iPhone Reviews 2.0

While we have covered releases by the developers who have made multiple releases onto the iPad App Store, it's time to showcase the better games that are the only additions from these developers. Don't let that fool you though, these games are as good as if not better than the other titles I've talked about (Plants vs Zombies anyone?)


I wanted to stop by to share with you Tapulous’ latest game creation designed specifically for the iPad – Tap Tap Radiation. As one of the iPhone / iPod touch biggest game developers with more than 25 million installs to date, Tapulous breaks new ground for the iPad with a FREE app loaded with more than 30 music tracks with premium content which is now available in the App store.

Departing from Tap Tap Revenge style of play, Tap Tap Radiation goes off its rails with free-style three dimensional game play and four difficulty levels that create intense single player action. The large screen size of iPad creates a large canvas for Tapulous' high-res eye-popping graphics. The game also features a Freestyle mode that allows users to enjoy the music and visuals in a non-competitive environment.

Additional game details at launch include:
o 33 awesome free tracks adapted especially for the app, including 12 Wives in Tehran by Serge Devant; I Like That by Richard Vission; Quiet Dog by Mos Def; and Lions by The Features.
o Premium content: Lady Gaga 6-pack featuring Telephone, Poker Face, Love Game, Bad Romance, Alejandro, and Speechless.
o Premium content: Pink 2-pack featuring So What and Get The Party Started
o Premium content: Ultra Records 6-pack featuring Imagination by Jes (Kaskade Remix), Love is Gone by David Guetta (Fred Rister & Joachim Garraud Radio Edit Remix), Satisfaction by Benny Benassi, Sorry by Kaskade (Dirty South Remix), Elements of Life by Tiesto, and Duck, You Sucker by Sharam
o Additional free and premium content will be added to the app on an ongoing basis.

"The iPad creates an amazing gaming experience for both serious and casual gamers," said Tapulous CEO, Bart Decrem. "Tap Tap Radiation was designed especially for iPad and takes advantage of the greater screen real estate and processing power. With its stunning graphics and killer playlist, Tap Tap Radiation is great fun to play. We hope it will become the must-have free app for the iPad."

Firemint don't release that many titles but when they do they do it right. It is quite possible that they have been the only developer to conquer the $9.99 price range as well as the $0.99 market, even though they have only brought out two titles. With a slight price increase we can buy the iPad versions of Flight Control and Real Racing, both with a few perks to make the price justified.

Firemint, critically acclaimed developer of games for iPhone® and iPod touch®, is delighted to announce that its Flight Control HD App for iPad is now available from the App Store.

The highly addictive gameplay in Flight Control casts players in the role of an air traffic controller in charge of an increasingly busy airport. Players must touch aircraft and drag a path to the correct landing zone while avoiding collisions. Flight Control HD brings new ways to play and beautiful new graphics to an App Store favorite.

Firemint CEO Robert Murray commented, “Flight Control HD is everything you love about Flight Control, re-imagined for iPad and packed with new features and content. We think this will be the best Flight Control experience yet – if you thought Flight Control was addictive before, wait until you play it on iPad!”

Flight Control HD contains everything included in Flight Control for iPhone and iPod touch, as well as many additions and improvements for its arrival on iPad:

- More ways to play, including multiplayer modes that take advantage of iPad’s innovative Multi-Touch interface.
- Split-screen “versus” mode: play competitively by sending your planes to capture aircraft from your opponent.
- Co-operative multiplayer on a single iPad: share landing duties with a friend on one of three HD airfields.
- Multiplayer on two devices (selected from iPad, iPhone or iPod touch): land aircraft of your own color, and direct others off the screen for your fellow Controller to land.
- More space to land your planes and bigger airports thanks to the large iPad screen, with three new HD airfields.
- Beautiful high-quality graphics throughout, including an all-new menu and updated graphics for the Classic airfields from the iPhone version.
- New Snow airfield with variable wind direction in addition to the four Classic iPhone airfields (Original, Beach, Carrier and Outback) and three HD airfields, for a total of eight single-player airfields.
- Quirky “3D view” airfield brings Flight Control to life like never before – use red/cyan glasses to see aircraft floating above the iPad (3D glasses not included, widely available from retailers such as amazon.com at low cost).
- Many more enhancements including all-new path continuation, improved collision warnings, a new “safe” fast forward function, and a longer version of the Flight Control song that you just can’t get out of your head!


Firemint, critically acclaimed developer of games for iPhone® and iPod touch®, today announced its Real Racing HD App for iPad is now available from the App Store.

Real Racing is one of the most acclaimed racing games on any handheld platform, and has been extended and enhanced especially for iPad. Real Racing HD brings players all the excitement, competition and glory that only true championship racing can provide. Stunning new graphics make Real Racing HD the most impressive racer yet, perfect for showing off iPad’s large screen and processing power. Players can comfortably use iPad as a steering wheel for an incredibly immersive experience or they can choose from a number of touch screen control options and adjust the sensitivity to suit.

"We’re all very excited about the launch of iPad, and Real Racing HD really shows off the new possibilities that come with this breakthrough device," said Firemint CEO Robert Murray. "Real Racing is all about authentic pack racing action. iPad is incredibly immersive and personal so playing the Real Racing HD App will be an adrenaline-fuelled rush.”

* Car Skins - allows players to select photos from their Photo Album on iPad and Real Racing HD will automatically wrap the photo around the selected car. Artistic players can even use one of the many popular paint programs to create personalized racing decals, based on any of the existing car skins supplied with the game. Firemint will also release new Car Skins via its web site.
* Ghost Racing - lets players race against a pre-recorded ghost saved on iPad or downloaded from Firemint’s servers. Drivers can test their skills against the best in the world, or try to beat their own previous personal best. Ghosts will also be shown in Online League races, adding a whole new level of competitive fun to this popular play mode.
* Players can watch replays of their Time Trial races or any races uploaded to the leaderboards from within the game and select different camera angles while watching, providing an exciting new way to learn the best racing lines from the top drivers.
* Touch screen controls specifically designed for iPad, with a new sensitivity adjustment option.

Illusion Labs don't make the most games on the App Store, but when they do release a game it has been perfected. When I think of a game I want to use to show off my iPhone's capabilities as a gaming device, I turn to Illusion Labs. All their titles have beautiful graphics along with games that just belong on the device. The two titles brought over were screaming for a bigger screen and are must buys for iPad owners.

Illusion Labs today announced its Touchgrind HD App for iPad is now available from the App Store. The app is based on the skateboarding smash hit Touchgrind for iPhone and iPod touch and utilizes the iPad's large 9.7 inch screen to show a far-reaching view of the skatepark, making it easy for the player to see where they are going.

"The extended view the stunning iPad display offers makes it a lot easier to run smooth lines riding between obstacles in the park and doing different kinds of tricks," said Andreas Alptun, CTO and former skateboarder. "This really takes the game to the next level. I am able to skate in a way I couldn't earlier and it's just so much fun."

The two player split screen mode is available for all three gaming modes; Warm Up, Jam Session and Competition. This lets users play against a friend on the same device using one half of the screen each with a gauge showing who is in the lead. Users can play together to perfect synchronized tricks, or disturb each other by crashing as the other is just about to land that insane flip.

The size and the physics of the skateboard are unchanged, so that players of the existing app for iPhone and iPod touch can bring all their skills. The game and all the menus are fully orientation independent so that the player can play in either portrait or landscape mode on iPad.

Touchgrind HD App for iPad features include:
- True physics.
- Innovative Multi-Touch controls.
- Two player split screen mode.
- 13 unlockable boards with different abilities.
- Warm Up, Jam Session and Competition game modes.
- Tutorial videos.
- Stunning 3D graphics.
- Realistic sound.

Touchgrind HD is out now for $7.99


Illusion Labs today announced its Labyrinth 2 HD App for iPad is now available on the App Store. The app has been tailored perfectly for the large 9.7 inch iPad screen and supports the hundreds of thousands of levels already created by iPhone and iPod touch players. Graphics and artwork look spectacular on iPad and the game and menus have been made fully orientation independent.

"The large screen real-estate of iPad offers the thriving Labyrinth 2 community even more creativity and ingenuity in creating their own labyrinth levels," said Carl Loodberg, CEO of Illusion Labs.

"We think that being able to run in both landscape and portrait mode is important. The player does not have to consider how iPad is held - it just feels right," said Andreas Alptun, CTO of Illusion Labs.

Labyrinth 2 HD features include:
- Fun game elements: Cannons, Bumpers, Multiple balls, Doors, Magnets, Fans, Re-sizers, Merry-Go-Rounds, Duplicators, Lasers and more.
- Create your own levels and share them instantly with your friends and the world.
- Download and rate levels created by the community, both the existing iPhone/iPod touch levels and the new, bigger iPad levels.
- Up to 4 player multiplayer over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
- Compete against yourself with a ghost ball showing your best run.
- Awards for your achievements.
- Orientation independent, supports both landscape and portrait mode.

Labyrinth 2 HD is out now for $7.99

The very first game I bought for my iPod Touch on Day One of the App Store was Cro-Mag Rally. While I have to admit there are better games these days to buy, a majority of Pangea's titles should be better received on the iPad. Many of their games just simply aren't designed for a small screen and should excel on the bigger device. Take a look at the 5 titles Pangea have brought to the iPad.

Pangea Software, one of the leading game developers for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, announced today the release of five apps for iPad on the App Store. Available now as the first of Pangea’s planned apps for Apple’s new iPad are Enigmo Deluxe, Cro-Mag Rally, Bugdom 2, Otto Matic, and Nanosaur 2.

“Our plan is to eventually release iPad versions of every one of our iPhone apps,” says Brian Greenstone, President of Pangea Software. “The iPad has huge potential to change the portable video game industry, and we’re really excited to be involved with it. I think we’re on the cusp of something truly revolutionary.”

Enigmo Deluxe - $9.99: Based on the award-winning puzzle-game Engimo for iPhone, Enigmo Deluxe for iPad has major new features, including a built-in level editor that allows users to create, edit, and play their own levels. Friends can share Level Packs so they can play levels that they create or exported them for play on the Mac, PC, or iPhone versions of Enigmo. The game now comes with over a dozen free Level Packs including two “Kid Packs” which were paid add-on’s in the original Enigmo. Together with the 50 original Enigmo levels, Enigmo Deluxe comes with over 400 free levels.


Cro-Mag Rally - $9.99: One of the best selling racing games for the iPhone, the new iPad version now has 6 cars instead of just 4, and the visuals and gameplay are optimized for iPad.


Bugdom 2, Nanosaur 2 and Otto Matic - $9.99 Each: In Pangea’s action-adventure games Bugdom 2, Nanosaur 2 and Otto Matic there are more enemies, improved graphics, and a new feature that allows players to customize the game control layout on the screen. This feature is really useful on the iPad’s large screen allowing each user to position the controls to best fit their hands. In addition, Otto Matic also has new control physics that greatly improve the playability.

IUGO Entertainment in recent times has created some quite controversial titles including ADD and Daisy Mae's Alien Buffet which was removed for a short time in Apple's Adult Content stint. For the iPad launch they seem to be playing it safe, straying away from those two titles and bringing out 5 quite successful titles from the iPhone. Expect more titles soon hopefully as the Toy Bot series and Freeballin' would be great additions to the iPad store.

Now that the iPad is out and those lucky 500,000 or so of you with them are playing around, it's about time I showcase some more games you might be interested in buying. This time we have ports from Konami's two most successful games on the App Store. While we can't be scared by Silent Hill or tapping to DDR just yet, what about some Frogger and Metal Gear Solid?

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced its Metal Gear Solid® Touch and Frogger Pad Apps for iPad are now available from the App Store. Complete with cutting edge graphics, both games feature gameplay that capitalizes on the larger screen and innovative Multi-Touch user interface of iPad.

"As a trailblazer in digital content development, Konami prides itself on providing consumers with the best in interactive entertainment," said Joe Morris, Konami's Vice President of Mobile Content and Social Networking. "Proven Konami franchises like Metal Gear Solid and Frogger are sure to thrill iPad users."

The Metal Gear Solid Touch App for iPad is a fast-paced touch shooting action title, using settings and elements from the best-selling Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. While playing Metal Gear Solid Touch, users guide Snake by sliding their fingers across the screen to swiftly zoom in and out, target enemies, and execute rapid fire attacks with quick taps on the screen. All the while, the players must not forget to take cover to avoid the barrage of attacks from a series of heavily-armed adversaries. The app makes full use of the iPad's innovative Multi-Touch user interface and offers slick, intuitive controls.

In Frogger Pad, the Multi-Touch display of iPad is utilized to control the familiar dodge-and-run movements needed to safely guide Frogger across the busy highway while avoiding cars, trucks and crocodile-filled waters ready to stop him in his tracks. As an added bonus, gamers will receive original wallpaper designed for the iPad based on their game results.

Metal Gear Solid Touch (Universal app) is available for the iPhone/iPod Touch & iPad for $7.99

Chillingo are one of the best publishers on the App Store and are making big in-roads to the iPad scene with 14 titles. Some of these titles are ones we love from the iPhone while some I have never previously heard of! Check out what we will be able to play come Saturday:

Chillingo, a leading downloadable game publisher, today announced it has made 14 exciting new apps for iPad available on the App Store. The apps include several of Chillingo’s successful games along with brand new titles that offer an unparalleled range of unique entertainment for iPad users.

“The iPhone and iPod touch transformed how consumers play games and the iPad is the futuristic direction of entertainment,” said Johnny Coghlan, Chillingo’s head of publishing. “Chillingo prides itself in collaborating with top-notch indie developers who create the industry’s most innovative titles. We challenged our developers to delve deeper into game design and push the boundaries of what seemed unimaginable before.”

All of the Chillingo apps listed below take full advantage of the amazing features of iPad and Crystal, the company’s comprehensive social networking platform to add vibrant game community features such as leaderboards, challenges and achievements. The following apps are available today:

• Ice Age Deluxe: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (20th Century Fox) – Help Scrat, everyone's favorite saber-toothed squirrel, capture that elusive acorn in this fun, quirky platform game. Free updates featuring new game levels will also be available by the end of the month! $4.99

• Angry Birds HD (Rovio) – The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs that stole the birds’ eggs in this award-winning, highly addictive puzzle game. $4.99


• Minigore HD (Mountain Sheep) – Plunge into the tiny shoes of John Gore in this 3D survival shooter where our small hero must protect himself from vicious Furries using his arsenal of deadly weapons. $4.99

• Cash Cow Deluxe (Riverman Media) – Help Buck the Cow and his friends save the farm in this award-winning, coin-counting puzzle game. With its unique challenges, fantastic graphics and catchy soundtrack, Cash Cow makes your loose change add up to loads of fun. $4.99

• Cogs HD (Lazy 8 Studios) – Get in gear with this unique steampunk-style puzzle game where players are challenged to build miraculous, 3D machines from a wide array of moving parts. $4.99

• Radio Flare REDUX HD (studio radiolaris) – Play to the beat in this trendy shooter, as your ship moves and shoots in rhythm. Target enemies and watch them pulsate and explode to the beat of each licensed techno song. $4.99


• Sneezies HD (Retro Dreamer) – Prepare to be overloaded with cuteness as you drop sneezing powder into a field of floating Sneezies and watch as they sneeze themselves out of their bubbles to form a marvelous chain reaction while you try to rescue them. $4.99

• Puzzler World XL (Team 3 Games) – With an extensive array of classic games such as Hangman, Fitword, Link-A-Pix, Sudoku and Crossword – in all-new puzzle formats, Puzzler World XL will challenge players with endless entertainment. $7.99

• BoardBox™ HD (Movile) – Delivers the most graphically rich and realistic looking board game set on iPad. With single and multiplayer game modes of popular games ranging from Chess and Checkers to Reversi and Tic Tac Toe, it will be the only board game you ever need! $3.99

• Quantz HD (Gamerizon) – Watch colorful spheres explode as you remove them from a cube using the lowest number of matches possible in this new variation of a match-three puzzle game! $4.99


• Super Shock Football HD (Steamroller Studios) – Tackle, pass and score touchdowns in this vintage, electric vibrating football game that is simple enough for casual gamers, yet deep enough to satisfy hardcore pigskin fans. $4.99

• GEON HD (Strawdog Studios) – Players compete in this slick, psychedelic puzzle game to collect pellets and deposit them in their opponent’s goal to score while defending their own goal from ruthless attacks. $4.99

• Sword of Fargoal Legends (Fargoal) – This classic retro game immerses players into a series of deep, dark dungeons in search of a legendary sword. The randomly generated dungeons only reveal themselves once a player explores it and dares you to escape as soon as the sword is found. $7.99

• Piyo Blocks 2 HD (Big Pixel Studios) – Challenge yourself in this addictive game where you must match as least three of the same color objects in a grid by moving them into an adjacent space. You will never look at blocks the same. $2.99

While the big news in the iPhone world is the launch of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, Activision has gone ahead and released the extremely successful Call of Duty: World at War - Zombies and a new title Geometry Wars for the iPad. Check out all the info about their latest additions!


Download the Frenetic Smash-Hits from the App Store at Launch and Start Blasting
Away Relentless Enemy Swarms!

Activision Publishing, Inc. announced today the launch of Geometry Wars: Touch and Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies Apps for iPad are now available on the App Store. The launch of the iPad allows Geometry Wars: Touch for iPad and Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies for iPad to utilize higher graphics and faster processing to enhance the game experience and immerse players deeper into non-stop shooter pandemonium.

In addition to the six original Geometry Wars gameplay modes: Deadline, King, Evolved, Pacifism, Waves and Sequence, Geometry Wars: Touch for iPad will feature a brand new, adrenaline-filled mode – Titans! – exclusively on the iPad

• Geometry Wars is one of the most successful live arcade games of all time.
• Geometry Wars Retro Evolved was the winner of “Best arcade game” and was “Overall game of the year”.
• GWRE is widely regarded as the game that kick started digital distribution on home consoles.
• The sequel, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2, broke sales records.
• GWRE2 received a 90% combined critic rating and is the highest rated live arcade game of all time.
• The game features short play sessions, between 5 and 10 minutes in length – perfect for on-the-go gaming.
• Geometry Wars is still one of the most acclaimed franchises, with a strong and passionate fan base.


Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies for iPad includes the “Nacht Der Untoten” and “Verrückt” maps, offering a limitless single player experience, as well as a highly-addictive co-op gameplay experience in high-quality 3-D!

• Two terrifying Zombie maps, “Nacht der Untoten” (Night of the Undead) and “Verrückt” (Zombie Asylum)
• Stunning HD visuals and graphics improvements specifically for the iPad
• Sensational audio enhancements will provide an even more startling experience
• Streamlined controls and interface customized for the iPad
• 4-Player Co-op Zombie-slaying via WiFi
• Multiple control options for ease of play
• Unlimited Zombies! Unlimited gameplay!

Gameloft are on a roll again and releasing 8 of their premium titles for a lower price point compared to most of the competition. Instead of raising the price point to over $12.99 they are hoping to sell more at the $6.99-$9.99 price point. It will be interesting how it pans out for them, but for now check out their titles being ported over.

Gameloft, a leading publisher and developer of downloadable video games, today announced the launch of eight Apps for iPad on the App Store. The games are: N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance; Modern Combat: Sandstorm; Dungeon Hunter; Asphalt 5; UNO; NFL 2010; Let’s Golf!; and, Real Football 2010. Each game will capitalize on iPad’s distinctive gaming features and offer a unique set of original characteristics and gameplay.

“With iPhone and iPod touch, Apple changed the way consumers perceive and interact with their devices and created a revolutionary era for the mobile gaming industry,” said Michel Guillemot, president of Gameloft. “We are taking full advantage of all the new possibilities and features iPad is bringing to developers with games that will once again transform the digital gaming experience."

The iPad allows players to interact with games in unique ways:

* The large, stunning screen brings a higher level of graphic detail to the games in addition to the optimization of textures and models. The screen size and depth perception ratio allows the player to feel completely immersed in the experience. For example, Real Football 2010 was re-mastered to include HD resolution grass surfaces, textures, characters and animations.

* More direct and enriched controls allow for more intuitive thought and action response, as well as fully customizable buttons and mappings that fit the player’s preference. For instance, the N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance App for iPad includes more contextual controls in the environment: open an airlock door by rotating three fingers, slide the button upwards to make an elevator move upstairs, etc.

* The larger screen means there will be more ambitious gameplay sequences such as increased field of depth, complex map layouts and more intense action sequences. In N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, the player can enable MTA - Multi Target Acquisition which is a new feature for iPad gaming. The player can trigger a new functionality from the regular rocket launcher, then directly draw a grid on the battlefield to kill all selected enemies on screen in one shot. In Real Football 2010, the larger surface allows for a more strategic overview of the playing field and gave the designers more space to create comfortable control schemes.

* Multiplayer challenges will also be increased on iPad and cooperative gameplay will be easier and more attractive on the larger screen. Whether a spectator or participant, online challenges will become more fun and engaging. With UNO, the world famous card game, users can gather four friends and play on a single iPad using the new “One Device Multiplayer” mode. They can also connect with friends on iPad or iPhone devices for local and online Wi-Fi multiplayer gameplay.

With more than 900 developers dedicated to Apple’s platforms, Gameloft is ideally positioned to seamlessly develop great products for iPad. Gameloft ended 2009 with 55 games for iPhone & iPod touch and has hit 10 million paid downloads on the App Store.

As we get all prepared for the launch of the iPad I thought it would be best to share some announcements from the biggest and best developers for the iPhone. It is only fair that we kick off with Electronic Arts as they announce some big games for the iPad.

EA Mobile, a division of Electronic Arts Inc, today announced five best-selling titles available immediately for Apple’s iPad. These include SCRABBLE, Tetris, Need for Speed SHIFT, Mirror’s Edge, and Command & Conquer Red Alert.

As one of the leading publishers on the App Store, EA is delivering five games today that take advantage of the unique capabilities of iPad for a broad range of gamers, from the casual to the hardcore, and today’s product slate is just the beginning,” said Travis Boatman, Vice President of Worldwide Studios, EA Mobile. “For example, with SCRABBLE, we have modernized this family favorite game by developing a fun, interactive ‘Party Play’ mode. For our more hardcore fans, Need for Speed SHIFT becomes the ultimate immersive driving experience. We are thrilled to offer EA games with the launch of iPad—a device that is like no other.

SCRABBLE for iPad spells F-U-N! EA Mobile has created fans’ favorite crossword game, with a fresh interface uniquely designed for iPad that lets players pass ‘n’ play or go solo, in portrait or landscape mode. Social and multiplayer capabilities also enable players to challenge friends on Facebook, or through a local Wi-Fi network. In the all new “Party Play” mode, up to four iPhone or iPod touch players can connect their devices to be used as private tile racks and seamlessly play their words onto the iPad “game board” with a simple flick. And for newcomers, the exclusive “Teacher Feature” shows players the best word choice for the previous play.


Celebrating 25 years and more than 100 million paid downloads, the world famous Tetris game launches on iPad with all-new, high resolution graphics and exclusive features including highly anticipated D-Pad controls which give players the option to play the way they want and stay in control of the game. The iPad version also introduces an all-new “Endless” mode for the ultimate extension in game play. Tetris is a must have for any iPad user.


The award-winning leader in the racing genre, Need for Speed SHIFT races to the App Store with exclusive features, multiplayer capability, 18 unique tracks and a variety of race modes. Players can feel the adrenaline rush of an immersive experience when they choose from 28 of the fastest, hottest cars and enjoy physics-based 3D graphics optimized for iPad. New driving controls include the addition of visual accelerator and brake pedals, manual shifting, and a rearview mirror to see who’s coming from behind. The most visceral, aggressive simulation racing game on iPad will make hearts pound!


EA’s award-winning action adventure game, Mirror’s Edge, debuts on iPad with a graphically rich, addictive experience, and 14 nail-biting levels of unrivalled 3D action. Unique to iPad is a multiplayer feature which utilizes a split-screen interface, letting players battle against each other face to face in two thrilling modes. Exciting gameplay has players running on walls, sliding down ramps and leaping between rooftops as they out-maneuver enemies in pursuit of their mission.


With more than 30 million units sold across the Command & Conquer franchise, Command & Conquer Red Alert optimizes iPad’s Multi-Touch controls, large screen and high-fidelity graphics to create an expansive experience. Three-finger, Multi-Touch controls let players select and maneuver their armies, manage inventory and make maximum use of camera zooming to navigate battlefields with photorealistic visuals. Players command units across a wide variety of maps and levels with different environmental conditions which add more layers of strategic depth. Players can challenge friends in Head-to-Head multiplayer mode via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth between iPad and iPhone devices.

This is hot off the press, Tony Hawk himself has lifted the lid and announced via Twitter that Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 is coming to the iPhone 'soon'. He has stated that he couldn't keep it to himself any longer and has confirmed it's real and has screenshots to prove it.

From the look of the screenshots I would be putting my money on the game being controlled by tilting and different variations of grabs, grinds using the D-Pad on the screen. The game looks like it is easily set out so anyone can pick this up and know what to do, something I thought was lacking in Mike V: Do or Die. Knowing Activision this will probably be a $9.99 title like COD: Zombies.

Some of you might be familiar with a video made months ago showing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 working on the iPhone, but the game couldn't go any further as it wasn't made or given permission by Activision. For whatever reason Activision has now taken the game on board and are now set to challenge Electronic Arts upcoming title Skate It sometime in the near future we hope!

Continue coming back to this post as I will continually update it as more information about this title is released, stay tuned for more soon hopefully!

Original Announcement on Tony Hawk's Twitter:
"In the PR world, this is considered "going rogue," but I'm too excited to contain it. This is real & dropping soon."

Confirmation that the game is going to be Pro Skater 2:
"Right, down, circle #thps2foriphone"

Image of Tony Hawk playing THPS2 on the iPhone:

First In-game image of THPS2:


Previously released video of THPS2 working on an iPhone:



Tony Hawk's Blog:
http://tonyhawk.posterous.com/

Tony Hawk's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/TonyHawk

Product Description
SKATE IT, OWN IT, MAKE IT YOURS. Nail the kickflip, grind the rail, and lay down killer lines. The most realistic skate experience for iPhone & iPod touch is now in your hands.

Key Features
FEEL IT & PICK UP AND PLAY LIKE IT'S FOR REAL: We've maxed out the potential of your accelerometer and gesture controls. Get a real feel of a true skate experience as you conquer the skater nirvana that is "San Vanelona" or roll through real-world locations.

FLICK- IT & LAND YOUR TRICKS: Use the revolutionary touchscreen Flick-it controls to pull off ollies, kickflips, heelflips, Pop Shuvits, and more.

BE IT & LIVE THE LIFE OF THE PROS: Freeskate as a selected pro skater, or as your own customized guy or girl. Score Personal Bests in Career mode, and get sponsorships and perks galore.

KILL IT & UNLOCK STUFF: Own challenges and KILL them to get the really good stuff — from new boards to outfits. Unlock fresh skate spots, too. Gain enough gear and create your own killer skate park.

FILM IT & SEE YOUR SKILLS IN ACTION: Capture every sick line or epic bail on camera. Replay footage to view your mastery or just for your own amusement.

KICK IT TO YOUR OWN TUNES: You can even shred to a soundtrack from your own music library.

Product Specifications
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Ship Date: May 2010
Genre: Sports

Alley Gator is more of a casual game, which is something Glu Mobile have steered away from in their past few releases. This is a game that is extremely simple to pick up and play for only 2 or 3 minutes if you really want to. This is a game that I have played very basic versions of before on the pc, usually as a dodgy flash game. I haven't seen any of these titles on the App Store before Alley Gator, but after playing this game it seems like a perfect match to the accelerometer.

For those who still can't tell what this game is from my cryptic clues Alley Gator is a tunnel-sliding game where you must tilt your way through sewers avoiding items that get in your way. What makes Alley Gator so much fun is that it looks absolutely beautiful with crisp, bright graphics. Glu Mobile has also priced this game very cheaply so it should appeal to the casual gamer. If there was anything I feel might be lacking in this game is a bit of variety in the game. I'll talk more about that later though.

Presentation

This is actually a super amazing looking game. When taking a look at the screenshots you can just tell that this game is pretty special. There are six different environments that your cute little Alligator has to work his way through, each with a distinct theme like being covered in grafitti or all iced over from a cold winter in New York. With plenty of objects in your way, this game looks stunning in it's full 3D on any device.

Now the game is nothing like it looks in the screenshots. As you are hurtling down the various sewers the game is extremely fast paced. Especially in later levels you have no idea where you are going, often having a split second to veer away from an object hiding on a corner. The effects while going at a high speed work well, with the blurring of the screen much like what happens in the Need for Speed games. The game manages to keep it's great appeal and still looks fantastic. If there is anything you learn from this game, it's that Glu make their games look damn good.

Controls

This is such a simple game to pick up and play with excellent use of the accelerometer to play what was previously controlled by arrows on a keyboard. When you think about it this is actually the perfect title for the iPhone and I can't believe I haven't seen a title of this genre before on the App Store (There may be one that I have missed. If so please let me know in the comments section). This is a very hand-off title as there is little to actually do in the way of on screen buttons.

To play this game you must tilt the device left or right to move your way around the sewer pipes. A small tilt to one side will keep you spinning around until you center your device. The games camera will rotate with you so there is no need to actually move your head as Alley Gator is always on the bottom of the screen, just the pipe moves. If you feel like braking because you can't control where you are going just tap and hold on the screen to slow down Alley Gator. Running into objects will slow you right down so you will lose time.

Gameplay

Alley Gator is a very simple game to play, tilt your way out of the sewer before the time runs out so you can save your Alligator from being stuck in the dreaded sewer. Apart from being very cute this game will challenge your reflexes as you hurtle around this pipe in a way that could quite possibly make you sick if using an iPad.

There are 25 levels to complete, each gradually getting harder than the last to complete. As you progress more obstacles will appear in your way, often with a smaller gap for you to pass by it, the levels will get longer and it’s more of a struggle to make it through without picking up a heap of power-ups. The thing that is lacking in this game is a bit of variety as there is only one game mode which can get dry towards the end of the game.

If you enjoy what is available and the genre as a whole then this is definitely the best I have played on any platform. Alley Gator has multiple power-ups to help you on your quest to get away from the sewer. Collecting a clock will freeze the time clock for a short amount of time. Collecting a potion will turn you into a huge alligator that is invincible to all objects in its path for a limited amount of time. And don’t forget the peppers! These are vital if you want to have a ‘perfect run’ by collecting all 3 and finishing the level in the required time.

This isn’t a game that is too overly difficult for a relatively casual gamer to complete and it will only take about an hour to finish. This isn’t the type of game to finish in one sitting though, you will probably get one or two levels finished per play as that’s the type of game this was designed to be.

Conclusion

The overall gaming experience in Alley Gator is fun and great for a casual play. Everything has come together in sync for a fun experience. Excellent graphics, easy to use controls, excellent use of the camera rotation and a fun gaming experience. This is one of the more involving $0.99 games you will come across on the App Store. This is a game that can run on any device, be played by anyone who knows how to move an iPhone left or right and be loved by people who have a strong interest in cute alligators.

For $0.99 you can’t even go wrong with this game. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy this game then you have just bought two soft serves in the form of some brilliant eye candy to show off to your friends. This is really a casual game for anyone and everyone.