Only a few weeks are left in the year 2019. Apple just held the Best of 2019 apps event to celebrate its app developer community. The Cupertino company has shared its list of the best apps and games of the year. As expected, the list of the most downloaded free apps is topped by the likes of YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. But there are a few surprises in the list of the most popular iPhone games this year.
The App Store has generated more than $120 billion for developers. Apple’s SVP for Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, thanked developers for making 2019 “the best year yet for the App Store.”
Best Games of 2019
iPhone Game of the Year: Sky: Children of the Light (thatgamecompany). In this social quest, you’ll be flying across the beautiful landscapes to help celestial creatures find their way back home.
iPad Game of the Year: Hyper Light Drifter (Abylight S.L.). This iPad action title reimagines the classic adventure games. You’ll be fighting for your survival while exploring a brave new world.
Mac Game of the Year: GRIS (Devolver / Nomada Studio). GRIS is a soul-stirring puzzle platformer that explores the human experiences of piecing together one’s life after a tragic loss.
Apple TV Game of the Year: Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (DotEmu). This reboot of the classic from the 1980s has a half-lizard adventurer setting off on the challenge of a lifetime.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Sayonara Wild Hearts (Simogo). Apple Arcade has a library of over a hundred titles, and the adrenaline pumping Sayonara Wild Hearts has been named the best of them.
Some of the most popular games were the new incarnations of past blockbusters. Others were highly innovative original titles with leading-edge technology. But almost all of them have an immersive story line, bold design, and top-notch graphics. Minecraft retains its title as the most downloaded paid game on both iPhones (iOS) and iPads (iPadOS) this year.
Most popular free iPhone games of 2019
To the surprise of many, this list is topped by Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour, not Fornite or Call of Duty. Nintendo released Mario Kart Tour in September, meaning the game was available on iOS only for a few months. It has still managed to beat other titles that have been around for the entire year in terms of downloads. Other titles on the list consist of familiar names.
Apple did not reveal how many times a game was downloaded on iPhones. The Cupertino company has been working closely with developers for its Apple Arcade subscription service. These are the most popular free iPhone games of 2019:
- Mario Kart Tour
- Color Bump 3D
- aquapark.io
- Call of Duty: Mobile
- BitLife – Life Simulator
- Polysphere – art of puzzle
- Wordscapes
- Fortnite
- Roller Splat!
- AMAZE!!
Most popular paid iPhone games
- Minecraft
- Heads Up!
- Plague Inc.
- Bloons TD 6
- Geometry Dash
- Rebel Inc.
- The Game of Life
- Stardew Valley
- Bloons TD 5
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Most popular free iPad games
- Roblox
- aquapark.io
- Paper.io 2
- Color Bump 3D
- Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
- Fortnite
- Polysphere – art of puzzle
- Wordscapes
- Tiles Hop – EDM Rush
- Helix Jump
Top paid iPad games
- Minecraft
- Geometry Dash
- Bloons TD 6
- Plague Inc.
- Amazing Frog?
- Stardew Valley
- The Game of Life
- Heads Up!
- Terraria
- Bendy and the Ink Machine
