WINtA: A New Music Game for a Good Cause

WINta—that crazy acronym stands for "War Is Not the Answer"—is a new music rhythm game that claims it's trying to reinvent the genre. WINtA does away with the now-typical "track of notes" approach. Instead, different shapes appear on screen, and you tap them in rhythm with the lyrics. The game includes one free song; others are available for in-app purchase at $0.99. The developer promises that more free tracks will be released in the future, along with other paid songs.

Speaking of the developer, WINtA is the brainchild of developer Masaya Mastuura, a Japanese developer. The app's description calls him the "inventor" of the music genre, citing his 1996 release Parappa the Rapper. Also, Ngmoco is publishing WINtA, so the game features full Plus+ integration, including leaderboards and achievements.

But perhaps happiest of all: WINtA is part of the OneBigGame organization, meaning that ten percent of the profits from each extra track you buy go towards OneBigGame's partners. Currently, OneBigGame is partnered with the Starlight Children's Foundation and Save the Children. The Starlight Children's Foundation works with children with terminal illnesses and their families, while Save the Children works to improve many aspects of children's lives.

WINtA is a simple game with a simple premise, but it's hard not to like a game built for charity. Plus, Winta is free to try...so why not give it a download? Unfortunately the game isn't compatible with early-generation iPod Touches or iPhones, but those with newer devices are free to go.