Best PC Games to Play on Mac via Parallels Desktop Pro
Parallels Desktop Pro lets you play many Windows PC games on a Mac by running Windows locally in a virtual machine. It works best for single-player games, RPGs, strategy titles, simulations, indies, and mod-friendly games, while competitive titles with strict anti-cheat may not run. For the best experience, use the Games only profile, keep Parallels Desktop updated, and start with modest graphics settings.
Mac gaming has come a long way in recent years, but many of the biggest titles in gaming are still PC-only, which is why so many players look for ways to run Windows games on Mac. If you want to play PC games on Mac, virtualization tools like Parallels Desktop Pro help you close that gap by letting you run Windows on your Mac in a virtual machine.
Parallels Desktop Pro is designed for Mac users who need Windows apps locally, with fast setup, strong macOS integration, and support for both Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
This guide is designed to be the Mac gamer’s ultimate shortlist of Windows games tested in Parallels Desktop Pro that play smoothly. We’ll focus on the best games to play on Mac through Windows, not just titles that technically launch, so you can get started playing the games you love.
You can play most Windows PC games on a Mac using Parallels Desktop Pro, which runs a full Windows environment inside macOS. Popular titles that run well include Grand Theft Auto V, The Elder Scrolls V, RimWorld, and Minecraft. Performance on Apple Silicon Macs is strong enough for most AAA and indie titles.
How playing PC games on a Mac works with Parallels Desktop
The global gaming market is worth more than $188 billion and is home to about 3.6 billion players, making it a massive, mainstream market for both PC and Mac users.
If you want to play Windows games on Mac, Parallels Desktop Pro offers a simple setup: download Parallels Desktop Pro, create a Windows virtual machine, and install your game launcher of choice.
Then, you can download PC games through Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, Xbox, Battle.net, or directly from the publisher, just like you would on a Windows PC. This is effective, even though surveys show that platforms like Steam remain a Windows-first gaming experience.
As we touched on, Parallels Desktop Pro runs Windows locally on your Mac, so you can run many Windows games on Mac without streaming from another computer or relying on a remote desktop session. That helps keep gameplay responsive, especially on modern Apple silicon Macs with enough memory and storage.
For graphics, Parallels Desktop Pro supports GPU acceleration and DirectX, which helps many Windows games launch and render properly inside the virtual machine. But keep in mind, performance still depends on the game, your Mac’s chip, RAM, graphics settings, and whether the title uses anti-cheat software that blocks virtual machines.
For the full setup walkthrough, including installing Steam on Windows, choosing settings, and troubleshooting common issues, read our detailed guide to playing Steam games on Mac.
Best PC games to play on Mac right now
Ready for gametime? If you want to play PC games on Mac, here are some of the top titles you can play right now.
Best Action and Shooter Games
Action and shooter titles can be more demanding than other PC games on Mac, especially when they rely on higher frame rates, fast input, or online services. These picks are best for players who want bigger Windows games on Mac, but are willing to start with lower settings and adjust performance game by game.
Grand Theft Auto V
Playable but demanding. Start with lower graphics settings, keep resolution modest, and close heavy macOS apps before launching. Story mode is the safest bet; online play may be affected by anti-cheat or launcher changes.
Project Zomboid
Strong performance. This is a strong Parallels Desktop pick because it is more CPU- and simulation-driven than GPU-heavy. Allocate enough RAM if you use large maps, many mods, or busy multiplayer servers.
Fallout 4
Runs well with tweaks. Start with medium or low graphics settings, avoid heavy texture packs at first, and test the base game before adding mods. Take a Parallels Desktop snapshot before installing major mod collections.
Best Strategy and Simulation Games
Strategy and simulation games are often among the best to play on Mac through Parallels Desktop Pro because they usually depend less on ultra-fast reflexes and more on CPU performance, memory, and stable frame pacing. Start with conservative graphics settings, then scale up once the game feels smooth.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Strong performance. It is one of the better strategy picks for Parallels Desktop Pro, especially at 1080p. For large multiplayer matches or high unit counts, lower effects, and keep background Windows apps closed.
Civilization VI
Runs well with tweaks. Turn-based strategy is a good fit for Parallels Desktop because it does not require ultra-low-latency input, but late-game turns can become CPU-heavy. Keep leader animations and graphics effects modest if performance drops.
RimWorld
Strong performance. RimWorld is lightweight enough for most modern Macs, but large colonies and heavy mod lists can slow things down. Give Windows enough RAM and test mod packs in batches.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Runs well with tweaks. It is playable on many modern Macs through Parallels Desktop Pro, but graphics settings matter. Start at low or medium, reduce mirrors and shadows first, and only raise resolution once frame pacing feels steady.
Best RPGs and Adventure Games
RPGs and adventure games are a strong fit for Mac gaming with Parallels Desktop Pro because many are single-player, offer flexible settings, and are easier to tune than competitive online games. These titles are good options if you want to play Windows games on Mac for story-driven campaigns, open-world exploration, or mod-friendly gameplay.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Playable, but choose settings wisely. Keep the base game stable before adding mods, and avoid ENB-style graphics overhauls or high-resolution texture packs until you know your Mac can handle them. A clean snapshot before modding can save a lot of time.
Best Indie and Casual Games
Indie and casual titles are often the easiest way to play PC games on Mac because they usually have lighter graphics requirements and fewer compatibility issues. They are also a good starting point if you are new to gaming in Parallels Desktop Pro and want to test performance before installing larger AAA games.
Project Zomboid
Runs well. It is a good fit for players who want a deeper survival game without the GPU demands of newer AAA titles. For multiplayer, check server and mod compatibility before committing to a long playthrough.
Minecraft Java Edition
Runs well, with a note. Minecraft Java already has a native Mac version, but some players still use Parallels Desktop for Windows-specific launchers, modpacks, texture tools, multiplayer setups, or compatibility with friend groups. Keep render distance conservative if you use shaders or large modpacks.
Terraria
Runs well, with a note. Terraria also has a native Mac version, but Parallels Desktop can help when a Windows-only mod loader, launcher, server setup, or multiplayer group works better on Windows. It is lightweight, so it is one of the safer games to run in a Windows VM.
Tips for better gaming performance
Before you start installing games, check two things: the game’s graphics requirements and whether it uses anti-cheat software that blocks virtual machines. Parallels Desktop Pro supports DirectX graphics up to version 11 and OpenGL up to version 4.1; however, anti-cheat software may not run in a Parallels Desktop virtualized environment.
Here are other best practices to maximize performance for Mac gaming with Parallels, especially when you want to play PC games on Mac:
- Use the games-only profile in Parallels Desktop Pro when setting up your Windows virtual machine. It prioritizes gaming performance and reduces extra features that may use resources in the background.
- Allocate enough RAM for Windows, but leave plenty for macOS. If you give the virtual machine too much memory, your Mac may slow down, which can hurt game performance rather than improve it.
- Assign CPU cores carefully. Start with the recommended settings, then increase only if the game requires more processing power; assigning too many cores can create overhead.
- Keep Parallels Desktop Pro, Parallels Toolbox, Windows, and your game launchers up to date. Updates can include driver improvements, graphics fixes, and compatibility changes that help games run more reliably.
Your Mac can play more games than you think
If you want to play PC games on Mac computers, it’s easier than you think, and you don’t need a separate Windows gaming PC to enjoy a big library. With Parallels Desktop Pro, you can run Windows locally, install your favorite PC game launchers, and play many of the strategy games, RPGs, simulations, indies, and classics that Mac gamers often miss.
For a wide range of the top Windows titles, Parallels Desktop Pro gives you a simple way to play more PC games on Mac and turn your Mac into a more flexible gaming machine.
Try Parallels Desktop Pro free for 14 days, and start gaming on your Mac today.
FAQs
Can I play any PC game on Mac with Parallels Desktop Pro?
Most, but not all. You can play Windows games on Mac with Parallels Desktop Pro in many single-player, co-op, strategy, RPG, indie, and casual multiplayer categories, but games with kernel-level anti-cheat may not run in a virtual machine.
Do I need a high-end Mac for gaming in Parallels Desktop Pro?
Not always. M1 and later Macs can run many games well, while M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, M3, and newer chips give you more headroom for demanding titles; older Intel Macs can work, but with more limitations.
Can I use a game controller with Parallels Desktop Pro?
Yes. Xbox, PlayStation, and MFi controllers can work with Parallels Desktop Pro, which passes controller input through to the Windows virtual machine.
Is there input lag when gaming in Parallels Desktop Pro?
Input lag is minimal on Apple silicon Macs because Parallels Desktop Pro runs Windows locally and is optimized for responsive input. Competitive FPS players may notice a difference, but casual, strategy, RPG, and story-driven games should feel responsive.
Can I play games from Epic, GOG, or Game Pass in Parallels Desktop Pro?
Yes. You can install Windows game launchers inside the Parallels Desktop virtual machine, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, and the Xbox app for Game Pass.
