When you think of multi-player games for the iPhone, you most likely think of Scrabble, Words With Friends and other word games. However, there are a multitude of multi-player games for nearly every game genre available in the App Store.
After the break are 45 great multi-player games that should keep you and your friends busy for quite some time. So, whether you’re into board games, card games, strategy based games or shooters, there’s something here for everyone.
Board Games
Chess With Friends Free
Chess With Friends is the default chess app in the App Store, allowing you to play up to 20 games of chess at once with friends, family members or random opponents. With push notifications to inform you when it’s your turn and an in-game chat system, you can’t do much better than Chess With Friends. If you’re not into annoying ads, buy the premium version for $2.99.
Price: Free
Developer: Zynga
Download: App Store
MONOPOLY
Everything you love about the classic board game is available on the iPhone, with a few added tweaks. You can play through three levels of difficulty and customize the games look and rules. In addition, you can play up to three friends via local Wi-Fi or up to two friends via Bluetooth.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: app Store
Reiner Knizia’s Samurai
Reiner Knizia’s Samurai is a turn-based strategy board in which you gain the influence from the major castles: the Samurai, the Clergy and the Peasant. You can choose to go head-to-head with friend in both thePass ‘n Play and online multi-player modes. Do you have what it takes to become Emperor?
Price: $4.99
Developer: Conlan Rios
Download: App Store
PirateFleet for Friends
For those who love Battleship but love pirates even more, there’s PirateFleet for Friends. You’ll enjoy the battle for pirate supremacy in a wonderfully designed game that’ll make you feel like your a captain of your own vessel. You can even challenge multiple ship captains as you please (cap of 10 in the free version).
Price: Free
Developer: United Toy
Download: App Store
Four in a Row ?
Optime Software hits another homerun with Four in a Row ?. Much like Checkers Free, this app is a simple and stylish adaption of Connect Four. Four in a Row ? offers a fun Pass ‘n Play mode for you and your friends.
Price: Free
Developer: Optime Software
Download: App Store
The Game of Life Classic Edition
Watch the classic board game come to life (get it?) on your iPhone. While you’re unable to play with friends over Wi-fi or Bluetooth, The Game of Life features a Pass ‘n Play mode for up to four friends, which beats enjoy dragging out and setting up the original board game any day.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: App Store
Checkers Free
There are a plethora of checkers apps in the App Store, but Checkers Free takes top honors with its simple, yet sophisticated design and ease of use. Checkers Free doesn’t sport an online multi-player mode, but it does offer a two player Pass ‘n Play matches so you and your friends can be in the thick of it face-to-face.
Price: Free
Developer: Optime Software
Download: App Store
Depict
Similar to Pictionary, Depict is a online drawing game for all ages. Take turns with friends as the artist, whose task is to draw one of six options while friends attempt to guess what’s being drawn. Games are short and easy to play, and players can jump in at any time.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Makeshift Games
Download: App Store
Jenga
While you wouldn’t expect a studio like NaturalMotion (developers of the Backbreaker football games) to produce a great physics based board game, Jenga is an amazingly developed and stunning game. With realistic physics and gyroscope integration, you’ll be battling your friends in online multi-player mode for hours on end.
Price: $0.99
Developer: NaturalMotion
Download: App Store
Marble Mixer
With realistic physics and high quality visuals, Marble Mixer has something for everyone to enjoy. This game features three fun and engaging modes that will challenge your marble shooting abilities, exercise your strategic mind and work out your button mashing finger. Each mode allows for up to four players, so no one will be left out.
Price: $0.99
Developer: GameHouse
Download: App Store
Carcassonne
This tile-based board game, with gameplay similar to dominoes, comes to life on your iPhone. Play up to five players in Pass ‘n Play mode, local network or online multi-player and build a medieval landscape, tile by tile, claiming landmarks with your followers and scoring points. For those unfamiliar with the game, never fear as Carcassonne has a comprehensive in-game manual.
Price: $9.99
Developer: The Coding Monkeys
Download: App Store
Tic Tac Toe Free
The classic game comes to life with terrific graphics and exciting sound effects in Tic Tac Toe Free. The game follows suit in a long line of great Optime Software apps, but has one distinct advantage over Checkers Free and Four in a Row ?, which is an online multi-player mode.
Price: Free
Developer: Optime Software
Download: App Store
Strategy
Galcon
Booked as the space version of Risk, Galcon is a fast-paced multi-player galactic action-strategy game. Your goal? Defeat enemy planets to become ruler of the universe. You can wage galactic war with friends locally, or battle thousands of players worldwide online.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Galcon
Download: App Store
Armada — Galatic War Online
Armada — Galactic War says it all in the title. Your objective in this four player online real time strategy game is to gather resources, create mechs, tanks and ships, and destroy your opponent’s mothership. Choose to battle random opponents or challenge your friends to a private match.
Price: $5.99
Developer: Pixel Stream LLC
Download: App Store
UniWar
With over 1 million games played and counting, UniWar is one of the most successful games in App Store history. Take turns building an army to pit against your opponent, using the strength of your unit to take control over the map’s terrain. Play against as many people as you like online multi-player mode, or battle it out with your friend in Pass ‘n Play mode.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Xpressed
Download: App Store
Flight Control
Ever wonder what it would be like to be an air traffic controller? Well wonder no more! Flight Control is an easy and fun touch-and-drag game in which you must safety land a variety of aircraft, including jets, helicopters and seaplanes. Challenge your friend locally or via online multi-player to see who lands an aircraft the best.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Firemint Pty Ltd
Download: App Store
Worms 2: Armageddon
The Worms are back in this follow-up to the best-selling turn-based strategy blast-a-thon original. Grab your grenades and do battle against three of your friends with offline Bluetooth multi-player mode in a slew of different adventures.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Team17
Download: App Store
Action & Adventure
Fruit Ninja
One of the most celebrated games of all time now offers a multi-player mode. For those of you who hate fruit — or just love slicing things up — you can’t go wrong with Fruit Ninja. Do you have what it takes to become the ultimate bringer of sweet, tasty destruction?
Price: $0.99
Developer: Halfbrick Studios
Download: App Store
Dungeon Defenders: First Wave
Join the battle in this action-RPG meets tower defense game in which you take on the role of one of four distinct hero classes and battle hordes of invading creatures. Combine hero class strengths by teaming up with friends online, which you can drop in and drop out at any time.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Trendy Entertainment
Download: App Store
Infinity Blade
Winner of more than 20 “Game of the Year” and “Top App” awards, Infinity Blade is a must-have game for any action role-playing fan. Customize your character with dozens of swords, helmets, armor, shields and magic rings and then challenge your friends to multi-player matches via Game Center.
Price: $5.99
Developer: Epic Games Inc.
Download: App Store
Card
World Series of Poker Hold’em Legend
Love playing poker with friends, but can’t get a game together? World Series of Poker Hold’em Legend lets you go head-to-head with against a Game Center friend to determine who really knows when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.
Price: Free
Developer: Glu Mobile Inc.
Download: App Store
Trivia
Trivial Pursuit
Trivia lovers rejoice, as the world’s most famous trivia game is available for the iPhone. Challenge up to three of your friends in Pass ‘n Play or Wi-Fi multi-player mode to see who’s the brainiest of the bunch.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: App Store
Family Feud
One of the most popular game shows of all time comes to life on the iPhone. Take on the role as leader of the family and go one-on-one in multi-player mode to see who has what it takes to get the number one survey answer.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Ludia Inc.
Download: App Store
Racing
Real Racing 2
Meet up with up to eight of your friends of Wi-Fi multi-player to see who’s the fastest driver on the asphalt in Real Racing 2. Featuring gorgeous graphics and real life automobiles, including the 2010 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500, 2010 Nissan GT-R (R35) and 2012 McLaren MP4-12C, you’ll soon understand why many call this the best iOS racing game of all-time.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Firemint Pty Ltd
Download: App Store
2XL ATV Offroad
Extreme sports and racing collide in 2XL ATV Offroad! Challenge up to four of your friends over a local Wi-Fi network and race at any one of 16 unique ATV Supercross and Outdoor Nationals tracks.
Price: $4.99
Developer: 2XL Games
Download: App Store
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit
The ultimate cat-and-mouse road race comes to the iPhone with Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Lay down the law as the Cop while your friend tries to make a clean getaway as the driver. With a plethora of weapons at your disposal, find out who has what it takes to be the king of the road.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: App Storm
Asphalt 6: Adrenaline
Get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin and take on up to five friends in online and local multi-player mode in Asphalt 6: Adrenaline. Make sure to take full advantage of a long list of tuning options to make sure your vehicle is running at peak performance on any track.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Gameloft
Download: App Store
Fighting
Street Fighter IV Volt
While it may not be as fine tuned as its console brethren, Street Fighter IV Volt packs enough of a punch to make even die-hard fans smile. Challenge your opponent over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, to find out who is master of the Hadouken, Sonic Boom and Tiger Punch.
Price: $6.99
Developer: Capcom
Download: App Store
Street Fighter IV
Want to play checkout some Street Fighter action on your iPhone, but don’t feel like shelling out six bucks? Drop a couple bones less and checkout Street Fighter IV. Sporting a slightly smaller ensemble of fighters and ability to play against a friend over Bluetooth, Street Fighter IV packs as much punch as Street Fighter IV Volt.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Capcom
Download: App Store
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Featuring all 23 warriors from the original game, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a great port of the classic fighter. Go head-to-head against your friend over local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and tear them from limb-to-limb with classic Fatalities or leave them humiliated by performing a Babality.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: App Store
Sports
NBA Jam by EA Sports
Arguably one of the best arcade basketball game of all-time, NBA Jam was a corner stone friend-on-friend matchup in the Super Nintendo days. Flash forward to the present, and the same great, air-defying dunks can now be done on your iPhone. Go one-on-one with your friend in local multi-player mode, via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: App Store
Homerun Battle 3D
Every year, baseball fans tune-in to watch one of the best competitions in professional sports, the homerun derby. While you may not be Robinson Cano, you can step up to the plate in Homerun Battle 3D and challenge your friends via online matchup mode to see who’s crowned homerun derby king!
Price: $4.99
Developer: Com2uS Corporation
Download: App Store
FIFA 11 by EA Sports
In a shoot-out for the title of No. 1 soccer game in the App Store, FIFA 11 tackles the competition with its brilliant graphics and sophisticated animations. Challenge a friend via local Wi-Fi and Bluetooth multiplayer to see you can make the game winning goaaaaaaaaaaaaal!
Price: $2.99
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Download: App Store
Super Stickman Golf
Though a puzzle game at heart, Super Stickman Golf is nevertheless one of the best golf games available in the App Store. Challenge a friend to a round online or locally to see who can overcame obstacles and unlock all six super clubs.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Noodlecake Studios
Download: App Store
Let’s Golf! 3
If a puzzle based golf game isn’t your thing, but still enjoy a bit of Arcade action, Let’s Golf! 3 offers a host of game modes, character/equipment unlocks and a slew of social links. Play up to three of your friends in online multi-player via Wi-Fi, and local multi-player via Bluetooth and Play ‘n Play mode.
Price: Free
Developer: Gameloft
Download: App Store
World Cup Table Tennis
World Cup Table Tennis is the No. 1 table tennis game on the iPhone, and for good reason. With a bevy of player modes (career, tournament, arcade and multi-player) and eight unlockable paddles with each offering its own unique combination of spin and power, you and your friends will finally see who truly is the master of the paddle.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Skyworks Interactive
Download: App Store
Glow Hockey 2
Air hockey on its own is great, but add the style and flair of Glow Hockey 2 and you’re in for a real treat. The colorful glow graphics, smooth and responsive gameplay, and realistic physics will keep you and your friend glued to your iPhone over local multi-player (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) well past your first best-of-three tournament.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Natenai Ariyatrakool
Download: App Store
Shooter
Archetype
One of the most critically acclaimed and popular shooters in the App Store, Arhetype sets a standard in iPhone shooter games. Delivering a high-quality console style first-person experience, you and your friends will enjoy a slew of multi-player modes, including 5-on-5 death matches, team battles and capture the flag.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Villain LLC
Download: App Store
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard
Debuting in 1998, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six began a new era of elite first-person shooter games. Now, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard for the iPhone brings a whole new first person shooter experience to the palm of your hands. Team up with a friend for co-op mode, or invite up to nine of your friends to battle it out in multi-player mode.
Price: $6.99
Developer: Gameloft
Download: App Store
Call of Duty: Zombies
Sometimes after a long day at work or school, you just want to blow away some zombies. Call of Duty: Zombies offers your sweet relief, with four massive zombie maps and three distinct control schemes to suite your style. Team up with a friend via local Bluetooth multi-player mode, or invite three of your friends to join you over Wi-Fi multi-player mode.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Activision Publishing, Inc.
Download: App Store
Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus
Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus is the perfect game for those looking for a Call of Duty type experience on your iPhone. With an intuitive control scheme, brilliant graphics and a multitude of online multi-player modes (battle, team battle, defuse the bomb and capture the flag), you and up to nine of your friends will have a blast blasting each other.
Price: $6.99
Developer: Gameloft
Download: App Store
N.O.V.A. 2 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance
Named as the “ultimate sci-fi first person shooter” and “the finest first person shooter on the iPhone,” N.O.V.A. 2 offers up the best Halo-esque experience available in the App Store. Enjoy up to five multi-player modes (free for all, team deathmatch, capture the flag, freeze tab and InstaGib) over Wi-Fi, and keep track of your stats and rankings via the Near Orbit Vaguard Alliance website.
Price: $6.99
Developer: Gameloft
Download: App Store
Eliminate: CO-OP
Grab a friend and get ready to team up for Eliminate: Co-Op. Featuring ten multi-player environments and multiple ways to get new gear, this first-person shooter offers stunning 3D graphics and a variety of special items, such as jet packs, berserker shields and cloaking devices to help you dominate your enemy.
Price: Free
Developer: ngmoco
Download: App Store
Gun Bros
Don the role as a Freakishly Rugged Advanced Genetics Galactic Enforcement Division (aka F.R.A.G.G.E.D.) special agent and protect the cosmos from T.O.O.L.s (Tyrannical Oppressors of Life). With a wide range of weapons at your disposal, you and a friend can do battle together over 3G and Wi-Fi to rid the galaxy of every T.O.O.L. alive.
Price: Free
Developer: Glu Mobile Inc.
Download: App Storm
Have any other multi-player games you would like to recommend? Let us know in the comments!