Apple is starting the new year with a bang, with the announcement that Pocket Card Jockey, developed by Game Freak the makers of Pokemon, will be coming to Apple Arcade alongside several other titles.

Pocket Card Jockey is a unique hybrid of a card game and horse racing which was originally released digitally for the 3DS eShop. With the eShop closing down this coming March, The Game Freak cult classic will only be available to download on iOS devices via the Apple Arcade starting on the 20th of January. Here’s a more detailed look at every game coming to the Apple Arcade in January of 2023:

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! (January 20th)

Game Freak

Pocket Card Jockey was originally released to great acclaim on the Nintendo 3DS, and while the basic rules are the same, the racing segments have been reborn in glorious 3D. Players will jockey their way to victory by clearing cards with sequential numbers in quick succession. The more cards they clear, the better their horse’s mood will be — which in turn helps them charge energy during races. The position of their horse on the track determines the difficulty of their solitaire rounds. There are also special cards that can be picked up if they run over them while racing. These cards provide a variety of benefits, including leveling up their horse, learning new skills, or improving their performance in a race. Once their steed is fully charged and in the home stretch, they will then have to sprint their hearts out to secure victory.

As players prepare for future races, they’ll be able to take the beloved steeds they’ve grown on the racetrack and pair them up on the farm. The foal they produce will inherit their abilities and become their new partner on the racecourse. Breed generation after generation of racehorses in the quest to conquer all the biggest, most prestigious races in the world.

Episode XOXO (January 6th)

Pocket Gems

Developed by Pocket Gems’ Episode Interactive Studio, Episode XOXO is an interactive storytelling game featuring an ever-growing collection of stories where players choose their own destiny — living out their stories with love, romance, adventure, and drama. The game will launch with five original stories (Little Star, The Royal Bachelor, No Time For Love, The Secret He Keeps, and Road To Wonderland), with plans for more stories to be added in future updates.

Illustrated (January 13th)

Border Leap

Illustrated immerses players in beautiful illustrations and the stories behind them. Featuring creative gameplay that blends jigsaw and word puzzles, each puzzle begins with an illustration represented as an early concept sketch, paired with the concealed words of the artist’s story behind their work of art. With every correctly-placed piece, the illustration comes alive with color while the words of the story are slowly revealed. Upon completion, the full-color masterpiece and story are revealed together in unity.

Squiggle Drop (January 27th)

Noodlecake

Squiggle Drop is a puzzle game that uses creativity and imagination to solve charming physics puzzles by drawing a single shape. Players can complete over 100 puzzles, each with multiple and often surprising solutions, and earn rewards to build their very own Squiggletown. Unlock buildings, cosmetics, and various upgrades as players expand their own personal city.

In addition to these new games, several existing Apple Arcade titles will also be getting new content. Notable games include Angry Birds Reloaded receiving a sci-fi-themed makeover, Grindstone getting new biomes and more levels, Jetpack Joyride 2 getting new Story levels, and Skate City is adding Pro Skate mode to an existing city.

That covers everything coming to the Apple Arcade this January 2023. Is there anything you’re planning to play?