iPhone Apps
With the release of the iPhone 4 a month ago to mass fanfare and record-breaking numbers of phones sold, I thought it would be interesting to look back to where the iPhone really came into its own – the App Store. The App Store (coupled with the great hardware) is what has really made the iPhone such a standout device despite ever-increasing competition from other smartphones.
When the App Store launched at around this time in 2008 it was much anticipated and debuted quite successfully with hundreds of great apps. Below is a compilation of some of the best games that were released in those first six months and that are still well worth the download – often at now reduced prices!
Whether you’re a long time iDevice consumer who used the App Store on Day 1 and want to go back down memory lane and re-experience the enjoyment that can be gained from some of the games, or you have a new iPhone or iPod Touch and wish to get some excellent games that have been reduced in price after almost two years in the store, keep reading for the full list of games!
My Top Seven
Rolando
I won’t lie, this was the game that truly convinced me that the iPod Touch that I had was truly the only portable gaming device that I needed, and this was way back in mid-2008. Unlike many other iPhone games, which are relatively simple in nature (not necessarily in a bad way), this is an uncompromising full-on platformer that successfully uses the iPhone’s unique interface in a way that is extremely satisfying when playing.
With over 50 well designed and varied levels that offer some challenges, a decent story line, edgy (albeit repetitive) soundtrack and controls that are easy to grasp and natural to use whilst playing, Rolando is a stand out iPhone game. Even after almost two years, Rolando is without a doubt still one of the best platformers in the App Store that I highly recommend.
Rolando
Price: $2.99
Developer: ngmoco
Edge
Edge
Edge was one of the first iPhone games to truly demonstrate how developers for the iPhone pushed the boundaries in what a mobile game could be. This game, like Rolando, could be generalised as being a platformer but again is unique in that it has the player controlling a cube that had to get to a ‘portal’.
Whilst this seems simple, the 3D ‘planets’ become increasingly challenging and the game tests you to complete the level quickly and collect all the ‘prisms’, giving you a rank once you complete the level. What really makes this game special is the atmosphere of the game, with its flashing fluro’s contrasting the bleak gray gradients and those sharp edges of the fonts and environment it creates a very ‘techno’ feel to the whole game, topped off with its great music and sound effects.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Mobigame
Textropolis
Textropolis
Textropolis is an interesting word game in that it surrounds you making words out of the names of Cities from around the world. There are 30 cities to make words from, ranging from Amsterdam to Edinburgh to Ulyanovsk.
In each city you are required to create a certain number of words before it allows you to move on to the next city. The game even tells you how many words are actually possible with a specific city (believe it or not the letters from Amsterdam can make 133 words!) and you addictively try to attain as many of those words that you can think of.
Price: $1.99
Developer: NimbleBit
Motion X Poker
Motion X Poker
This is essentially a game of Poker but with the exception that instead of cards, dice are used. But this game is more than just that, it is a stunningly, and I mean truly stunning and beautiful game with just awesome dice physics and graphics that make the game look superb – and this was a very early launch game!
Furthermore with twelve ‘tables’ that are actually temples along the Nile, heaps of dice that can be unlocked and achievement ‘treasures’, this game is exceptionally deep in content and an altogether excellent and addictive game to play.
Sadly whilst finalising this article, I discovered this app is no longer available while the developer focuses on their other apps. Still, if you have previously purchased this app (like I had) I strongly recommend playing it again and perhaps emailing the developer – it may just prompt them to release an update!
Developer: MotionX
Fieldrunners
Field Runners
The iPhone App Store is full of so-called Tower Defence games in which you set up a field full of ‘towers’ that will attempt to stop enemies before they reach a certain goal which will cause a game over. Fieldrunners and Geo Defence were both initially released in 2008 and continue to be two of the best in the App Store now.
Fieldrunners contains a good variety of weapons, three different maps and three different modes ensuring the game is challenging and won’t end quickly. What made it very appealing (to me at least) was that it starts off slowly and allows you to build up your defences while becoming progressively more difficult.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Subatomic Studios
geoDefense
geoDefence
Geo Defence is another great Tower Defence game, but slightly different to Fieldrunners in that the enemy’s path is already set, and you simply place your towers around that path.
With again a good variety of tower weaponry that is upgradeable, and over thirty levels of increasingly difficulty, this is sure to be a game that will stay on your home screen for a long time while you try and master it.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Critical Thought Games
Jelly Car
JellyCar
JellyCar is yet another intriguing and unique game in which you drive a car with jelly-like physics properties in an attempt to get through various obstacles to complete various levels.
JellyCar contains just over 25 levels that are varied and the group of “hard” levels are indeed very challenging and will provide both entertainment and frustration as you attempt to pass each level in the quickest time possible.
Whilst in comparison to some other arcade ‘racers’ which have more levels, it must be noted JellyCar is more of a puzzle game and each level is quite unique to each other.
Price: Free
Developer: Walaber
14 Special Mentions
Want even more games from 2008? The below 14 games are those that didn’t quite make it into my top 7, but believe me – they are still well worth downloading!
Drop 7
Flick Fishing
Flick Fishing
“Cast the line with just a flick of your wrist…With 7 fishing locations, 9 types of bait and tackle, 12 tournaments and dozens of unique species of fish…Fully animated “living” environments combine with intuitive real-life controls…”
Price: $0.99
Developer: Freeverse
Super Monkey Ball
Super Monkey Ball
“Guide a cute little monkey encased in a transparent ball to victory by tilting and rolling him through a variety of slopes and turns. You must navigate a large variety of obstacle courses to reach goal lines within set time limits… Play through five worlds and 110 stages…”
Price: $2.99
Developer: SEGA
Tap Tap Revenge (Classic)
Tap Tap Revenge (Classic)
“First game to get #1 on the App Store and the most popular game for all of 2008… Tap Tap Revenge is a music game in the tradition of games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution that puts your rhythmic skills to the test in all-new ways”
Tap Tap Revenge 3 is available for Free, and is quite similar so before you buy check the sequel!
Price: $1.99
Developer: Tapulous
Asphalt 4: Elite Racing
Asphalt 4: Elite Racing
Using your iDevice as the steering wheel you can drive a multitude of cars (that are actually licensed such as Ferrari, Bugatti and Aston Martin) in 5 racing modes and in 12 cities including New York and Paris. Fairly good 3D graphics.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Gameloft
Hero of Sparta
Hero of Sparta
“You are King Argos, Spartan hero who’s unafraid of defying the gods themselves. Take up the maddest challenge in this colossal full 3-D odyssey…for fans of hack ‘n’ slash games…”
Price: $1.99
Developer: Gameloft
Toy Bot Diaries
>Toy Bot Diaries
“Tiny Toy Bot has awakened within a strange machine and now he needs your help! Use Toy Bot’s handy grappling hook and magnet boots to navigate him through environments teeming with physics-based challenges as he plunges into an unfamiliar world”
Price: $1.99
Developer: IUGO Mobile Entertainment
Trism
Labyrinth
Air Hockey
Air Hockey
“With the option for 1 or 2 pucks, this 1 or 2-player air hockey favourite is a blast for young and old alike!…If your playing alone, play a computer opponent ranging from Kiddie to INSANE”
Price: $0.99
Developer: Acceleroto
Enigmo
Enigmo
“Enigmo is a 3D puzzle game where you direct animated streams of flowing liquid so that the droplets get to their destination. Includes 50 levels plus many other developed by the community through the Mac or PC version’s level editor”
Price: $2.99
Developer: Pangea Software
Aurora Feint II: The Beginning
Aurora Feint II: The Beginning
“A console quality, single player RPG puzzle game. With Real Time Chat… progress your character through over 60 levels of single player puzzle challenges while engaging in a thriving online world.”
Price: $1.99
Developer: Aurora Feint
Uno
Wurdle
Wurdle
“wurdle is a fun, flexible and fast-paced word game, perfect for coffee breaks or the subway. Find and trace as many words as possible before time runs out.”
Price: $1.99
Developer: Semi Secret Software
Share Your Nostalgic Favourites!
Are there any games that I’ve missed, which you particularly enjoyed around the launch of the App Store? Be sure to leave a link in the comments so that everyone can take a look!
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Great collection, I absolutely love geoDefense