30 best iPad games - paid apps

With the iPad, the larger screen and extra clout from Apple's A4 chip creates a gaming experience markedly superior compared to that on the iPhone, and there are plenty of fantastic titles available.

• iPad 2 review (Wi-Fi version)
• iPad 2 3G review

Those games marked 'universal' will work on both your iPad and iPhone. So ere are our favourite iPad games.

1. Plants vs. Zombies HD (£3.99)

PopCap's bonkers tower defence game Plants vs. Zombies HD should appeal even if you're sick of the genre. On iPad, the graphics are fantastic, and the multi-touch screen perfect for positioning your plants to battle the undead. There's also an iPad-only minigame, 'buttered popcorn', where you 'butter' multiple zombies and fire corn-cob cannons at them.

2. Flight Control HD (£2.99)

Firemint's line-drawing classic Flight Control HD brings its iPhone baggage to iPad, offering all the original airfields in big-o-vision. However, new stuff makes the game worth three quid, including improved controls and three 'HD' airfields. These feature two landing areas and are like juggling two Flight Control games at once.

3. Pinball HD (£0.59)

Gameprom cornered the iPhone pinball market with three great tables, which are compiled for the iPad release of Pinball HD. Each table now gets three viewpoints (overhead, 3D, dynamic) with optional 'camera tilt', along with a major boost in detail and performance. For the record, The Deep's futuristic, feature-packed table is our favourite.

4. Civilization Revolutions for iPad (£7.49)

This action-packed 'Civ lite' works much like it does on other handhelds, but Civilization Revolutions for iPad hugely benefits from the iPad's large screen, enabling you to rampage around a virtual world, conquering your foes. The iPad version also boasts a customisation feature, enabling you to adjust parameters and create almost limitless scenarios and game types.

5. Real Racing 2 HD (£5.99)

Firemint's Real Racing 2 bills itself as the 'ultimate racing experience for iOS', and that's what it delivers. Bar some irritating unlock mechanics, this is flawless racing, with responsive controls, great track design and dazzling graphics.

Additionally, iPad 2 owners can enjoy full HD 1080p TV-out, experiencing the game on the TV screen.

6. Labyrinth 2 HD (£4.99)

Roll a marble to the exit. It doesn't sound exciting or even good, but Labyrinth 2 HD is a surprisingly compelling iPad game. Part of the magic is in how tactile it feels—your view updates using a subtle 3D effect as you tilt your device. The rest is in the excellent course design—things start simple, but levels soon resemble an explosion in a pinball factory.

7. Strategery (£1.19, universal)

Strategery is a hugely addictive simplified Risk. Conquer countries by tapping and automated dice rolls, and be mindful of the fact that since there's no stockpiling (each country can hold a set maximum number of army units), you need to think ahead to win. Online one-on-one play is also available.

8. Zen Bound 2 (£1.79, universal)

Zen Bound for iPhone was a surprise hit, with many thousands of people infatuated with tying bits of rope around sculptures. Along with offering superior visuals and a 45-minute soundtrack, this iPad-exclusive sequel, Zen Bound 2, provides even more tactile controls, and a bunch of new levels and features, such as paint bombs.

9. Geometry Wars: Touch (£0.59, universal)

Although we'd like to kick squarely in the goolies whichever idiot placed the bomb button in the middle of the screen (although updates now enable you to configure bombs to explode on a double-tap of the right-hand thumb-stick), Bizarre's dual-thumb shooter Geometry Wars: Touch for iPad is a triumph on iPad.

Including seven gameplay modes (one exclusive to iPad), the game provides ample short bursts of adrenaline-fuelled carnage for any wannabe destroyer of vector-based alien scumbags.

10. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iPad (£3.99)

The Tiger Woods series comes to the iPad for the first time and in fine style with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iPad. Although the iPad game lacks all of the courses of its console cousin, the graphics and touch-based swing mechanics work very nicely. And when you're done with the game's eight courses, there are minigames to try, including the fun 'closest to the pin'.

11. Osmos for iPad (£2.99)

If there's a game likely to convince someone to buy an iPad, it's Osmos. The simple physics-based gameplay tasks you with absorbing smaller 'motes' and avoiding larger ones that will absorb you. The environments feel alive, due to the lush visuals and ambient soundtrack; and the finely-tuned controls (including the ability to warp time) ensure that even tougher levels are a pleasure to play.

12. Mirror's Edge for iPad (£2.99)

In gameplay terms, Mirror's Edge isn't a million miles away from 59p iPhone classic Run!, tasking you with swiping your 'runner' around an environment in vaguely Parkour fashion. But whereas Run! goes for cartoon aesthetics, Mirror's Edge wraps Hollywood-style production values around its core gameplay, marrying fluid controls to an exciting, engaging futuristic landscape and dystopian storyline, thereby justifying its price tag.

13. Denki Blocks! HD (£2.99)

Rarely do puzzle games get the balance right, but Denki Blocks! HD looks great, has a smooth difficulty curve, and offers enough challenge to baffle even the brightest of iPad users. The game's mechanics are simple - swipe to move all the blocks, aiming to join those of like colour—but achieving your goal (and each level's 'master challenge') most certainly is not.

14. Scrabble (£5.99)

Aside from the odd dictionary issue, this is a successful iPad version of Scrabble. The graphics are clear, the solo game is challenging, and the app happily connects over Wi-Fi to the iPhone version.

15. Broken Sword: Director's Cut HD (£3.49)

Revolution's multi-BAFTA nominated title comes to the iPad with newly rendered graphics, along with Easter Eggs that when found unlock a Dave Gibbons comic. Broken Sword itself otherwise mirrors the classic PC original, rapidly drawing you into a globe-trotting adventure full of mystery and murder.