Here’s a nice little surprise for Call of Duty fans: Activision just announced that it’s releasing Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies for iOS on December 1.

Black Ops Zombies is the successor to Activision’s 2009 experiment on the iOS platform, Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies. The game features similar gameplay to its predecessor, based on the gameplay from the zombies mode in the console version of Call of Duty: Black Ops. The game features first-person gameplay, utilizing the retina display.

There are also a number of improvements over the first Zombies foray on iOS. For one, Blacks Ops Zombies features Voice Chat using either the iPhone’s speakers or a Bluetooth headset. Additionally, this sequel adds four-player co-op via Wi-Fi or online matchmaking. Very cool. There is even an online ranking mode. It seems that Ideakworks Game Studios has really fledged out things with its sequel. The studio has also included three different control schemes. The first uses the accelerometer and has players use one thumb to move, one thumb to shoot and tilt their device to look around. The second uses a more dual analog-style approach – one thumb moves, the other looks. Finally, there’s a touch-style control scheme where one thumb moves and the entire right side of the screen is used to look and aim.

The game features the level Kino der Toten from the original Black Ops, as well as 50 levels from Dead-Ops Arcade. Activision says that the next level available for download will be Ascension, which will be available for free. There’s no official word on future map downloads and whether or not they’ll be free, but 1UP says that an Activision rep commented on the subject, saying the publisher has learned its lesson regarding charging extra for maps.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies has been optimized to run on any iOS device that supports iOS 4. It is available on the iTunes App Store today, December 1, for $6.99.

$6.99

Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: BRAINS!
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-12-01 :: Category: Games

Apps that are created to advertise other forms of media have been done before. Whether it be a film tie in game or a clever augmented reality app, they’re out there. A game for iOS to advertise another game, this time for consoles, is an interesting twist, however. The game in question is ProtoSlice, a title set to excite fans of Prototype, an open world sandbox adventure for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

ProtoSlice looks nothing like Prototype admittedly but it’s there to advertise the release of Prototype 2, arriving next April. Unlike the console game, ProtoSlice is a puzzle game in which players must clear away layers of Prototype-blades in order to avoid getting their fingers sliced. Yup, it’s as quirky as it sounds. In between levels come some sneak peek screenshots of Prototype 2.

It’s an enjoyable distraction and the screenshots make it all the better. There’s even a Prototype 2 trailer to view!

For the Prototype fan, this is very much worth a look. Even better, it’s free to download now.

FREE!

ProtoSlice

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-10-28 :: Category: Games

When it comes to companies with a huge amount of influence in the game design space, it is hard to argue that Bungie isn’t among the frontrunners.  Having successfully birthed both the Marathon and Halo franchises, they also draw one of the largest fan followings in the entire industry.  After recently breaking ties from the Microsoft fold and signing a ten year contract with Activision to create a groundbreaking new game universe, it was assumed that they would be setting their sights on creating a new console franchise.  While this assumption may still be true, it seems like they may also have more ambitious, and dare we say portable plans.

Using the moniker of Bungie Aerospace, the name of Bungie’s business entity post-Microsoft, recently filed a trademark for the name “Crimson.”  As bland as the name may seem, this may be pointing towards the company finally making strides into the iOS space.  The official filing description reads as follows:

“Computer game software downloadable from a global computer network; Computer game software for use on mobile and cellular phones; Downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices” — VIA USPTO Filing

Though I would hate to be the one to jump to conclusions too early, the wording above seems pretty definitive in stating Bungie’s intentions to at least breach the portable gaming front in some way, shape, or form.  It is hard to say whether this might be in the form of a full game, stat monitoring, or even a pre-release ARG, but one thing is for sure, this should be exciting news to all iOS gamers.  Lets just hope that they can continue their hot streak of amazing game worlds, because I can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeves next!

[ via Game Informer ]

I know this may be slightly blasphemous to say on a site like 148apps.com, but portable gaming, even iOS gaming in particular, owes quite a bit of its success to the proliferation of consoles.  Many of the ideas that are pioneered on platforms like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 eventually find their way to the iOS in one form or another.  This isn’t a bad thing, it just leads to issues when developers try to shoehorn console centric gamestyles onto a device that lacks the proper control mechanisms.

One such game that has made its impact on iOS platform in the form of numerous different titles is Geometry Wars.  Despite Activision actually releasing a proper Geometry Wars title, many other developers have found inspiration in everything from the control scheme and mechanics, to the futuristic art style.  Chillingo’s (now part of EA Mobile’s publishing wing) upcoming iPad release, Infinity Field, seems to be doing a little more than just borrowing ideas, as you can see in their most recent debut trailer.

As becomes very evident after viewing this footage, Chillingo is looking to bring their own perspective to the genre that Bizarre Creations built.  Featuring boss battles to go along with the standard barrage of enemies might go a long way toward helping to distinguish Infinity Field from Activison’s prior offering.  It will also be interesting to see what kinds of power-ups and weaponry are also added to the experience, seeing as how this was very limited in Geometry Wars.

If nothing else, Infinity Field looks like it could be a strong contender, given its iPad specific focus.  Using all of the extra real estate on screen that the device exclusively has, could make for very intense action, pending the controls are as solid as they look to be.  Clocking in at only $1.99, it might be worth giving a look and letting us know what you think in the comments.

$1.99

Infinity Field HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad

Our Rating: :: ENDLESS FUN
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-01-27 :: Category: Games

Angry Birds developer Chillingo may cease to be an indie darling in the near future, as EA has bought the company. Reports put an the deal at $20 million cash, but the future of all the studio’s properties are still up in the air.

Chillingo was already a hot commodity after Angry Birds, but the massive success of the recently released Cut the Rope has truly turned the UK developer into a den of rock stars. While companies like Activision, Gameloft and even Intel were vying for the studio, EA was able to close the deal.

“By acquiring Chillingo, EA Mobile is increasing its market leadership on the Apple Platform as well as reaffirming its position as the world’s leading wireless entertainment publisher,” EA’s Holly Rockwood said in a statement.

It sounds like EA wants to keep Chillingo in the mobile space, but we can’t help but wonder if the studio will be asked to dabble in consoles and handhelds as well. EA has dabbled with physics games by publishing Boom Blox on the Wii, but the series has stalled and perhaps the company is looking for a new franchise to bring to non-Apple audiences. There’s also the distinct possibility EA could request a totally new IP from Chillingo, one which could be backed with a big budget and marketed across all platforms.

Where things may get tricky is in regards to ownership rights of games published under the Chillingo banner. Rovio created Angry Birds, while ZeptoLab made Cut the Rope, and, at least according to Rovio, the development studios still own those properties. A Rovio spokesperson says his company “controls the Angry Birds brand and any future products,” so at least that franchise may remain apart from this deal.

At any rate, let us be among the first to congratulate Chillingo and wish them the best of luck under the new ownership. They’ve already proven what talented, dedicated people can do when they put their minds to it so they deserve all the success and wealth they’ve earned. Well done guys, keep up the good work.

[via Mashable]

If you loved the madcap adventures of Crash and friends in Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, you’ll be excited to hear that a sequel is now available that replaces the 3D in the title with a 2. Not only that, but a new adventure awaits players as well as the introduction of some much needed multiplayer action for up to four players, likely timed to coincide with Apple’s upcoming Game Center service.

The sequel to one of the first console-to-iPhone ports asks a pretty steep $9.99 and weighs in at 71.8MB but has so far been receiving positive press. Some reviewers have mentioned a few bugs, however, but these will hopefully be ironed out in the next update.

From what we’ve seen, CBNK2’s graphics look great and all the features of the original are retained with some great new options to boot. With any luck, we’ll be seeing iPad versions of Activision games coming to the App Store soon as well.

$2.99

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-05-27 :: Category: Games

Aaaand…we’re back! Phew. Is it Friday already? Well, here are our weekly five app selections, culled from recent App Store releases. We’ve got plenty of new stuff this week, from feed readers to music games, so let’s get started!

Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero was demo’d at the WWDC keynote earlier this week, and made its official App Store debut shortly afterwards. Talk about big-name apps. The game costs $2.99 and comes with six songs, allowing you to unlock others via in-app purchase. (The included songs include hits like “We Are the Champions” by Queen and “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer.) It looks a lot like the Tap Tap Revenge and Rock Band games on the surface, but Guitar Hero introduces some new “swipe” and “strum” mechanics that add some new spice to the somewhat-stale tapping games. To put it succinctly, the game looks awesome—we’ll have a full review up later, of course.

$2.99

Guitar Hero

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: OUT OF TUNE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-06-07 :: Category: Games

Camera+
Camera+ comes from TapTapTap, makers of excellent, succinctly named apps like Convert and Voices. It includes tons of tools, ranging from digital zoom to an image stabilizer to a grid that helps you avoid crooked pictures. There are also plenty of scene modes (Beach, Night, Sunset, Backlit, etc) and filters (from a dirty Grunge effect to the more humorous So Emo). Toss in a digital flash effect, borders, and the ability to share photos across a variety of social networks, and Camera+ has just about every feature covered. The app itself is elegantly designed, and on the whole, Camera+ seems to be another worthy addition to the ranks of photo apps in the App Store.

$1.99

Camera+

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: CAMERA EXCELSIOR!
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-06-06 :: Category: Photography

HECTOR: Badge of Carnage
This is not your typical adventure game, folks. HECTOR proudly declares itself to be “half-decent,” but don’t let that fool you. This point-and-click adventure game stars Detective Inspector Hector and is cheekily irreverent. The dialogue is crude (not for the young’ins) and witty, and the game features genre mainstays like interactive locations and an expansive inventory. HECTOR certainly takes a different tack than most App Store games. Point-and-click fans should check it out.

$3.99

HECTOR: Badge of Carnage Ep1

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-02 :: Category: Games

Sudoku 2 Pro
Sudoku 2 Pro is (you guessed it!) the pro version of the popular Sudoku port. This version strips out the ads, tracks your “runs” (uninterrupted win streaks), auto-deletes solved notes, and allows you to hide the timer if you so wish…among other things, of course. Naturally, the features that make Sudoku 2 loved by so many App Store customers are still intact: ease-of-use, graphics, etc. If you’re looking for a good Sudoku game and don’t want your screen cluttered with ads, check out Sudoku 2 Pro.

$2.99

▻Sudoku Pro

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-03 :: Category: Games

Pulse News Reader
And finally, one for your iPad owners. Pulse News Reader was also demoed by Steve Jobs at the WWDC. Pulse is a clean and visual news reader for iPad. It imports up to 20 news sources and then creates an elegant mosaic of your news stories. Tapping on a block brings up the article in full. Just take a look at the picture…the app looks gorgeous, and even supports both landscape and portrait. Yum!

FREE!

Pulse News for iPad

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad

Our Rating: :: PULSING WITH PROMISE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-05-12 :: Category: News

In May of last year a mysterious video popped up on YouTube showing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 running amazingly well, it seemed, on the iPhone. That video was created to celebrate Tony Hawks birthday and to hopefully present a product idea to Tony and Activision.

Well it looks like the game might really be coming out. Tony Hawk revealed this picture on his Twitter stream over the weekend. That tweet has now been removed, but the image remains on the image hosting site. The original tweet from Tony was “In the PR world, this is considered “going rogue,” but I’m too excited to contain it. This is real & dropping soon.”

Activision have the rights to the Tony Hawk franchise so the game will be released through them. We connected with the developer of the version we saw last year to see if they were the developers of this new version. The bad news is that they are not creating it. It was apparently created by someone else for Activision or possibly internally by Activision. I’ve contacted Activision to see if they have a comment on this game, but have yet to hear back.

Hit the jump for the original YouTube video to see Tony Hawk running on the iPhone.

Continue reading Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 Really Coming to the iPhone »