Apple gaming has come a long way in a short time, and estimates suggest there are over 13,000 games on the App Store. This means if you've just got yourself a new iPhone 3GS, 3G or iPod touch, the choice may be overwhelming.
Here is our pick of the best iPhone/iPod touch blockbuster games so far, with direct links to the App Store should a game take your fancy.
1. Bejeweled 2 (PopCap, £1.79)
Feeling more like a familiar friend than an innovative product, Bejeweled 2 is nonetheless an essential purchase. Its match-three gameplay is simple yet infectious, and PopCap's attention to detail on the platform is first-rate, especially when it comes to silky smooth controls.
2. Drop7 (Area/Code, £1.79)
There was a 30-minute gap between writing the previous review and this one, because Drop7 won't let go. Its premise is simple: drop numbered discs into a grid, and if the number matches the amount of discs in its row or column, it vanishes (and 'breaks' adjacent grey discs). Absurdly addictive, Drop7 also includes online high scores, Facebook integration and three distinct modes.
3. Flight Control (Firemint, £0.59)
Another entry in the 'simple but hugely addictive' column, Flight Control tasks you with landing planes by dragging paths to runways. It sounds easy, but when you have a dozen or more planes on-screen, with crossed paths aplenty, the game demands fast reactions and quick thinking - especially on the rotating aircraft carrier 'airfield'.
4. Galcon (Hassey Enterprises, £1.79)
Essentially Risk for the MTV generation, Galcon is a breakneck game of galactic conquest. Send ships to take over planets, which then manufacture more ships (larger planets being more productive). Offline, Galcon provides a number of gameplay variations, so you can train for frenzied online battles (and occasional space-oriented Mexican stand-offs) with players worldwide.
5. geoDefense (David Whatley, £0.59)
There are dozens of tower defence games on the App Store, tasking you with stopping marching 'creeps' reaching a goal. geoDefense rises above the competition with stunning neon-style graphics, great level design and focused weaponry. Long term, certain 'tricks' enable many levels to be easily mastered, but even geoDefense ninjas have better high scores to aim for.
6. Missile Command (Atari, £2.99)
Remakes of old arcade games (of decidedly variable quality) pepper the App Store, but Missile Command remains relatively unscathed. Ignore the updated version and instead enjoy a tap-based port of Atari's 1980s coin-op, the revised controls enabling you to reach insanely tough higher levels.
Your comments (10) Click to add a new comment
ali222
August 6th
10. iHawky is another one exciting iPhone/iPod Touch game (copter remake). Try it http://ihawky.com
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charliebing
August 5th
9. @craiggrannell - thanks for the invitation, will certainly send you a promo code. Still under review right now, you can get a feel for it at www.bumpnycompany.com (video coming in the next day or two...)
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mike3k
August 5th
8. Bejeweled 2 is dangerous. Don't ever start playing it before going to sleep, or you'll find yourself still sitting & playing it at 2AM.
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lovlid
August 3rd
7. spam, spam, spam, spam....
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craiggrannell
August 1st
6. @timdickinson - As @calebkimbrough says, I wouldn't have the trio you mentioned anywhere near a top-list for iPod, because the ports/versions are mediocre at best.
@charliebing - Once it's approved, email me via http://iphonetiny.com/ and I'll take a look.
@ungeheier - I really want to like Radial 50, but the controls are awful. Precision is important with that kind of game, and you just don't get it. I'd sooner play iPolygon.
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sunsu66
August 1st
5. I have recently become addicted to Twiddle (free twiddle lite). sweet old school idea with a twist.
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