Switching Gears: My One-Week Apple Arcade Gaming Experience After Ditching Nintendo

Recently, my Nintendo Switch has been gathering dust as I’ve found myself engrossed in the world of mobile games on my iPad through Apple Arcade. Surprisingly, I haven’t felt the usual urge to return to my Switch, suggesting that Apple’s gaming service might be more compelling than I originally thought.

My enthusiasm for mobile gaming waned after many top games were pulled from Netflix Gaming last July. In an effort to reignite my interest, I decided to revisit Apple Arcade, albeit with modest expectations, since Netflix Gaming had previously offered favorites like Hades and Death’s Door.

These titles, paired with the excellent Razer Kishi Ultra controller, had set a high bar by enhancing my mobile gaming experience beyond what I experienced with my Switch Lite. Could Apple Arcade possibly meet these expectations? It did, and then some, proving to be perhaps the most underrated platform in the mobile gaming space.

Switching from Nintendo to Apple Arcade?

I began my experiment by turning off my Switch and diving into the App Store. My aim was to find Apple Arcade games that could match the enjoyment I get from titles typically played on my Switch Lite, leaving more complex games for my PC.

In search of games reminiscent of Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, and Slay the Spire, I knew that true Nintendo titles wouldn’t be available on iOS, but I found several games that came close in spirit.

Apple Arcade: A Haven for Cozy Gaming

Apple Arcade’s library spans nearly every genre imaginable, with a significant portion dedicated to casual or children’s games. Where it really excels, however, is in its selection of cozy games.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure surprised me with its charm, rivaling my experience in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s refreshing to play a game that doesn’t revolve around financial burdens like loans or earning money.

Another gem I rediscovered was Outlanders, a game I first tried in 2020 shortly after its release on Apple Arcade. It remains a favorite, blending relaxing resource management with engaging challenges. The original game made its way to PC in 2023, and now a sequel has launched exclusively on Apple Arcade.

Other cozy titles I explored include Stardew Valley+, Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom, Wylde Flowers, Alto’s Adventure Remastered, Japanese Rural Life Adventure, and Disney Dreamlight Valley (more on that below).

A Rich Assortment of RPGs and Game Ports on Apple Arcade

RPGs are another area where Apple Arcade impressed me. At the time of writing, there are three excellent Final Fantasy ports available, including FFIV: 3D Remake, FFIV: The After Years, and FFI, all of which played flawlessly on my iPad with an Xbox controller.

Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, which draws heavy inspiration from Zelda, was enjoyable enough to keep me engaged. Initially launched on Apple Arcade in 2019, it later made its way to the Switch in 2020.

Fantasian stood out with its unique design featuring physical dioramas. It’s an impressive title that exceeds typical mobile game expectations and is a must-try for fans of turn-based RPGs.

Additionally, Apple Arcade offers a strong lineup of PC game ports. Notable mentions include Balatro+, Slay the Spire+, Dead Cells+, Trials of Mana+, and Limbo+.

Halfway through my week with Apple Arcade, I had downloaded over a dozen games and realized there was more to play than I could fit into my schedule. I certainly wasn’t missing my Switch during this time.

Challenges with Hardware Compatibility in iOS and iPadOS Gaming

While gaming on Apple Arcade was largely enjoyable, there were a few hiccups, mostly minor. Most games I played supported landscape mode, my preferred orientation, but some, like Japanese Rural Life Adventure, only offered portrait mode, making them nearly impossible to play with a controller.

Controller compatibility varied across games. While many titles on Arcade support controllers, there were occasional inconsistencies in button layouts and settings, which could be frustrating. For example, Trials of Mana+ used a Switch-style button layout, which was confusing to adapt to with my Xbox controller, and I found no option in the game settings to alter this.

The most significant problem occurred when I tried playing Disney Dreamlight Valley. It was the only game that performed poorly on my iPad. Although technically playable, the bugs and glitches made it unenjoyable beyond the first 15 minutes, whether I used a controller or touch controls. It’s important to note that performance can vary significantly depending on the Apple device used, with newer models generally offering a better gaming experience.

Final Thoughts

Is Apple Arcade going to replace my gaming PC? Definitely not. But could it take over as my preferred portable gaming option instead of the Switch Lite? Quite possibly, yes. However, this depends largely on your gaming preferences and the specific Apple device you use.

I’d particularly recommend Apple Arcade for casual gamers, those who enjoy cozy games, and families. While there are some excellent remakes and RPGs, they don’t quite match the Switch’s extensive RPG catalog. That said, the casual and cozy games on Apple Arcade are surprisingly enjoyable, often more so than similar games on the Switch. Additionally, for those sharing their device with children, Apple Arcade’s array of kid-friendly, micro-transaction-free games makes it an attractive option.

While Apple Arcade might still have some kinks to work out, it unexpectedly offers a substantial value with its diverse game selection, from laid-back casual games to ambitious RPGs.

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