For $7 per month, Apple’s game subscription service provides full access to a couple hundred titles for iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers — and its catalog has been a bit of a roller coaster for the last few years, making it tough for Apple users to determine whether it’s a good deal or not. Unfortunately, I don’t have a straight answer on that for you, because Apple Arcade’s repertoire tends to go all in on niches that do well, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. I’ll highlight my favorites here — those that I think give a good sampling of what you can expect from an Apple Arcade sub — but this story won’t cover any of the “+” games. Apple Arcade offers ad- and microtransaction-free versions of games like Stardew Valley, Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Return to Monkey Island, Dicey Dungeons, Tomb of the Mask, Turmoil, Very Little Nightmares, and more, all denoted with a + sign after the title. There are tons of worthwhile + games, but it’s rarely a good value proposition for a rotating pool of games that could leave Apple Arcade at any time, and that are inexpensive to just buy for yourself — not to mention that many of these games are free to play on Apple’s regular App Store with the inclusion of ads and/or microtransactions. Here’s my short but varied list of great Apple Arcade games that just might be worth a month or two of subscribing. How we picked the best games on Apple Arcade I spent a period of time paying for my own Apple Arcade sub simply because I wanted one. (Now, I’m using a code provided to me by Apple for editorial review.) I regularly browse the most recent additions and, when something interesting and novel is added — which happens a handful of times a year — I play during train rides and couch rot sessions until I get sick of it. Most of the games listed here have come back into my rotation time and time again, and a few are new but exciting additions recommended by colleagues and friends. Katamari Damacy Rolling Live The first Katamari Damacy installment in nearly a decade, Katamari Damacy Rolling Live is a silly redo of the same general concept, but this time your ultimate goal is to make great videos for social media. It isn’t necessarily a banger, but it faithfully revives the iconic rolling gameplay mechanic. For fans of the long-running franchise, it’s a must-play. Outlanders 2 Currently exclusive to Apple Arcade, the Outlanders sequel makes for an excellent mobile game that can be played in portrait or landscape mode. The aesthetic looks wonderful on Apple’s bright screens, and the gameplay is filled with genuinely tough challenges as well as compelling stories. It’s a very fleshed-out city builder, which is typically tough to accomplish on mobile without cramming the screen full of text. Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom doesn’t necessarily do anything to iterate on the cozy life sim genre, but it doesn’t quite matter, because the art style is adorable. It feels like a sister to Hello Kitty Island Adventure in aesthetics and gameplay, though I’d recommend using a controller, an Apple Pencil, or a larger screen for this one, since there’s a lot going on. Skate City: New York Skate City: New York is one of my favorite skating games I’ve played on mobile, maybe because it’s a side-scroller rather than a third-person point of view. The controls are just as challenging as they should be, but they’re not at all frustrating to learn — plus, the modern and simple interface works well even on a small screen. Skate away from the cops, race to beat your personal record, or learn to master multi-step skills in this Tech Deck-like. Japanese Rural Life Adventure Another life sim — one of the genres Apple Arcade’s game editors seem to really lean into — Japanese Rural Life Adventure is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a cozy journey towards fixing up a decrepit cabin in a mountain town (what else is new?) that just might teach you a few things about life in the Japanese countryside. This game has gotten several big updates since its release on Apple Arcade, so don’t be afraid to invest time into it — it doesn’t seem like it’ll be leaving the service anytime soon. What the Car? What the Car? kicked off a string of beloved physics-based games that ask nonsensical questions in their titles, like the upcoming What the Clash?, which will also be on Apple Arcade. It’s a silly, wacky, speedy platformer where you, a car that can do many things including walking on your two legs, must make it through a smattering of obstacles to get to the end of a level. And, you can create your own levels once you get the hang of things. NFL Retro Bowl ’25 NFL Retro Bowl ’25 has to be one of the best NFL-licensed games you can play on your iPhone — and it’s cute! Real NFL teams are depicted in 16-bit, and it’s your job as coach to set up a successful team and play through the season. It’s a joy to look at, but it’s also quick and tough, like the other existing Retro Bowl games. It’s bound to offer tens of hours of gameplay if you need something to play on your commute.