10+ Best Apple Watch Games in 2024: Play on the Go

You’re all set up with your Apple Watch; you’ve got it just how you like it, sorted your watch face and your settings, and now you’re wondering about the best Apple Watch games. We’re here to help you add some extra entertainment to your gadget.

The games below will get you thinking, gaming, and enjoying your Watch in ways you may not have considered. We’ve included a mix of free and paid-for options, too, so you can spend a little on the games you want to support or stick to the no-cost options.

For a more conventional experience, we also recommend checking out the best iPhone games.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. 10 Best Apple Watch Games to Play in 2024
3. More of the Best Apple Watch Games to Play in 2024
4. The Bottom Line
5. FAQs
6. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. 10 Best Apple Watch Games to Play in 2024
3. More of the Best Apple Watch Games to Play in 2024
Show Full Guide
4. The Bottom Line
5. FAQs
6. References

10 Best Apple Watch Games to Play in 2024

10. Star Duster

Kicking off our best games for Apple Watch is Star Duster. More attractive to those who remember, or want to experience some 1980s-style retro-gaming that we definitely don’t remember. It’s a straightforward game but it does require focus, as you use your Apple Watch’s digital crown to avoid obstacles and collect space junk across two game modes and two difficulties.

You can play a level-based mode, or a lives-based mode, but either way, Star Duster will soon have you zooming around while enjoying the ‘beep-boop’ sounds it offers. It’s also the prequel to Star Jolt on the iPhone and iPad. Not one for you if you want to avoid the $3 cost though.

9. Snappy Word

Snappy Word is an excellent option for anyone looking for a word game – and undoubtedly a candidate for one of the best word games for Apple Watch, too. The premise is simple: make words from the provided letters by swiping those letters around. Then just complete the level by finding all the available words. You can also get ‘hint gems’ by finding extra words.

Snappy Word is just one of those hugely enjoyable and easy to get into word games, and you’ll spend hours with it. There are 400 levels to work through, and you’ll (maybe) be a wordsmith by the end of your time playing.

8. Tic Tac Toe

A game that needs very little introduction, you can play Tic Tac Toe on your Apple Watch thanks to this widget and game from Amit Verma. Why play it on your watch? The answer is why not, and there’s less paper usage. This version of Tic Tac Toe is cleanly designed, and offers varied playing icons and board styles.

You have the option to play against AI, but if that proves easy then you can play two-player. The widget contains a wins tracker and there’s not too much more to say. It works, it’s Tic Tac Toe, and it’s one of the best games to play on your Apple Watch if you want classic simplicity.

7. Pocket Bandit

A unique experience, and certainly one of the games to get on your Apple Watch if you’re a fan of unique puzzlers. Pocket Bandit is a quick but ultimately fun blast of a game, where you use your Apple Watch’s digital crown to crack safes. Focus on the vibrations to know when you’re near to cracking, and find treasures behind the safe door!

A sharply styled game for your Watch, Pocket Bandit includes more than 100 treasures to uncover, plus stickers for iMessage too. It’s solid value for its $1 cost, and, more importantly, easy to access fun.

6. Rules

As the name suggests, the game Rules is concerned with a core element: the game’s rules. This tricky little puzzle title has you follow rules, adding to them as you have to remember and follow more and more. A game with multiplying complexity, it’s an original idea that certainly offers your brain some exercise.

Rules does cost $3, but it’s worth the investment. It’s a well-created and attractive game, deserving of its place in our best Apple Watch games list. Offering daily challenges, Rules includes a color perception assistant mode as well as (checks notes) “whales, unicorns, robots, and squirrels”.

5. DeathJogger Mini

A Wild West-themed first-person shooter on your Apple Watch? Yes indeed. DeathJogger Mini is a very enjoyable FPS with progression mechanics included. As you roam across landscapes, protecting yourself and overcoming challenges, you’ll need to keep your eyes open, make your way through the stages, and get to the end-game boss battle.

DeathJogger Mini takes a simple but engaging approach to finger swipes and crown actions while providing several weapons, pick-up boosts, and improveable character abilities. A Wild West soundtrack and ‘Endless Mode’ are included too. It’s one of the best Apple Watch games you can play in 2024.

4. Kepler Attack

A great thing about modern technology is its nonchalant ability to play compelling arcade games. Kepler Attack is one such game, a space-shooter where your job is to fly and destroy space invaders from Kepler-452b. That’s it.

With clear hat-tips to the likes of Space Invaders, retro gameplay and sound are accompanied by power-ups and score rankings. And it can run at 60fps…on your wrist. Certainly, this is one of the best games on Apple Watch, and a fine testament to the arcade shooters of a bygone era for an asking price of just $2.

3. Lifeline…

Your one job in Lifeline… is to save Taylor. A best-selling Apple Watch and iPhone game, this surprisingly captivating and engaging title shows what is possible even on smart devices. A survival story told by writer Dave Justus, Lifeline… is designed as an immersive, decision-based game with multiple outcomes.

Playable directly on your Apple Watch, you’ll engage with and respond to Taylor, helping him and working out what happened to him. You can play throughout the day and respond as messages arrive, or you can read through and reply later in your own time. Lifeline… is a game unlike others, and worth the $2.99 cost. One of the best-ever Apple Watch games, without a doubt.

2. Dare The Monkey: Go Bananas

There’s a monkey called Dare, and it’s your job to control and look after him in this fun and cute side-scroller for the Apple Watch. Described as “extremely addictive” and “super casual”, it’s a delight to play games like Dare on your Watch when you have some spare time.

Similar to many classic arcade scrolling platformers (think Zool, Spot, or Sonic), it’s a joy to play, but also tricky to play perfectly. And that’s exactly what you want from one of the best Apple Watch games for kids, right? We’re actually surprised Dare The Monkey: Go Bananas is free – but more reason to try it, right?

1. Lifeline: Beside You In Time

If the original Lifeline… is a good game (and it is), you really need to also play Lifeline: Beside You In Time. And, without providing spoilers, you’ll want to. This follow-up title also features Taylor, and you’ll be familiar with the mechanics if you’ve played the original.

This survival title uses your watch to engage and respond to messages. It is one of several available in the Lifeline series—and there are a few, so have a look. It’s another survival tale written by Dave Justus that allows you to explore your choices and various endings. It is $3.99, but such titles deserve investment. It’s the best Apple Watch game right now.

More of the Best Apple Watch Games to Play in 2024

There are plenty of Apple Watch games available for you, so we thought we’d add some extra ones to consider too! If some of the above aren’t for you, or you just want more to add to your ‘to-play’ list, here are some extras.

The Bottom Line

Whatever you’re after, there are a surprising number of really good, really enjoyable and very playable Apple Watch games. Whether you’re after a puzzler, shooter, retro, immersive platformer or even a captivating survival title, you’ll be surprised at what developers (and your Apple Watch) can offer.

FAQs