21 Best Classic and Old iPhone Games You Can Still Play

The App Store offers tens of thousands of games for the iPhone. Although you can find great games by browsing in the store, it’s unlikely that newer generations will easily find them or understand why old iPhone games captured the hearts of many people in the golden era of smartphones and beyond.

Due to Apple pulling old apps from the App Store, it may be even harder to find and play these mobile games in the future. With this spirit, we have compiled a list of the 21 best old iPhone games still worth playing today so that they do not fall into oblivion. The following list is in no particular order; we will let you decide which one you consider the best and why. Ready for the nostalgia? Let’s go!

1. Clash of Clans

💲 Price: Free

It seems like Clash of Clans has been there since the start of mobile gaming, and we wouldn’t be so far from the truth. For good reasons, the App Store has had it in its charts for many years. Launched in 2012, this strategy game offers an addictive mix of base building, resource gathering, creation of armies, and battles. How you build your base is crucial to defend yourself from other players and also ransack others.

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2. Solitaired

💲 Price: Free

Solitaired is a great destination for those who enjoy old but gold card games. It offers many classic solitaire games, including variations like Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell, and many others. The site is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, allowing you to play these games for free on your desktop or iPhone. You can enjoy a seamless experience whether playing on a larger screen or on the go. The platform also includes features like unlimited undo, tracking of moves and time, and the ability to create a free account to save your games and pick up where you left off on any device.

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3. Angry Birds

💲 Price: $0.99

Angry Birds was a tremendous success both for iOS and Android devices. The game was unparalleled in inventiveness, allowing the user to play with a couple of taps or movements each round. The objective is to eliminate the pig enemies on each level, throwing your birds with a sling in a particular position. Each bird has its own perk, and levels become more complicated as you move along.

The developers brought back the classic version of 2012, so you can still download and play on your iPhone. This re-make is only compatible with iOS 13.0 or later.

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4. Fruit Ninja Classic

💲 Price: $1.99

More than just a game, we could say that Fruit Ninja has helped hundreds of thousands of people de-stress and release excess energy. Indeed, the game is not only about slicing fruit; it’s about beating your personal high score while you dodge the bombs that come your way. As you progress, you will be able to use additional gear to chop every fruit and unlock blades and dojos to help you in the next level.

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5. Words With Friends 2

💲 Price: Free

Words With Friends was one of the most popular games back in the day. It was launched in 2009, making it worthy of being on any old iPhone games list. Its turn-based system to form words makes it the perfect game to play on the move. This second version of the game offers the classic experience with an updated UI, challenges, and multiplayer games.

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6. Kingdom Rush

💲 Price: Free

It appears that everything related to battles between kingdoms has been an attractive theme for iPhone games. Kingdom Rush is an award-winning tower defense played by millions. The objective is simple: use your strategy to defend and guard the kingdom and its castle against the forces of evil. Customize your towers and upgrade them to maximize your power. Command your army with mighty heroes and earn more than 60 achievements in the process.

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7. Streets of Rage

💲 Price: Free

Streets of Rage is one of SEGA’s all-time jewels, originally released on the Mega Drive console in 1991. Following a beat ’em up recipe that many players enjoyed in the last century, Streets of Rage features three playable characters with their own skills and combos who must make their way to Mr. X, the ominous final boss. The iOS version also features multiplayer support, leaderboards, and controller support to enhance your experience.

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8. Crossy Road

💲 Price: Free

Not as old as other iPhone games but nonetheless a classic, Crossy Road is a simple but addictive game that pays homage to Frogger. The one-tap nature of this videogame makes it a perfect companion when you are commuting or gaming on the go. The objective is straightforward: cross the road and don’t die. The game offers several extras, new characters, daily challenges, and coins you can earn by watching an ad video in order to unlock them.

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9. Cut the Rope

💲 Price: $1.99

The iPhone brought many opportunities to the gaming industry due to the better use of physics in its mobile games, and Cut the Rope jumped into this. The game consists of feeding candy to your pet monster called Om Nom by cutting strings in the right place. The candy sometimes will swing or float across the screen, and you will need to think twice before making your next move. It’s a fun and friendly game to carry on your smartphone.

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10. Heads Up!

💲 Price: $1.99

Heads Up! is an excellent mobile game for your iPhone to play with your family and friends in person. It’s a guessing game where you need to place your phone on your forehead with a word in it. Then, the other players will help you guess that word in the least amount of time possible. There are a wide variety of themes to play with, including pop culture like Star Wars. In addition, you can also play with other people online.

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11. Canabalt

💲 Price: $2.99

Canabalt was not the first runner game, but it was a sensation among gamers. It offered an intense experience with pixel graphics and a greyish atmosphere. The objective is to escape the city’s destruction with just one tap and beat your record high as you evade falling alien ships and into tight office windows. Even today, the game is remarkably addictive, and it has alternate game modes to transform the default experience.

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12. Doodle Jump

💲 Price: $0.99

Once upon a time, Doodle Jump was a big hit on the App Store, and it has become part of our culture. The gameplay is pretty much the same nowadays: you must guide Doodle the Doodler on a journey up, pick up jet packs, and avoid dangers. The platforms move, disappear, and explode. There are many monsters, traps, black holes, and UFOs to dodge. Doodle Jump features racing against friends, collecting achievements, and competing to appear on the global leaderboards, making the game’s content much richer.

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13. Temple Run

💲 Price: Free

Endless running games were a favorite back in the day. Temple Run features an original 3D running mechanic where you can turn, jump, slide, and tilt, playable with seven different characters and with achievements and leaderboards for extra fun. Test your reflexes and race down endless ancient temples and sheer cliffs. Simply addictive!

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14. Plants vs. Zombies

💲 Price: Free

Before becoming a franchise, Plants vs. Zombies was a total hit back in 2008. The game can be categorized as a tower defense title, in which you need to protect your house from a zombie invasion… with plants! Journey over 50 different levels, progress collecting coins and power-ups, and earn 46 achievements.

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15. Where’s My Water?

💲 Price: $1.99

Where’s My Water? is a physics-based puzzle with excellent mechanics. The objective of the game is to create a path for water so it reaches Swampy’s bath (yes, an alligator). It takes inspiration from two previous games we saw in this list: Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. If you like experimentation and testing new things, this is your game.

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16. Candy Crush Saga

💲 Price: Free

Candy Crush Saga is a legendary match-3 puzzle game where players switch and match colorful candies to complete levels and progress through the Candy Kingdom. With thousands of levels, various game modes, and social features, it’s a sweet and addictive puzzle adventure that keeps players coming back for more.

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17. UNO!

💲 Price: Free

UNO!™ is the mobile version of the classic card game UNO, available on iPhone and iPad. This digital adaptation brings the beloved party game to your fingertips, offering classic UNO gameplay with new house rules, tournaments, events, and 2v2 mode. Connect with friends and family for a fun and memorable card game experience anytime, anywhere.

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18. Pokémon GO

💲 Price: Free

Pokémon GO is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game that allows players to catch, train, and battle Pokémon in the real world. You can explore the surroundings to discover and capture Pokémon, join teams to compete in gym battles and participate in raid battles to take down powerful Pokémon together. The game encourages physical activity and exploration as players venture out to complete their Pokédex and become the very best!

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19. Monopoly: The Board Game

💲 Price: $4.99

Monopoly: The Board Game is the digital adaptation of the classic Hasbro board game, offering an immersive and ad-free experience on your iPhone or iPad. Play with friends and family online or offline, customize house rules, choose from various themed boards, and aim to become the wealthiest property tycoon. With stunning graphics, engaging animations, and multiple game modes, it’s the perfect way to enjoy this beloved board game wherever you are.

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20. The Sims FreePlay

💲 Price: Free

The Sims FreePlay is a mobile life simulation game that allows players to create and customize their own virtual families and communities. Build dream homes, guide your Sims through careers and relationships, and explore a vibrant Sim Town filled with exciting events and activities. With endless possibilities for customization and storytelling, the game offers a captivating virtual life experience right on your iPhone.

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21. Clash Royale

💲 Price: Free

We started the list with Clash of Clans and ended it with Clash Royale, the spin-off from the same developers. The premise of this popular game is to battle in 1v1 epic multiplayer battles while you unlock new cards and level up to fight more efficiently and destroy the enemy player’s castle. You will need to unleash different kinds of troops on the battlefield and use the rewards you earn on your journey. Despite being more than six years old, the game has everything to become a timeless classic in the years to come.

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Takeaway

Several of these games can be played on older iPhones, while others have been updated and require a more recent iOS version. If you want to play them and get an iPhone at a lower price, you can consider buying a refurbished model, which has the same functionality as a brand-new device and offers a professional warranty.

To make sure that you will be able to run every game with your handset, you can compare all iPhones compatible with the latest iOS 17 and in excellent cosmetic condition below:

On RefurbMe, we specialize in comparing hundreds of refurbished Apple products. Check out our best deals to see what you can find at the lowest price possible.

Also, don’t hesitate to learn which are the 20 best iPad games, the 20 best Mac games the 20 best AI apps for your iPhone in 2024.

See you soon!