A good walking game makes you want to go out, rather than feel you should. Below are six iPhone games that turn real steps or real distance into play, from gentle collecting to zombie chases, with what each one is best for.
Step-based or GPS-based?
Walking games come in two kinds. Step-based games read your step count from Apple Health, so every step counts wherever you take it, including the office, the supermarket and the treadmill. GPS-based games track where you are on a map, so they shine outdoors and mostly need you to be moving through the world with the app open. Many people use one of each.
1. VirtuPet
Best for: pet lovers and anyone who wants a daily reason to walk.
Our game. Your daily steps keep a plush pet healthy: hit your goal and they’re thriving, skip it and they’re sad. Eggs turn up at real parks and cafés on the map, your steps hatch them, and there are 101 animals to collect across nine biomes. Friends, streaks and Duo Challenges keep it social. Step-based, so it works anywhere. Free on iPhone, with an optional Premium.
2. Pikmin Bloom
Best for: relaxed walkers who like collecting and decorating.
From Niantic. Walking grows little Pikmin companions and lets you plant flowers along your route, leaving a trail on the map. It’s gentle and pretty, with community flower events. Uses your location, so it’s best outdoors.
3. Pokémon GO
Best for: collectors who want a big, busy game.
Also from Niantic. Catch Pokémon on a real-world map, battle at gyms and hatch eggs by walking set distances of 2 to 12 km. It has the biggest community of any walking game, and plenty to do in towns and cities.
4. Zombies, Run!
Best for: people who like a story in their ears.
An audio adventure from Six to Start. Missions play through your headphones while you walk or run, and you collect supplies for your base as you go. Optional zombie chases make you speed up. Great for longer walks.
5. Walkr
Best for: space fans who want a light, steady goal.
From Fourdesire. Your steps fuel a spaceship that discovers and builds up planets in a cartoon galaxy. It’s step-based and low effort, a nice pick if you want progress without pressure.
6. StepDog
Best for: dog lovers who want something simple.
A virtual dog for iPhone and Apple Watch that reads your steps from Apple Health. Walk enough and your dog eats, plays and curls up to sleep. Simpler than the others, with one pet rather than a collection.
How to choose a walking game
- Where do you walk? If lots of your steps happen indoors or on a treadmill, pick a step-based game like VirtuPet or Walkr.
- How long are your walks? Short, frequent walks suit step-based games; longer outdoor walks suit Pikmin Bloom, Pokémon GO or Zombies, Run!.
- Solo or social? If friends keep you going, look for leaderboards and shared goals, like VirtuPet’s Duo Challenges or Pokémon GO’s community events.
- Will you still care in a month? The best walking game is the one you open on day 30. Collections, streaks and a pet you’re attached to all help.
Whatever you pick, set a daily step goal you can actually hit. Our guide to how many steps a day you need has research-backed targets by age.
