iPhone Games - ranked by preference

Release Date: April 20, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Media Vision
Genre: RPG

Chaos Rings isn't the deepest RPG...And the gameplay isn't necessarily anything new. What makes Chaos Rings so good in my eyes? The story. I've heard some folks say they hated the story. I'm not one of those people. I found it really interesting and totally different from anything else I'd seen before. I played it to 100% completion and loved every single second of it. I've enjoyed a decent number of iPhone games, but in my opinion, Chaos Rings is at the very top of that list.

Release Date: December 8, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: PopCap
Developer: PopCap
Genre: Puzzle

The original Bejeweled is, and always has been fun. So when you take the original classic and add in a few more modes like Bejeweled Blitz (which is also a free, standalone game you'll find later down on the list) and my personal favorite, Diamond Mine mode, and you've got an absolute must-have puzzle game for your iPhone that gamers of both the casual and hardcore kind can enjoy. The iPhone has a lot of good puzzle games, but this is THE one to get, in my opinion. Heck, I've had it for months, and until Fortune Street Smart came out and took my attention away, I was completely addicted to this game...I played it so much that I've managed to get a score of over 1,000,000 in Diamond Mine mode. It's a nerdy accomplishment that I'm quite proud of.

Release Date: December 6, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Genre: Action

After releasing Grand Theft Auto III - 10th Anniversary, Rockstar decided to go ahead and add Vice City to the mix as well once that game hit the 10 year mark, too. In regards to the original versions of the game, I prefer GTA III to Vice City, but with smartphones, Vice City gets the nod with some improved touch screen controls and the option of having a custom radio station while driving around. The combat in the game has aged a little, but just about everything else is just as fun to play today as it was ten years ago. It's a great way to visit a parody of 80's Miami on the go.

Release Date: December 15, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar Games
Genre: Action

Holy curse word for turd. This is THE Grand Theft Auto III...The game that pretty much redefined what video games could be with its sandbox-style gameplay...And it's in its entirety. Every radio station, every cut scene, every hidden package to find...Everything that was in the console versions of the game is here in the palm of your hand via the iPhone. There are two things keeping it from the number one spot on this list, though....One, the touch screen controls. They're done well enough, and you can even move the buttons to where you'd be most comfortable having them...But like most touch screen controls, they can still be a pain at times. The second thing preventing it from being number one: It was a great, great game for its time...But the gameplay hasn't held up as well with age as one may like, considering that later games in the GTA franchise refined the gameplay with each entry in the series. But despite those flaws, I absolutely love this game even to this day. I can finally fly the Dodo while on the go, so I can show off my sick flying skills, son.

Release Date: July 7, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Developer: SNK Playmore
Genre: Fighting

Well, for about a year and a half, Street Fighter IV reigned supreme as the best fighting game available on the iPhone. That all came to an end when this gem came out. King of Fighters i has pretty much everything that Street Fighter IV has, plus several extra modes and options that Capcom's fighter doesn't have, which adds to the replay value quite a bit. Also, there are goals for you to complete during the match, which may convince you to alter your strategy in order to obtain some of the goals as you pummel your opponent. Add in a large roster of fighters to choose from as well as some absolutely gorgeous graphics, and King of Fighters really is a complete package and THE fighting game to get for your iPhone.

Release Date: October 11, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Action

I really did not expect this to be such a great port...But it really is. Absolutely everything is intact here, including the original soundtrack. The only real differences are the touch-screen controls, which aren't too shabby, and achievements to acquire. This game, like many arcade ports, is perfect for a handheld device as each game only takes a few minutes to play (unless you choose to play a longer round, like 10 minutes) which makes it easy to pick up and put down whenever. If you're a fan of the Dreamcast version of Crazy Taxi, then you'll absolutely love this great, portable version.

Release Date: August 4, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Strategy - Turn-Based

Final Fantasy Tactics, after all these years, is still THE turn-based strategy game to play, in my humble little opinion. There's just so much here and so many hours to sink into it. And now, it's on smartphones, too? Son of a daisy. That means I can play this game and then call everyone to tell them how much I'm enjoying it. The price tag is a bit steep (as it is with most of SquareEnix's games) but it may be worth it for fans of the game. I, personally, prefer the PSP version simply because I'm not a huge fan of the touch controls on this version, but if you lack a PSP or any other means to play this game, this version is still very solid and you'll get plenty of bang for your buck.

Release Date: May 31, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Board

Fortune Street Smart is free to download (but to play the full game, you have to make an in-game purchase of $4.99), and I made the mistake of downloading it. I say mistake because the first time I played the game, I played it for six hours straight. Yes, I was that addicted. Shortly thereafter, I made the in-game purchase to unlock the full game, and once again lost several hours of my life playing the quest modes and just playing normal games on the various stages. What makes Fortune Street so addicting is that it takes the basic premise of Monopoly and adds more strategy to it with stocks. You can actually win the game without owning a single property if you play the stocks correctly. If you don't want stocks complicating things, you can play "Easy mode" which eliminates them from the game. Known as Itadaki Street in Japan, this long-running series' iPhone debut's only real flaw is one that I rarely complain about - multiplayer. You can play with friends on a single iPhone, however an option to play online with a friend is not present, which is a shame as a board game like this would be perfect for online play with friends and strangers alike. But regardless of that fact, I've put in more hours into this gem than I ever imagined I would upon downloading it. It's easily one of my favorite games on the iPhone that I've played thus far.

Release Date: March 15, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Media Vision
Genre: RPG

Chaos Rings put the player in situations where they were forced to battle other people to the death. Chaos Rings II takes that to a whole new level, forcing the player to choose a character to kill in a sacrificial manner. It really made me feel uncomfortable as the choice alone is difficult at points since some of the characters are likable (and the ones that aren't actually become likable...right before you kill them) but Chaos Rings II takes it further - instead of a cut scene, you're forced to manually deal the killing blow. It's good, effective storytelling. Aside from the different story, the gameplay is largely the same as the first two Chaos Rings with only a few minor differences and additions. The fact that the gameplay is largely the same is really the only problem I have with this sequel. If you liked the first one, Chaos Rings II, steep price and all, is worth the purchase.

Release Date: April 10, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Cave
Developer: Cave
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Espgaluda II is a third-person shooter that mildly fits into a category that some call "bullet hell." Games that fit into that category are called as such due to the amount of bullets that are on the screen at once, where the game transforms from one where you're trying to shoot the enemy to one where you're shooting blindly while trying to find any gap you can in the enemy's bullets so you can dodge and weave your way through to survival. Espgaluda isn't always that bad, but a few enemies, particularly later on in the game, turn the screen into a sea of bullets for you to frantically try and escape from. The game is also visually stunning, and it's just fun watching everything explode as you play.

Release Date: March 10, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting

On most iPhone games, touch screen joysticks and buttons can be kind of iffy. I'm not a programmer, so I don't know if they can adjust sensitivity to the touch controls or what...But I do know that whatever Capcom did for Street Fighter IV took away 90% of the problems I usually have with touch screen controls. I was playing Street Fighter like I had on consoles in no time...And I loved every second of it. This is a surprisingly good Street Fighter experience for on the go.

Release Date: July 25, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: EightyEight Games LTD
Developer: EightyEight Games LTD
Genre: Puzzle

I got 10,000,000 on Steam after a friend suggested it and I absolutely fell in love with it. So, after a few hours, I decided to purchase the mobile version, and it was just as fun in the palm of my hand as it was when playing on PC. In fact, I'd even argue that the mobile version is better, as the touch screen provided me with an easier time of lining up everything as I wanted. The PC version has you control a mouse, but a finger swipe from most folks is probably at least a little more accurate than a click and drag of the mouse. That said, 10,000,000 is a great little puzzle game/dungeon crawler hybrid that is well worth your money. Buy it.

Release Date: June 28, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: TinkerHouse Games
Developer: TinkerHouse Games
Genre: RPG

Cthulhu Saves the World was originally released on PC in 2011 and is a throwback to the way RPG's used to be (in a good way) but it also adds in a few little features to make it stand out and work pretty well in today's gaming world like how random battles stop after a set number of fights in an area (you can manually start fights if you feel the need to grind) which lets you explore dungeons much, much more easily. The leveling-up system is also unique, allowing you to choose one of two bonuses at each level, letting you build your characters the way you want, to a point. Plus, with its "save anywhere" feature, it works really well with portable hardware. If you like RPGs of old, and a little comedy in your games, then Cthulhu Saves the World is a great choice.

Release Date: July 26, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: FreakZone
Developer: FreakZone
Genre: Platformer

I am going on record now and saying that Manos: The Hands of Fate is the greatest video game based on a movie that was EVER made. I've only been playing it for a few hours as I post this here, but even if I didn't love the fact that there is a game based off of this fantastically bad film, the gameplay itself itself would justify the solid placement that it has on this list. It's a solid platformer well worth the $1.99 investment to be able to play it. If you've never seen the film, I think you'll enjoy the game. If you have seen the film, you'll likely squeal with joy like I did as you play. Heck, Torgo is the first boss fight, complete with awkward walking, and his theme from the film makes an appearance after the fight with an NES-style sound to it. I am really, genuinely impressed by this game. It plays well and as a fan of the film, it makes me happy that at least something related to the movie is good enough to get solid critical reviews.

Release Date: May 24, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Adventure

I loved Phoenix Wright on the Nintendo DS, and this iPhone game is a direct port of the first Phoenix Wright game (that was released in North America, anyway). If you want an adventure game that'll really draw you in, and that finds a way to be both comical and serious depending on the situation, then Phoenix Wright is a great game to get...Especially if you missed out on his appearances on the Nintendo DS.

Release Date: November 8, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Rovio Mobile
Developer: Rovio Mobile
Genre: Puzzle

Angry Birds Star Wars mixes the best of Angry Birds and the best of Angry Birds Space and mixes the two together with the Star Wars franchise to create the best game in the Angry Birds series thus far. I thought that this game would be Angry Birds "jumping the shark" so to speak, but instead it feels refreshing. With many of the birds (dressed like Star Wars folk) having new abilities, it makes toppling the pigs over feel like something new. I'm not much of a Star Wars fan, but I feel like the addition of lightsabers and the like helped breathe some new life into the Angry Birds series.

Release Date: July 12, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: HyperDevbox Japan
Developer: HyperDevbox Japan
Genre: RPG - Strategy

Spectral Souls is a full-sized, 100+ hour, strategy-based RPG similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, except with a darker feel to it. I'm a few hours in and loving it so far. The combat system is a little unique, as you can attack as many times as you wish during your turn, so long as you have enough AP to do so. The game is free to download, but you'll have to make an in-app purchase to unlock the full game after fighting three battles if you wish to continue on with the story. The price tag of $13.99 may seem pretty hefty, but as I mentioned before, this is a 100+ hour game...14 cents an hour for a game this enjoyable isn't too bad of a price.

Release Date: July 21, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Puzzle

Mixing Symphony of the Night with a Super Puzzle Fighter-like puzzle game sounds like a really weird concept, but it works....It works really well, actually. I was skeptical of this game, and when I first played it, the touch controls took a little getting used to...But by the time I had completed the game, I was completely hooked. If you like puzzle games, or are just curious as to how Symphony of the Night would work had it been a puzzle game, then Encore of the Night is definitely worth checking out.

Release Date: August 26, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Cave
Developer: Cave
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Espgaluda II is a cakewalk compared to this game. This is the definition of a bullet hell shooter...In fact it's even more than that. It's a bullet and laser hell shooter...There is so much firepower to try to avoid in this game, there are times that it seems like it's absolutely impossible to not get hit. Well, that is unless you trigger one of a couple special abilities that lets you not only survive an otherwise deadly situation, but it also gives you a brief breather from all the chaos around you. Despite the difficulty, it's still a very enjoyable game. If you like scrolling shooters, this one is very much worth a purchase.

Release Date: March 5, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Music - Dance

Dance Dance Revolution S takes the exact same gameplay that set arcades by storm a while back and packs it all in the iPhone....However, since stomping on your iPhone probably isn't a good thing, Konami opted to make it a game where your fingers do the dancing instead of your feet. The result is very fun and very solid...The only problem I have with the game is the same problem I had with the home console versions....Much like the dance pad liked to move in the console versions, my iPod Touch likes to move in this version, which can throw off your button presses...But anyway, if it sounds interesting to you, give it a try. With plenty of hidden songs and characters to unlock, there's enough here to keep you playing for quite a while.

Release Date: September 15, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Compilation

Street Fighter II Collection is a compilation of Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II Turbo, and Street Fighter II Special Edition...And they all play on the iPhone wonderfully, even with the touch controls. Like all touch control controllers, you're not going to get 100% accuracy with your attempted inputs, but from my time playing all three games, I can say that it's one of the most accurate touch controllers I've used in a fighting game yet. If you love the original Street Fighter II games and don't want any fancy graphics to go along with the gameplay, then Street Fighter II Collection is a fantastic addition to your iTunes gaming library.

Release Date: December 9, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Epic Games
Developer: Chair Entertainment
Genre: Adventure

I've heard plenty of people claim that Infinity Blade is nothing special - all graphics and no gameplay. I strongly disagree. Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! is generally beloved by people...And that's what Infinity Blade is - a point-and-click adventure with Punch-Out!!-style combat. The only real downside to the game is how small the in-game world is, though the world is not linear, which can help prevent too much repetition. I also enjoy how when you die, you don't just continue, you start again around 20 years later as the next generation of your lineage enters the castle. It really is a very good, addicting game. It's not perfect, but it's solid, addicting, and it very likely could steal hours upon hours away from your life.

Release Date: November 26, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: MDickie
Developer: MDickie
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

With the success of Wrestling Revolution Pay Per View, MDickie decided to port over his Wrestling MPire PC game to 2D and with touch controls for smartphones. The end result is quite possibly the best wrestling game available on iTunes or the Android's Google Play market. There are over 300 wrestlers available, which MDickie incorrectly boasts is the largest roster in a wrestling game ever (see Fire Pro Wrestling Returns' 500+ roster for that title) but it's impressive nonetheless. Most of them are parodies of real wrestlers...Slam Dunk is CM Punk, Machine Miuri is Mitsuharu Misawa, Upside Frown is Bad News Brown, etc. And with the ability to edit and re-name every character in the game, it wouldn't be hard for players to give the grapplers their real names. It's not perfect - the touch controls are difficult to work with when not using an iPad (but a touch controller option is there, which helps), kicking out of moves seems to be based on luck rather than mashing buttons, the computer kicks out illogically (Hit your finisher? Kick out. Land a punch? Three count.), and the career mode puts you in WAAAAY too many matches that aren't one-on-one or two-on-two...but despite those flaws, wrestling fans will likely fall in love with this game, which may be the best wrestling title on smartphones, flaws and all.

Release Date: August 30, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: NTT Resonant Inc.
Developer: NTT Resonant Inc.
Genre: RPG

Dragon Island Blue is the closest thing that iTunes has to a quality answer to Nintendo's ultra-popular Pokemon games...And if you've got the "gotta catch 'em all" mentality, then you'll likely become as addicted to this game as I was...While there's no in-game clock, I wouldn't doubt it if I spent somewhere between 50-60 hours playing this. At first glance, this game looks laughable (especially if you look at the screens for exploring dungeons) but it's really a solid game. The thing preventing a higher score is that the game was published with no end...And six months and a few updates later, the story that builds up as you play still has absolutely no point or conclusion. But, the gameplay itself is solid enough that I still feel justified in giving it a good score.

Release Date: August 6, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Firaxis Games
Genre: Strategy - Turn-Based

Civilization Revolution is a very good little strategy game that starts you out in the early BC's as a small tribe and your goal is to build your tribe into a multi-city dynasty that is the number one force in the world. You can be number one by having the best economy, being the most technically advanced, or simply just being the strongest, and most able to kill off any civilizations that rival you. It's not all about domination, either...You can make peace with nations for trade, or even use your influence to talk other nations into starting wars with your rivals. There are also multiple scenarios to play, with various perks and handicaps depending on what you choose, giving this game plenty of replay value. The only real downside is the touch screen - while it works most of the time, you're bound to accidentally do something that you didn't want to at least once a game due to the screen moving while you try to give a command, resulting in you touching the command that you didn't want to give. But, it's still a very good game, and one that really got me hooked.

Release Date: February 15, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: PopCap
Developer: PopCap
Genre: Strategy

In general, I don't like defensive strategy games at all. I usually find them to be boring and repetitive...But then PopCap had to come out and break that stereotype for me, creating a defensive strategy game that got me hooked. It almost makes me ashamed that I put off playing this gem until over two years after its release.

Release Date: May 19, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Media Vision
Genre: RPG

Chaos Rings Omega, the prequel to the original Chaos Rings, is just as good as the first game in the series...The problem is that it feels almost too much like the first game. That's not too bad of a thing in my opinion, as I absolutely loved the first Chaos Rings, but aside from some very minor additions and refinements, this feels like the exact same game (complete with the same random enemies returning), just with new characters and storylines. It's still an solid and enjoyable experience, but I docked its score and ranking due to the fact that there isn't any reason to play this game if you've already had your fill of this gameplay formula with the original.

Release Date: March 18, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Raptisoft
Developer: Raptisoft
Genre: Adventure

I've gotta thank Pumpkinate for suggesting this game to me, 'cause it's just plain awesome. Do you like Super Metroid, but would rather it be a five to ten minute game instead of a game that lasts a few hours? Robot Wants Kitty does just that. It's like Super Metroid for folks with short attention spans....And it works. I was hoping for a little more personality in the game, given how the title sounds comical, but the gameplay far exceeded my expectations. It's quickly become one of my favorite games on the iPhone.

Release Date: April 1, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Activision
Genre: Sports - Extreme Sports - Skateboarding

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was, honestly, a near perfect game for what it was at its time. It received perfect scores from publications that had never given a perfect score out before. So, it's no surprise that the highly successful title was ported to the iPhone. This port of the game is okay, but the touch controls take a while to get used to...And even when you're used to them, they still feel a tad awkward. They're fine for pulling off basic tricks and specials...But if you're aiming for some fancy combos to get a high score...You'll be needing some practice. I'll also mention the music...I'm not a music guy by any means, but I enjoyed a majority of the songs in the original releases of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2...The songs Activision selected for this port are not my cup of tea at all. I'm not a fan of a single song found here. That said, the game is as solid as it always was...But a few porting issues hold this back from its previous glory.

Release Date: February 17, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: TransGaming Inc.
Developer: TransGaming Inc.
Genre: Puzzle

Puzzle Quest is a really interesting game that mixes puzzle gameplay with an RPG. As you traverse in an RPG overworld, you'll fight random battles and boss fights, all of which are done via puzzle gameplay. It all works extremely well. The only downside to the iPhone version is that the publisher tries to milk money out of you...You can't beat this game or advance past a certain point without purchasing (after already purchasing this game) the final part of the game. That being said, based purely on gameplay, there's still plenty here to play and enjoy without shelling out more money to beat it...But the greed of the publishers is what prevents this game from being in my top 5.

Release Date: November 4, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: LucasArts
Genre: Adventure

The Secret of Monkey Island is an adventure game that isn't just entertaining to explore, it often provides moments that range from causing you to let out a light chuckle to laughing out loud. After spending an hour or two playing Secret of Monkey Island, you'll quickly understand why the Monkey Island series has a very loyal fan following.

Release Date: April 20, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Taito
Developer: Taito
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Space Invaders: Infinity Gene is a game that attempts to resurrect the Space Invaders franchise to the popularity it had 30 years ago. While it's definitely a great game, it just doesn't have the mass appeal that, say, Angry Birds does. But as far as third-person shooters go, Space Invaders: Infinity Gene plays like most other games in the genre, but is unique due to the approach on 'evolving' each level from the basic, 2D beginnings of the original Space Invaders to fancy-looking 3D models and visuals. It may not have sparked the Space Invaders frenzy like the original did a few decades ago, but it's definitely my personal favorite entry in the history of the series.

Release Date: September 15, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Adult Swim Games
Developer: Adult Swim Games
Genre: Puzzle

Monsters Ate My Condo kind of surprised me...And I'm not really sure why. When I see that Adult Swim put out a game, I always expect the worst, but they usually deliver with something both good and bizarre. Monsters Ate My Condo easily fits that bill, providing a very solid puzzle experience mixed with a bizarre premise of feeding sections of buildings to various, giant monsters, while trying to prevent your condo from falling over at the same time. It's a blast to play and a must-buy title if you're a fan of puzzle games. With how many hours this game has taken from my life, I think it should be re-named Monsters Ate My Life....That was a bad joke, but this is a good game. Get it.

Release Date: November 4, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Gamevil
Developer: Gamevil
Genre: Sports - Baseball

The first time I played Baseball Superstars 2011, I hated it...And then I played it some more...And then some more...And then I just couldn't stop. The game had me hooked. In Baseball Superstars 2011, there are several modes, but My League mode is what sucked away all of my time. Similar to 'Road to the Show' mode in the Playstation MLB series, My League has you control a single player in an attempt to make them ultimately retire as the greatest baseball player you can...While picking up a girlfriend or five along the way. I love the Power Pros series of baseball games, but Baseball Superstars 2011 is just so addicting, I can't help but place it higher on the list.

Release Date: October 17, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Stainless Games
Developer: Stainless Games
Genre: Racing

Carmageddon is one of those "way too violent" video games that ended up being pulled from store shelves back when it was originally released. The idea that going out of your way to plow over pedestrians was an activity that was rewarded in this game was too much, apparently. But anyway, this is a port of the infamous PC game, and it transfers over pretty well to iPhone. It's a blast to play, but the main flaw lies in one of the more compelling aspects of the game at the same time - the large area to explore outside of the main track. Once you begin to explore, it's easy to lose track of where you're supposed to be headed. But, at the same time, I fail to think of another game where I can hit an abominable snowman with my car and watch its body explode like a gory firework blast. Senseless violence, but still some solid gameplay.

Release Date: December 11, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: Clickgamer.com
Developer: Rovio Mobile
Genre: Puzzle

Say what you want; like it or hate it, the United States (and possibly elsewhere...don't live elsewhere, so I'm not sure how the rest of the world reacts to the game) is Angry Birds crazy. Walk into a Wal-Mart and you can find Angry Birds stuffed animals...You can find people playing it that have never played a video game before...It's kind of nuts. But anyway, Angry Birds isn't a perfect game, but it is addicting...And it's pretty easy to see why so many folks have fallen in love with it.

Release Date: March 22, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Rovio Mobile
Developer: Rovio Mobile
Genre: Puzzle

Angry Birds Space is more of the same...Except with the setting being in space. Being in space, the physics are all different from the original Angry Birds making this a game with a "more of the same" feeling, but also giving you a feeling of playing something brand new at the same time. As of right now, I slightly prefer the original over this version of the game, but the more I play, my mind may change...So don't be surprised if this game moves up or down from this position in the future.

Release Date: October 6, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Phosphor Games
Developer: Phosphor Games
Genre: Adventure - Horror

If you liked Infinity Blade, but wanted more story and exploration, then Dark Meadow is the game for you. Dark Meadow, like Infinity Blade, is a point-and-click adventure game with combat that you control, via the touch-screen, in the style of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!. While just as visually pleasing as Infinity Blase was, Dark Meadow forgoes the giant opponents in order to provide the player with more of a creepy atmosphere and an emphasis on story just as much as the combat. But, Infinity Blade mostly felt like a finished, polished game...Dark Meadow is littered with bugs and glitches that are sure to annoy some people. That said, if you can deal with the technical issues, Dark Meadow is easily a worthwhile game to play.

Release Date: July 24, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Gamevil
Developer: Gamevil
Genre: Sports - Soccer

I love the Baseball Superstars series, so I decided to give Soccer Superstars the ol' college try, curious how they'd translate everything to the sport of soccer. They do so almost flawlessly, to be honest. Much like Baseball Superstars, you control a character trying to make their way up the ranks in the sport they love. Along the way, you'll interact with coaches, decide when to train, when to practice, when to go out and meet people, etc. It's not a serious game, which is exactly why I adore it. If you've played any of the Baseball Superstars games and enjoyed them, give Soccer Superstars a chance. You'll probably be very glad that you did.

Release Date: October 25, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Gameloft
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Zombiewood is another solid, twin-stick, third-person shooter on the iPhone. Graphically, it's probably one of the more impressive shooters in the genre on the platform, but the gameplay is largely just more of the same that we've seen with other smartphone shooters with only a few things setting it apart from the rest of the crowd - like a Tony Hawk-like set of goals to aim for in each level. While it's in no way a be-all, end-all game in terms of the genre, it's still a fun and solid experience for fans of this style of game.

Release Date: December 11, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Polarbit
Genre: Racing - Kart

Krazy Kart Racing, the sequel to Konami Krazy Racers on the Game Boy Advance, is really a well done game. The motion controls work very well, the graphics are bright and good for its time for a 3D iPhone game, and the kart racing is as hectic as you'd expect from a kart racer. It might not be Mario Kart, but Krazy Kart Racing has enough going for it where it's a very worthy replacement for folks itching for a kart racing game on their iPhones.

Release Date: March 1, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Moon Shepherd Limited
Developer: Moon Shepherd Limited
Genre: Puzzle

I've gotta give credit to Moon Shepherd Limited...They made a heckuva game when they decided to mix the rules of poker with the shooter-like qualities of Space Invaders. This hybrid game plays surprisingly well and can easily suck minutes of your life away without you realizing where the time has gone...It's also got some personality tossed in, so it's not just a fun game with a boring presentation...it's a game that's got it all.

Release Date: June 24, 2011 (NA)
Publisher: Black Coal Studio
Developer: Black Coal Studio
Genre: Racing

Paper Racer HD is probably the closest we'll see to a Micro Machines game on smartphones. In some ways, that may be a good thing. Paper Racer HD has some nice, stylized graphics to go along with the solid racing. It's also got a neat feature that allows you to import a picture of your own custom car that you drew to use in the game, if you grow tired of the vehicular options already in-game. If you're a fan of the Micro Machines games, you'll likely enjoy your time with Paper Racer.

Release Date: November 26, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Strategy - RPG

Song Summoner is a decent strategy game from Square Enix where your soldiers are created via the songs that you have on your iPhone and said soldiers level up based on how often you listen to their songs....Which can kind of break the difficulty if, say, you're listening to an audio language-learning file that you created a soldier with and have it on loop in learning through repetition. Anyway, this game isn't great, but it's decent enough where fans of turn-based strategy RPGs will likely enjoy their time here...Going through your audio library to see what audio file will produce what soldier is pretty addicting, too.

Release Date: October 5, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: Chillingo
Developer: ZeptoLab
Genre: Puzzle

Cut the Rope is a simple, but very good mind-bender of a puzzle game. The goal is to feed the monster candy. The trick is that the candy is attached to ropes, and you've got to figure out how to get the treat into that monster's mouth while fighting both gravity and hazards in the levels. It seems to get mixed reactions from people, but I firmly believe that this is a solid, different puzzle experience and a great choice when looking for a worthwhile game on your smartphone.

Release Date: August 26, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: oyatsukai.com
Developer: oyatsukai.com
Genre: Racing

If you've got the urge to play OutRun on the go, but don't have a PSP to play OutRun 2006, then Final Freeway might be the substitute you'll enjoy. Final Freeway is basically an OutRun clone, and a very well done one at that. The graphics are very nice and well detailed, and the game supports various control types to please pretty much any iPhone owner based on their tastes. The only thing really holding this game back from being higher up on the list is lack of originality. But otherwise, it's a very solid racer and well worth a download.

Release Date: February 2, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: FreakZone
Developer: FreakZone
Genre: Platformer

Looking at the app icon of Awesome Land makes you think that this might be a Super Mario Bros. clone, without any originality aside from some modified graphics. When you first begin to play Awesome Land, you're once again thinking those same thoughts...But after completing a few levels, Awesome Land slowly transforms from being a Mario clone to being a game all its own, with some unique concepts and level design. If you're a fan of 2D platformers, Awesome Land is an awesome (pun intended) game to get for your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Release Date: July 20, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: MDickie
Developer: MDickie
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

Wrestling Revolution: Pay Per View is a bunch of pay-per-view-style events already pre-made with matches, promos, etc. The player can control whoever they want and watch parodied wrestlers battle it out. Whether it be current storylines or a homage to 1993 WWF or even popular Japanese feuds from history, this game covers it all...And they've even got a show on the bottom that is just random matches, so even after completing all pay per views, you've still got some new matches to work with. It's a decent wrestling game, but for a much more worthwhile wrestling game, you're better off with Wrestling Revolution Pro.

Release Date: September 23, 2010 (NA)
Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: 505 Games
Genre: Action

I like the Naughty Bear games. They have plenty of flaws, but that doesn't prevent me from taking pleasure in the suffering of the animated teddy bears. So, when I saw that the iPhone version wasn't like the console versions of the game, with stealthy, "kill 'em all" gameplay, I was disappointed...Especially when it appeared to be a poor Pac-Man rip-off. Then I started to play it...And was surprised. It's a good Pac-Man rip-off...A good Pac-Man rip-off that also combines the setting traps and killing bears aspect of the console Naughty Bear games....And it works pretty dang well. I still prefer the console versions but when it comes to the overall game, and not my preference, the iPhone Naughty Bear may be the most solid game in the franchise.

Release Date: October 25, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Rocketcat Games
Developer: Rocketcat Games
Genre: Action

Punch Quest is a very fast-paced game that involves you punch out everyone in sight while blazing through levels and avoiding obstacles and hazardous objects along the way. Of course, there are power-ups to get, like the ability to ride a raptor that spits laser beams from its mouth, which help you in your attempt to get as far as possible. I'm also a fan of the art design - 16-bit-ish graphics and they look beautiful. It's not gonna create long gaming sessions, but for a handheld title, made for folks on the move, that's a good thing.