Apple’s (AAPL) new, fourth-generation Apple TV has been on sale for several days now, and it seems to be off to a successful start, including over 1,000 Apple TV apps available for early adopters.
With its new tvOS operating system, a powerful CPU, motion-sensing controller and most importantly — its own app store — this new Apple TV is much more than a video streamer.
To succeed, it needs the kind of developer support that saw many of the best apps show up on the iPhone and iPad before competing devices. And so far, the trend looks good. The new Apple TV App Store already has a “Top Charts” section!
If you have a shiny new Apple TV beside your television, or are planning to pick one up at your local Apple Store in the near future, here are five of the current must-have Apple TV apps.
5 of the Best Apple TV Apps: Rayman Adventures
Topping the charts for free apps is Rayman Adventures, a platform game from Ubisoft (UBSFY).
Already a popular title for mobile platforms — including iOS and Android — the game has been re-worked to take full advantage of the Apple TV’s remote and A8 processor.
Ubisoft says it has added new visual effects specifically for the Apple TV version, while keeping things moving at an impressive 60 fps performance.
And, it’s free to play.
5 of the Best Apple TV Apps: Galaxy on Fire Manticore Rising
There was a reason why Apple chose to feature this game during its Apple TV 4 reveal.
The graphics for Galaxy on Fire Manticore Rising show off what the little black box is capable of, and rather than porting an existing title, the developer created an exclusive game for the Apple TV.
Galaxy on Fire Manticore Rising is near the top of the paid Apple TV apps list, and it could help to set the tone for future success as a gaming platform.
At $5.99, it’s more expensive than most iOS games. The fact that it’s popular despite the relatively high price points to the new Apple TV’s potential as a lucrative platform for developers — something that would be good for Apple.
5 of the Best Apple TV Apps: Carrot Weather: the Talking Forecast Robot
One of the key features of the new Apple TV is Siri integration, including the ability to ask Siri about the weather.
But, she’s always so polite…
Carrot Weather: the Talking Forecast Robot, offers a sarcastic alternative.
You still get accurate, location-based weather forecasts (and the ability to see the weather for other locations around the globe). But for $3.99, you get that information served up with entertaining, occasionally twisted, commentary.
5 of the Best Apple TV Apps: Netflix
Like its predecessors, the Apple TV 4 is tied closely to AAPL’s iTunes service for streaming video.
However, not everyone likes paying Apple to rent or buy content, so Netflix (NFLX) has always been a popular option.
With the new Apple TV, Netflix is also present, although you’ll need to download it as an app.
This first-generation version of the app looks pretty good, visually, and you can use Siri to search for content, although that doesn’t always work, meaning you have to resort to the dreaded virtual keyboard.
Still, if you have a Netflix account and bought a new Apple TV, this is one of the best apps you can download.
5 of the Best Apple TV Apps: Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved
Another game, but it’s a must-have among the first crop of Apple TV apps, if you want to show off its capabilities.
The impressive vector graphics of the latest Geometry Wars look great on consoles such as the Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox One and Sony’s (SNE) PlayStation 4.
However, the Apple TV version of this overhead shooter from Activision Blizzard (ATVI) should be causing these traditional game consoles makers to sweat, just a little…
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved looks just as impressive on the new Apple TV as it does on consoles, and even features the same soundtrack. It’s a universal version, so you can buy it once and play it on an iPhone or iPad, as well as on the Apple TV, and carry on your game while moving from device to device.
At $9.99, it’s also priced less than the the usual $15 download for the game consoles.
It’s Apple TV apps like Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved that will help to determine the long-term success of Apple’s entertainment box and make or break it as a gaming alternative to more expensive consoles such as the Xbox.
But, you shouldn’t care about that, yet; buy Geometry Wars to show off your new Apple TV to your friends and to enjoy a first-class mobile gaming experience on a big screen.
As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
