The best iPhone games in 2026

The best iPhone games offer hours of entertainment on the go, with the added convenience of fitting right in your pocket. If you're an Apple Arcade user, you have access to more than 200 games, but that doesn't mean that the titles you find in the charts on the App Store aren't worth your attention.

Our list features a wide range of games from many genres, meaning there's something for everyone. Some allow you to dive in for a few minutes when you have a break at work, while others are there for those long sessions, because sometimes you want to kill a couple of hours on a long journey.

The best iPhone games are:

1. Disney Dreamlight Valley

Disney Dreamlight Valley is essentially Animal Crossing for Disney fans, and if that doesn't immediately make you want to play, I'm not sure what will. Actually, there's a bit more of a story here than in Nintendo's life sim, so not only should building your valley and meeting your favorite characters pull you in, but so should the narrative.

In my Disney Dreamlight Valley review, I say that "the story of Disney Dreamlight Valley is a treat," along with how "the game looks visually stunning." As you might expect from a life-sim like this, there are plenty of activities to help you pass the time, including cooking, fishing, gardening, mining, and foraging - you don't even have to do these alone, as your friends and neighbors are more than happy to spend time with you. Speaking of which, you get to see familiar faces from franchises like Frozen, Aladdin, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and many more.

One of the best ways to boost your friendships is by cooking Disney Dreamlight Valley recipes, and luckily for you, we have a guide that details all of the ingredients you need. Let's not forget, "anyone can cook."

Subscribe here: Apple Arcade

2. Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Now we have one for the Sanrio fans, as Hello Kitty Island Adventure invites you to explore and restore an adorable island, making friends with all of your favorite characters, while being able to go on some adventures to help pass the time. Naturally, this is another one to consider if you enjoy Animal Crossing or cozy life sims in general. Truly, it's like receiving a delicious bubble tea on a hot day.

In their 9/10 Hello Kitty Island Adventure review, Daz Skubich describes it as "the perfect game for fans of cats, cakes, and cuteness." Like Disney Dreamlight Valley, Island Adventure has more of an emphasis on story and friendships than Animal Crossing does, paving the way for quests that help to improve your friendship level. Honestly, this is a great game to dip into while on your commute.

If playing Island Adventure has you wanting to enjoy more Sanrio action, check out our list of the best Hello Kitty games - mind you, is there a bad Hello Kitty game? We don't think so.

Subscribe here: Apple Arcade

3. Balatro

If you have Apple Arcade, you have to give this roguelike deck-building game a try, as it offers something truly unique. In a nutshell, it's a more enjoyable version of poker, featuring a variety of Joker cards that can spice up the gameplay. These cards have different effects and benefits, so no two rounds are the same, and you can get creative to ensure you win the hand.

Connor Christie gave the game a big 9/10 in his Balatro review: "With creative mechanics, charming visuals, and a wealth of content to keep you coming back for more, this is truly an indie hit for the ages." I can't help but agree with Connor's words. I often find myself diving in for a quick game, only to stick around and watch the hours roll by, as Balatro is engaging and delightful.

Poker games aren't for everyone, but Balatro offers something more, being one of the best mobile card games you can play on mobile (or console, for that matter), period.

Check prices: App Store and Apple Arcade

4. Return to Monkey Island

The latest installment in the much-beloved series of pirate adventure games. If you've played the older games, Return to Monkey Island's art style might take some getting used to, but once you adapt, you'll love how accurately it captures the feeling of the originals (likely due to the return of series veteran Ron Gilbert). It truly is a very worthy successor.

Are you worried it might be inaccessible to you because you've never played a Monkey Island game before? Don't be. Terrible Toybox designed the game as a jumping-in point, so even if you don't yet know anything about protagonist Guybrush Threepwood, you'll have a sense of what's what in no time.

Undoubtedly, it's both one of the best point-and-click games and the best pirate games, too. But if you check out our guides, who knows what other adventures you may stumble upon.

Play for Free: App Store and Apple Arcade

5. Sonic Dream Team

You get to play as Rouge the Bat. That's it, that's the reason you should play Sonic Dream Team. Okay, there's a bit more to it than that, but you can't tell me that isn't selling the game to you at least a little bit. As with any adventure featuring the Blue Blur, there's plenty of fast-paced platforming action to sink your teeth into.

As ever, Doctor Eggman, also known as Ivo Robotnik, is causing trouble, and it's up to you to put an end to his shenanigans once more. Each character has different abilities, offering varying gameplay experiences depending on who you use, along with plenty of recognizable stages and missions for you to complete. Sonic Dream Team is bright and vibrant, making for a truly fun experience.

I'm no stranger to Sonic games, being an avid fan of the Blue Blur, so you can be sure that our guide to his best adventures has some stellar choices that are bound to please both new and existing fans.

Subscribe Here: Apple Arcade

6. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is fantastic, and it's arguably one of the very best games when it comes to farming. You inherit some land just outside of Pelican Town, choosing the map before you begin. There's much to do as you turn your run-down, humble abode into a sprawling place full of crops and animals. Besides tending to the farm, you can forge relationships with the residents, fight monsters, and enjoy the quiet that comes with a spot of finishing.

Connor Christie gave the game a massive 10/10 in his Stardew Valley review, stating that "Stardew Valley is one of the most influential titles of the 21st century, providing a blueprint for a reimagined genre and endless hours of playability. Simply put, this game is a masterpiece and is set to go down as one of the greatest of all time." You just need to spend an hour or two with the game to know that Connor had a good point, featuring so much content and ideas that other games continue to take inspiration from.

We can even tell you all about the Stardew Valley characters in our guide if you like, so you can learn how to become better friends, or even how you can pursue a romantic relationship. I'm a fan of Stadew Valley's Sebastian myself.

Check prices: App Store and Apple Arcade

7. Final Fantasy

Without question, the Final Fantasy franchise is one of the best in videogame history, featuring engaging turn-based combat, enigmatic characters, and fantastic worlds that are a joy to behold. It'd be a shame not to experience the first game in the series, so you should make Final Fantasy a priority on your iPhone. Additionally, although the original is fantastic for its time, playing it on the NES today doesn't offer the same experience - the remakes, like this one, are where it's at.

At first, you have a continent to explore, then you get a ship that allows you to sail to other corners of the world, and later you get an airship, too. The increasing sense of freedom that you have as the world unfolds is a wonderful feeling, and not something that a lot of recent games do (with everything often accessible from the get-go), and though the story might not be anything incredible, it has some surprising twists and turns and is a great catalyst for the experience this game offers.

After this game grips you - and trust me, it will - you'll want to check out our guide to the best Final Fantasy games so that you can experience everything that this iconic franchise has to offer.

Check prices: App Store and Apple Arcade

8. Zenless Zone Zero

Hoyoverse continues to harbor a reputation for fantastic mobile games, and Zenless Zone Zero is no exception. You get to choose from one of two protagonists while assisting teams of agents who are heading into Hollows, hostile dimensions where you get to engage in some funky hack-and-slash action. Things can get tricky, so you need to unlock new characters and pick the right ones for the job as you go on challenging missions.

In her Zenless Zone Zero review, Tilly Lawton gives the game a 9/10. Stating that "Zenless Zone Zero is an electrifying urban ARPG fuelled by fluid, fast-paced combat, quirky characters, and gripping gameplay. A departure from Hoyoverse's usual M.O., it pulls you into a fresh yet familiar futuristic world, blending threads from different genres into a truly unique universe."

To help ensure you have the best characters, we have a Zenless Zone Zero tier list that lets you know who to aim for. We also have a Zenless Zone Zero codes guide, because who doesn't enjoy a freebie?

Play for Free: App Store

9. Genshin Impact

Even after five years, Genshin Impact remains a fantastic action RPG that's well worth your attention. There's so much content to consume and enjoy here, with frequent updates ensuring things stay fresh and exciting. Genshin Impact features a sprawling open world with luscious areas, a cast of great characters, and a story that's sure to keep you on the hook.

"A beautiful anime-style RPG, that is a joy to explore," those are the words of Ruby Spiers-Unwin in her Genshin Impact review, giving it a respectable 8/10. While a longstanding game like this may seem intimidating to begin, especially with the gacha elements, Ruby explains that the "gacha aspects don't feel too invasive when you first begin, as the game gifts you with lots of freebies."

You can even increase the number of goodies you get if you check out our Genshin Impact codes guide, as each new update offers freebies. If you find the choice in characters overwhelming, just check out our Genshin Impact tier list to see who you should aim for.

Play for Free: App Store

10. Honkai Star Rail

You might think three Hoyoverse games in one list is a bit overkill, but hear me out. This game takes some of the mechanics of Genshin Impact (e.g., building a team of characters acquired via gacha mechanics and exploring unique worlds) and combines them with new things, like turn-based battle mechanics, and then creates a new (but familiar) experience with an exciting story. If you love Genshin Impact, you should definitely give this a go. You play as the Trailblazer, a person who travels between worlds on an intergalactic train - there are many charming characters to meet and a whole heap of quests to enjoy.

Hoyoverse expert Tilly Lawton gives the game a 9/10 in her Honkai Star Rail review, saying that it's "a stellar, interstellar turn-based RPG that pushes the boundaries of what we've come to expect from the genre." Tilly goes on to claim that "With its tight combat, charming characters, engaging narrative, and stunning world, it's proved itself to be so much more than a Genshin clone."

If you want to grab some freebies for this fantastic game, make sure you check out our Honkai Star Rail codes guide. Then, just like with ZZZ and Genshin Impact, we have an Honkai Star Rail tier list that can help you find the best characters for you.

Play for Free: App Store

11. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Knights of the Old Republic needs no introduction to Star Wars fans, being one of the best RPGs you can play from the early 2000s - BioWare created it during the studio's golden age. This adventure allows you to be who you want to be, because who wants to be the good guy all the time? I certainly don't, it's fun to be bad once in a while, and the Sith sure know how to have a good time.

While the story is engaging, taking place 4,000 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, I know what you really want to know - yes, you can fight with lightsabers. In my 9/10 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic review, I describe it as "a phenomenal RPG, one that has withstood the tests of time." Like any good RPG, "your choices matter. They truly do make a difference in how your story plays out. The transition your character makes feels natural."

Also among the best Star Wars games is Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, so there's even more action for you to enjoy after you finish your galactic adventure in KOTOR.

Check prices: App Store

12. Final Fantasy VII

In my not-so-humble opinion, Final Fantasy VII is the best entry in the franchise. While I have a strong love for the remake series, nothing quite compares to experiencing it as originally intended. Even if you're new to FFVII, I can almost guarantee that you know about the characters, with Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Sephiroth being among the most recognizable characters in videogames. The classic turn-based action the series is known for is present, along with one of the best narratives in the entire franchise.

If you want to know just how truly special this game is, you need to check out Ruby Spiers-Unwin's Final Fantasy 7 review, in which she gives the game full marks with a masterful 10/10. She explains that "it shaped the JRPG landscape into what it is today," echoing my earlier sentiments, saying that the game has an "unforgettable story and characters."

We can even lend a helping hand if you decide to give this masterpiece a try, with our FFVII Cloud and FFVII Tifa guides helping you to discover the best gear and materia to equip them with. Don't worry, we can help you with the other FFVII characters, too.

Check prices: App Store

13. Call of Duty Mobile

Call of Duty Mobile offers the ultimate shooter experience, bringing the beloved franchise to the small screen, and some matches are short enough that you can play them in those few precious minutes of downtime throughout the day. Plus, it still features some of the iconic game modes you know and love, like domination - are you even a shooter fan if you don't enjoy a bit of domination?

Each new season brings an abundance of goodies and content, including iconic maps from past Call of Duty games. Then there are all of the weapons. I promise you that there's something for everyone, whether you want to get up close with your knife and a shotgun, use suppressive fire with an LMG, enjoy mid-range with SMGs and assault rifles, or pick people off from a distance with sniper rifles.

To help ensure you get the best gear, we have a Call of Duty Mobile codes list, along with a Call of Duty Mobile PC guide, just in case you want to take the action to a bigger screen when you're at home.

Play for Free: App Store

14. Pokémon Go

Exercise and Pokémon, who knew the two could go together so perfectly? Instead of controlling a trainer from your couch, you get to head out into the real world and take those steps yourself, encountering Pokémon with your cell phone. There are many creatures in the game, and new ones arrive constantly, so you have plenty to collect - you get to become a Pokémon master and be fitter, how fun!

You all know that catching beasts is just one part of the Pokémon experience, as you also need to battle them. Luckily, Pokémon Go has that covered, allowing you to select a team of three 'mon to go head to head against other trainers, or even some members of Team Rocket. Come on, you know this experience wouldn't be complete without the OG bad guys. You can increase the power of your Pokémon by using candy, which you get each time you catch one. There's much to do in this game, including quests and missions to help keep you busy.

To make things even sweeter, we have a Pokémon Go codes guide, so you can grab yourself some freebies - these can make the wait between Pokémon Go events a bit easier.

Play for Free: App Store

15. Roblox

You need to play Roblox if you want access to thousands of games across every genre that you can think of. Movies, anime, comics, manga, and other videogames all serve as inspiration for various experiences. However, you can also stumble across some totally original gems that come entirely from the mind of the developers.

As a horror fanatic, I personally recommend games like The Mimic, which takes the most terrifying aspects and creatures of Japanese folklore and throws them at you in a scary and unforgiving way. However, you can also get those easy-going experiences; some offer simple farming and harvesting of crops, and others give you tower defense combat. Roblox is highly versatile, and I can guarantee that you'll find something to suit your tastes.

If you're not sure where to start, our lists of the best Roblox games, Roblox anime games, and Roblox horror games have some fantastic suggestions, and they're all so diverse that we know you'll find one you love in those guides.

Play for Free: App Store

16. PUBG Mobile

Winner, winner, chicken dinner. PUBG Mobile invites you to truly test your merit and see whether you can survive in a huge battle royale experience. It's one of the games that propelled the genre into the limelight, and you'd best believe that there's a reason for that. The map is great, the vehicles are fun to drive, and you can't go wrong with a good bit of shooting-based combat.

Better still, PUBG Mobile can also be a bit whimsical, boasting collaborations you'd usually only dream of. Sometimes, they're with big blockbuster movies, other times it's with Dragon Ball, and a few invite iconic videogame heroes like Sonic to join the fray. War is hell, but it's also a lot of fun with these frequent collaborations to shake things up.

If you want to sharpen your skills before setting foot onto the battlefield, our games like PUBG guide features some great titles that can prepare you for the tides of war.

Play for Free: App Store

17. Coin Master

Coin Master is one of the easiest games you can play on mobile, and sometimes that's what you need - an experience that's simple, moreish, and not taxing. Even if you're new to this game, you likely recognize the pig; he's been around for more than ten years at this point, inviting you to spin the slot machines and smash monuments.

In her Coin Master review, Holly Alice explains that "it's just so simple and gets its claws into you." She also puts your mind at ease about microtransactions, which can really hinder your experience with a mobile game. "You don't have to spend any money to continue playing for years on end. You can, of course, buy some extra coins and spins with real-world cash, but you get so many freebies by playing that there's really no need to."

We can actually help increase the number of Coin Master free spins you get with our guide, which we update daily, so make sure you check it out.

Play for Free: App Store

18. Magic: The Gathering Arena

No doubt you know of Magic: The Gathering, a TCG that can be intimidating to start. Luckily, there's a mobile game adaptation, too, and it's one of the best ways to get into MTG, being a very easy place to begin. Sure, you could go and buy a deck anytime, but it won't come with the helpful interactive tutorials that the app has.

If you're already an MTG expert, then the ability to have a game with anyone around the world whenever you want is going to be quite appealing. You get to take Magic: The Gathering with you on the go, and you don't need to lug around a bunch of cards with you to do it. Plus, you might collect some of the rarest cards, so even if you don't get them physically, you have them digitally.

As with a lot of the other games here, we've got a bunch of MTG Arena codes to help you find your footing in the early days of the game.

Play for Free: App Store

New iPhone games

That concludes our list of the best iPhone games, but there's still plenty of upcoming ones to look forward to. Among the new mobile games coming to iOS, I'm keen for Assassin's Creed Jade, Valorant Mobile, and Ananta, three very different games that are sure to offer a great experience. Then, there's also all of the new Switch games that are on the way, offering more handheld goodness - Pokémon Pokopia and Resident Evil Requiem are among the ones I'm most looking forward to.

What do you think of our picks? We might be a little biased, but it seems like a great selection to us. Still, make sure you join the Pocket Tactics Discord, where you can become part of our community and share your thoughts on what games should be on this list. We're happy to hear what you think are the best RPGs and best mobile games, too.