Gaming on iOS is so big that the platform is becoming so dominant it is threatening the likes of Nintendo and Sony, previous kings of the mobile-gaming hill.
Yet for all iOSs gaming prowess, theres no escaping the fact the App Store has a lot of dross. Apples relative openness, in enabling anyone to develop for the system, means theres no quality control; the flip-side is previously undiscovered indie talent finding an outlet for frequently innovative fare.
Too often, though, people focus only on the negative, mistaking stories about in-app purchases and low-quality clones for thinking that there are no good games on iOS. But there are. In fact, the best games on iOS are among the very best available, mixing traditional fare with titles that could only have appeared on a capable multitouch device. Here are our current favourites…
1. Asphalt 8 (free)
At some point, a total buffoon decreed that racing games should be dull and grey, on grey tracks, with grey controls. Gamelofts Asphalt 8: Airborne dispenses with such foolish notions, along with quite a bit of reality.
Here, then, you zoom along at ludicrous speeds, drifting for miles through exciting city courses, occasionally being hurled into the air to perform stunts that absolutely arent acceptable according to the car manufacturers warrantee.
2. Badland ($3.99/£2.49)
This darkly humorous title at its core echoes copter-style games, in you prodding the screen to make your avatar fly. But the hazards and traps are devious and plentiful, imaginative and deadly contraptions in silhouette, ready to eliminate any passing creature. Your retaliation in Badland comes via cloning your flying monster, and figuring out how to manipulate the environment to bring as many clones home as possible.
3. Beat Sneak Bandit ($2.99/£1.99)
One thumb is plenty when a games so cleverly designed. Beat Sneak Bandit is part rhythm-action, part platformer and part stealth game, with the titular hero aiming to steal back the worlds clocks from the nefarious Duke Clockface. You move on the beat, rebounding off walls, and avoiding guards and alarms. Its clever, charming and brilliant.
4. Blackbar ($2.99/£1.99)
As much a warning about digital surveillance as a word-based puzzler, Blackbar is a unique and compelling iOS classic. The game comprises single screens of communications, many involving your friend whos gone to work in the city within what you soon learn is a worryingly oppressive society. You literally fill in the blanks, while becoming immersed in a stark dystopian reality thats fortunately still peppered with warmth, humour and humanity.
5. Bejeweled (free)
Weve lost count of how many gem-swappers exist for iOS, but PopCaps Bejeweled has a long history, its maturity reflected in this iPhone release. Along with a polished standard mode, where you match three or more gems with each swap, theres Diamond Mine (dig into the ground), Butterflies (save insects from spider-ronch doom), and Poker (make hands of gems).
6. Beyond Ynth ($1.99/£1.49)
This fantastic platform puzzler stars a bug whos oddly averse to flying. Instead, he gets about 2D levels by rolling around in boxes full of platforms. Beyond Ynth hangs on a quest, but each level forms a devious test, where you must figure out precisely how to reach the end via careful use of boxes, switches and even environmental hazards.
7. Bit Pilot ($1.99/£1.49)
A pilot finds himself trapped inside a tiny area of space frequented by an alarming number of deadly asteroids. You must stave off death for as long as possible. Bit Pilot is the best of the iOS avoid em ups, with precise one- and two-thumb controls guiding your tiny ship, effortlessly dodging between rocky foes — until the inevitable collision.
8. Boson X ($1.99/£1.49)
In what we assume is a totally accurate representation of what boffins in Geneva get up to, Boson X finds scientists sprinting inside colliders, running over energy panels and then discovering particles by leaping into the abyss. Its equal parts Super Hexagon, Tempest and Canabalt, and its very addictive indeed.
9. CRUSH! ($0.99/69p)
CRUSH! is deceptive. At first, it appears to be little more than a collapse game, where you prod a coloured tile, only for the rest to collapse into the now empty space. But subtle changes to the formula elevate this title to greatness: the tiles wrap around, and each removal sees your pile jump towards a line of death. So even when tiles are moving at speed, you must carefully consider each tap.
10. Device 6 ($3.99/£2.49)
Device 6 is first and foremost a story — a mystery into which protagonist Anna finds herself propelled. She awakes on an island, but where is she? How did she get there? Why cant she remember anything? The game fuses literature with adventuring, the very words forming corridors you travel along, integrated puzzles being dotted about for you to investigate. Its a truly inspiring experience, an imaginative, ambitious and brilliantly realised creation that showcases how iOS can be the home for something unique and wonderful.
11. Dark Nebula 2 HD ($2.99/£1.99)
One of the first titles to truly make use of the iPhone gyro, Dark Nebula was a beautiful tilt-based steampunk adventure and dexterity test, leading a strange craft through maze-like levels. The sequel ramped up the beauty and complexity, and the HD reissue added iPad and Retina support. The title still feels fresh and is perfectly suited to mobile, rewarding speed-runs and careful exploration of each level alike.
12. Death Ray Manta ($0.99/69p)
Akin to what Robotron might have looked like had its developer managed to recreate a 24-hour sherbet binge on-screen, Death Ray Manta is a wonderful, eye-searing twin-stick shooter. But whereas you initially think KILL ALL THE THINGS, each level contains a collectable tiffin. Death Ray Manta therefore becomes both shooter and puzzler as you attempt to score the maximum 64 — and youve only got one life.
13. Drop7 ($2.99/£1.99)
One of the earliest iOS puzzlers, Drop7 is these days in need of some TLC, but it remains as compelling as ever. You drop discs into a well, and they disappear when in a row or column that matches their number. The key to success is to set up chains of destruction — especially tough when junk levels arrive frequently.
14. Eliss Infinity ($2.99/£1.99)
Eliss was the first game to truly take advantage of iOSs multitouch capabilities, with you combining and tearing apart planets to fling into like-coloured and suitably sized wormholes. Eliss Infinity, a semi-sequel, brings the originals levels into glorious Retina and adds a totally bonkers endless mode. Unique, challenging and fun, this is a game that defines the platform.
15. Gridrunner (Free)
Jeff Minter is a shoot em up genius, and his Gridrunner series has a long history, starting out on the VIC-20, at the dawn of home gaming. This update riffs off classic Namco arcade machines but also shoves modern bullet-hell mechanics into a claustrophobic single screen, and in this versions survival mode, you have just one life. Argh! The 69p/99c Oxtended Mode IAP adds the rest of the standard game.
16. Frisbee Forever 2 (Free)
We already covered Frisbee Forever on this list, with its Nintendo-like fling-a-plastic-disc about larks. Frisbee Forever 2s essentially more of the same, but prettier, smoother and with wilder locations in which to fly through hoops and collect stars. Its lovely and costs precisely zero pence, so download it.
17. Hero Academy (Free)
Most developers create games from code, but were pretty sure Hero Academys composed of the most addictive substances known to man all smushed together and shoved on to the App Store.
The games sort-of chess with fantasy characters, but the flexibility within the rule-set provides limitless scope for asynchronous one-on-one encounters. For free, you have to put up with ads and only get the human team, but thatll be more than enough to get you hooked.
18. Hundreds ($4.99/£2.99)
Stark and minimal, Hundreds is both playful and brutal at its core. The aim is to inflate discs until the magic 100 figure is reached, but any collisions while a disc is inflating (and a volatile red) spells the immediate end of your go. Initially simple, Hundreds rapidly throws hazards into the mix, forcing deep thinking and quick fingers.
19. Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage ($0.99/69p)
There are more famous swiping games on iOS — Cut the Rope and Fruit Ninja spring to mind — but Icebreaker has oodles more charm, loads more character and, importantly, better puzzles. The animated, cartoon-like world feels alive under your fingers as you cut ice blocks, rope, slime and more to return helmeted chums to a waiting boat.
20. Impossible Road ($1.99/£1.49)
A roller-coaster ribbon of road winds through space, and your only aim is to stay on it and reach the highest-numbered gate. But Impossible Road is sneaky: the winding track is one you can leave and rejoin, if youve enough skill, cheating your way to higher scores. Its like the distillation of Super Monkey Ball, Rainbow Road and queue-skipping, all bundled up in a stark, razor-sharp package.
21. Letterpress (Free)
What mad fool welds Boggle to tug o war Risk-style land-grabbing? The kind who doesnt want anyone to get any work done again, ever, thats who. Letterpress is, simply, the best word game on the App Store.
You make words to win points and temporarily lock letters from your opponent by surrounding them. The result is a tense asynchronous two-player game with plenty of last-move wins and general gnashing of teeth when you realise qin is in fact an acceptable word.
22. Micro Miners ($1.99/£1.49)
Marrying the elegance of digging games like Wheres My Water? with the semi-controllable critters from Lemmings, Micro Miners is a superb real-time puzzler. Initially simple, the game is soon complicated by the need to switch the colour of miners, collect objects, and avoid or utilise deadly gas and lava. Its extremely tough later on, but youll see it through to the bitter end.
23. Magnetic Billiards (free)
A game that could have been called Reverse Pool For Show-Offs, Magnetic Billiards lacks pockets. Instead, the aim is to join like-coloured balls that cling together on colliding. Along the way, you get more points for trick shots and buzzing other balls that must otherwise be avoided. 20 diverse tables are provided for free, and many more can be unlocked for $1.99/£1.49.
24. Limbo ($4.99/£2.99)
A boy awakens in hell, and must work his way through a deadly forest. Gruesome deaths and trial and error gradually lead to progress, as he forces his way deeper into the gloom and greater mystery. Originating on the Xbox, Limbo fares surprisingly well on iOS, with smartly designed controls; and its eerie beauty and intriguing environments remain hypnotic.
25. Mikey Hooks ($1.99/£1.49)
If iOS is supposed to be no good for traditional 2D platform games, its a good job no-one told the developer of Mikey Hooks. The mechanics arent a million miles away from Nintendo titles starring a certain plumber, but Mikeys also armed with a rope that can attach to hooks dotted about the levels, enabling him to speedily swing to glory. An emphasis on time-attack racing and surprisingly solid controls round out a first-rate title.
26. Need For Speed Most Wanted ($6.99/£2.99)
Racing games are all very well, but too many aim for simulation rather than evoking the glorious feeling of speeding along like a maniac. Most Wanted absolutely nails the fun side of arcade racing, and is reminiscent of classic console title OutRun 2 in enabling you to effortlessly drift for miles. Add to that varied city streets on which to best rivals and avoid (or smash) the cops, and youve a tremendous iOS racer.
27. New Star Soccer (Free)
Starting out as a fresh-faced teen in a lowly non-league side, your aim in New Star Soccer is to make your way to a top-flight club. Along the way, you get chances in each match to win balls and score goals. Its management-lite with fun playable highlights, and although theres a whiff of freemium in the energy model, New Star Soccers top-of-the-table, if youre willing to put in a few bucks here and there.
28. PUK ($1.99/£1.49)
PUK reminds us of what someone with a minimalism fetish might make of Angry Birds, before speeding everything up to manic levels. Here, each level lasts mere seconds, as you frantically fling discs at portals; and then just as youve got into the groove, deadly black levels aim to throw you off balance. There are no cartoon squawks here — just pure, adrenaline-fuelled arcade action.
29. QatQi (Free)
QatQi starts off a bit like Scrabble in the dark, until you figure out that youre really immersed in a kind of Roguelike mash-up. So although the aim is to make crosswords from a selection of letters, youre also tasked with exploring dungeons to find score-boosting stars and special tiles.
30. Osmos ($2.99/£1.99)
This superb arcade puzzler is at times microscopic and at others galactic in nature, as you use the power of physics and time to move your mote about. Some levels in Osmos are primordial soup, the mote propelled by ejecting bits of itself, all the while aiming to absorb everything around it; elsewhere, motes circle sun-like Attractors, and your challenge becomes one of understanding the intersecting trajectories of orbital paths.
31. Plague Inc ($0.99/99p)
Having no truck with saving the world, Plague Inc. instead has you methodically and purposefully ruin it, bringing about the end of humanity through a global plague. Puny humans fight back as the infection adapts and grows. Its lots of fun right up until you chance upon an article about antibiotic resistance…
32. Plants vs Zombies ($0.99/69p)
Yes, we know theres a Plants vs. Zombies 2, but some dolt infected that with a pointless time-travel gimmick and a freemium business model. The charming, amusing, silly and sweet original remains where its at. For the uninitiated, you repel zombies with the power of hostile plants. Countless other defence titles exist for iOS, but PopCaps classic, Plants vs Zombies, is still the best.
33. Rayman Fiesta Run ($2.99/£1.99)
The iOS Rayman games are considered by some to be reductive, overly simplifying console-style platforming to an instant runner with bells on. We instead consider Ubisofts games distilled: they take the essence of platforming action — running, jumping, timing — and make it truly fit for mobile. Smart, varied level and character design, along with a well-considered unlock mechanism, ensure Rayman Fiesta Runs an iOS classic.
34. Ridiculous Fishing ($2.99/£1.99)
If Ridiculous Fishing is what fishings really like, weve been missing out all these years. An angular fisherman casts his line into the inky gloom, where you cunningly avoid fish by tilting your device. Snag one and the hero reels the line back in, and you jerk your iPhone from side to side, aiming to catch as many fish as possible. At the surface, the catch is flung into the sky, to be blasted to pieces by powerful weaponry. Longevitys secured by an amusing in-game store and social network parody, along with several fishing spots to visit.
35. Slydris ($1.99/£1.49)
This sort-of-Tetris has you drop sets of coloured blocks into a well. Tactics are of paramount importance, since you can move only one block for each new line of junk thats introduced. Slydris therefore becomes an ongoing challenge, a deceptively deep slice of strategy, gravity, block management and combos.
36. SpellTower ($1.99/£1.49)
SpellTower is a fantastic word game that starts off easy. You get a grid of letters and remove them by dragging out words. Your only foe is gravity, letters falling into empty space as completed words disappear. But then come new modes, with ferocious timers and numbered letters that wont vanish unless you craft long enough words. And there always seem to be too many Vs!
37. Stickets ($2.99/£1.99)
Another one of those elegant and seemingly easy puzzle games, Stickets lurks quietly before merrily smashing out your brain with a brick. Its all about a five-by-five grid and multicoloured L-shaped blocks. You drop the blocks and can remove slabs of colour three squares in size or bigger. You earn just one point per tile placed. Good luck in getting to triple figures.
38. Threes! ($1.99/£1.49)
Threes! is all about matching numbered cards. 1s and 2s merge to make 3s, and then pairs of identical cards can subsequently be merged, doubling their face value. With each swipe, a new card enters the tiny grid, forcing you to carefully manage your growing collection, and think many moves ahead. The ingenious mix of risk and reward makes it hugely frustrating when youre a fraction from an elusive 1536 card, but so addictive youll immediately want another go.
39. Touchgrind Skate 2 ($4.99/£2.99)
You can almost see the development process behind this one: "Hey, fingers look a bit like legs, so if we put a skateboard underneath…" And so arrived one of the finest iOS sports titles, with you using your fingers to roam urban locations and perform gnarly stunts. Admittedly, this game is tricky to master, but its hugely rewarding when you do so, and video highlights can be shared with your friends. The games also a great example of touchscreen-oriented innovation — Touchgrind Skate just wouldnt be the same with a traditional controller.
40. Super Hexagon ($2.99/£1.99)
Ah, Super Hexagon. We remember that punishing first game, which must have lasted all of three seconds. Much like the next — and the next. But then we recognised patterns in the walls that closed in on our tiny ship, and learned to react and dodge. Then you threw increasingly tough difficulty levels at us, and weve been smitten ever since.
41. Super Stickman Golf 2 ($0.99/69p)
If youve often thought golf would be much better if it was played on Mars, or in a giant castle, or in dank caverns with glue-like surfaces, Super Stickman Golf 2 is the game for you. Its side-on charms echo Angry Birds in its artillery core, but this is a far smarter and more polished game. It also boasts two equally brilliant but different multiplayer modes: one-on-one asynchronous play and frantic multiplayer racing.
42. Super Monsters Ate My Condo
Logic? Pah! Sanity? Pfft! We care not for such things, yells Super Monsters Ate My Condo. It then gets on with turning the match-three genre and Jenga-style tower-building into a relentless time-attack cartoon fest of apartment-munching, explosions, giant tantrums and opera. No, really.
43. Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP ($4.99/£2.99)
Apples mobile platform has become an unlikely home for traditional point-and-click adventures. Sword & Sworcery has long been a favourite, with its sense of mystery, palpable atmosphere, gorgeous pixel art and evocative soundtrack. Exploratory in nature, this is a true /adventure/ in the real sense of the word, and its absolutely not to be missed.
44. Tiny Wings ($0.99/69p)
This sweet endless title stars a bird who loves to fly but doesnt have the wings for it. Instead, she uses gravity, sliding down hills and then propelling herself into the air from the top of adjacent slopes. Meanwhile, in another mode, her offspring are happily racing, bounding over lakes, eager to earn the biggest fish from their mother. Whichever route you take, Tiny Wings is a vibrant, warm and friendly experience.
45. Trainyard ($2.99/£1.99)
Trainyard is another devious puzzler that at first seems a cinch. Initially, you merely drag tracks to lead trains between stations of the same colour. But then rocks enter the fray, along with colour-mixing and train-splitting. Before you know it, youve 14 stations, seven trains, hazards aplenty and an aching brain from figuring out how to get all the trains home safely.
46. Triple Town
Three bushes make a tree! Three gravestones make a church! OK, so logic might not be Triple Towns strong suit, but the match-three gameplay is addictive. Match to build things and trap bears, rapidly run out of space, gaze in wonder at your town and start all over again. The free-to-play version has limited moves that are gradually replenished, but you can unlock unlimited moves via IAP.
47. Zen Bound 2 ($2.99/£1.99)
One of the most tactile puzzlers around, Zen Bound 2 doesnt sound terribly exciting, in that youre wrapping sculptures in rope. But the atmosphere and polish combine with a nagging percentage bar, urging you to perfect each level. With no time limit, its one of the more soothing puzzlers in this round-up, but it also never drifts towards the noodly.
48. Walking Dead (Free)
We do like a good zombie yarn, as long as were not the subject matter, having just had our brains eaten. Walking Dead successfully jumped from comic to TV screen, and its just as good in its interactive incarnation. The first part of the story is free, and you can then buy new episodes; if you survive, season 2 is also available.
49. Year Walk ($3.99/£2.49)
Year Walk preceded the same developers iOS masterpiece Device 6, but is equally daring. Its a first-person adventure of sorts, with more than a nod towards horror literature and, frankly, the just plain weird. Its unsettling, clever, distinctive and beautifully crafted — another unmissable and original touchscreen creation.
50. Zookeeper DX ($0.99/69p)
Its rare we find a Bejeweled-like match game that can give Bejeweled a run for its money, but Zookeeper is an exception. Starting life on the Nintendo DS, the title ably makes the leap to touch. Youre tasked here with matching animals, the pace of levels rapidly increasing as you progress. Before long, youre desperately chaining combos to keep the timer up, simultaneously cursing how many rabbits have suddenly appeared.
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