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The Apple II was one of the most important computers ever made, and it hosted a huge slice of early gaming history. Many genres were born or refined here, from the graphic adventure to the CRPG. Emulation runs through cores that are light on any handheld. The one thing to plan for is controls, since many games use the keyboard. A device with good button mapping or a touchscreen makes these classics comfortable to play on the go.
We frame all of this around games you already own and want to preserve.
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Action and Platformers
Prince of Persia (Apple II) — The original version of the cinematic classic, with its famous fluid animation. Tense, deliberate platforming that still holds up.
Karateka (Apple II) — Jordan Mechner's earlier cinematic action game. Simple, elegant, and ahead of its time.
Lode Runner (Apple II) — A brilliant puzzle-platformer with a level editor. Endlessly replayable and a genuine classic.
Choplifter (Apple II) — A rescue action game with smooth, satisfying flight. A landmark of the era.
Aztec (Apple II) — An early action-adventure through a booby-trapped tomb. Tense and atmospheric.
Role-Playing and Strategy
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (Apple II) — Often called the most important CRPG ever made. Deep, thoughtful, and hugely influential.
The Bard's Tale (Apple II) — A beloved dungeon crawler with a great sense of humor. A high point of early RPGs.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (Apple II) — The grid-based dungeon crawler that inspired a genre. Brutal and rewarding.
Wasteland (Apple II) — The post-apocalyptic RPG that inspired Fallout. Rich, open, and ahead of its time.
Autoduel (Apple II) — An open-world action RPG of car combat. Unusual and absorbing.
Adventure and Simulation
The Oregon Trail (Apple II) — The educational classic everyone remembers. Simple, tense, and endlessly quotable.
Zork I (Apple II) — The text adventure that defined the genre. Clever, funny, and perfect in short sessions.
Mystery House (Apple II) — The first graphic adventure ever made. A true piece of history.
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (Apple II) — A charming detective game that made learning fun. A nostalgic favorite.
Arcade and Deep Cuts
Robotron: 2084 (Apple II) — A strong home version of the frantic twin-stick arcade classic. Loud and intense.
Montezuma's Revenge (Apple II) — A tough, sprawling platform adventure. A cult favorite full of secrets.
A Note on Apple II Controls
Many Apple II games mix keyboard input with a joystick, so a handheld with flexible button mapping is your friend. Action games map well to a D-pad and face buttons. Text adventures and RPGs are most comfortable on a device with a touchscreen keyboard. Set up a control profile per game for the trickier ones and everything becomes easy.
Best Handhelds for Apple II Games
You want good control mapping, and a touchscreen helps with the keyboard-heavy games.
An Android device like the
is the sweet spot, with a touchscreen for on-screen keyboards and easy mapping. On a budget, the handles the action games and platformers nicely. For a desktop-style experience with the RPGs and adventures, the is a great pick.Related Guides
- Best MS-DOS Games for Handhelds — the PC library that followed
- Best C64 Games for Handhelds — the Apple II's great rival
- Best Point-and-Click Adventure Games for Handhelds — where these adventures led
- Best Strategy and Tactics Games for Handhelds — more thinking-player picks
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