While Macs can‘t match gaming PCs or consoles for power and graphics, there are still excellent Mac game options across genres to suit different gamer tastes. This list of the 10 best Mac games released so far highlights standout titles loved by critics and everyday Mac gamers alike.
10. Cuphead
| Publisher | Studio MDHR |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Run-and-Gun |
| Modes | Single Player, Local Co-Op |
| Release Date | October 19, 2018 |
The run-and-gun platformer Cuphead became an instant sensation upon its Mac release thanks to its utterly unique jazz-age cartoon art style and white-knuckle boss rush gameplay. Players fight screen-filling bosses across strange worlds, with difficulty on par with bullet hell shooters. Beyond eye-catching visuals, responsive controls and secrets galore make Cuphead one of the most replayable Mac titles.
Cuphead‘s art style and challenging gameplay have made it a Mac gaming staple. (Studio MDHR)
9. Stardew Valley
| Publisher | ConcernedApe |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Simulation, RPG |
| Modes | Single Player, Multiplayer |
| Release Date | July 29, 2016 |
The ultra-charming, endless farming life simulator Stardew Valley has earned its spot among the best Mac games. Players inherit a run-down farm, which they must rebuild through planting crops, raising animals, mining resources, building relationships with townsfolk and more. Soothing and addictive in equal measure, Stardew Valley captures the spirit of classics like Harvest Moon while still feeling fresh.
Stardew Valley sets the new gold standard for relaxing yet engaging simulation games. (ConcernedApe)
8. Sid Meier‘s Civilization VI
| Publisher | Aspyr |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Turn-based strategy |
| Modes | Single player, multiplayer |
| Release Date | October 24, 2016 |
The legendary Civilization franchise helped define an entire genre, and the sixth main series entry is a triumph. Players guide a civilization through history, competing or cooperating with others. Sophisticated systems cover science, culture, diplomacy, combat and more over potentially hundreds of turns. Streamlined controls make this one of the most Mac-friendly Civ games yet.
Civilization VI retains the strategic depth of its predecessors while simplifying controls for an excellent Mac experience. (Aspyr)
7. Papers, Please
| Publisher | 3909 LLC |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Puzzle, Simulation |
| Modes | Single Player |
| Release Date | August 8, 2013 |
The critically-acclaimed Papers, Please puts players in the shoes of an immigration inspector at a border checkpoint for the fictional country of Arstotzka. Using documents provided by travelers, you decide who to admit and who to turn away while weighing security concerns against humanity. Thought-provoking and tense despite simple visuals and mechanics, Papers, Please was years ahead of its time.
Papers, Please built an engrossing, emotionally complex scenario around checking travel papers. (3909 LLC)
6. Minecraft
| Publisher | Mojang Studios |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Sandbox/survival |
| Modes | Single player, multiplayer |
| Release Date | October 19, 2018 |
The phenomenon that is Minecraft needs no introduction at this point. Available on virtually every platform, Mojang‘s blocky builder lets creativity run wild. Harvest materials, craft tools and structures, terraform the landscape and battle monsters alone or with friends. Huge theme- and gameplay-changing updates continually refresh the experience. Minecraft set the standard for limitless sandbox games.
Minecraft‘s signature open-ended creative/survival gameplay made it one of the best-selling games ever. (Mojang Studios)
5. The Sims 4
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Simulation |
| Modes | Single Player |
| Release Date | February 17, 2015 |
The beloved life simulation franchise once again brings open-ended suburban escapism to Macs with The Sims 4. Create unique Sims with customizable appearances, personalities and life goals, then build houses for them while guiding their careers, relationships, families and day-to-day routines. Expansive DLCs let you add magic, pets, vacations and more. The Sims 4 perfects the lighthearted simulation that made the series famous.
The Sims 4 gives Mac gamers deeper customization and control over their virtual suburban escapism. (Electronic Arts)
4. Sid Meier’s Civilization V
| Publisher | Aspyr |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Turn-based strategy |
| Modes | Single player, multiplayer |
| Release Date | November 23, 2010 |
Though surpassed by its sequel highlighted earlier, Civilization V still stands as one of the premier Mac strategy games following a strong port. The fifth entry in the revered Civ franchise introduced hex-based battle maps plus new combat and economic systems rewarding thoughtful play. Even better, Steam Workshop support grants access to a near-endless supply of player-made mods and scenarios to refresh the experience years later.
Civilization V remains a hallmark Mac strategy game thanks to deep systems and endless mod support. (Aspyr)
3. Hearthstone
| Publisher | Blizzard |
| Engine | Proprietary |
| Genre | Digital CCG |
| Modes | Single player, multiplayer |
| Release Date | December 1, 2015 |
Blizzard‘s smash digital card game Hearthstone brings the thrill of collectible card battling to Macs with a lower skill floor while retaining stratrgic depth. Players construct decks around fantastical cards featuring creatures, spells and heroes from Blizzard games like Warcraft, then duel opponents. Regular events, expansions and steady content updates ensure Hearthstone stays exciting for all commitment levels. Stellar presentation and F2P friendliness seal the deal.
Hearthstone set a new standard for balanced, fair free-to-play digital card games. (Blizzard)
2. Rocket League
| Publisher | Psyonix |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 3 |
| Genre | Vehicular soccer |
| Modes | Single player, multiplayer |
| Release Date | September 8, 2016 |
This surprise breakout hit successfully realized a concept once thought too bizarre to properly work: soccer, but with cars. Players control customizable vehicles in 3v3 matches, ramming giant soccer balls into goals with precise hits, mid-air suspensions and explosions. Consistently updated since launch, Rocket League demands skill while enabling jaw-dropping moments across countless matches. Fluid, nuanced controls complete the package cementing Rocket League‘s status as an online staple.
Simple concept, nearly unlimited depth: Rocket League nailed the car soccer formula. (Psyonix)
1. Fortnite
| Publisher | Epic Games |
| Engine | Unreal Engine |
| Genre | Battle Royale |
| Modes | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Release Date | September 26, 2017 |
No game has dominated pop culture over the past few years like Fortnite. The colorful, highly accessible take on the nascent battle royale genre vaulted Epic Games‘ title into record-breaking territory with over 350 million players as of 2021. Every few months massive in-game events literally change the Fortnite map and evolve gameplay. Frequent content updates and crossover events with other entertainment properties retain players‘ interest, plus Fortnite is totally free. Constant change and huge buzz cement its status as the game of recent times.
Always expanding, always evolving, Fortnite became the game of the late 2010s. (Epic Games)
Mac gaming has grown considerably even just within the past few years, providing plenty of outlets to purchase both classic and brand-new titles. Here are some reputable shops carrying these best Mac titles and more:
Mac App Store: Since it comes pre-installed on every Mac, Apple‘s own marketplace should be most users‘ first stop for game browsing and purchases. Note that the Mac App Store tends to run fewer sales than other platforms.
Steam: As the largest third-party game storefront in the world, Steam needs no intoduction for most gamers. Their Mac offerings cover both native titles like the ones listed here as well as Windows games playable via translation layers (see below). Frequent major sales knock prices way down.
GOG: Focusing on DRM-free classics and newer indie oddities, GOG maintains its own library of Mac OS-compatible games both new and old. Their generous refund policy lets you return games up to 30 days after buying.
MacGameStore: This store lives up to its name, maintaining an extensive catalog spanning Mac gaming history. Daily deals can hugely reduce costs, especially during seasonal sales.
The convenience and portability of gaming on a Mac comes with relatively underpowered hardware compared to traditional gaming setups. Even the best Mac games simply can‘t match the graphical capabilities or all-around performance possible on a desktop built specifically for gaming. Console games see similar advantages in dedicated graphics and computing components.
However, Apple‘s Metal graphics API allows developers to fully tap into available resources for smooth Mac gameplay experiences. And again – while complex, expansive titles found on PlayStation, Xbox and high-end Windows machines exceed what Macs can handle, creative devs and expert ports place many excellent games well within Apple hardware limits.
Finally, applications like CrossOver and Parallels Desktop actually enable running Windows games directly on Mac hardware. Performance varies, but this helps expand potential libraries for intrepid Mac gamers.
The titles above hopefully convey the breadth and depth of games possible on Mac today. And rumors persist of Apple‘s own high-performance console in the works which could completely change the Mac gaming landscape…
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