Apple Arcade just added 4 new ad-free games with these titles now available - 9to5Mac

Platform Update

Apple Arcade’s May 2026 lineup is live as of May 7, bringing four new titles to the ad-free, in-app purchase (IAP) free subscription gaming service. The update includes two adapted versions of existing popular App Store games, one new original physics puzzler, and a family-focused retro game collection tied to Nickelodeon properties. Apple Arcade is available as a standalone $6.99/month subscription with a one-month free trial, included in all Apple One bundle tiers, and supports Family Sharing for up to five users.

The four new titles are:

• Good Pizza, Great Pizza+: An adapted version of the cooking business simulator originally launched on the App Store, which removes all IAP mechanics present in the original release. The original Good Pizza, Great Pizza relies on IAP for toppings, restaurant upgrades, and customer customization.
• Perchang World: A new physics puzzle game from the team behind the original Perchang, built specifically for Apple Arcade with no ads or IAP.
• Ultimate 8 Ball Pool+: An Arcade-only version of the long-running App Store billiards title, stripping out the original’s IAP progression systems. The original 8 Ball Pool uses IAP for cue skins, coin packs, and tournament entry.
• Nick Jr. Replay!: A collection of more than 50 retro Nick Jr. games featuring characters from Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues & You!, Blaze and the Monster Machines, and other popular children’s shows. Apple says this title is “a safe and engaging playground [that] helps young players build essential skills in math, reading, art, and problem-solving.”

Developer Impact

For mobile developers, this update highlights the strict platform requirements Apple enforces for Arcade titles, and the significant work required to adapt existing App Store games for the service. All Apple Arcade games must meet two non-negotiable requirements: zero ads of any kind, and zero IAP or transactional monetization. This means developers porting existing App Store games to Arcade must completely remove all ad SDKs (including Google AdMob, Unity Ads, or Meta Audience Network), all IAP SDKs (StoreKit for iOS, Google Play Billing for Android if the original game supported cross-platform releases), and any third-party analytics or tracking SDKs that collect user data for advertising or monetization purposes.

The team behind Good Pizza, Great Pizza+ had to refactor large portions of their original App Store codebase to remove IAP unlocks for pizza toppings, restaurant upgrades, and customer skins, all of which drove revenue in the original release. Similarly, the developers of Ultimate 8 Ball Pool+ stripped out IAP purchases for cue skins, coin packs, and tournament entry fees that are core to the original App Store version’s monetization.

For cross-platform developers using tools like Unity or Flutter to build both iOS and Android versions of their games, porting to Apple Arcade adds additional overhead. Since Apple Arcade is exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem, teams must remove all Android-specific SDKs (including Google Play Services, Firebase, and Android-specific ad networks) from the Arcade variant, even if those SDKs are still present in the Android version of their game. They must also ensure the Arcade build only targets Apple platforms: iOS 14+, iPadOS 14+, macOS 11+, tvOS 14+, and visionOS 1+, depending on which devices the game supports.

Apple Arcade games must also pass additional App Store review checks to verify no hidden ads, IAP, or tracking remain. This often requires submitting detailed documentation of all SDKs used in the build, and undergoing extra review cycles compared to standard App Store submissions.

Monetization is another major shift for developers. Arcade titles do not generate revenue from individual transactions or ad impressions. Instead, developers receive a share of Apple Arcade subscription revenue, prorated by the total time users spend playing their game relative to other Arcade titles. This shifts development focus from driving one-time IAP purchases to building long-term engagement, which may require adding live service content, events, or progression systems that keep players returning. Recent updates to existing Arcade titles reflect this: Hello Kitty Island Adventure received a major content update on April 16, 2026, and Disney SpellStruck added Star Wars-themed content on April 23, 2026, both designed to maintain player engagement over time.

Migration

For developers considering porting their App Store games to Apple Arcade, the migration process follows a clear but labor-intensive path. First, audit the entire codebase to identify all monetization, ad, and tracking SDKs. This includes not just obvious candidates like ad networks and IAP frameworks, but also analytics tools that send user data to third parties, even if they are not directly used for ads.

Next, remove all identified SDKs and any associated code: IAP unlock logic, ad display triggers, tracking calls, and server-side endpoints that validate transactions or serve ads. This step often requires refactoring core game loops, especially if monetization was tied to progression (for example, if the original game locked new levels behind IAP, those locks must be removed entirely for the Arcade version).

After stripping SDKs, test the build thoroughly on all supported Apple platforms to verify no ads, IAP prompts, or third-party data calls remain. Tools like Charles Proxy or Wireshark can help verify that no unauthorized network requests are being made from the app.

Next, adjust the minimum SDK targets to meet Apple’s requirements for Arcade titles. Most Arcade games must support iOS 14 and later, which may require updating deprecated APIs or removing features that only work on newer OS versions. Teams building multi-Apple-platform games should use SwiftUI or UIKit with Catalyst for macOS compatibility, and test controller support for tvOS and visionOS if the game is designed for those platforms.

Finally, submit the Arcade variant as a separate app bundle in App Store Connect, tagged as an Apple Arcade title. Developers must maintain separate codebases or use feature flags to manage differences between the App Store and Arcade versions of their game, which adds ongoing maintenance overhead. For example, the team behind 8 Ball Pool must now push updates to two separate app listings: the original App Store version with IAP and ads, and the Arcade version without, each requiring separate testing and submission cycles.

Apple provides detailed Arcade developer guidelines on its developer portal, including required metadata, testing instructions, and compliance checks. Developers can also apply for the Apple Arcade program directly through App Store Connect, though approval is competitive and based on game quality and engagement potential.