Apple Arcade, Apple’s move into the gaming arena. Many titles for a monthly subscription. I’m not sure how I feel about subscribing to another service, but I love the fact that for $4.99/month, you and up to six family members get access to 100+ games. Ad-free and no in-app purchases, Apple Arcade can be accessed and played on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. You may play with Xbox Wireless Controllers with Bluetooth, PlayStation DualShock 4, and MFi game controllers (Made For iPhone/iPod/iPad).
For those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, this is very enticing. If you have an iPhone or iPad, then the portability simulates what the Nintendo Switch brings to the table. Now, I’m not talking about game titles or perhaps even graphics power; I’m merely looking at it in terms of function. And if you have an Apple TV, then you get the experience of what a console like Microsoft’s Xbox or Sony’s PlayStation brings to your TV.
Scrolling through the game previews at https://www.apple.com/apple-arcade/ puts a grin on my face because the games look entertaining and fun. Pleasing to the eyes with an artistic flair and most importantly, there seem to be enough titles that cover a wide range of genres. I feel Apple has something valuable here for individual gamers and families.
Cost
From a cost perspective, it doesn’t look that bad. I mean, over 100+ titles for $4.99/month? With more on the way? One would not get bored. On a console, games can be costly. I made a price comparison between the Nintendo Switch and Apple Arcade. Say I got a Switch (standard) for $299.00 and got ten popular game titles for an average of about $50 each, this would amount to $799.99. Now let’s look at Apple Arcade – I would have to get the Apple TV for $149, around $100 for two controllers, and it would cost me $4.99/month to subscribe. It would take me over eight years of Apple Arcade to spend close to the amount of what I would pay if I got the Nintendo Switch with ten games instead, give or take.
What would my kid say to Apple Arcade instead of Nintendo Switch?
I was curious to know how my ten-year-old boy would feel about ditching the idea of a Nintendo Switch for access to Apple Arcade instead. While he would miss what’s “trending” amongst his peers on the Switch, he is intrigued by some of the games offered on the Apple Arcade. He became excited when he saw a Sonic the Hedgehog game and Lego game. I don’t think it would be the end of the world avoiding the Nintendo Switch. There are several Mario title’s on iOS and Android. Many of my boy’s friends play popular games that are available on many platforms such as Minecraft and Fortnite. By the time my kids are in their late teens going into their 20s, I’m sure they’ll make up their minds if they would want to spend their own money on a dedicated console.
Conclusion
If you just wanted some video game family fun, without being tied to specific game titles, or aren’t after top-tier graphics, then Apple Arcade would work great. Admittedly some of the game previews I’ve seen look visually stunning. I don’t feel Apple Arcade is here to compete with consoles. Consoles have their place, but I do feel Apple Arcade fills in a gap in the gaming community. And if you’re strapped for cash as I am, Apple Arcade could save you long term based on my comparison earlier.
Worth Mentioning
Another subscription platform slightly similar to Apple Arcade’s offering is Google’s Stadia, which seems geared towards a more mature audience for $9.99/month.