Earlier today at the Apple Keynote, hosted at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, a wide variety of new and updated products were unveiled. The kickoff of the show was the new Apple Arcade service. The new game subscription service will make a library of games available on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV devices for a monthly fee. Over 100 games will be available at launch for the service. In addition to games, Apple Arcade will also provide a platform for guides and news about games. Whether these services will be created by users or by Apple was not announced at the show.
Three Apple Arcade launch titles and one post-launch game were shown at the keynote: Frogger in Toy Town (from Konami), Shinsekai: Into the Depths (from Capcom), and Sayonara Wildhearts (form Annapurna Interactive) will be available at launch and Pascal’s Wager from Giant Network.
Frogger in Toy Town appears to be an update of the classic single-screen platformer. The new game adds 3D graphics a wider range of movement and cosmetic skins to the classic title. Another addition is an invincibility mechanic attached to collectibles called Super Frogger.
Capcom’s Shinsekai: Into the Depths seems to be a puzzle platformer centered around navigating ocean caverns in a deep-sea diving suit along with a helper drone. The final Apple Arcade launch title is Sayonara Wildhearts by Annapurna Interactive. Sayonara Wildhearts is a mashup rhythm, racing game with a lot of neon colors and great style.
In contrast to the other games shown at the keynote, Giant Network’s Pascal’s Wager was meant to show off the technical capabilities of the latest Apple hardware as opposed to build hype for the subscription service. Pascal’s Wager is an action RPG in the style of a God of War with multiple playable characters that are mechanically distinct.
Apple Arcade will be available starting September 19 for $4.99 per month following a one-month free trial. That price gives access to the entire Arcade catalog with no additional charge per game.
Are you excited for Apple Arcade? Or are you passing on this subscription service? Let us know in the comments below!
