With the recent iPod Touch update Apple has positioned and marketed the device as a new type of mobile gaming platform. Games have always been some of the best selling applications in the AppStore for both the iPod Touch and the iPhone. A recent advertisement for the iPod Touch carries the slogan “The Funnest iPod Ever” and features a number of games. We decided to try out and review each of the games featured in the ad and rate the ‘fun factor’ ourselves.
The Apple mobile devices have become decent gaming machines, with some of the newer games providing in-depth 3D environments and absorbing gameplay. We found a number of games that were extremely well developed and addictive, as good and better than most of the dedicated mobile gaming devices available on the market today.
We previously reviewed the best iPhone Apps so far this year. The following is our review of 12 of the new iPod Touch and iPhone games featured and highlighted in the recent Apple campaign.
If you have found any cool and fun new games for the iPod Touch or iPhone, or you have a particular favorite game, let us know in the comments. We’ve also added an Appsfire widget with all the apps at the bottom of the post.
Top Gun
TechCrunch Rating: 
Download: Rated 9+; $1.99
After watching Top Gun for the first time, who didn’t want to be a Navy Fighter Pilot – flying around shooting planes out of the sky to save your country, and being called awesome monikers like Maverick and Ice Man? With Paramount Pictures Top Gun iPhone app, you can get closer to this experience. The best part of it is, you can do it to the tune of Danger Zone.
The game features 10 missions, each one increasing in difficulty as you progress. The controls are balanced and the game is well designed for the most part. The graphics were crisp, and there was no frame lag when I played. It did seem odd though that the game had no throttle control: you are unable to speed up nor slow down, which meant I couldn’t use my favorite Top Gun quote, “You’re gonna do what,?!” while playing. The lack of a multiplayer mode keeps me from giving it a higher ranking, but for two bucks, you can’t really go wrong. Playing to Danger Zone adds another star to the rating, it just pumps me up everytime.
Real Racing
TechCrunch Rating:
Download: Rated 4+; $6.99
This is the closest an iPhone game has come to either Gran Turismo or Project Gotham. Real Racing is for the true racing enthusiast and gamer. There are 48 cars in 4 different classes, and the game boasts a massive 76 events in its career mode. The game offers automatic acceleration, as well as manual for those who truly want a challenge. Furthermore, the game offers a six person local multiplayer (through a WiFi network) so you can test your skills with all of your friends. On top of a global leaderboard, Real Racing has customizable leaderboards so that you can always hold your superiority over the heads of those closest to you.
Overall, this game is amazing. The graphics are awesome, the gameplay is crisp, and you can even post your best races straight to youtube! The only thing that seems to be missing is a non-local multiplayer so that you can challenge anyone around the world, but the upsides far outweigh this point. Definitely worth the $6.99.
For a more detailed review of this game, click here
F.A.S.T
TechCrunch Rating:
F.A.S.T (Fleet Air Superiority Training), developed by SGN, is one of the original 3D and air simulation arcade games available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The game is a lot of fun, with a very impressive environment and a step-by-step tutorial mission to get you started. There are 30 missions in single player mode, but this game really shines in multiplayer mode.
With multiplayer mode you are able to fight one-on-one with a friend over WiFi or bluetooth. With WiFi, you can indulge in more advance multiplayer modes that allow you to team up with a friend against another team, or go all-out in a free for all mode. The controls are much more advanced than in Top Gun, and as a simulator it is much more accurate (blackout from high G-forces, etc.). The overall response rate is excellent. The 99c price makes it cheap, and there are plenty of extras to be purchased within the game such as extra planes (13 available in total). A classic game and a favorite of ours.
Monster Trucks Nitro
TechCrunch Rating:
Download: Rated 4+; $0.99
The goal of Monster Trucks Nitro is to race down the eight different tracks as fast as you can while surmounting the obstacles which the game lays out. The game awards either a Bronze, Silver, or Gold medal depending on how fast you complete the races. Monster Trucks Nitro is a fun game and kept me engaged for a short while.
Unfortunately, I finished quite quickly and realized that there was no replay value to it other than simply going for all Gold medals. Also, there was no real sense of speed even when I used the Nitro. The graphics are decent, the framerate is adequate, and the multiple camera angles add a neat aspect to this game. However, the amount of content is definitely the shortcoming in this game and keeps it from a better rating.
3D Rollercoaster Rush
TechCrunch Rating:
Download: Rated 4+; $4.99; Limited Free Version
Looking at the description of this game, I didn’t think there was any way this game could be worth the $4.99 price tag, so I downloaded and installed the free and restriction version to try it out. Within minutes of playing the free version, I was hooked, and immediately purchased the full version for $4.99. The graphics are awesome, and I have yet to get past all of the levels. The carts can go faster or slower through the use of the accelerometer and the stunts which you can perform are, as the description describes, “insane.”
Being able to race the game designer’s time and demolish it is pretty satisfying, but I would still like a multiplayer function if I’m going to be shelling my hard earned(ish) cash. Overall, the $4.99 is a bit steep compared to other games, but worth it. At a slightly lower price, it would definitely be a 5-star ‘must have’ game. Try out the free version first to find out if you enjoy the game.
For a different perspective on this game, click here
Touch Hockey: FS5
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; $0.99; Limited Free Version
Playing this game brings back memories of being in an arcade and playing air hockey with my buddies. There really isn’t too much to say about Touch Hockey: FS5, as it is quite simple and intuitive. The gameplay is smooth and very responsive. The friends feature, where you can play a friend over WiFi, is very addictive.
The only problem is that in single-player mode the AI is way too easy, so unless you have a friend to play against over WiFi, the game becomes very boring very quickly. The only difference between the free version and paid version is the removal of ads, which for most won’t justify the purchase price as the ads are not very intrusive.
Homerun Battle 3D
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; $4.99
Homerun Battle 3D, previously known as Baseball Slugger, is a homerun. The batting controls are perfect and there is so much replay value with the online challenges. The graphics are clear and the stadium rendering excellent – it certainly looks and plays better than Wii Baseball. This has quickly become one of my favorite iPhone/iPod Touch games available today.
My only gripe is how, when playing alone, the computer can throw six 80 MPH fastballs in a row, and then come with a 104 MPH slider. That’s ridiculous. Other than that, this game is a must have for anyone looking for a casual and fun game.
For a more detailed review of this game, click here
Tiger Woods PGA Tour by EA Sports
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; $4.99
Like Tiger Woods, this game is a winner. It becomes apparently from early on that EA Sports has spent a lot of time developing and refining this game to mimic the classic console experience. While many games use a lot of the iPhone’s features simply for novelty sake, EA makes sure to use them to the users advantage.
The game offers actual PGA courses to play on, different difficulty levels, and upgradeable equipment and abilities. The graphics are as good as they get, the gameplay is on par with any other game out there, and replay value is high, especially for fans of golf. An online multiplayer would have seen this game receive an off-the-charts rating, and I hope we see that feature soon. This game is definitely a must have for anyone with either an iPhone or an iPod Touch.
Slope Rider
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; $2.99; Limited Free Version
Based on the Mac game, Slope Rider was re-engineered to work on the iPhone/iPod Touch. While the game has crisp graphics and a good interface, there is nothing which truly stands out. You can either race via the alpine tracks, or do tricks via the freestyle courses. There are a multitude of tricks to master which are combined through the use of grabs, flips, and turns, which will in turn increase your points.
There is no multiplayer, and the only way to gauge how good you are is to check the global leaderboard. For this game, I would definitely recommend saving your three dollars for one of the other games on this list, and just downloading the free version.
Aqua Moto Racing
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; $3.99; Limited Free Version
If you blinked during the Apple commercial then you might not have seen this game. Aqua Moto Racing brings back memories of Nintendo 64’s Wave Race, which is definitely a good thing. There are 18 different tracks to race from, and you are able to race these in reversed mode as well, which adds to the replayability of the game.
While this game doesn’t have true multiplayer functionality, it does offer ghost mode. Ghost mode lets you race against the times of those who have made the global leaderboard. While this game isn’t on par with some of the other stellar apps on this list, it is definitely worth the free test drive, especially for those nostalgic for the old Wave Race.
For a more detailed review of this game, click here
Finger Foos
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; FREE
On the Apple Ad, Finger Foos seems really cool and fun, but it really isn’t – it is terrible. The game is ridiculously simple and requires absolutely no skill whatsoever. The technology behind it is slick as you can see in the commercial, but the game just isn’t very fun.
It is a very very poor version of Touch Hockey: FS5, but does have the benefit of allowing more players to compete at once. It is a free game, so try it out yourselves to find out just how terrible it is and how misleading the ads can be.
2XL Supercros
TechCrunch Rating:
AppStore: Rated 4+; $7.99; Limited Free Version
If a game developer charges $8 for a game, it better be a very good one, especially since that price point is at the top end for games and it is the most expensive game on this list. 2XL Games, the developers of 2XL Supercross did not disappoint. This game has everything: the graphics are crystal-clear, the sounds of the engines are life-like, and the physics of the game are nearly perfect. A player can customize the look of his rider, ride in either a 125cc, 250cc, or 450cc bike, and race from four different camera views.
The controls take a little while to get used to, but once you get them, the game is a lot of fun. And if you don’t like the preset controls, no worries, as the game has eight different control configurations. This is another must have for any game enthusiast. Best of all, it has a free version to test-drive.
Top Gun is great, But SGN’s F.A.S.T blows it away. I have both, my favorite games.
I never knew they were available on Android
+!
Hahaha. Good one Nik.
Whatever happened to the iPhone/iPod abstinence, Mike!
ipod touch. i have lots of test machines.
haha, arrington just got owned.
did not.
did so!
actually Rocket Monkey is pretty cool also. great time waster
seriously though, the iphone is probably the worst gaming platform out right now. its a joke
You clearly haven’t tried enough of the games on this thing. It is insane how much developers have managed to do on this device. Not to mention the fact that its a FREE gaming device (assuming you bought it to be a phone) and you get way more bang for your buck with iPhone games than PSP or DS games.
Agreed. The only games I ever played on my iPhone were tower defense games. Everything else was unplayable. I owned the iPhone for a month. It sucked. I sold it.
There are so many games on the iPhone, many of them truly outstanding, that I’d question even an iPhone owner’s ability to speak broadly about the quality of iPhone games. Have you played through Civ Revolutions, Meteor Blitz, Zenonoia, Dungeon Hunter, Robocalypse (a very well reviewed DS port that goes for $30 less on the iTouch platform) or Real Soccer? Then nope, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
You forgot to scale the star jpegs. If you see this article in an RSS reader it looks like some kind of giant celebration for some high-ranking General.
Why have a one-star game in a post that says “best new games”?
We took all the games that Apple were featuring in the ads and promoting in the store and decided to try them all. Noted the bad one because it looked good in the ad and is apparently popular
Real Racing is definitely the best racing game on the iPhone – nice pick.
Homerun battle 3D is pretty sweet, too. Online multiplayer is ridiculously addictive.
Still a big fan of flight control, oldy but a goodie.
If your interested in music apps, check out
http://www.cadenceapp.com
App that matches your speed of motion to music from your iTunes library.
Love Real Racing — absolutely amazing game.
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The iPod Touch/iPhone platform may not be a platform for hardcore gamers but it’s massively popular for casual gamers (think Wii)
I’m just waiting for Microsoft to bring the same type of games to Zune and WM and hand out gamer points. Probably never happen, but if it did it would make the phones/devices much more attractive.
I wonder if there’ll ever be such a rabid developer community to develop the games.
Apple was kind of first to the market.
http://www.trad...spx?symbol=aapl
For those who say that the iPhone/iPod Touch is the worst gaming platform, you obviously haven’t played enough or given it a chance. I review games on the platform for a gaming site, and there are many titles with superb gameplay and graphics. And with the low price points on the platform, Sony is now even attempting to take away market share with their own PSP Go. The only rating I disagree with in this article is for 2XL Supercross. While it has great graphics, the game doesn’t have a career mode which limits the replay value.
In case there are folks here that want to get into the iPhone game development space – then have a quick look at the iPhone tutoral course offered at edumobile.org
We created an iPhone widget with all those apps on it http://bit.ly/T...bestiphoneGames
I like Dungeon Hunter. Harbour Master is quite nice as well. But most of my purchases end up being played for a day or two then forgotten. Not sure why. Perhaps it’s because I don’t commute and playing an iPhone at home seems crazy when there’s an Xbox 360 sat in the corner.
And I hate the creation ‘funnest’.
Blame Apple’s Marketing Team.
ipod touch. i have lots of test machines.
åŸBlog:http://www.meng.edublogs.org
best NEW games ? Monster trucks nitro and some others on that list are about half a year old…
there are so many great new games that should be up there..
canabalt
alive4ever
Castle of magic
Gangstar
Minigore
Need for Speed Underground
Gamelofts Sandstorm Shooter thing
Blimp
etc etc
Rocket Monkey
Hey – anybody seen our new game REPS: Mobile Trainer? It’s Wii Fit for the iPhone. Allows you to burn calories with nothing but an iPhone/iPod.
Yes, that was a pitch.
Worldcup Table Tennis is the best ping pong game ever on iDevices! The physics is right, and it’s a whole lot of massive fun playing head to head with a ping pong manic partner
I’m a casual gamer but the games that I see more and more of are Facebook games ported over to the iphone. I’m addicted to playing my friends in Scrabble on facebook and on my iphone.
These are great app’s the Slope Rider looks good..I have an older itouch thats not updated so most of the apps i DL are free.
Real Racing is great and is my favorite one listed here. I wouldn’t have minded if they did an article on 99 cent games only though. It’s tough for the small indie (like us) to get noticed. Apple recently featured our app Rocket Monkey under their hot new games section. So far we have 4.5 stars out of five and the user comments seem great. I am happy that Firemint is listed here as they have done a lot in terms of helping the small guy like us learn how to properly market. We actually met those guys at the WWDC in san fran and we learned a lot. We hope Rocket Monkey does well so we can work on a BIG title next. For what it’s worth though, Rocket Monkey is a great time waster and everyone should check it out. If you want a free copy.. send us an email: info@peopleoperatingtechnology.com
That was a pretty bad list to be honest!
The only one that deserved to be there are Real Racing -full disclosure I am friends with the guys at Firemint.
My list would look like this:
1 Real racing
2 Pocket God
3 Field Runners
4 Rolando
5 Peggle
6 Back breaker football
7 Bloons
8 Baseball stars 09
9 Flight Control
10 Doodle Jump
Keep in mind I spend about 300 bucks a week on iPhone games alone as part of the job.
Has anyone tried Drag Racer perfect run?
It’s pretty cool, just like the internet classic.
Also check out HoopsFrenzy, a highly addictive arcade game. A lite free version is also available!
These all games are look so nice and amazing i want to play this game on my mobile these all game ’s graphics are so nice and cool.
There is also SoccerFrenzy! Really fun to play!
Guys, please check out CRACKSHOT. We released it on 12th November. I promise its cool, you will like it.