Apple Arcade is packed with console-quality games, but you'll need a compatible controller to get the best from them. Here are my recommendations

I've spent the last week really getting to grips with the Apple Arcade service, trying out all of the available games and experimenting with its major features.

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>I've spent the last week really getting to grips with the Apple Arcade service, trying out all of the available games and experimenting with its major features.</p><div class="fancy-box"><div class="fancy_box-title">Ultimate Guide to Apple Arcade</div><div class="fancy_box_body"><figure class="van-image-figure " ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' ><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="rgkcCt9eiG77s6VcrKCrXm" name="Hub Lead Image" caption="" alt="TechRadar's Ultimate Guide to Apple Arcade." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rgkcCt9eiG77s6VcrKCrXm.png" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="" height="" attribution="" endorsement="" class="pinterest-pin-exclude"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=""><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Apple / Future)</span></figcaption></figure><p class="fancy-box__body-text">This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Apple Arcade: the definitive guide to everything that you need to know about the gaming service. Be sure to browse <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/ultimate-guide-to-apple-arcade" target="_blank">the full series here</a>.</p></div></div><p>The experience has been great so far, thanks to the many console-quality games out on the platform. I'm talking titles like <em>Sonic Dream Team</em>, <em>Hello Kitty Island Adventure</em>, <em>Cult of the Lamb, Fantasian</em>, and so much more.</p><p>Although they're all perfectly playable with touch controls, loads of Apple Arcade games (including all of the aforementioned titles) offer full controller support. Hooking up a compatible gamepad is the perfect way to get an even more console-like experience, and really recommend getting your hands on one if you want to make the absolute best and most comfortable playing sessions.</p><p>For iPhone players, I would recommend three of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/best-mobile-controllers">best mobile controllers</a> on the market today: the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/backbone-one-2nd-gen-review">Backbone One</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/backbone-pro-review">Backbone Pro</a>, and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/razer-kishi-v3-pro-review">Razer Kishi V3 Pro</a>. They're all formidable choices, though each has its own distinct advantages. The Backbone One, for example, is the most portable and cheapest of the three, while the Pro and Kishi V3 Pro are more comfortable and have better software features. I've also included the GameSir G8 Plus Galileo as a worthy budget alternative, though it doesn't offer quite as seamless an experience as the others. </p><p>For iPad gamers, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is one of the few options that's compatible with massive tablets. It can even fit the truly huge 13-inch iPad Air and Pro models.</p><p>Finally, those playing on Apple TV are best served by more conventional options: the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/xbox-wireless-controller-2020">Xbox Wireless Controller</a> and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/dualsense-wireless-controller">DualSense Wireless Controller</a>. If you want something a little quirkier, the cute <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/neo-s-review">CRKD Neo S</a> is a strong choice.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-recommended-apple-arcade-controllers"><span>Recommended Apple Arcade controllers</span></h3> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="7769bc9c-8b60-11f1-8d92-1fe2e39e06e1"> <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/backbone-one-usb-c-mobile-gaming-controller-for-iphone-15-16-17-series-and-android-2nd-generation-black/J3R8KGPH7W" data-model-name="Backbone One USB Type-C (Gen 2)" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:99.31%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4SWEfADeod6FnqaqHRuZ6S.jpg" alt="Backbone One"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class="featured__title">Backbone One</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="7769bc38-8b60-11f1-bbf0-23a9cd957817"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Backbone-Gaming-Controller-Bluetooth-Pro-Level-Console/dp/B0DQM23MLZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1IXFJ6UCMYPYP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s-LncDJSuV-xUsP6hkGWqBC55Hqz1LcJpWAc1m9RN4ERel5aMDX0Z-0LQRaWsMHEDf4moczbmKkZZh3tIMoRnGRRUR_ST3F3-6esEMwX2yMdZqZwcREOXoWJF_W4qLDGRTQ-kH09huZTsg-wwb8ANmPaHN6QCZs72ElG0WfRKJoqBzHv33mbp-TBZmQv0PQeiInm2oRpkaRTTE37Z_mePMXHoKr-vRhlyVyJDdLY-oM.aKnnOPk3zKu9JQe1PsR51hOHhUw_vuke9fi_akRfeGM&dib_tag=se&keywords=backbone+one&qid=1785338957&sprefix=backbone+%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1" data-model-name="Backbone Pro" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:100.00%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bc7xo6QKZCZjBpDQDdizEW.jpg" alt="The Backbone Pro."></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Backbone</div> <div class="featured__title">Backbone Pro</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="7769bb5c-8b60-11f1-860e-ab96e87935f3"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Gaming-Controller-iPhone-Android-Smartphone/dp/B0F231T7BG/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._Jy_audNNXWBHE1J_te2DIrDOBZSZyplVVpnbLFOO0ZTLmajgS7PoC-7R5JBH7Dbq_IiNNWbgsTcMafKqU5SjKGFuajl7jjO5F6YxrcCQYRGV_B8edy7yFf0ALAf6iRypxZisictbbwfUd8pCXOyE5knP0UH3binA7BEX_Tc0zb4k6fcjVUKvojWkJOHVS9oHnFadEmwmkfTUm5q-ipSZ0Se-kfPCrF8bFqMXLWKG4k.a0oDkrmI3B7SYuE852RZe0XybFgW4zAm4ryeqdZh8oA&dib_tag=se&keywords=razer%2Bkishi%2Bv3%2Bpro&qid=1785339223&sr=8-1&th=1" data-model-name="Razer Kishi V3 Pro" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:100.00%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KXbn99gMBbyKgxp54s7nvn.png" alt="Kishi V3 Pro"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Razer</div> <div class="featured__title">Kishi V3 Pro</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="7769bbca-8b60-11f1-9418-476c91861393"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kishi-Gaming-Controller-Android-Tablets-Smartphone/dp/B0DVKWZ5SX/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._Jy_audNNXWBHE1J_te2DIrDOBZSZyplVVpnbLFOO0ZTLmajgS7PoC-7R5JBH7Dbq_IiNNWbgsTcMafKqU5SjKGFuajl7jjO5F6YxrcCQYRGV_B8edy7yFf0ALAf6iRypxZisictbbwfUd8pCXOyE5knP0UH3binA7BEX_Tc0zb4k6fcjVUKvojWkJOHVS9oHnFadEmwmkfTUm5q-ipSZ0Se-kfPCrF8bFqMXLWKG4k.a0oDkrmI3B7SYuE852RZe0XybFgW4zAm4ryeqdZh8oA&dib_tag=se&keywords=razer%2Bkishi%2Bv3%2Bpro&qid=1785339223&sr=8-2&th=1" data-model-name="Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:100.00%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BwvHNXErT3s9rUmBzCxzH6.jpg" alt="Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Razer</div> <div class="featured__title">Kishi V3 Pro XL</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="b1821f42-8b64-11f1-9d46-67094ae17722"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Controller-iOS-Wireless-Joysticks-Minecraft/dp/B0D8JJRCJN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=45IJY1F0208A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AbhUqlA99cvwutH3fLhJGqKZDfbUhqU8vGr_bQ4C4uEomfTLdA2DrilyRyUy17h0QOGbz9qA9U6k7Ex1PRojza0NRY0dVa0VV-biawfnMi9bE1AOjGR236O7U3Q9wtX0uyzdEbRG0GhRFfHCuKe6-Axqyrwie37SaAwY8U_LRIqUwAfQ2z9U6Wp6822eGgIk7FFPK_IHGfDooAPvFuSCkMW64bg1Y3ghBK-MmTqL_QY.I5qPBOuyLKhLnT2agLWvHeCdKwsmOzPqdHxlh4GaDCA&dib_tag=se&keywords=gamesir%2Bg8%2B&qid=1785339925&sprefix=gamesir%2Bg8%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-1&th=1" data-model-name="GameSir G8 Plus" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:100.00%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NyqgQqV7y5fCQpwXc73fST.jpg" alt="Gamesir G8 Plus Bluetooth Mobile Game Controller for Switch & Ios & Android & Tablets, Wireless Gamepad With Hall Effect Joysticks/hall Trigger, Play Minecraft, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>GameSir</div> <div class="featured__title">G8 Plus</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="7769bd6e-8b60-11f1-b44a-2171cd5004df"> <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/microsoft-xbox-wireless-controller-for-xbox-series-x-xbox-series-s-xbox-one-pcs-and-cloud-enabled-devices-carbon-black/JJGXPXQXJY" data-model-name="Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:99.34%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VqoDqLmwsVnLgCVNjZpg85.jpg" alt="Xbox Wireless Controller"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Microsoft</div> <div class="featured__title">Xbox Wireless Controller</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="7769bd0a-8b60-11f1-843b-3f296db0bcd6"> <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/sony-interactive-entertainment-dualsense-wireless-controller-for-ps5-pc-mac-mobile-white/JXHQ37T9C5" data-model-name="Sony DualSense Wireless Controller" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:99.15%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KnR2tfPQr8gnbESUyzUaQ8.jpg" alt="PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Sony</div> <div class="featured__title">DualSense Wireless Controller</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero-4" data-id="b1821fd8-8b64-11f1-92e0-856eee1929a2"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/CRKD-NEO-Wireless-Collectible-Controller-Console/dp/B0CVYBGYBB/ref=sr_1_4?crid=JHCUC4ORNMWO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZOcPE4C2Ya2vkNEyNglSdnRpm8OPxKp5peIzrfg3Pow_mod9020X_xiuV55tLjtMb6npyDAx1EiCTGD98Ae-5PRYhgD5urgPIZEz4Fjx13ta2EEgM4TzbKl_i-rE59jQHH8S8MZXYvjPX3jz6vNhCA3yw10SdnznB5M6NnWVexX2W6jE38jf3Tjs_V29PzxsykTomhGD7sHxNNnXY072nCqXarTYnUI2vebNuS-_jc4.GCqt0gUpSX8W0qNZyva5FWe4Prff-Upz_b9XGnyPVFE&dib_tag=se&keywords=crkd+neo+s&qid=1785339805&sprefix=crkd+n%2Caps%2C434&sr=8-4" data-model-name="CRKD Neo S" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check style='padding-top:100.00%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y5aHM3U4hFVxusHwNcJv6E.jpg" alt="Crkd Neo S - Wireless Collectible Controller for Nintendo Switch/switch 2, Iphone, Android, Ipad, Pc, Smart Tv, Steam Deck Oled, Legion Go, Rog Ally Gaming (classic Clear)"></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>CRKD</div> <div class="featured__title">Neo S</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> ]]>