Apple Arcade’s holiday bench is getting deeper, and iPhone and iPad players do not have to wait for the headline act. Apple announced that Football Manager 27 Touch is available now, with four more games arriving December 3: Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, solitaire(ish), Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown+, and LEGO DUPLO Playtime.

The lineup is unusually broad. It covers a detailed sports simulation, a familiar strategy favorite, a deck-building spin on solitaire, a full-scale action adventure, and a creative game for young children. That makes this less of a one-title announcement and more of a practical holiday download list for households sharing an Apple Arcade subscription.

Football Manager 27 Touch is available now

Football Manager 27 Touch puts players in charge of a soccer club, from recruitment and match preparation to tactical decisions on the pitch. Apple says this edition includes an upgraded Match Engine, revised scouting and planning tools, and an iPhone interface redesigned to keep key controls within easier thumb reach.

That last change matters. Management games can bury players in menus, and a layout designed specifically for a phone is more useful than simply shrinking a desktop interface. If you are new to the series, begin with a familiar club and resist changing every setting at once. Play several matches with the default tactical framework, learn where recruitment and training live, and only then start making larger changes.

Four very different games arrive December 3

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted revives the lane-based tower-defense formula with additional levels and modes. Apple also highlights local cooperative play and player-versus-player on the same device, plus an Arcade-exclusive Party mode. An iPad should be an especially comfortable fit for two people sharing the screen.

solitaire(ish) takes the basic language of solitaire and combines it with roguelike deck building. In practical terms, expect short runs in which your choices shape what becomes possible next. It looks like the easiest December release to sample in quick sessions, whether you have five minutes in a line or half an hour on the couch.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown+ is the most substantial action game in the group. Apple says the Arcade version includes all downloadable content, including the Mask of Darkness story expansion. Its mix of platforming, swordplay, exploration, and time-based powers should reward a controller, particularly on iPad or Apple TV, although the App Store listing will show the exact supported devices and requirements before release.

For younger players, LEGO DUPLO Playtime is positioned as a calm, open-ended digital toy box. Children can combine familiar DUPLO pieces to build a changing playground rather than chase a score. Parents looking for a lower-pressure option may want to download it ahead of holiday travel and open it once while connected to Wi-Fi.

Why Apple Arcade can work well for families

Every Apple Arcade game is free of advertising and in-app purchases. Apple says a subscription can be shared with up to five other family members through Family Sharing, giving as many as six people access. Arcade Originals work across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, while App Store Greats are limited to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. Device support still varies by title, so check each App Store page before promising that a game will run on an older iPad.

Apple currently lists Apple Arcade at $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year in the United States, and it is also included in Apple One plans. Eligible new Apple devices may include a promotional trial. If you already subscribe, there is no separate charge for these releases.

How to get ready for the December releases

On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store or Apple Games app and select the Arcade tab. Search for each title and use the preorder or notification option when it appears. Before a trip, launch downloaded games once at home so any additional files and first-run setup can finish on Wi-Fi. A Bluetooth controller is also worth pairing in advance for Prince of Persia; Apple provides official controller connection instructions.

The practical takeaway is simple: sports fans can start Football Manager 27 Touch today, while families should mark December 3 for the broader wave. With five distinct styles and no in-game upsells, this is one of Apple Arcade’s more useful recent additions for a shared holiday device.