other attractions, and setting up food and drink locations. Upgrade your park over time, bring in more and more visitors, and make your creation the biggest and best theme park to ever exist. It’s free to play but with microtransactions available to buy.

iOS

The Wanderer: Post-Nuclear RPG

Inspired by other, more famous nuclear wasteland-set games, The Wanderer: Post-Nuclear RPG is something of a love letter to the setting. Play a survivor of the nuclear apocalypse and wander the wastes, gathering supplies to survive. Along the way, you’ll need to make decisions, make friends and enemies, and take your particular story in your own direction. The map is random every time you start a new game, and you can get a dog. Who can say no to that?

iOS

The Lord of the Rings: War

The Lord of the Rings: War is set in Tolkien’s beloved fantasy universe and puts you in the shoes of a faction of Middle-Earth. Fight against the other factions for the One Ring, recruit new commanders, and even forge your very own ring of power. A large amount of Middle-Earth is available to adventure through as you build your team and create an enormous army. It’s free-to-play, but it does have microtransactions.

iOS

Pokémon Unite

Pokémon games are taking mobile platforms by storm, and Pokémon Unite is a big part of the reason why. It’s a 5-on-5 battle arena game where you work with your team to secure the most points. Make sure your Pokémon are stylish with Holowear and perform amazing new moves in battle. It’s cross-platform, so you can play with Switch and Android players, and it won’t cost you a dollar if you’re strict with your finances.

iOS

Tiny Island Survival

Survival games are now something of a classic genre, but it’s quite rare to see one so built just for mobile. Tiny Island Survival is a survival game that takes place on a single screen. The island is truly tiny and stretches only from the top of your screen to the bottom. Despite that, it crams an awful lot into that one island, and you’ll have everything you need to survive — and a few additional surprises, too. It’s great for playing in short bursts, and there’s a secret to find as well. A great time-waster.

iOS

Fallout Shelter

It’s been away from our list for a time, but it’s so good that we had to bring it back. Quite unlike any Fallout game that came before, Fallout Shelter puts you in the shoes of a vault leader, sealed away from the nuclear apocalypse. The time to explore the wasteland has come, and your settlers’ lives are a sacrifice you’re willing to make. Gather scraps from what remains of the outside world and build up your vault, keeping your settlers safe (well, as safe as can be expected), and slowly bring some element of civilization back to a lawless land.

iOS

Marvel Future Revolution

Marvel Future Revolution was only released in August 2021, but it’s such a big release that it deserves its place on this list. It’s the latest huge mobile game from Marvel, and unlike previous mobile games from the company, it’s a third-person RPG that tells the tale of a “convergence” on planet Earth. Multiple realities are colliding, and it’s causing chaos. Your job, playing as a variety of Marvel heroes, is to stop it. Move your character with the left thumb, and select from a variety of attacks with the other — it’s a simple formula, but it’s a good slice of mindless fun. It’s a hefty download, but there’s a cute Flappy Bird-style minigame you can play while it downloads.

iOS

Minecraft ($7)

It’s almost a decade old, but my, how Minecraft has grown. While you can never say Minecraft was ever basic, so much has been added over the years that it barely resembles the game that launched in 2011. If you’re somehow not familiar with this absolute blockbuster of a game, you find yourself in the world of Minecraft. Survive and thrive by making the most of the resources you find, build a gigantic castle, automated farms, and so, so much more. A real time-sink of a game, and for just $7.

iOS

Plague Inc. ($1)

Alright, so it might be a little on the nose these days, but there’s no denying Plague Inc. is a lot of fun. Play as a new disease, whether bacteria, virus, fungus, or more, and infect as many people as possible. As time goes by, you need to choose between becoming more overtly infectious — and risking discovery and vaccines — or stay under the radar for as long as possible so you can quickly mutate and ramp up all at once. Despite the global backdrop, Plague Inc. is still a great game to play any time you’ve got a few extra moments.

iOS

Black Desert Online

One of the few iOS games that can call itself a true mobile MMORPG, Black Desert Online is a free-to-play open-world game with an awful lot to offer if you’re a fan of PC games like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, or other MMORPGs. With 14 character classes to choose from, a massive world to explore, and some gorgeous graphics, Black Desert Online is one of the big MMORPGs to choose from on iOS. Unfortunately, it does have quite a few paid elements, including boosts, but if you’re happy to do more legwork, you can ignore those.

iOS

Farming Simulator 20 ($6)

Want to play a farming game, but you’re not a fan of Stardew Valley‘s cutesy style? Farming Simulator 20‘s realistic approach and graphics are definitely up your alley. The noble profession of farming has been faithfully reproduced down to the last brand-name tractor, with over 100 machines from real-world names, the ability to farm and harvest a wide range of crops, and the ability to hop on a horse and live out your cow-tending dreams. It costs $6, but if you’re a fan of a slower pace of life, this is definitely worth the initial investment.

iOS

SimCity BuildIt

SimCity is the majordomo of city-building games, and it’s great to see the legendary game series land on iOS. SimCity BuildIt is initially a straightforward affair: Build your city from the ground up, designing roads, public transit, and different districts so that traffic and commerce can flow freely. But once you’re past the early stages, you’ll need to start juggling, adding serious depth and giving you some big decisions to make. There are microtransactions here, though, so keep a close hand on your wallet.

iOS

Editors’ Recommendations