Backbone

All You Need to Know About Apple Arcade

April 29, 2022  •  4 min read
Person playing Little Orpheus mobile with a Backbone One Apple Arcade controller

What Is Apple Arcade?

Apple Arcade is a subscription-based gaming platform that changes your iPhone or iPad to a gaming console. The platform gives you access to a curated library of high-quality, ad-free games. Launched in September 2019, Apple has helped revolutionize the gaming industry by allowing users to move freely about the world, bringing their gaming experience and MFi controller along for the ride. Players have full access to the Arcade for only $4.99/month and when paired with the iPhone you’re probably reading this on, that’s a deal you really can’t pass up. If you are more of a TV gamer, no worries;  you can screencast to your TV, or if you already have one, simply connect your iPhone to your Apple TV. They’ve made it all too easy.

Top Games for Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade makes playing high-quality games on mobile super convenient, all you need is a good Apple Arcade controller. Here are some of the best games Apple Arcade has to offer:

NBA 2K22: Arcade Edition

A sasquatch cartoon taking food from a picnic while a park ranger searches for clues to find sasquatch

NBA 2K22 brings players a fully developed 2K game for mobile without the typical in-app purchases or advertisements that tend to get in the way of the immersion. It features an updated roster and an expanded array of player customization options. The stand-out addition from previous entries is the new Association Mode, which puts you in the shoes of a general manager or head coach of an NBA franchise. Assemble your dream team and hit the court as you scout recruits, make trades, and take your team to the playoffs!

Fantasian

a young knight wields a sword in the forest

Fantasian is a new JRPG from the creator of Final Fantasy, Hironobu Sakaguchi. The game levels are made from over a hundred different handmade dioramas which blend the physical world with digital elements and characters. Join Leo as he tries to regain his memories all while facing off against the strange mechanical infection that threatens the existence of mankind. The game is chock-full of content to explore, with average playthroughs lasting from 60~90 hours.

LEGO Star Wars: Castaways

A soviet astronaut swinging from a vine, avoiding being eaten by a T-rex

Lego Star Wars: Castaways deviates from the standard Lego game formula. Instead opting for a social adventure RPG that has players customize their very own Lego Minifigure and set out on an unexplored island planet. Join your friends or play solo in a variety of missions and events inspired by epic moments in the Star Wars film franchise. You’ll battle the likes of Darth Vader, unlock iconic Microfighters, solve puzzles, and earn new ways to customize your character.

The Pathless

No Way Home game logo

The Pathless is all about movement. Play as The Hunter, accompanied by an eagle companion as they traverse a gorgeously assembled natural world over land and air. The game sets you on a path of constant momentum and timed button presses for combat. It is up to you to restore light to the open world around you by defeating the corrupted spirits and cursed beasts that roam the land.

Apple Arcade + Backbone

Gaming is about the experience; it should be a comfortable, seamless practice without hassle or complication. Plug and play. This is where Backbone’s Apple Arcade controller comes into the picture.

Several MFi controllers allow you to hook them up to your Apple Device, but let’s think about this for a second. Most are no different from your standard gaming controller; it’s a separate device! While the Backbone One is still separate, it combines seamlessly with your phone. Think back to road trips from your childhood – we’re talking about the good ol’ days spent gaming in the car. There’s a reason the Gameboy did so well. You had the game, the screen, and the controller in one system.

The Backbone One Apple Arcade controller makes your iPhone that kind of gaming system all over again. Now you can game in style, for an affordable cost, and right from your phone.