Bored and own an iPad?
Perhaps you should play some of the free iPad games in the Apple store.
With so many free games available, you have a lot of choices.
The iPad (and other mobile devices) is a real blessing. While board and card games have been in existence much longer — and come in handy during rainy days — they’re not without their flaws because:
- Many board/card games require at least two players, and if you live alone, it’s impossible to play them by yourself. (Solitaire is the exception, though.)
- If you’re a parent and want to keep the kids entertained during a road trip, it’d be difficult for them to play checkers in the back seat, and scattered playing cards can make a mess.
- You might be tired of playing the same games with friends or family and want to try something new without spending lots of money on a new board game.
An iPad solves these problems because it enables you to play games alone, it doesn’t make a mess, and there are many games to download that are free or cheap. (Some games also allow you to play with other mobile users, saving you from having to bother your offline friends.)
It should interest you that 25 percent of iOS apps users download are game-related.
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So, without further ado, here are the top 15 iPad gaming apps to check out.
Table of Contents
Top 15 Best Free iPad Games
Play one or more of these games the next time you’re bored out of your mind.
15. Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a collectible card game that takes place in a fantasy realm comprised of characters from the Warcraft franchise. Play alone or invite your friends to join you.
Besides various game modes, Hearthstone offers a discussion forum, leaderboards, news, esports, and more.
You may wonder why I rank it No. 15.
Hearthstone claims that its game is easy to use. However, the word “easy” is rather subjective.
I scanned the instructions, and there are lots of them. Unless you’re a quick study, you might find it frustrating to pick up on them before playing the game.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
14. Clash Royale
Clash Royale features dragons, princesses, knights and more battling for gems, crowns and trophies. This multiplayer card game lets you create a clan to share cards with and gradually construct your personal battle community.
The game also provides TV Royale, a place for you to learn various battle strategies against your opponents. You can even challenge other players to private duels.
Parent of young children? It includes a Parent’s Guide concerning online safety tips, an Internet slang dictionary, and other helpful information.
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- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
13. Asphalt Legends
Car racing fan? You’ll love Asphalt Legends!
Asphalt Legends is a racing game, the latest installment being Asphalt 9.
This iPad gaming app allows you to:
- Select a car
- Race through areas like the Himalayas or the American wilderness
- Compete against up to seven players
Asphalt Legends isn’t just for games; it has something for content creators, too. As a content creator for the company, you receive special perks like tokens and promotion privileges when you hit a certain number of views on your video(s).
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
12. Forgotton Anne
If you love anime-like animation and adventure plots, check out Forgotton Anne.
Forgotton Anne presents you as Anne, an enforcer in the Forgotten Lands. The Forgotten Lands is where things like single socks and old toys disappear and wish for their owners to remember them again.
The object of the game is to solve puzzles so that you (Anne) can return to the human world. It’s available in English, Korean, Spanish, and other languages.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
11. Temple Run 2
Running, sliding, turning, jumping: these four words are the gist of Temple Run 2, the sequel to Temple Run.
In this never-ending game, you have to overcome obstacles like zip lines, forests, and cliffs while holding on to a cursed idol. An ideal time-waster.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
10. Mr. Traffic
Mr. Traffic is a quirky yet cute game about a former music conductor turned traffic conductor.
What’s interesting about this game app is that you just need to tap the screen of your iPad to move the cars and try to avoid crashing them together.
To tie in with the music theme, you can earn achievement stamps by finding classical tunes in the game.
Feel free to play by yourself or compete with your best buddies.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
9. Among Us
Consider downloading Among Us if you want something dark and intriguing.
The game is made up of two groups: Crewmates and Impostors. Crewmates carry out tasks like defeating Impostors, completing ship chores, and ensuring security. Impostors infiltrate the Crewmates’ ship to kill them off and frame innocent parties.
With the Among Us app, you can play with four to 15 other gamers, though it’ll be hard to tell who’s on your side and who isn’t.
Its website offers Among Us merchandise for sale, like mugs, T-shirts, plushies, and more.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
8. Spaceteam
Spaceteam is a unique game because players have to shout instructions at each other and tap buttons until time runs out and the ship explodes.
Yes, it sounds weird, but that’s what makes Spaceteam interesting. This iPad app encourages teamwork and requires two to eight players.
If you wish, you can purchase the card version of Spaceteam from its website to play with family members or roommates. It even includes a version for ESL learners to strengthen their English-speaking skills in a fun, engaging way.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
7. Plants vs. Zombies 2
Plants vs. Zombies 2 is the follow-up game to Plants vs. Zombies.
In this action-strategy quest, you need to gather plants to aid you in battling and winning against zombies.
Need tips? Go to the website and watch the walkthrough video to learn how to augment your plant powers.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
6. Otteretto
Do you love otters and palindromes? Then, you’ll enjoy Otteretto since it combines both.
Otteretto comes with five different game modes:
- Classic
- Puzzle
- Walls
- Containment
- The Daily Stack
For the most part, Otteretto is free. You’ll have to pay a few dollars to access its full version.
- Price: Free; $2.99 for the full version
- Download: iOS
5. Candy Crush
Candy Crush is sweet in more ways than one. In this matching puzzle game, you match three or more candies to win points.
One of its most awesome features is the Daily Booster Wheel, which you spin each day to earn rewards.
In addition, Candy Crush offers game challenges like Order Mode, Collect the Ingredients, and Clear the Jelly.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
4. Pokémon Go
With Pokémon Go, you can catch Pokémon for real (in a sense).
Try to catch over 500 different Pokémon, take part in Gym Battles, and even work with other Trainers to capture Pokémon together.
This app includes optional PokéCoins for purchase.
- Price: Free; PokéCoins: $0.99 to $39.99
- Download: iOS
3. Wordle
Wordle is practically custom-made for wordsmiths.
Wordle lets you get up to six tries to guess a five-letter word. As a fan of vocabulary, this is one of my favorite online games.
I do want to make an important note about the game, though. There’s no official app for Wordle. (I did come across some copycat versions while trying to locate one, but I didn’t want to mislead others with knockoff apps.)
However, there is a way to access the game via iPad:
- Open the Safari browser and enter the Wordle web address.
- Touch the “Share” button, then tap “Add to Home Screen.”
- Tap “Add,” and the Wordle icon should show up on the home screen.
So, there’s your Wordle “app.” And it costs you nothing, by the way.
2. Uno!
Uno! has come a long way from being just a card game to being available offline and online.
I’ve been playing Uno! since the “old days” when it was only an offline game. If you’re not familiar with it already, I’ll give a summary of the rules:
Players match cards by number or color. The first player with one card left has to say “Uno!,” hence the name of the game. You can also use other playing cards to make your opponents draw extra cards or reverse turns.
Play with loved ones or compete in world series tournaments online.
- Price: Free; In-app purchases
- Download: iOS
1. Microsoft Solitaire Collection
I place the Microsoft Solitaire Collection in the No. 1 spot for two reasons: it’s one of my favorite games in general, and it’s perfect for introverts, which is what I happen to be.
I occasionally play Solitaire offline with playing cards in my possession. But sometimes, I don’t feel like laying out cards on the floor and picking them up again, so I’m glad there’s a digital version to play on my laptop.
Microsoft Solitaire Collection offers different versions of the original game:
- Classic (Original)
- Free Cell
- Spider Solitaire
- Pyramid Solitaire
- TriPeaks Solitaire
As much as I like this app, I’m a bit annoyed by the fact that its free version bombards players with ads every so often. (You need to pay a monthly/yearly fee for its Premium version to eliminate the ads.)
Other than that, Microsoft Solitaire Collection is an entertaining (and loner-friendly) game.
- Price: Free; $1.99/month or $9.99/year for the Premium version
- Download: iOS
So What’s the Best Free Game to Play on iPad?
Well, that depends on what kind of games you like to play on your Apple iPad.
It’s awesome that a small gadget can provide so many gaming options. You don’t need to worry about finding others to play with you since you can just download one (or more) of the best free iPad games in the world and knock yourself out.
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