Your children are sure to enjoy Apple Arcade's fun new multiplayer game.

      When Apple Arcade debuted in 2019, it featured a standout game that I would consider a killer app: What the Golf? This quirky title was a complete blast, turning a simple sports premise upside down in numerous inventive ways. This approach has since become a sort of guiding philosophy for developer Triband, who has expanded on this concept in each of its subsequent releases, from What the Bat? to What the Car? Their latest title, the Apple Arcade exclusive What the Clash?, takes this idea even further, reimagining multiplayer gaming.

      As you might anticipate, the outcome is incredibly whimsical.

      What the Clash? is a one-on-one multiplayer experience that appears straightforward upon starting. Players select a minigame and compete in quick rounds until one achieves three wins. Each game takes just a couple of minutes and resembles the rapid pace of WarioWare. In the initial tutorial, my task is to defeat my opponent in a game of ping pong by moving my character, a sentient hand, across the screen. Sounds simple, right? However, there are not just one, but many twists. Before each round, both players must play a card that acts as a modifier. For example, if I play a fan card, a fan is added to the table, creating windy conditions. The round's dynamics are shaped by the combination of the two cards each player chooses. If I select a wheel card, while my opponent selects “long,” we find ourselves navigating a round with oversized arms that are manipulated by spinning a pirate wheel.

      Similar to Triband's earlier titles, the enjoyment stems from uncovering how far a straightforward concept can be stretched. This becomes even more evident as I unlock more minigames and cards through a basic reward system. The second minigame I unlock is archery, where my opponent and I shoot at color-matching targets. After some experimentation, I end up in rounds where we must roll exploding barrels towards each other by shooting them with arrows. The third minigame, racing, is even more deconstructed. With cards like “mini,” I can transform the traditional race into a slot car game where we maneuver around cats blocking the track. Additionally, when we both play wooden plank cards, we find ourselves on skis.

      This concept makes the game particularly appealing for kids, as the endless wackiness keeps it engaging. Each minigame offers many potential card combinations that alter the gameplay. Part of the excitement comes from the quest to unlock all combinations, making What the Clash? as much about collecting combos as it is about winning. It’s a clever evolution of what Triband has effectively accomplished in its previous three games, turning its unpredictable design into a series of multiplayer surprises that keep each game feeling fresh.

      While entertaining, there are limitations to this lighthearted multiplayer oddity, which may not have lasting appeal. A limited selection of minigames is available at launch, and not all feel well-suited to the gameplay mechanics. One minigame resembles Puzzle Bobble, where I need to match colors to collect trophies embedded in a puzzle well. The modifiers I've encountered rarely add excitement to this premise. Similarly, the Tag minigame is inventive on paper, but difficult to escalate in practice. In this minigame, players swing on pegs and propel themselves around a circular arena to grab a trophy. It’s a clever bit of physical humor, yet the modifiers merely introduce lasers or water streams as obstacles rather than altering the fundamental concept.

      I hope to see improvements through future updates. Triband is already developing additional minigames, and there's even an in-game survey inviting players to suggest future additions. This small-scale live service approach should help maintain What the Clash?’s freshness with new comedic elements over time. This will be crucial, as the competitive aspect feels a bit shallow at the moment, primarily appealing to kids who will enjoy it until they grow weary — which often occurs after playing a round without new combinations. Triband designs levels like jokes, and it’s tough to elicit the same laughter multiple times.

      What the Clash? may not be a compelling reason to subscribe to Apple Arcade, but it certainly enhances a growing library that is expected to strengthen in 2025. It joins notable titles such as Puffies, Katamari Damacy: Rolling Live, and Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve, providing a unique experience compared to these other games, even if it leans towards gimmickry. If you already have a subscription, it offers a delightful distraction that could bring smiles to you or your kids for a few days. Lord knows we could use that right now.

      What the Clash? is currently available on iOS devices through Apple Arcade.