Katamari and Cyberpunk lead Apple’s 2025 App Store Awards gaming finalists

Apple has revealed the shortlisted finalists for its 2025 App Store Awards, with a total of 45 apps and games across 12 categories recognised for innovation, user experience and cultural impact.

Among the game finalists, two titles of particular note for me are Katamari Damacy Rolling Live and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition. Katamari Damacy Rolling Live is shortlisted in the Apple Arcade Game of the Year category, and I find it to be one of the best games to play while commuting. In a market increasingly dominated by high-end realism, the inclusion of a classic whimsical title in the finalists list serves as a reminder that creativity still holds sway.

Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition has been shortlisted for the Mac Game of the Year category, recognised for its “stunning, futuristic visuals”, which is impressive considering the game is five years old now. Its inclusion underscores how big-budget console/PC titles are continuing to find new life on Mac platforms, alongside another AAA title – Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Other notable finalists include BandLab for the iPhone App tf the Year, for helping musicians record and mix tracks with a community; and Acorn in the Mac App of the Year for being the go-to tool for pro-level photo edits.

Winners will be announced in the coming weeks; this shortlist has already given a useful snapshot of the gaming trends Apple sees as resonant – from high-end visual spectacle to off-beat arcade design. But I also want to give a shout out to the finalists in the Cultural Impact category whose apps have made a key difference or contribution to their communities.

• Art of Fauna, for capturing wildlife’s beauty in accessible puzzles.
• A Space for the Unbound, for exploring mental health through a touching slice-of-life narrative.
• Be My Eyes, for empowering users who are blind or have low vision.
• Chants of Sennaar, for celebrating the power of language and connection.
• despelote, for creatively crafting culturally grounded gameplay.
• Focus Friend, for gamifying focus sessions into enjoyable challenges.
• Is This Seat Taken?, for fostering empathy and inclusivity.
• Retro, for creating a privacy-friendly social platform that keeps loved ones in the loop.
• StoryGraph, for building an inclusive book community.
• Venba, for spotlighting cultural cuisine with heartfelt storytelling.
• Whoscall, for protecting users against scams.
• Yuka, for helping users make conscious choices about what they consume.

For a full list of the finalists across all categories, click here.