Holding up this mirror once a year to show the beast its true face tells a large part of Apple TV gaming’s story for 2018, but not the whole story.
The rest can be found between the lines; partly in the stories you think will turn up on these lists but don’t – such as the Steam Link app saga – and partly in the stories you know definitely won’t, such as my From The ATVG Bunker posts.
For me, and many other games writers, those least-viewed posts are often the most interesting, to both read and to write. And then of course those least-viewed posts leave us wondering why.
All that being said, I love you Internet, and I find these most clicked-on lists a fascinating snapshot of the status quo. And hey, as these very lists prove, readers love a good list.
Long time readers will see some familiar stories making an encore appearance, having also turned up in 2017’s most clicked-on list.
Right then. Following on from the Best Apple TV Games of 2018, the 2018 Apple TV Game of the Year, and the Most Anticipated Apple TV Games of 2019, let’s give that rearview mirror some perspective, and click the continue button below to check out ATVG’s Top Ten Most Clicked-On Posts of 2018.
10. The Best Apple TV Games: Year One
After unboxing a shiny new Apple TV, having bought it for streaming movies, TV shows, and music, people inevitably realise that it also plays games. The next thing they do is consult the Internet hive mind for a list of games they should be playing.
It’s with little surprise then that this one snuck into this year’s list yet again.
It’s with pleasant nostalgia and a hint of sadness that I look back at ATVG’s first Best Of compilation. Real Racing 3 is still going strong on the platform, with regular content updates, and is still the best and most fully-featured racing game on Apple TV. Dan The Man however, while still available and playable, is no longer receiving the content updates of its iOS counterpart. The content available in the ATV version is definitely still worth playing, but it’s a pity Halfbrick didn’t stick with its support.
Minecraft has also sadly gone the way of the Dodo.
Chin up Apple TV gamers. Stay strong.
9. 5 More Upcoming Apple TV Games We’re Excited About
The next best thing after reading about games you can play right now, is reading about games you will be able to play soon.
All but one of the games on this list are still yet to release, so this is very much a valid list to keep your eyes on, and ATVG will continue following the progress of these interesting looking titles.
ATVG has played the beta version of Sky, and you can read some impressions right here.
8. Welcome Back. So…Um…Check Out These “New” Games
That headline really bugs me.
Written following a long few weeks of not posting any stories at all, it was my failed attempt at capturing the essence of someone walking sheepishly back into a relationship and trying to act as if nothing happened.
The headline notwithstanding, it’s yet another good list of games, and you should definitely check them out.
7. Update to Beach Buggy Racing Brings 4 Player Split Screen
While we wait patiently for the release of the Apple TV version of Beach Buggy Racing 2, the original is available right now for your enjoyment. And it’s very enjoyable.
But kart racing really isn’t kart racing without 4 player split screen, and this update came as a very welcome surprise.
The split screen option is tucked behind a paywall, but for the small few dollars it takes to unlock it, it seems a small price to pay for what you’re getting. Those developers have to eat too you know.
6. Is There a Tekken or Street Fighter Style Game on Apple TV?
Apart from Gods of Rome, there really isn’t anything else worth mentioning for fighting options on Apple TV. It’s a sadly underrepresented genre on the platform.
There is a couple, but Gods of Rome is the only one that’s really worth your time. If you’ve found a hidden gem that ATVG has missed please let me know, I’d be very happy to be proven wrong.
5. Gameloft No Longer Supporting Modern Combat 5 on Apple TV
After a while of no longer delivering the content updates that the iOS version was getting, Gameloft eventually decided to pull the plug altogether on Apple TV support for Modern Combat 5.
It’s a constant mystery as to why some titles seem viable on the platform and some don’t. Modern Combat 5 seemed like a no-brainer to succeed as a big fish in the small pond of Apple TV, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be.
Rest in peace MC5.
4. Classic JRPG Chrono Trigger Hits Apple TV
2018 wasn’t all doom and gloom.
Chrono Trigger is considered by many to be the best JRPG ever made, and by some, its considered as the best RPG, regardless of sub-genre.
When Square Enix brought it to Apple TV in February 2018, it was a bolt from the blue, and one of those surprising instances that makes the Apple TV platform such an exciting niche of gaming to cover.
This glorious classic just keeps on giving.
3. The Best Apple TV Games of 2017
More Apple TV owners on the hunt for games to play. No doubt they found some in this roundup of 2017, there were some quality titles in there.
VAST (we’re still waiting on that second episode, although judging by Astrogun’s social media posts, news might not be too far away), Space Marshals 2, Inside, Super Phantom Cat 2, and so many more.
Something for everyone, 2017 was a strong year for the platform.
2. PS4 and Xbox One Games You Can Play on Apple TV 4K with a Controller
This sort of list showcasing a bunch of titles that are available across Apple TV, PS4, and Xbox One, validate the platform somewhat, not that it needs validating. This list says, hey, look at me, look at these games that you may recognise from those other consoles.
I did a similar roundup for games that appear on Nintendo Switch as well.
Because as ATVG has said before, and at the risk of flogging a dead horse (and what a terrible saying that is), while Apple TV’s primary function is not to play games, it plays games really well. It’s a gaming console, it’s just that it’s not only a gaming console.
Astrogun’s Xander Davis said it all very eloquently in this interview with ATVG, and it’s an interesting read from the perspective of an actual developer of games for the platform.
ATVG – The Apple TV Gaming Blog – is not about supporting the Apple TV platform, or about being a fan; I’ve always been open about my perceived weaknesses regarding the platform. But it’s a niche of gaming I find genuinely exciting; an undiscovered country that deserves exploration, and has features that it arguably does better than any other platform. Switching between multiple open games that are left on standby, the speed at which it comes on and you can be almost instantly playing, the cross-compatibility between iOS and tvOS that makes many of its games instantly playable across your screens both big and small – these are just some of the features that Apple TV excels at.
With some exciting games on the horizon, and Apple going all-in on original TV series content in 2019, the Apple TV platform as an alternative for gaming might start gaining more of a foothold.
Maybe.
1. How to Find Space Marshals 2’s Most Hidden Token
The number one spot. The same article that took out 2017’s number one spot. This of course highlights two things: One is that how-to lists are the bread and butter of Internet traffic, and the other is that Space Marshals 2 seems to have done really well for Swedish studio Pixelbite.
Well enough at least that Space Marshals 3 has been announced.
Whether it makes it to the Apple TV platform remains to be seen, but ATVG will be on the lookout so you don’t have to. Just watch this space.
Here’s to 2019.
Onwards and upwards.
If you’re new to The Apple TV Gaming Blog (ATVG), or just new to Apple TV gaming in general, or both, then the best place to get acquainted is our Best Apple TV Games of 2019 article. You’ll find a great collection of games to play, and a bunch of useful links to our previous site content. Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
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