The Best Mac Games to Play in 2026
Explore the Top Games Optimized for Apple Silicon in 2026
The narrative that Macs aren’t for gaming is officially outdated. Thanks to Apple silicon, improved developer tools, and a wave of high-quality ports, the landscape for gaming on macOS has never been more vibrant. We’re seeing full-scale RPGs, stunning action-adventures, and demanding strategy titles that run natively and beautifully on modern Mac hardware.
This is your definitive guide to the essential Mac games to play in 2026. Each title has been selected for its performance on Apple silicon, the quality of its Mac version, and its overall gameplay experience. If you own a recent Mac, the golden age of gaming has arrived.
The State of Mac Gaming in 2026
For years, gaming on a Mac meant accepting compromises. Fewer releases, weaker performance, and the general assumption that serious players needed a Windows PC were the norm. That has fundamentally changed.
Apple’s M-series chips have provided the horsepower developers needed to take the platform seriously. Combined with tools like the Game Porting Toolkit and the MetalFX API, bringing top-tier games to macOS is easier than ever. The result is a library of games that are not just playable, but genuinely excellent. From sprawling open worlds to fast-paced action, these are the titles that prove Mac is a serious gaming platform.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
After a rocky initial launch, CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece has made a stunning comeback, and the Mac version is a testament to this redemption. The neon-drenched, open-world RPG of Night City runs smoothly on Apple silicon, offering a deep, immersive experience.
Genre: Action RPG
Why it’s great: Explore a vast, futuristic city with compelling characters and quests. The game blends a first-person shooter feel with deep role-playing mechanics, allowing you to customize your character’s skills and body modifications.
Compatibility: Requires an M1 Mac or later with at least 16GB of memory. Graphics presets are available to optimize performance across different Mac models.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The long-running Assassin’s Creed series finally makes its debut on the Mac, and it was worth the wait. Set in feudal Japan during a brutal civil war, Shadows delivers a visually stunning and action-packed experience.
Genre: Action-Adventure
Why it’s great: Switch between two distinct protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai. This dual-character system provides rich gameplay variety. The game’s 3D graphics are some of the most photo-realistic ever seen on a Mac.
Compatibility: Optimized for Apple silicon, delivering excellent visual quality and smooth performance.
Baldur’s Gate 3
A modern classic and a triumph in the RPG genre, Baldur’s Gate 3 brings the world of Dungeons & Dragons to life with incredible depth and slick 3D graphics. This vast adventure offers unparalleled freedom and storytelling.
Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Why it’s great: Create a custom character and embark on an epic quest where your choices truly matter. The turn-based combat is strategic and engaging, and the narrative is rich with complex characters and moral dilemmas.
Compatibility: Runs on M1 Macs and later, though an M1 Pro or higher is recommended for the best experience. The turn-based nature makes it playable even on base models with adjusted settings.
Resident Evil Series (Village, 4, 3, 7)
Capcom has become a major supporter of Mac gaming, bringing several acclaimed Resident Evil titles to the platform. Each game offers a unique flavor of survival horror, from the tense, atmospheric horror of Biohazard to the action-packed remake of Resident Evil 4.
Genre: Survival Horror
Why it’s great: These games deliver polished, jump-scare-filled experiences that run impressively on Apple silicon. Whether you’re escaping the relentless Nemesis or navigating a creepy, isolated mansion, the series provides classic horror fun.
Compatibility: All recent titles require Apple silicon (M1 or newer). Many also offer free demos, so you can test performance before you buy.
Lies of P
Winner of Apple’s Mac Game of the Year, Lies of P is a dark, challenging take on the story of Pinocchio. This “soulsborne” style game casts you as a puppet fighting through a dystopian city overrun by rogue automatons.
Genre: Action RPG (Souls-like)
Why it’s great: The game features a deep combat system where you can choose a fighting style and utilize a bionic arm. Its unique mechanic of lying or telling the truth affects the game’s outcome, adding a compelling narrative layer to the intense action.
Compatibility: Requires Apple silicon, with an M2 or later recommended for optimal performance.
Civilization VII
The legendary strategy series returns, refreshing its classic formula for a new generation. Civilization VII makes the empire-building experience more accessible without sacrificing depth, splitting history into three manageable Ages.
Genre: 4X Strategy
Why it’s great: A new mix-and-match system allows you to pair historical leaders with different civilizations, creating unique scenarios. The detailed 3D visuals run smoothly on modern Macs, making each turn a visual treat.
Compatibility: Runs natively on Apple silicon Macs. It does not support Intel-based models.
Hades II
The highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning original, Hades II delivers more of the addictive, fast-paced roguelike action that fans love. As Melinoë, sister of the first game’s protagonist, you’ll battle your way through the underworld.
Genre: Roguelike / Action
Why it’s great: Each run feels fresh and rewarding thanks to a huge variety of weapons, skills, and “boons” from the gods. The hand-drawn art style is beautiful, and the simple 2D graphics ensure it runs well on a wide range of Macs.
Compatibility: Runs natively on Apple silicon Macs and is not particularly demanding, delivering high frame rates even on base M-series chips.
The Future is Bright for Mac Gaming
The days of Mac users being left out of major game releases are numbered. With a growing library of A-list titles and continued hardware and software innovations from Apple, the Mac is finally becoming the capable gaming machine it was always meant to be. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned veteran, there’s never been a better time to game on a Mac.