By Kavita Mistry 
The biggest thing about this year’s iPhones isn’t the iPhone 17 Pro’s radical new design, its orange color, or the iPhone Air’s absurdly low thickness, but rather the fact that the baseline iPhone 17 is finally getting the love of the 120Hz ProMotion display. Reserved exclusively for the Pro models of iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, the vanilla iPhones never felt the same in terms of smoothness and fluidity until now, as the screens on the iPhone 17 are the exact same as those on the iPhone 17 Pros, and in fact, better than any other iPhone launched so far. Albeit late, Apple’s generosity cannot be appreciated more.
If you’re a baseline iPhone user, you may wonder about the purpose of a ProMotion display. The most apparent change you’ll notice instantly is the general responsiveness and smoothness of the UI: elements will scroll faster, respond to your touches quickly, and animate a lot more swiftly.
However, that’s not the most rewarding aspect of a ProMotion display. It’s the gaming experience, especially for the games that support high frame rates, such as those that support 120fps gameplay. There are a plethora of games across a truckload of categories to enjoy 120Hz ProMotion on your new iPhone 17, and this article is a precise rundown of the 12 such games. Let’s get set, go!
However, this list isn’t a random selection, but a researched curation of games that have officially announced to support high-refresh rate gaming on the iPhone 17 or are known to support high-refresh rate gaming on older iPhone Pro models with ProMotion displays. After all, the iPhone 17 is superior in terms of performance and display specifications compared to older Pro models, so it makes no sense for a game not to support high-refresh-rate gameplay. It’s only a matter of time until that happens.
Alto’s Adventure and Alto’s Odyssey
Alto’s Adventure and Odyssey are renowned games that fall under the endless games category, meaning there’s no endpoint to reach within the game. Alto, the game’s primary character, is on a run on his board while being chased by his master. Your sole job is to continue ahead by collecting coins and power-ups, all without hitting an obstacle or getting caught. Both games follow essentially the same game dynamics, except for a thematic difference: Alto’s Adventure is set in calm, snowy mountains, whereas Alto’s Odyssey is set in a sandy environment.
No matter what you choose, you are sure to be lured by its pleasant acoustics and calming ambiance. Pro tip: There’s no better way to relax than playing the game in Zen Mode, with no score, distractions, or game over. Because of its smooth dynamics, it is especially worth trying out the game in 120Hz, which indeed takes the game up a notch. In fact, Alto’s Adventure and Odyssey have had the support for ProMotion displays since 2021 with the iPhone 13 Pro series, so these are among the most polished games to enjoy your new iPhone 17’s screen.
Both Alto’s Adventure and Alto’s Odyssey are available for $4.99 on the App Store. They are also available for free with an Apple Arcade subscription. They also offer in-app purchases.
PUBG Mobile and BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India)
PUBG (or BGMI for our Indian readers) needs no introduction. Arguably the most well-known online multiplayer battle royale game, PUBG is best regarded for its vast player base and tactical gameplay. The game features several massive maps, a wealth of ammunition and utilities, and a total of 100 players competing for the top position and the iconic “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” title. In case you’re not a fan of rush and tense gameplay, you can benefit from the game’s TDM (team deathmatch) and custom game modes. The game is reasonably realistic, especially for multiplayer battle royale games, and is both intriguing and addictive. PUBG and BGMI are resource-intensive games, but fret not; iPhones handle them with ease.
The 120fps mode, also known as Ultra Extreme, is only supported on a limited number of mobile devices; however, it is fortunately supported on most iPhone models. So, the iPhone 17 is going to be no different in this regard. Although the game doesn’t yet support high-refresh gameplay on the iPhone 17, it is confirmed to support it soon, as revealed here by this moderator of the official PUBG Mobile subreddit. Trust us, there’s no better way to experience the beauty of fast-paced battle royale in 120Hz, especially on iPhones. For now, we recommend checking out Bittopup’s guide on how to enable 120Hz in PUBG Mobile on the iPhone 17 Pro, which also addresses some of the problems you may face.
PUBG Mobile and BGMI are available for free on the App Store. They offer some in-app purchases.
Fortnite
Released by Epic Games in 2017, Fortnite is as popular as it gets and has been awarded numerous accolades for its success. The battle royale characteristics of the game remain similar to those of other similar games, such as PUBG Mobile and BGMI, but Fortnite’s gameplay involves entirely new tactics. One such tactic is that players can build structures for defensive and offensive plays, which is quite unique. Fortnite’s theme is radically distinct, magical, and out of this world. The weapons, power-ups, and visual effects are not true-to-life and are brilliant in their own way.
It would be a crime not to play this game at 120Hz, as it makes a staggering difference to the game’s visual experience. The colorful and eye-pleasing world of Fortnite cannot get any better on a smartphone, and thankfully, you don’t have to wait for a long time. The iPhone 17 Pro Max already supports 120fps gameplay in Fortnite, as showcased by TechDroider on X. So, now that Fortnite can run on a brand-new Pro iPhone rocking the latest version of iOS at full 120fps, the support for iPhone 17 should be right around the corner. To get an even better experience, we recommend using an external controller.
Fortnite is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Destiny: Rising
Published by NetEase about a month ago, Destiny: Rising is a brand-new Sci-Fi RPG shooter game. If you know about the original Destiny, you may find Destiny: Rising somewhat familiar, as it’s somewhat of a spin-off in general, with fresh characters and a new narrative. Similar to other games of its kind, Destiny: Rising features a main story campaign, player-versus-player (PvP) combat, cooperative strikes, and several other intriguing game modes. The game features a range of weaponry and other accessories, making it both tactical and interesting. To promote community engagement, Destiny: Rising enables the formation of social hubs, clan systems, and additional features.
Compared to its PC version, Destiny: Rising also introduces support for a third-person perspective, alongside a character-based approach and gacha mechanics. With its impressive lighting effects, high-quality graphics, and engaging gameplay, Destiny: Rising is indeed a resource-intensive game, ideally suited for the iPhone 17 series. In fact, you don’t have to be uncertain about the game receiving support for 120Hz ProMotion, as Apple has already confirmed the same in the Apple Event, as reiterated through the game’s official X post. Destiny: Rising is expected to support 120fps gameplay on the iPhone 17 very soon.
Destiny: Rising is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Pokémon GO
If you were following the gaming space in 2016, there’s no way you would’ve missed the launch of the insanely popular Pokémon GO. Safe to say, Pokémon GO is the pioneer of AR gaming, which involves interacting with not just the in-game elements, but also the physical world around you. Developed in collaboration with Nintendo, the game involves “catching” Pokémon around you, as the game uses GPS to track your real-world movement and unlock new Pokémon. Once you find a new one, the AR experience allows you to overlay it in the real world and enjoy a whole new perspective.
Pokémon GO isn’t just a game, but a cultural phenomenon, with countless players traveling specifically to unlock rare Pokémon. The game was praised for encouraging gamers to explore their physical surroundings, a feat not often achieved by online video games to this extent. The addition of 120Hz ProMotion enables a significantly smoother experience, particularly when interacting with in-game UI elements. It also smoothens the animations and overall fluidity of the game. However, you must enable the “Unlock your device’s native refresh rate” option under Advanced Settings to unlock 120fps gameplay on the iPhone 17, which is expected to arrive soon, especially since older iPhones already support it.
Pokémon GO is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
World of Tanks Blitz
If you’re in for an action-strategy game featuring a battleground, not consisting of the usual gunfights and 1v1s, World of Tanks Blitz is all you’d need. As the name states, it’s primarily a game consisting of tank battles to take down enemy tanks or capture their base, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. This 7v7 team-based format involves selecting the right class of tanks, employing tactical thinking, and engaging in dynamic battles. What sets World of Tanks Blitz apart is its sheer realistic nature, comprising a well-represented roster of hundreds of tanks from several countries, including historic ones from the World War II era. We can vouch that this game is well-built and a treat to play.
There are over 30 battle arenas to choose from, including standard areas such as snow and desert, as well as historic cities and those with varying climate conditions. It also allows you to customise your tanks with camouflages, artillery upgrades, and tank performance enhancements. The game is very dynamic and fast-paced, allowing you to take full advantage of the 120Hz ProMotion display on the iPhone 17. While the support may not be available at the very moment, it will soon roll out to the iPhone 17, considering 120fps gameplay is supported on older Pro iPhone models with ProMotion displays.
World of Tanks Blitz is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Standoff 2
Standoff 2 is yet another widely popular first-person shooter (FPS) game. While some FPS games incorporate pay-to-win mechanisms, excelling in Standoff 2 relies solely on pure skills, tactics, and teamwork. You also need to be flawless with your aim and precision, as the game doesn’t have any form of aim assist or auto-aim features. Standoff 2 offers a diverse selection of weaponry, including assault rifles, shotguns, snipers, and more, with the option for paid cosmetic upgrades, some of which are particularly impressive. You can also purchase stickers and charms to personalize your arsenal, either through direct purchases or via the Battle Pass.
The game modes may sound familiar to those of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Valorant, as Standoff 2 also features similar game modes, including Team Deathmatch, Arms Race (identical to Valorant’s Escalation game mode), and the classic 5v5 Diffuse game mode. Standoff 2 regularly introduces event-specific game modes to refresh the game dynamics and make the game more enjoyable. Standoff 2 supports high-refresh-rate gameplay on older Pro iPhone models with ProMotion displays, but it’s often reported to cause the device being played on to heat up significantly. Hence, we recommend using a smartphone cooler with your iPhone 17 when the support for 120fps arrives for the iPhone 17.
Standoff 2 is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Call of Duty: Mobile
If you’re an avid FPS games fan, you need no introduction to Call of Duty: Mobile, popularly referred to as CODM. The name is etched into the hearts of gamers as among the best of its kind. Even PC gamers won’t feel out of place with this mobile game, as CODM somewhat resembles other Activision classics such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Black Ops. You can join its vibrant community of players by joining clans within the game. This fast-paced FPS offers a nice selection of maps, including some iconic ones, to enjoy playing the various game modes on offer. CODM also runs seasonal events with updated maps, weapons, rewards, and game modes.
The game is otherwise quite typical, featuring modes like Team Deathmatch (TDM), Domination, Search and Destroy, Frontline, Hardpoint, and Zombies Mode, alongside the usual Battle Royale mode where a total of 100 players compete for the winner’s title. CODM is highly intriguing to play and boasts excellent graphics quality. Still, we’re unsure about the claimed “console-quality graphics,” as it’s merely a mobile game that relies on a smartphone’s capabilities. Nevertheless, CODM certainly benefits from a 120Hz ProMotion display on older Pro iPhone models, making the gunfights and the overall gameplay experience considerably more fluid. Support for high FPS gameplay on the iPhone 17 should follow soon, if it isn’t already available for your device.
Call of Duty: Mobile is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Genshin Impact
With enough battleground talks already, let’s shift our focus to something a lot of players prefer: open-world games. Genshin Impact seamlessly blends a brilliant storyline with the beauty of Teyvat’s fantasy world. One thing is certain: you cannot deny the insane graphics quality of Genshin Impact. It’s of such high caliber that most phones would struggle to run the game at playable frames, which is why Genshin Impact is often used to benchmark a phone’s gaming performance. Since there’s a storyline after all, you play as Traveler, the first character for each player that begins the game, after which you’ll unlock several other players with varying powers and characteristics.
Your character is set to explore the vast continent with all sorts of ways: running, climbing, swimming, gliding – you name it. You get to explore hidden areas, find artefacts, and solve mysteries to progress in the game. There’s combat involved as well, with enemy creatures, and you must defeat them to move ahead. Genshin Impact is a perfect blend of an anime-styled world with inspirations drawn from natural elements, like water, fire, ice, lightning, wind, and more. The game surely demands patience along with skill, making it truly unique. Genshin Impact supports 120fps gameplay on the new iPhone 17 Pro series, so there’s hardly any confusion about the baseline iPhone 17 getting the support for the same.
Genshin Impact is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Wreckfest
Who doesn’t love a good old racing game? Even if you don’t and find racing games boring, Wreckfest has you covered. Instead of being a happy-go-lucky racing game, Wreckfest is a demolition derby-based racing game, where your goal is to reach the finish line first, either by being the fastest, wrecking other vehicles, or preferably, both. It’s total mayhem because players are encouraged to intentionally hit other vehicles, mainly since it affects the rival vehicles’ performance and handling, thanks to the game’s realistic physics. This is why you can not only upgrade your vehicle’s performance, but also add body armor in the form of roll cages and reinforced bumpers.
Wreckfest is fully action-packed, featuring modes such as the classic Demolition Derby, Banger Race, Deathmatch, and Last Man Standing, among other regular and career modes. This game isn’t about flashy supercars, but raw, beaten-up, and old-school vehicles ranging from European classics to American muscle. A fast-paced game of this kind, packed with thrills, undoubtedly benefits from the iPhone’s 120Hz ProMotion displays. Wreckfest supports 120fps gameplay on older Pro iPhone models with ProMotion displays, including the iPhone 16 Pro, so the iPhone 17 should be in line next.
Wreckfest is available for $9.99 on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
League of Legends: Wild Rift
League of Legends: Wild Rift is the mobile version of the famous PC game by Riot Games: League of Legends. Similar to its PC version, League of Legends: Wild Rift is a mobile-optimized version that retains the same core concept of a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA). Your job is to play as a 5v5 team and capture the enemy’s base and destroy their central structure, also known as the Nexus. Of course, capturing it involves a fierce fight with the opponent team along the three-lane map, in addition to their turrets and other defensive structures. The matches are faster-paced compared to the PC version due to smaller maps, accelerated gains, and slower respawn times.
A team comprises five characters or Champions, as League of Legends likes to call them, all with varying abilities, powers, and purposes. To give you a perspective, there are over 130 Champions, so even a seasoned League of Legends player may find it challenging to arrive at a perfect pick, simply because there are many parameters to consider while picking one. All in all, with exceptional gameplay quality and dynamic actions, League of Legends: Wild Rift is among the best games to enjoy using the ProMotion display on your iPhone 17. While 120fps gameplay is supported on older Pro iPhone models with ProMotion displays, support for the iPhone 17 is expected to arrive soon.
League of Legends: Wild Rift is available to play for free on the App Store and offers in-app purchases.
Thumper: Pocket Edition
Thumper: Pocket Edition is among the best-looking and visually aesthetic arcade games you’ll ever come across, so much so that the game is a recipient of the 2019 Apple Design Award. The developers define it as a “rhythm game,” but it’s more accurately understood as a high-speed runner game. You’re essentially seated in a giant beetle-like spaceship, known as a space beetle, where you have to manoeuvre swiftly to dodge obstacles and tackle tricky turns. Thumper: Pocket Edition emphasizes the importance of sound on a whole new level, as you have to sync with the beats of the music to play the game. The game includes a tutorial to help you learn the basics.
Once you get the hang of it, there’s no denying that, despite being incredibly fast-paced, the game is quite relaxing to play, possibly because of the soothing gameplay, easy-to-use controls, and insane graphics, complemented by some superb-looking virtual worlds. Thumper: Pocket Edition is very well optimized for the iPhone, offering both landscape and portrait modes, as well as one-hand controls, which is a particularly unique trait. We strongly recommend using a good set of headphones or earphones paired with a controller to fully immerse yourself in the gameplay, which is taken to the next level if you also happen to have a compatible iPhone model with support for 120fps gameplay, such as the iPhone 17.
Thumper: Pocket Edition is available for $4.99 on the App Store. It is available for free with an Apple Arcade subscription and offers in-app purchases.
Enter New Dimensions of Gaming With iPhone 17’s ProMotion Display
The presence of a 120Hz ProMotion was among the only crucial things holding back the iPhone 17 from becoming the ideal gaming phone for everyone, and now that it’s done, it makes sense to enjoy it to the fullest with supported games. Compared to the standard 60Hz refresh rate, a 120Hz display unlocks higher frame rates in a game, typically up to 120fps, which makes games feel even more fluid, responsive, and smooth. While not all games currently support it, it’s something certainly worth looking out for on the iPhone 17.
With several amazing games to choose from, depending on your preferred categories and gaming styles, it isn’t easy to pinpoint a single recommendation. If it’s FPS, we recommend PUBG Mobile, BGMI, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Standoff 2. For fantasy lovers and admirers of storylines, there’s no better game than Genshin Impact. Wreckfest and World of Tanks Blitz are recommended for those who don’t like games with predictable outcomes, whereas Thumper: Pocket Edition, Alto’s Adventure, and Alto’s Odyssey are excellent arcade games to enjoy.