The Apple Watch is more than just a stylish accessory; it's a versatile device that tracks your steps, controls your Apple iPhone, keeps accurate time, and offers much more. While renowned for its everyday utility as an iPhone companion, the Apple Watch also doubles as an entertainment hub, allowing you to play games directly from your wrist. With the arrival of the sleek Apple Watch Series 10, the future of gaming on this platform looks brighter than ever.

To help you dive into the world of Apple Watch gaming, we've compiled a list of the best mobile games you can enjoy on your wrist. These games are not only playable on the Apple Watch but are also compatible with iPhone and iPad, ensuring a seamless gaming experience across devices. Most of these games are free to download and play, although some offer in-app purchases, and a few are premium titles priced at just a few dollars.

These are the best Apple Watch games

Star Duster ($2.99)
Lifeline: Beside You in Time ($3.99)
Dare the Monkey: Go Bananas! (Free)
Chess (Free)
Octopuz (Free)
Arcadia! ($1.99)
Infinity Loop: Blueprints (Free)
Jupiter Attack ($1.99)
Jellyfish Tap (Free)
Ping Pong (Free)
Tiny Armies ($0.99)
Rules! ($2.99)

Star Duster

Star Duster

A quick and fun 80s retro LCD challenge, Star Duster is a nostalgic gem at $2.99 on the Apple App Store. This game emulates the classic gameplay of old school Nintendo Game & Watch and Tiger Electronics handhelds. It offers two engaging modes: one level-based and the other lives-based, where your goal is to catch falling space debris using the Digital Crown as your control mechanism, reminiscent of the Atari classic Tempest. Star Duster also serves as a prequel to the mobile game Star Jolt and is available on Apple iPhone and Apple iMessage.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 7.1 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: $2.99

Lifeline: Beside You in Time

Lifeline: Beside You in Time

For $3.99, Lifeline: Beside You in Time offers an immersive text-based adventure where you guide an astronaut named Taylor through the perilous space around a black hole. Your choices shape the narrative, leading to different outcomes. This game is also available on iPhone and iPad, allowing you to continue your adventure across devices seamlessly.

Apple Watch: Series 3-Series 10 | watchOS: 6 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 6s or later, SE | Price: $3.99

Dare the Monkey: Go Bananas!

Dare the Monkey: Go Bananas!

Free to download with in-app purchases, Dare the Monkey: Go Bananas! is a one-tap action-platformer that delivers an "extremely addictive" and "super casual" gaming experience on the Apple Watch's compact screen. As you guide a monkey through the jungle, dodging traps and enemies, you'll be amazed at the layered graphics and engaging gameplay. This game is also available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and iMessage.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 3 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: Free with in-app purchases

Chess

Chess - Play & Learn

Chess enthusiasts can enjoy the classic board game on the go with Chess, available for free on the Apple Watch. With cross-platform compatibility with iPad, you can play against friends worldwide, no matter their skill level, directly from your wrist.

Apple Watch: Series 5-Series 10 | watchOS: 4 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 6s or later, SE | Price: Free with in-app purchases

Octopuz

Octopuz

Test and train your memory with Octopuz, a free memory-based game where you must recreate design patterns within a time limit. As you progress, the patterns become more complex, providing a fun and challenging workout for your brain. This game is also available on iPhone and iPad.

Apple Watch: Series 1-Series 10 and SE | watchOS: 4 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 4s-10, SE | Price: Free with in-app purchases

Arcadia!

Arcadia - Arcade Watch Games

For just $1.99, Arcadia! offers a retro gaming collection featuring over 20 classic game clones, including Snake, Galaga, OutRun, Pong, and Breakout. With no ads, in-app purchases, or data tracking, this game provides pure, uninterrupted retro gaming on your wrist. It's also available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 8 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: $1.99

Infinity Loop: Blueprints

Infinity Loop: Blueprints

This free-to-play puzzle game (with in-app purchases) challenges you to rotate pieces to form an infinity loop. As you advance, the puzzles become increasingly complex. Infinity Loop: Blueprints also features a "Creative Lounge" mode where you can design and share your own puzzles. It's available on iPhone and iPad as well.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 4.3 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: Free with in-app purchases

Jupiter Attack

Jupiter Attack

Priced at $1.99, Jupiter Attack is a thrilling science fiction shooter where you pilot a spaceship to fend off alien invaders and protect Earth. Collect power-ups to enhance your weapons as you progress. Part of the Space Watch Trilogy, which includes Kepler Attack and Asteroid Commando, a bundle of all three games is available for just $3.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 8.7 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: $1.99

Jellyfish Tap

Jellyfish Tap

Free with in-app purchases, Jellyfish Tap is a simple yet engaging tap-and-jump game similar to Flappy Bird and Dinosaur Game. Guide your jellyfish through an underwater world, dodging obstacles as the game speeds up. It's also cross-platform compatible with iPhone and iPad.

Apple Watch: Series 1-Series 10 and SE | watchOS: 6 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 4s-6s, SE | Price: Free with in-app purchases

Ping Pong

Ping Pong - Watch Retro Game

Enjoy the classic Pong and four other retro games, including Breakout and Invader, with Ping Pong: Watch Retro Game. Use the Apple Watch's Digital Crown to control the paddles and customize the game with different colors and designs. It's free to play with in-app purchases to unlock additional features and is also available on iPhone.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 4.3 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: Free with in-app purchases

Tiny Armies

Tiny Armies

For just $0.99, Tiny Armies offers a turn-based tactical strategy game where you swipe to navigate through various terrains and defeat enemies. You can play solo on the Apple Watch or challenge friends via iMessage. The game is also playable on iPhone and iPad.

Apple Watch: Series 4-Series 10, SE, and Ultra | watchOS: 3 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 8 or later, SE | Price: $0.99

Rules!

Rules!

At $2.99, Rules! is a fast-paced memory-based puzzle game where you must follow one rule to clear each level, with new rules added as you progress, making the game increasingly complex. It's available on iPhone, iPad, and iMessage as well.

Apple Watch: Series 1-Series 10 and SE | watchOS: 8.3 or higher | Compatible Apple iPhone: 4s-6s, SE | Price: $2.99

How to Choose Which Apple Watch Games to Play in 2025

The Apple Watch not only provides quick information at a glance but also serves as a handy device for playing quick games. With hundreds of mobile games available on the Apple App Store for the Apple Watch, most of which are also compatible with iPhone, you can enjoy gaming without even reaching for your smartphone.

Given the vast selection, choosing where to start can be daunting. Here are key factors to consider when selecting Apple Watch games:

Apple Watch Model

Knowing your Apple Watch model is crucial. If you have a newer model running the latest watchOS 10, you can play any compatible game. This includes all smartwatches from Series 4 or later. However, if your Apple Watch is Series 3 or older, your game options may be more limited. You can find your model number printed at the bottom of your Apple Watch.

Ensure you also have the right iPhone, as both devices need to be paired. For watchOS 10, you'll need an iPhone XS or later, while watchOS 6 is compatible with the iPhone 4s through 6s. The Apple Watch SE and iPhone SE (second gen onward) should be current with watchOS 10 and iOS 18, respectively.

Storage Space

The Apple Watch has limited storage, with a maximum of 64GB. Fortunately, most games are small in size, typically under 1GB, but it's still important to consider storage, especially on older models like the Series 4, which has only 16GB of capacity.

Price

Most Apple Watch games are free to download, but many offer in-app purchases to unlock additional content or remove ads. Be mindful of these potential costs when selecting games.

Enjoyment

Finally, the most important factor is whether the game looks fun or challenging to you. Apple Watch games are designed to be quick and easy to learn, so if a game catches your interest, give it a try and see what new challenges await you.