Is the MacBook Pro M2 Max good for gaming? FPS in 35 games
The MacBook Pro M2 Max (Apple M2 Max, 30-core GPU) runs 35 of the 35 Mac games we track. 32 go past 60 FPS at 1080p High and 35 stay above 30.
It has active cooling, so it sustains the chip’s performance for hours with only a small loss versus a desktop Mac.
Data reviewed October 1, 2026
33
Gaming score (0-100)
- Chip
- Apple M2 Max
- GPU
- 30 cores
- Memory
- 32 / 64 / 96 GB
- Cooling
- Fan
- Year
- 2023
Average gaming performance (2026)
1080p
122FPS
78/100 vs the most powerful Mac
1440p
90FPS
60/100 vs the most powerful Mac
4K
49FPS
40/100 vs the most powerful Mac
At 122 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M2 Max plays almost everything comfortably and holds 1440p in most titles.
Average on High, no MetalFX, across the games this Mac runs.
MetalFX on the MacBook Pro M2 Max
Average of the 12 games with MetalFX at 1440p High.
Native
68FPS
Quality
82FPS
Balanced
93FPS
Performance
101FPS
What FPS does the MacBook Pro M2 Max get in your game?
Games on the MacBook Pro M2 Max
EstimateFPS at 1080p High, and the highest setting that holds 60 FPS.
| Game | 1080p High | Verdict | For 60 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Shadows | 31FPS | Playable | 1080p Low + MetalFX Balanced |
| Crimson Desert | 47FPS | Smooth | 1080p Low |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 53FPS | Smooth | 1080p Medium |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 76FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 75FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | 122FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Hitman World of Assassination | 129FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Lies of P | 138FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Metro Exodus | 114FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 4 | 101FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Resident Evil Village | 102FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Total War: PHARAOH | 68FPS | Excellent | 1440p Low |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | 63FPS | Excellent | 1080p High |
| Frostpunk 2 | 131FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| GRID Legends | 146FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| No Man's Sky | 131FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 2 | 131FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 3 | 110FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Resident Evil 7 biohazard | 131FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 141FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 117FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| XCOM 2 | 131FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Cities: Skylines | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VI | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Civilization VII | 155FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Crusader Kings III | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Final Fantasy XIV | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Myst | 108FPS | Excellent | 1440p High |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stellaris | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| Stray | 80FPS | Excellent | 1440p Medium |
| Valheim | 163FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft | 176FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
| World of Warcraft: Forever | 176FPS | Excellent | 1440p Ultra |
Calculated with 32 GB, or with the game's minimum memory when higher (if the MacBook Pro M2 Max was sold with it).
Similar Macs
Mac Studio M2 Max
Mac Pro M2 Ultra
Mac mini M2 Pro
MacBook Air M2MacBook Pro M2 Max FAQ
Is the MacBook Pro M2 Max good for gaming?
At 122 FPS on average at 1080p High, the MacBook Pro M2 Max plays almost everything comfortably and holds 1440p in most titles.
Which games run at 60 FPS on the MacBook Pro M2 Max?
32 of 35 games go past 60 FPS at 1080p High. Among the most demanding: Baldur's Gate 3 (76), Control Ultimate Edition (75), Death Stranding Director's Cut (122), Hitman World of Assassination (129), and Lies of P (138).
Which games do not run on the MacBook Pro M2 Max?
All 35 games we track run on the MacBook Pro M2 Max.
How much memory should I get on the MacBook Pro M2 Max for gaming?
It ships with 32, 64, 96 GB. For gaming, 24 GB leaves headroom for years; 16 GB is the sensible minimum.