Tired of disposable mobile games and endless microtransactions? Wish your iPhone could deliver the depth and atmosphere of a real classic PC game? Good news — it can.
Thanks to high-powered Apple silicon, Metal graphics, and a surprisingly rich App Store library, many legendary PC titles are available natively on iPhone and iPad. No emulation, no clunky setup — just install and play.
We recently looked at how Android handles classic PC gaming ports; now it’s time to see what iPhone brings to the retro table.
Can iPhones run classic PC games?
Yes, but the experience is more curated. iOS relies almost entirely on official App Store releases, which means fewer workarounds — but also fewer options overall compared to Android.
What You’ll Need to Play PC Games on iPhone
- An iPhone (or iPad) running iOS 16 or later — ideally an A14 Bionic or newer chip for performance parity.
- Decent storage space — most classic PC games are 2–6 GB downloads.
- A controller — the backbone of good mobile gaming. MFi, DualShock 4/5, and Xbox Wireless controllers all work over Bluetooth.
- App Store access — all games below are official ports.
Action & Adventure
DOOM and DOOM II
Yes, the original 1993 demon-slaying masterpieces are on iPhone — officially released by Bethesda and optimised for modern devices. Fast, brutal, and brilliantly replayable, they even support local multiplayer over Wi-Fi.
Thanks to the original game and open source variants, it has been possible to play DOOM on Android for years, so it is great to see it on iOS.
Grand Theft Auto
Crime gang adventures with shootouts and car theft are a staple of PC gaming, and have been since Grand Theft Auto moved from 2D top-down action into third-person action. The entire Grand Theft Auto 3 series is available to play on iPhone and iPad:
- Grand Theft Auto 3
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- GTA: Liberty City Stories
- GTA: Chinatown Wars
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
So, you can relive Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas with updated textures, lighting, and modern touch controls. Rockstar’s remastered trilogy runs smoothly on recent iPhones, especially with a controller.
Max Payne Mobile
This is the original bullet-time action classic! Max Payne still shines in its iOS version. Touch aiming takes practice, but paired with a controller, it’s just as slick and cinematic as it was in 2001.
Hitman
Two of Agent 47’s most popular outings can be played anywhere thanks to this remaster for iPhone. With native resolution support, new controls, and scalable UI, whether you’re disguising or sabotaging, it’s peak stealth gaming on mobile.
RPGs & Strategy
Baldur’s Gate & Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions
These Infinity Engine RPGs are practically made for iPad and iPhone touchscreens. Hundreds of hours of quests, turn-based combat await. They also feature iCloud saves and support for some mods.
Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition
If you play one story-driven RPG on iPhone, make it this one. The PC version is perfectly translated to mobile, retaining its philosophical, haunting, unique atmosphere. Runs beautifully on iOS with touchscreen interface tweaks.
Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition
I was doubtful that this game would translate to any touchscreen platform, but Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition retains the classic D&D-style adventuring, tough tactical combat, and deep party management. Perfect for a tablet, still very playable on iPhone.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) & KOTOR II
If you didn’t play these games on PC, it is hard to describe the impact that they had. KOTOR in particular is one of the most important games in the entire Star Wars series, in terms of game play and narrative. Its impact resulted in a sequel, a still-available MMORPG (The Old Republic), and an upcoming remake, not to mention ports to multiple consoles.
Aspyr’s mobile versions of BioWare’s and Obsidian’s Star Wars epics are superbly optimised. You’ll need space — and patience — but they’re the real thing.
Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
This updated and enhanced version for mobiles features the massive single-player campaign, dozens of mods, and full physical controller support. This is desktop-grade D&D role-playing on your phone — exactly as you would want it.
XCOM 2
You have two options for XCOM gaming. The original XCOM: Enemy Within game is on iPhone, delivering turn-based alien warfare at its tactical best.
In addition, the XCOM 2 Collection has also been ported to iPhone, scaled perfectly for touch.
Civilization VI
It is a decade since this game was released on PC. While it isn’t strictly retro, it is nevertheless the only version of the long-running game series (after Civilization Revolution 2 was pulled) that is currently available on iPhone and iPad.
The grand strategy giant fits comfortably into your pocket. You can play hundreds of turns of empire-building, diplomacy, and war — all with cross-platform saves.
Tropico
Ready to take your island dictatorship with you? Manage your island, balance politics, build cities, and annoy the superpowers. Tropico’s iPhone interface is one of the smartest UI adaptations of any PC port, making this a really easy play.
Adventure Games
The 7th Guest: Remastered
The pioneering FMV horror puzzle game has been rebuilt for modern devices. Crisp visuals, eerie soundtrack, and classic haunted mansion puzzles are all intact.
Inspired by games like this, the FMV genre has seen a revival in recent months.
Simon the Sorcerer
Released on PC and Amiga in 1993, this classic point-and-click favourite has a witty script, colourful hand-drawn graphics, and still delivers old-school humour on iPhone. The sequel, “Mucusade,” is also available on iOS.
Flight of the Amazon Queen
Another point-and-click title from the 1990s, Flight of the Amazon Queen is another title initially released on Amiga and ported to MS-DOS (the forerunner to Windows). The setting isn’t a million miles from Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone and other movies in that genre, and is as much fun.
The Last Express
A masterpiece from Jordan Mechner (Prince of Persia), this WWI-era thriller blends rotoscoped animation with real-time storytelling. It’s a perfect fit for mobile, and offers 20+ hours of gameplay, dropping you straight into a tale of intrigue in the middle of the Ottoman Empire in 1914…
Myst Mobile (2024 Edition)
Myst has been released both in original and remastered versions on iPhone. Cyan’s definitive version of Myst uses Unreal Engine visuals and smooth touchscreen exploration, and while some say this is the best way to experience the island on iOS, there is still room for the original in my view.
Riven
The sequel to Myst has been released on iPhone complete with even better touchscreen control and interaction. This is the complete game, and along with all of the original locations and events, it also supports archievements.
Broken Sword
The Broken Sword series has been enjoying a recent revival, with an Evercade collection and a new version of Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars – Reforged!. All three games have been remastered, and are available to play on iPhone.
Beneath a Steel Sky
Another point-and-click classic, the modern mobile release of Beneath a Steel Sky retains the original gameplay, enhanced with animated cutscenes by Dave Gibbon.
Strategy & Simulation
Total War
Three games from the Total War series are available on iOS: Rome: Total War, Total War: Medieval II, and Total War: Empire.
All offer the full desktop RTS and campaign gameplay on iPhone and iPad. In Rome: Total War, you command thousands of troops in real time, manage provinces, and rewrite Roman history.
Want more? With Medieval II, you can also take the Total War formula into the Middle Ages with knights, sieges, and diplomacy. I’d opt for an iPad if possible as these games really deserve a big screen, but it is surprisingly fluid on newer iPhones. Total War: Empire completes the trio of tactical challenges.
Sid Meier’s Railroads!
Recently ported to iOS, this train-tycoon reboot features all of the track-laying, cargo shipping, railroad dominance of the original 2006 title. (This is the sequel to Railroad Tycoon 3, making it the fourth game in the series, but the only one available on iPhone and iPad.)
Company of Heroes
The hugely successful WWII real-time strategy title is on iPhone, and offers a pair of in-app purchases for the Opposing Fronts and Tales of Valor expansion packs. The mobile version of Company of Heroes is ideal if you need some World War II strategy action in your pocket.
Which is best for mobile gaming, Android or iPhone?
It’s closer than ever, but iPhone generally has the edge in stability, updates, and polish. Developers like Feral Interactive and Aspyr prioritise iOS for high-quality PC ports thanks to Apple’s unified hardware ecosystem.
Android, on the other hand, still wins on flexibility and emulation options. If you’re willing to tinker, you can play almost anything. But if you want plug-and-play reliability, the iPhone is the smoother ride.
In short:
- iPhone → Best for premium, polished official ports
- Android → Best for experimentation and open emulation, but top-end devices (e.g. Samsung Galaxy S23 and later) offer an almost identical experience to iPhone
Do iPhones have the power to run full PC games smoothly?
Yes — even mid-range iPhones with A14 or later chips handle advanced 3D titles like XCOM 2 and Rome: Total War easily.
Do classic PC games work better on iPad than iPhone?
Often they do. Many classic PC games were designed around mouse-driven interfaces, which translate more comfortably to a larger touchscreen. If you’re playing RPGs, strategy games, or point-and-click adventures, an iPad can feel much closer to the original experience.
Are these games identical to their PC versions?
Mostly — a few cut features or visual tweaks, but gameplay and story are fully intact.
Are there fewer classic PC games on iOS than Android?
In most cases, yes. Some publishers support both platforms equally, while others prioritise Android. Apple’s App Store policies and update requirements have also led to some older ports quietly disappearing over time (for example, Carmageddon).
Can you use controllers with classic PC games on iPhone?
Yes. iOS supports a wide range of modern controllers, including Xbox and PlayStation pads. However, controller support varies by game, so it’s worth checking App Store listings carefully.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s App Store is quietly one of the best retro-PC gaming platforms out there. From Baldur’s Gate to DOOM to Civilization VI, it’s a goldmine of classic titles that play beautifully on modern iPhones and iPads.
So, skip the casual stuff and dive into something with real substance. Whether you’re managing empires, raiding tombs, or saving the galaxy, there’s a classic PC experience waiting right in your pocket.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
