In its biggest expansion since its September 2019 launch, Apple Arcade is adding more than 30 games to its cloud-based subscription game service. The games are being added in two new categories, Timeless Classics and App Store Greats, growing its catalog to more than 180 games. As part of the expansion, Apple Arcade is also adding new exclusive Arcade Originals, including NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition, Star Trek: Legends, Simon’s Cat: Story Time, Cut the Rope Remastered, SongPop Party and The Oregon Trail. Arcade Originals can be played on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Timeless Classics and App Store Greats are only available on iPhone and iPad.
Standalone subscription or part of Apple One
Like other Apple Arcade games, the new games are ad-free and do not include in-app purchases. Subscriptions for unlimited access to games are $4.99 a month, after a free one-month trial, and they can be shared with up to six members of a subscriber’s household. Apple Arcade can also be purchased as part of an Apple One subscription package – individual, family or premier.
Biggest expansion to date
“In its inaugural year, Apple Arcade won over media critics and fans for its creativity, diverse portfolio, and commitment to players’ privacy, providing a safe gaming service to enjoy with family and friends,” said Matt Fischer, Apple’s vice president of the App Store, in an April 2 announcement.
“Today we’re launching our biggest expansion since the service debuted, now offering more than 180 great games that include new Arcade Originals, Timeless Classics, and App Store Greats. Whether it’s brand new games made exclusively for Arcade like ‘NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition,’ ‘Star Trek: Legends,’ and ‘The Oregon Trail,’ all-time App Store favorites like ‘Monument Valley’ and ‘Threes!,’ or traditional games like ‘Chess’ and ‘Solitaire,’ we have an incredible variety of gameplay experiences for everyone,” Fischer added.
Timeless Classics
Apple Arcade’s Timeless Classics collection includes ad-free, fully unlocked fan favorites including:
- Sudoku Simple (MobilityWare)
- Really Bad Chess (Zach Gage)
- Backgammon (Adikus)
- Tiny Crossword (PlaySimple Games Pte Ltd)
- Solitaire (MobilityWare)
- Checkers Royale
- Chess – Play & Learn
The App Store Greats collections include award-winning games like:
- Monument Valley (ustwo games)
- Threes! (Sirvo LLC)
- Mini Metro (Dinosaur Polo Club)
- Fruit Ninja Classic (Halfbrick Studios)
- Chameleon Run (Noodlecake)
- Badland
- Blek
- Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition
- Reigns
- The Room Two
Other Arcade Originals include:
- Fantasian
- Wonderbox: The Adventure Maker
- World of Demons
- Clap Hanz Golf
Apple Arcade subscribers can expect to see Legends of Kingdom Rush, Frenzic Overtime and Leo’s Fortune on the service soon, though Apple says not all games are available in all areas. According to TechCrunch, Apple has previously focused on releasing exclusive original titles. Now the company is adding popular iPhone games from the App Store and sequels of others.
Insider Take
To date, Apple has not released subscriber data for Apple Arcade, so we don’t know how many subscribers actually pay for and use the service. We have not heard a lot about it in the media, and Apple has plenty of competition from console-based services, cloud-based services like Google Stadia and Amazon Luna, and non-subscription services available from the App Store and Google Play. It isn’t clear how well the cloud-based subscription gaming market is doing, or what percentage of market share Apple has. However, offering a mix of exclusive, classic and App Store favorites could help Apple attract new subscribers. Time will tell if this strategy works.
