MacGameFPS

Is the MacBook Air M2 good for gaming? FPS in 35 games

The MacBook Air M2 (Apple M2, 8-core GPU) runs 33 of the 35 Mac games we track. 10 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 25 stay above 30. On the base 8 GB configuration, 3 of them need more memory.

It is a fanless laptop: it matches its same-chip siblings for a few minutes, but in long sessions of demanding games it lowers clocks to stay cool. Our figures already account for that loss.

Data reviewed October 1, 2026

MacBook Air M2 (model photo)

11

Gaming score (0-100)

Chip
Apple M2
GPU
8 cores
Memory
8 / 16 / 24 GB
Cooling
Passive (fanless)
Year
2022

Average gaming performance (2026)

1080p

43FPS

27/100 vs the most powerful Mac

1440p

27FPS

18/100 vs the most powerful Mac

4K

14FPS

11/100 vs the most powerful Mac

At 43 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Air M2 games with lower settings: recent AAA titles are tight.

Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.

MetalFX on the MacBook Air M2

Average of the 10 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.

Native

20FPS

Quality

25FPS

Balanced

30FPS

Performance

34FPS

What FPS does the MacBook Air M2 get in your game?

Games on the MacBook Air M2

Estimate

FPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.

Game1080p HighVerdictFor 60 FPS
Assassin's Creed ShadowsNeeds Apple M1 Max——
Crimson DesertNeeds Apple M2 Pro——
Cyberpunk 207712FPSToo slowNot reached
Baldur's Gate 319FPSToo slowNot reached
Control Ultimate Edition18FPSToo slowNot reached
Death Stranding Director's Cut35FPSPlayable1080p Low + MetalFX Quality
Hitman World of Assassination41FPSPlayableNot reached
Lies of P52FPSSmooth1080p Medium
Metro Exodus31FPSPlayableNot reached
Resident Evil 426FPSStruggles1080p Low + MetalFX Performance
Resident Evil Village26FPSStruggles1080p Low + MetalFX Performance
Total War: PHARAOH17FPSToo slowNot reached
Total War: WARHAMMER III15FPSToo slowNot reached
Frostpunk 240FPSPlayableNot reached
GRID Legends51FPSSmooth1080p Medium
No Man's Sky40FPSPlayable1080p Medium + MetalFX Quality
Resident Evil 240FPSPlayable1080p Medium + MetalFX Quality
Resident Evil 330FPSPlayable1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced
Resident Evil 7 biohazard40FPSPlayable1080p Medium + MetalFX Quality
Rise of the Tomb Raider47FPSSmooth1080p Low
Shadow of the Tomb Raider33FPSPlayableNot reached
XCOM 240FPSPlayableNot reached
Cities: Skylines61FPSExcellent1080p High
Civilization VI61FPSExcellent1080p High
Civilization VII53FPSSmooth1080p Medium
Crusader Kings III61FPSExcellent1080p High
Divinity: Original Sin 261FPSExcellent1080p High
Final Fantasy XIV61FPSExcellent1080p High
Myst31FPSPlayableNot reached
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous61FPSExcellent1080p High
Stellaris61FPSExcellent1080p High
Stray23FPSStrugglesNot reached
Valheim61FPSExcellent1080p High
World of Warcraft87FPSExcellent1440p Medium
World of Warcraft: Forever87FPSExcellent1440p Medium

Calculated with 8 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Air M2 was sold with it).

Compare it with

Similar Macs

MacBook Air M2 FAQ

Is the MacBook Air M2 good for gaming?

At 43 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Air M2 games with lower settings: recent AAA titles are tight.

Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Air M2?

10 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Cities: Skylines (61), Civilization VI (61), Crusader Kings III (61), Divinity: Original Sin 2 (61), and Final Fantasy XIV (61).

Which games do not run on the MacBook Air M2?

Assassin's Creed Shadows and Crimson Desert: they need a stronger chip or more memory.

How much memory should I get on the MacBook Air M2 for gaming?

It ships with 8, 16, 24 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.

Does the MacBook Air M2 throttle while gaming?

It has no fan: in long sessions of demanding games it lowers clocks and loses up to 20% of sustained performance. Our figures already account for it.

Ranking of every Mac for gaming →