If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, you've probably browsed or bought from the iTunes Store. With over 35,000 downloads currently available, finding the quality in all that quantity is growing increasingly difficult, frustrating and costly.
For gamers, the situation is even worse.
No-name apps with good user ratings are tempting, but usually disappoint once you realize the developers are amateurs and the scores were given by a casual audience. Well known titles aren't much better, selling you a recognizable name without any recognisable gameplay.
Fortunately, our colleagues over on GamesRadar have come up with 33 iPhone games that serious gamers will love.
Here are the best 10…
1. Wolfenstein 3D Classic ($2)
Quite possibly the best iPhone game in existence. 60 huge levels, laid out precisely as you remember them. Smooth, functional controls (touch or tilt - your choice!), designed by the original creator and legendary designer John Carmack. What could be better? Only the upcoming port of Doom.
2. Metal Gear Solid Touch ($8) - US Only
Don't expect any stealth. Touch is basically a glorified shooting gallery, set in Metal Gear Solid 4 environments against Metal Gear Solid 4 baddies. The graphics are so good and the gunplay mechanics are so satisfying, however, that you probably won't mind a bit. Earning up to 50 reward wallpapers only adds to the bargain.
3. Myst ($6)
What felt dated by modern PC standards – the static screens, repetitive sound effects, cheesy video and limited movement – now seems perfectly streamlined for on-the-go iPhone gaming. Let's hope this is just the beginning of a portable point-and-click resurgence.
4. Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles ($10)
You won't find another free-roaming sandbox with current-gen graphics, but you will get a surprisingly deep, remarkably fun platforming game in the mold of last-gen Prince of Persia. You'll also get 6-8 hours of mobile entertainment for half the cost of the DS version.
5. Vay ($5)
This is an entire old-school role-playing game crammed into a tiny icon on your phone screen. Every dungeon. Every town. Every hero, villain and plot twist. Every monster, weapon and spell. While Vay is not the best or most memorable example of its genre, what other app can give you 40-50 hours of play for just $5?
6. Spore Origins ($5) - US Only
For a casual, beginner-friendly adaptation of the Spore experience, this app is unexpectedly wonderful. Mind, it's been drastically reduced… you now worry only about a single cell creature in a small petri dish. Tilting your little fella to feed on other spores is addictive, however, and customizing his body for greater offense and defense provides fantastic replay value. You can even pattern your spore with photos stored on your iPhone. Super nifty and, at the current price, highly recommended.
7. De Blob ($4)
The premise of De Blob is incredibly simple – why complicate matters with a battery-sucking infrared remote, tangled Nunchuk cord and finicky sensor bar? Here, the gameplay is obvious. Swipe or tilt the phone to move the blob and paint objects. Tap INKT agents to squish them. That's all you really need to know. Instantly engaging… and a bargain, since the upcoming DS version will no doubt retail for six times as much.
8. Ocarina ($1)
You might only play it once or twice, but you'll pull it out at parties to show off your iPhone to friends and strangers for months to come. And if you do decide to get serious? This thing truly functions as a musical instrument and can be mastered. Listen to uploaded samples from around the world in the global sharing submenu if you don't believe.
9. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR ($10) - US Only
Hard to believe, considering the publisher and the hefty charge, but Tiger Woods on iPhone is a terrific buy. Almost everything you love about the console games has been fit in here: the licensed courses, the extensive tournaments, the professional cameos, the character generator, the precise control scheme and over 120 holes to choose between. Wow.
10. Need for Speed Undercover ($10) - US Only
The app store offers dozens of racing games, but Need for Speed Undercover is the best by far. The graphics are spectacular - you could easily mistake this for a PSP title – and the play modes are varied.
Read the full article 33 iPhone games for real gamers
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Your comments (2) Click to add a new comment
atrinh
October 29th
2. I completely disagree with this list. Although it is posted in May 09.
A hardcore gamer is a person who is up to date with the latest games and spends a significant amount of time on a technically challenging game which has depth.
This article is biased, and unresearched.
The only "hardcore" game listed above is Myst.
If you want to keep up to date with the latest games, check out Toucharcade.
As for Hardcore games?
Dungeon Hunter - as close to diablo as you can get, this is a well polished action RPG, although it is also easy. about 6 hours to complete the game with one class. you can be a mage, warrior or rogue.
Zenonia - a game ported from a Korean RPG, old school graphics like Vay but largely better in terms of storyline, action, fight sequences, and game dynamics, at least 40 hours of gameplay. 3 classes to choose from, paladin, rogue, warrior
Soosiz - a new type of platformer, where gravity is dependant on where you land. challenging and more than 5 hours of gameplay.
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anirgu
October 12th
1. these are cool games. but if you want a quick time waster i would check out rocket monkey
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