The newly launched iPhone 16 series, along with the already capable iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, support AAA games, including titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4. But don’t worry if you’re not ready to upgrade just yet. Even if you own an older iPhone 15, 14, 13, or even 12, you can still tap into AAA gaming through ported games and cloud gaming.
In this article, we’ll explore the various ways you can enjoy AAA games on an older iPhone, no matter the model.
Method 1: Download Natively Ported AAA Games
AAA games or Triple-A games, are high-budget, popular video games developed and published by major companies. While the newest titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage or Resident Evil currently require the power of the A17 Pro chip (found in iPhone 15 Pro and later) or the M1 chip (found in iPad Pro and later), there’s still a wealth of AAA-quality gaming experiences available for older iPhones.
Many developers have already ported their hit games to iOS, optimizing them to run smoothly even on devices without the latest hardware. This means you can enjoy a wide range of immersive and visually impressive games directly on your older iPhone, without needing any additional accessories or subscriptions.
Here are some popular AAA games available on the App Store:
- GRID Autosport ($9.99): Experience thrilling console-quality racing with stunning visuals and realistic handling across various disciplines.
- Alien: Isolation (Free): Immerse yourself in a tense survival horror experience as you evade the iconic Xenomorph on a space station.
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ($6.99): Relive the classic open-world crime saga with enhanced graphics and touch controls, offering hours of gangster gameplay.
- Mudrunner Mobile ($5.99): Conquer challenging off-road terrain with powerful vehicles, delivering cargo through extreme conditions.
- Pascal’s Wager ($4.99): Embark on a dark and atmospheric action RPG adventure filled with brutal combat and a haunting storyline.
- Stardew Valley ($4.99): Escape to the charming countryside and build a thriving farm, forge relationships, and explore the secrets of the valley.
- Need for Speed Most Wanted ($4.99): Engage in high-octane street races, evade the police, and become the most wanted racer in the city.
- Fortnite (Free): The iconic battle royale phenomenon, featuring a constantly evolving world, building mechanics, and cross-platform play.
- Minecraft ($6.99): The beloved block-building sandbox game, offering endless creativity and exploration.
Method 2: Play AAA Games Using Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is gradually catching up, and it actually works great. So even if you don’t have the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 15 Pro models, you can use cloud gaming to play your favorite games by paying a small fee every month or however the platform’s pricing structure works. You’ll also need a fast internet connection to stream these games without lag.
Here are some cloud gaming platforms to play AAA games on your iPhone:
1. Xbox Cloud Gaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming is included with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. It offers a vast library of AAA and indie games you can stream directly to your iPhone. No downloads or installations are required, allowing you to play high-quality games on the go.
Since the games are inherently included with the Xbox Game Pass subscription, you can play hundreds of titles available with the subscription. This includes popular games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla, GTA 5, Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, Halo Infinite, and many more.
Your game saves are synchronized across devices, so you can seamlessly transition from playing on your Xbox or PC to your iPhone and vice versa.
Some games come with touch controls, but for most, especially AAA games designed for controllers, I strongly recommend using one. You can use an Xbox controller, a Sony DualShock 4, or any other compatible controller you prefer.
Key Benefits:
- Massive Game Library: Enjoy hundreds of games included with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription
- Cross-Device Synchronization: Seamlessly continue your gaming progress across Xbox, PC, and iPhone
Requirements:
- iPhone with iOS 14.4 or later
- A compatible controller (recommended for the best experience)
- Check supported countries here
Price: $16.99/month for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (includes Xbox Cloud Gaming and other benefits)
Check out: Xbox Cloud Gaming (setup guide here)
2. Nvidia’s GeForce NOW
From the renowned graphics card manufacturer, NVIDIA GeForce NOW is a cloud gaming service that lets you stream and play your PC games from the cloud to a variety of devices, including your iPhone.
Like other cloud gaming platforms, it gives you access to a powerful gaming rig in the cloud, allowing you to play demanding games even on your iPhone, which wouldn’t typically support them. You can play with up to 1080p resolution and 60 FPS streaming, depending on your membership tier.
You can choose between hundreds of free-to-play games. You can also link your accounts from digital PC game stores like Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, etc., to play them on the cloud rig. You’ll also need to connect a compatible controller (like an Xbox or PlayStation controller) to your iPhone for the best gaming experience.
GeForce NOW on iPhone offers three tiers:
- Free: One-hour sessions on basic rigs
- Priority ($9.99/month): 1080p/60fps gaming on premium rigs and six-hour sessions
- Ultimate ($19.99/month): RTX 4080 performance and up to 120fps for supported games, providing a smoother experience even on older iPhones
Key benefits:
- Free tier available
- Connect your own gaming store accounts
- Different cloud rigs based on your requirements
Requirements:
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.3 or later, or iPadOS 14.3 or later
- A compatible controller
- Check supported countries here
Price: Free (basic), $9.99/month (Priority), and $19.99/month (Ultimate)
Check out: Nvidia GeForce Now
3. Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna is another cloud gaming service that lets you play games on devices you already own, including your iPhone. Luna offers different channels with curated game selections including AAA titles like Fallout 3, Shadow of War, WRC Generations, Resident Evil 2, Metro Exodus, Ride 4, etc.
You can also subscribe to individual channels based on your interests (e.g., Luna+, Ubisoft+, Jackbox Games, etc.).
Games are streamed directly to your iPhone. And you can seamlessly switch between your iPhone, iPad, Fire TV, PC, and other compatible devices. For controlling the game, use the Luna Controller, connect a compatible Bluetooth controller, or use on-screen touch controls.
Key Benefits:
- Wide variety of games: Includes several AAA titles and family-friendly options.
- Flexible Pricing: Subscribe to individual channels or get the Luna+ bundle for a wider selection.
Requirements:
- iPhone with iOS 14.0 or later
- Compatible controller (recommended for the best experience)
- Check supported countries here
Price: Varies depending on the channels you subscribe to. Luna+ is $9.99/month.
Check out: Amazon Luna
AAA Gaming on iPhone Made Easier
Even if you don’t have the latest and greatest iPhone, there are plenty of ways to enjoy AAA gaming experiences. If you’re lucky enough to own an iPhone 15 Pro or the shiny new iPhone 16, you can dive straight into the App Store or Apple Arcade for top-tier games.
But for those with older iPhones, cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW, and Amazon Luna open up a world of possibilities, letting you stream AAA titles without needing a high-end device.
Each method has its pros and cons, so it comes down to your preferences and budget. If you want to own your games and enjoy them offline, buying them outright or subscribing to Apple Arcade might be the way to go – especially if you have an iPhone that supports these games natively. But if you’re looking for variety, flexibility, and the chance to try out the latest releases without breaking the bank, cloud gaming is definitely worth exploring.
Remember, a stable internet connection is crucial for a smooth cloud gaming experience. So give it a try, see if it works for you, and get ready to enjoy some amazing AAA games on your iPhone, no matter how old it is.
