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9 Great iPhone Games
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This isn't an especially clever feature article. Web sites have been posting lists of iPhone games for years, desperately sifting the wheat from the chaff-monster that is the iTunes App Store. It is Game Grump's opinion that there is always room for another finely-tuned list of hits. We play the crap so you don't have to, and so forth. For although the iPhone-slash-iPod touch has come into its own as a gaming platform, an iPlatform, if you will, there is still a staggering amount of garbage. But the gems that sparkle do so brilliantly. So brilliantly that my DS has collected dust ever since my lovely wife gifted me an iPod Touch. Without further ado, below are nine greats, in alphabetical order, which have taken up permanent residence on my iPhone. They are evaluated using Game Grump's patented 'wtf-or-ftw' debate system.
 Canabalt
Game Genre: Platformer
Plays My Music: Yes
Escape from the alien attackers by fleeing across the city rooftops. How many meters can you survive before you slip up and plunge to your death? You can't stop running, because the unseen whatever-the-hell behind you will catch up and kill you!
FTW: One button control, fast action, instantly awesome. Perfectly suited to the iPlatform. WTF: $2.99 is a little steep for a game where all you do it run to the right, jumping the whole time. FTW: But you'll come back to it ten times more often than other 99 cent junkers you've bought. WTF: But seriously, three bucks? FTW: Give it a rest. The greyscale retro art direction -- WTF: Yeah, that's another thing. Three bucks and they couldn't even afford color? FTW: The greyscale looks really good, and the course is different every time you play. Which is good, because you'll die a lot. And the music (if you aren't listening to your own) jams. WTF: I dunno. It's so popular now. This seems a trendy hipster choice. FTW: Look, here's a link to the Canabalt Flash Version. Play it all you want for free. WTF: But - oh, okay.
 Drop 7
Game Genre: Puzzler
Plays My Music: Yes
The biggest problem with puzzle games is describing them. Since they rarely have characters, settings or story, or even distinguishable real-world objects, they all sound about as dry as, well, the ensuing paragraph. It is a seven by seven grid. Tiles, numbered one through seven, appear at the top. You drop them in one by one. When a number finds itself in a row or column that is said number of tiles wide or tall, it disappears. Gravity ensues. Combos are made. Score increases, and you are addicted.
FTW: The concept is pure in that way that Tetris is pure. In fact, if you were looking for that next idea that's as cool as Tetris but doesn't rip off Tetris and isn't another damned match-3 game, Drop 7 is it. When things combo, it's logical. Planning ahead is possible, and is rewarded. There are no powerups, undos, or bombs - none of the common shortcuts that 'action puzzlers' use to mask bad design. Drop 7 is a profound game, the way Tetris was profound. Buy this game and make the creator rich. For 99 cents, he deserves it. WTF: There is no WTF. Heck, there's even a generous Lite version you can try for free. Case closed. You'll have this one forever.
 Dark Nebula
Game Genre: Tilt and Roll
Plays My Music: No!
In a futuristic space station, you are a... Roomba, or something. And you have to navigate a series of obstacle courses, because that's what Roombas do on space stations.
FTW: Just look at this thing. Gorgeous sci-fi parallax heaven! The whole package oozes polish. WTF: its menus have that 'distressed geometry' so overused in science fiction interfaces now. I guess in the future, nobody can just draw a damn rectangle. FTW: The tilt control is excellent, and there's even a calibrate option, for extra precision. WTF: If you are going to play it, you have to turn your iPhone upside down. FTW: That's actually true. The game doesn't tell you that; it's merely Game Grump's recommendation. But once you do that, it's on! WTF: Only ten levels. And it's called 'episode one.' Which means they'll be looking for 'episode two' cash. FTW: For free, it's a gimmie. For 99 cents, just as good. If you are looking for a modern take on Marble Madness, Dark Nebula is for you. WTF: It doesn't let me play my music! FTW: Can't win 'em all.
 iBlast Moki
Game Genre: Physics Puzzler
Plays my Music: Yes
Beneath its dippy name is a very cute, very deep, puzzle game. Using bombs, wheels, ropes, and other instruments, you have to propel cute little 'Moki' blobs across the level and into the goal. How you do it depends on how you use what you've been given. Arrange all of the instruments, hit the 'play' button and watch physics do its thing.
WTF: Wheels? Ropes? Sounds complicated. My poor brain.... FTW: The developers thought of that, and they ease you into it. The entire first 'world' is composed exclusively of bomb puzzles, where you use just explosions to bounce your Moki around. Gradually, they expand the concept until, in the later levels, you find yourself building go karts and catapults and bridges. WTF: The touch controls are a little smudgy. It gets hard to grab the thing you want with your fingertip, which makes those complicated contraptions hard to build. FTW: You get used to it. And for 99 cents.... WTF: Look, there you go again with the 99 cents. Lots of games are 99 cents in the iPhone store. FTW: This one has an online community that creates new levels. And of course, the level editor is included, so you can make your own. Physics is Phun!
 Peggle
Game Genre: Peggle
Plays my Music: Yes
There are pegs, some are blue, some are orange. They are usually arranged in amusing patterns. You have balls. Fire a ball from your little cannon atop the screen. Watch the ball bounce down, eliminating pegs. Eliminate all the orange pegs to clear the level. I feel pretty damn silly describing Peggle.
WTF: Seriously? Peggle? Talk about your mainstream choices! FTW: True, this is probably the most famous game on the list, available far and wide for every gaming platform you can think of. But it's power is undeniable. It's perfect for the iPlatform, both in control style and morning-commute compatibility. WTF: But it's just bouncing balls through plinko pegs! It's mindless. FTW: Hey, you were just complaining how Moki's physics hurt your brain. Peggle is relaxing, and, if you play long enough, yes, you can actually get good at Peggle. After the 'main game' is over, you'll start tackling the challenge levels, and that's where your Peggle juices really start flowing. WTF: You just said Peggle juices. Next. Please.
 Plants vs. Zombies
Game Genre: Tower Defense
Plays my Music: Yes
WTF: I don't want to wait for the game description. I'm jumping right in here to say that I am sick of zombies. Just sick to brains-eaten-death of them. They went from jolly G-virus horrors to the most overplayed video game enemy since the Nazis (and don't get me started on Nazi Zombies... sheesh). Enough already. I've consumed my fill of zombies! FTW: luckily, this game comes with a full serving of vegetables! Somehow, the gorgeous superpolish that PopCap is known for makes zombies fresh again. WTF: Fresh... zombies? Look, when it comes right down to it, this is a tower defense game - a genre that was, I'm convinced, created as a practical joke. A joke that's gone entirely too far. FTW: I'm with you there. If you are looking for tower defense, the iPlatform will supply you, but the genre always leaves me cold. Exception: Plants vs. Zombies. PopCap has done it again, distilling the fun out of a play style, trashing the ugly parts, and making it extremely charming and easy to play. And Crazy Dave, is a hoot. WTF: Yeah. Bla blee bloo blar broo blee blaw!
 Pac Man: Championship Edition
Game Genre: Pac Man
Plays my Music: No!
This is Pac Man, artfully updated for the modern era, but very faithful to the original spirit. If you don't know what Pac Man is, then get off my lawn, you whippersnappers and zombies!
WTF: I love Pac Man as much as the next over-30-gamer, but you just can't play this without a real control pad or joystick! FTW: There are four control options. At least half of them are really well thought out, and really, really, work. They don't quite measure up to a real controller, but they make Pac Man C.E. on the iPlatform a success. And it has lots of new mazes - it isn't just a retread of the brilliant Xbox 360 arcade game. WTF: Yeah, lots of mazes locked away. $2.99 for the basic game, and then surprise, you have to pay another $3.99 if you want to unlock the rest of it! FTW: True, a little trojan-horsey, but the $2.99 package is still a good deal. And I think John Davison said it best: 'Pac Man C.E. on the iPhone for $6.98? Okay, whatever. I'm in.'
 Primrose
Game Genre: Puzzler
Plays my Music: Yes
Hey, it's another seven by seven grid puzzle game! Primrose has rules that are just as honest and pure as Drop 7 - no powerups, no tricks. But the core game is completely different. Arrange colored tiles on a grid, two at a time. Surround, say, a blue tile with four green tiles, and the blue one will disappear, turning the surrounding greens to blue. This can, if you plan your placement right, lead to chain reactions, combos, higher scores. It's the video game version of that classic 'Life' computer algorithm.
WTF: Oh, that computer algorithm. Of course! What the hell are you talking about? FTW: Wikipedia it, if you care that much. The point is, here is another brilliant puzzle game. Though, I'll admit, it's not as approachable as Drop 7. WTF: I'll say. My brain is hurting again. Did I just waste $2.99? FTW: Admittedly, of all the games on this list, Primrose is the biggest leap of faith. The pattern recognition it requires is much more focused on forethought and planning. Doing well requires discipline, concentration. WTF: Thanks. I gave up homework when got out of school. FTW: Primrose is not for everyone. It's a little arty, a little overpriced, but undeniably unique. And if you were looking for a way to toss some money in the direction of Jason Rohrer (creator of the brilliant five minute experience known as Passage), this is deserving.
 Space Invaders: Infinity Gene
Game Genre: Shooter
Plays my Music: No
So, I guess this is Space Invaders. It's a shooter, done in artful monochrome on colorful backgrounds. It has excellent original music, which the original didn't have. It has dozens of enemies inspired by both Rez and Capcom's 194X series, which the original didn't have. It has a bunch of uniquely-armed space ships to pilot, which the original didn't have. And it lets you move your ship around anywhere on the screen, which the original didn't allow. Noted: the original invaders do show up for fleeting appearances. Infinity Gene is not really Space Invaders. Which is good, because for all its historical value, the original Space Invaders sucks.
FTW: Someone on the design team had an epiphany. They realized that people who play shooters always keep the fire button held down anyway. So why bother having a button? Shooting is automatic. All you have to do is move your ship with your thumb - very intuitive. Each level spins off of the 'evolution' theme, presenting new weapon choices and new gameplay situations as you go. The game, essentially, evolves from the original Space Invaders into something that resembles a modern shooter (ala Raiden). Playing also unlocks bonus levels and new features in the menu system. A very nifty menu system. WTF: Whoopie, a nifty menu system. What's less nifty is the price. At $4.99, its the most expensive game on the list! FTW: True, but it's a complete package. There's no better 'classic space shooter' on the iPlatform. This is it. WTF: You're biased because this was the first game you bought for your iPlatform. And it doesn't let me play my own music! FTW: Actually it does. During normal play it's all about their original (and rather cool) techno soundtrack. But, it will also allow you to choose any song from your playlist. It will analyse the mp3, create a unique level, and pipe in your music as you play. This essentially means infinite levels, thus fulfilling the promise of its title, and more than giving you your money's worth.
That's nine. And heck, if you splurged and bought all of them, you'd be out a not-so-whopping $27. But there are still more greats. For all the chaff, there are a ton of reasonably priced gems in the iTunes store, and I'm already auditioning the next batch. When I have nine more keepers, Game Grump will run another wtf-or-ftw article. If you have a favorite that's not listed here, please drop me a line! I'd love some help in the quest for an iPlatform catalog of the highest quality.
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'9 Great iPhone Games'
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#&rendershop#
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