The best action game for your iPhone or iPad depends on whether you want competitive matches, side-scrolling brawls, roguelike runs, an action RPG, or a quick runner. Apple’s US App Store editorial collections provide a useful shortlist across those styles, but they are curated selections—not objective rankings or a guarantee of current availability in every region.
Best action games for competitive matches
Call of Duty: Mobile
Choose Call of Duty: Mobile if you want first-person shooting with PvP and battle royale modes. Apple describes it as a battle royale and PvP FPS game and includes it in its iPad action selection. The editorial listing supports its genre fit, not a claim that it outperforms other shooters. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Essential Action Games for iPad.
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Brawl Stars
Brawl Stars is a compact-session option for players who want competitive play in a different format from a first-person shooter. Apple describes PvP and 5v5 battle royale MOBA play and includes it in its essential iPad action collection. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Essential Action Games for iPad.
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PUBG MOBILE
For battle royale, PUBG MOBILE is another Apple-selected candidate. Apple’s collection identifies it as a top battle royale mobile game; that is the store’s editorial description, not an independent comparison or test. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Essential Action Games for iPad.
#1 Best Overall
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Warframe
Warframe appears in Apple’s essential iPad action selection. The collection establishes its place in that category, but does not by itself verify current device requirements or how well the mobile version runs on a particular iPhone or iPad. Check its live listing for compatibility before downloading. Essential Action Games for iPad.
Best fighting games and beat ’em ups
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
If you want side-scrolling brawling, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is a natural fit: Apple’s listing identifies it as a mobile beat ’em up and includes it in its essential iPad action selection. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Essential Action Games for iPad.
Rank #2
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Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat is listed by Apple as an action and fighting game. Since age ratings and content details matter for this series, check the current App Store listing before choosing it for a younger player. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Essential Action Games for iPad.
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Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla offers online fighting, making it a multiplayer alternative to a traditional one-on-one fighting game. Apple lists it among its iPad action options. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Essential Action Games for iPad.
Rank #3
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- 【TIPS FOR IPHONE GAME CONTROLLER】 When the wireless phone controller encounters abnormal situations such as inability to connect/charge, joystick offset, you can try resetting it: poke the 'RESET' hole on the back of controller with a needle, and then restart the controller for iphone to solve most non quality problems
- 【TIPS FOR CLOUD GAMING CONTROLLER】 Please use this mobile game controller to play games on a high-speed and stable network. This is because cloud games have high network requirements and require a high-speed and low latency network environment to reduce latency caused by network congestion and enhance the gaming experience
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Best roguelike, survival, and action RPG picks
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
For a survival/action loop, consider Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. Apple features it in both essential and newer-action groupings for iPad. Confirm the live listing’s platform details and requirements for your device. Apple App Store: Action for iPad.
Vampire Survivors and Vampire Survivors+
Vampire Survivors is presented in Apple’s iPad action options as roguelike survival. Apple’s iPhone Apple Arcade action collection also includes Vampire Survivors+. Treat these as distinct listings and check the access terms for the edition you intend to play rather than assuming their availability or purchase models are identical. Apple App Store: Action for iPad; Apple App Store: Action.
Rank #4
- Officially licensed by Xbox. Bluetooth connection. Supports Xbox Cloud Gaming.
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Zenless Zone Zero
Zenless Zone Zero is an urban fantasy action RPG, according to Apple’s iPad selection. It suits readers looking for character-driven action rather than a short runner or a focused fighting game. Check the current listing for device requirements and its purchase model. Apple App Store: Action for iPad.
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Carrion
Carrion is another distinctive action pick in Apple’s iPad collection. The collection’s tagline—“HUNT. CONSUME. GROW. EVOLVE.”—signals its unusual premise, but consult the full listing for content details, controls, and device support. Apple App Store: Action for iPad.
Best Value
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Best runners and arcade action
Subway Surfers
Choose Subway Surfers if you want an accessible runner rather than combat-focused action. Apple includes it in its essential iPad action list and its iPhone Arcade action collection. Essential Action Games for iPad; Apple App Store: Action.
Temple Run 2
Temple Run 2 is another runner in Apple’s iPad action collection. It is a straightforward genre match for players who want arcade-style movement and obstacles instead of fighting. Apple App Store: Action for iPad.
Apple Arcade action games and controller support
Apple’s iPhone Apple Arcade action collection features Dead Cells+, TMNT Splintered Fate, and NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM+. Preserve the plus sign when searching: it identifies the specific Arcade editions in that collection. Apple describes TMNT Splintered Fate as multiplayer rogue-like action. The same collection marks Dead Cells+ and TMNT Splintered Fate as controller-featured games; it does not establish controller support for every title listed here. Apple App Store: Action.
Apple’s Great With Game Controllers feature says some games are more fun with a controller and names Xbox, PlayStation, and MFi controllers in the context of featured iPhone and iPad games. A controller is optional, not a requirement. Verify support for the exact game and compatibility of the controller you plan to use.
Quick Recap
How to choose and check a game before downloading
| If you want… | Start with… | What the Apple collection supports |
|---|---|---|
| First-person PvP or battle royale | Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG MOBILE | Apple describes the former as PvP FPS/battle royale and identifies the latter as a battle royale option. |
| Shorter competitive-style sessions | Brawl Stars | Apple describes PvP and 5v5 battle royale MOBA play. |
| Side-scrolling brawling or online fighting | TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Brawlhalla | Apple identifies a beat ’em up and online fighting, respectively. |
| Roguelike or survival action | Vampire Survivors, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor | Apple categorizes the former as roguelike survival and features the latter in iPad action selections. |
| Character-driven action RPG | Zenless Zone Zero | Apple describes it as an urban fantasy action RPG. |
| Runner rather than combat | Subway Surfers, Temple Run 2 | Apple places them in action collections that include runner picks. |
| Apple Arcade access or a featured controller game | Dead Cells+, TMNT Splintered Fate, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM+ | These appear in Apple’s iPhone Apple Arcade action collection; the collection features controller support for the first two named above. |
- Open the game’s current App Store listing in your region. The collections cited here are US editorial pages, and selection or ordering can change.
- Check compatibility and age information. Confirm supported devices, required operating-system version, age rating, and content disclosures on the live listing, particularly before installing for a child.
- Confirm the access and payment model. Check whether the exact edition is a standard App Store listing or requires Apple Arcade, and review any listed in-app purchases and price.
- Verify play features individually. Do not assume a game works offline, supports a controller, or offers multiplayer simply because it is in an action collection; confirm those details on its listing.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
