Sequels seem to be all the rage these days with Gangstar this and Halo that… heck, three of the games in the App Store top 10 are sequels, and if you count Tiger Woods you have four. As much as people like sequels, there’s nothing that is quite like snuggling up to a nice, cozy retro game. Well, nothing except for the hell-spawn of the retro games themselves.

They aren’t quite sequels, but they are definitely retro inspired – and that makes them awesome in a deranged slasher film kind of way.

Be2: Escape From Pongland – People have been playing the simple game of Pong for almost 40 years without caring too much for the well-being of the little dot that gets knocked around by the paddles. As any prisoner, the dot wanted freedom, and Be2 is the game about its escape.

You start out the game in a normal Pong screen and then break out into the Alice in Wonderland-esque world of Pongland. The game is filled with creepy rooms, stages inspired by numerous retro games, and a witty, but slightly creepy inner monologue to guide you through.

Speaking of creepy, the New Orleans jazz track that starts the game is about as creepy as it gets. Nothing about the song itself is creepy, but the whole thing feels like the start (or the end) of a creepy Kubrick movie.

FREE!

Be2 - Escape from Pingland

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-09-22 :: Category: Games

Space Invaders: Infinity Gene – Space Invaders was long my dads favorite game on Atari. For some reason or another, an entire generation of gamers were drawn into a zombie-like trance by a little space ship that would destroy wave after wave of enemy ships.

Infinity Gene steps way outside the box and creates an unforgettably sexed up techno remix. The game resembles the original in that you have to kill the invading aliens, but the graphics and colors added to the original are striking. Also striking is the fact that the music (either the built in stuff or whatever you decide to play) actually jives with the action on screen.

This is the one retro game remix that actually outshines the original. It’s fantastic.

$4.99

Space Invaders Infinity Gene

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-07-28 :: Category: Games

Super Mega Worm - Is it a stretch to call Super Mega Worm a rethinking of the retro game, Snake? Yes, but the games do resemble each other in the fact that you have to eat something. Fine, maybe it’s a stretch, but the game is extremely fun and undoubtedly retro.

In full retro graphics glory, your worm must survive by eating all the humans, vehicles, and wildlife that inhabit the above ground world. The first few levels are quite simple because nobody is savvy to your worm attacks, but after a few levels you’ll have all sorts of troops and worm haters to deal with.

Super Mega Worm isn’t the most involved game, nor does it have the best graphics, but it does offer a serious dose of fun. There’s just nothing quite like bouncing off of trucks to munch on airplanes flying overhead.

$1.99

Super Mega Worm

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-08-26 :: Category: Games

So Long. Oregon! – As I wrote in the original review, “So Long, Oregon is the techno destruction of my Oregon Trail playing childhood.” The game takes the typical game of Oregon Trail and blows it up, turning the whole game into a physics racer with a bit of bizarre hunting. The graphics are all dark and neon, buffalo are flying around the sky, and people get hurt and die at a pace that is probably far more accurate to the actual event.

To be honest, the game really isn’t that good. It’s a big, messy disaster… but it’s my big messy disaster. I’d definitely recommend the game to just about anyone, but there is a very distinct chance that the vast majority of gamers will just stare in horror.

$1.99

So Long, Oregon!

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-08-10 :: Category: Games

The Time Geeks need your help to find the lost objects and people scattered through time and space by The Zoorgs in this pixelated cartoon world. Be ready for cute retro graphics and a healthy dose of humor. Now available on the App Store!

Created by Ivanovich Games with art and music by Markus Gmür, this game will have you searching for hidden objects and playing mini-games. While searching in this pixelated world for the objects you seek you might find a reference or two to our own Pop Culture; in particular, the developers claim to have included several in-jokes for ‘Lost’ fans.

This game has an astounding number of challenges (at least a hundred!) and levels within the main game itself as well as the minigames. There are six different game modes in all: History, Challenges, Arcade, Relax, Mini-games & Editor. Each of these options gives you a different experience, and you can even create your own ‘Island’ with hidden objects or people with the Editor Mode, then share with your friends on Facebook.

The game also offers another level of interactivity by including both Game Center integration and Open Feint so you can play against leader boards and unlock achievements.

Time Geeks was recently featured as New & Noteworthy on the App Store. You should definitely check this out if you’re interested in find & seek games, a fan of retro art and music or just looking for a quality game for a very reasonably low price. It’s not everyday that such a comprehensive game with quality graphics and a fun and interesting storyline comes to iOS at this price, while remaining geared to geeks and flash game enthusiasts alike.

The promo trailer for the game is included below, and I highly recommend having a look. It gives a great overview of not only the game play, but also the tone and humor with which this game was created.

$0.99

Time Geeks: Find All!

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-09-27 :: Category: Games

R-Type, one of the most influential shooters of all time, is coming to your favorite iDevice. Most people remember the game as a fun shooter that they would play every now and again, but I remember it as the most frustratingly difficult game outside of playing a Don Bluth game in the arcade.

IGN best said in a list of the top 10 toughest games to beat that “R-Type requires you to memorize the level layout (of course, you’ll have to memorize the attack patterns, too). And the only way to do this is through a system of trial and error. Play a level, die, play again but take a different path, get a little farther, die… To make matters worse, your ship is the slowest, least maneuverable hunk of junk in the galaxy.”

As painful as the memories are, R-Type will inevitably be on my iPhone when it goes live. EA says that it will be a faithful recreation of the original, except for the three control options (D-Pad, Accelerometer, and touch). Check out their newly released screenshots… they might stir up some painful memories.

With the current “retro” trend refusing to die down, especially on the App Store, one of the first and best videogames, Space Invaders, is making a return but not in the form you might expect.

Instead of simply porting the relentless, pixilated aliens to the iPhone platform, Taito has introduced a novel set of utilities (Gizmos) themed with Space Invaders graphics.

Available now on the App Store, iPhone users can take advantage of Space Invaders business card swapper, a calculator, battery meter, memory status tool, clock, flashlight and a timer. Each app offers a unique Space Invaders design and incorporates the 8-bit graphics of the classic game into buttons and displays.

Of all the apps available, Space Invaders Business Cards looks the best featured with the ability to create and customize personal business cards and share them between devices via Bluetooth.

All of the apps, bar the premium version of the calculator are free and provide a fun way to perform basic tasks on your iPhone while remembering simpler times back when a phone just made calls.

FREE!

Space Invaders Battery Meter

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

$0.99

Space Invaders Calculator

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

FREE!

Space Invaders Calculator-FREE-

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

FREE!

Space Invaders Clock

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

FREE!

Space Invaders Flashlight

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

FREE!

Space Invaders Memory Status

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

FREE!

Space Invaders Timer

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-14 :: Category: Utilities

FREE!

Space Invaders Business Cards

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-09 :: Category: Utilities

It’s the age-old developer story. Guy makes game, guy sells rights to game licenses game, guy gets game back again and remakes it for the iPhone. Okay, we’ve never heard that story either but it is the story behind retro game Qwak that’s heading to an iPhone near you.

This cute, old school adventure game was originally made for the BBC (that’s a computer not a UK TV network) 22 years ago and was then re-launched on the Amiga by Team 17, the guys who made Worms, in 1993. Qwak has lain dormant for several years until its original creator, Jamie Woodhouse, decide to bring it back to life via the iPhone. Learning the iPhone SDK as he went, Jamie has now completed the iPhone version, which he hopes will be available on the App Store very soon.

Check out the video below and you’ll see how this labor of love could quickly become the next addictive iPhone smash.

Qwak … coming soon to your iPhone from Jamie Woodhouse on Vimeo.

Update: Jamie has contacted us to point out that Qwak was licensed to Team 17, not sold.

Okay, so David Hasselhoff‘s airtime these days is a mixture of him singing rock songs in German and eating burgers off the floor in a drunken stupor, but we all remember his heyday, don’t we? No, not Baywatch, the cult classic that was Knight Rider. In a nutshell, the show followed the crime fighting escapades of Michael Knight and his kick-ass futuristic car with a voice that sounded like that old guy from Boy Meets World. Sadly, the last we heard from KITT (the car) and Michael Knight was way back in 1986 when the series ended – until now.

For those who loved the quality soundtrack, cheesy dialogue and completely impractical stunts, Knight Rider has returned as an iPhone game, available now on the App Store. In a nice touch, the developer hasn’t tried to bring the game into the same technical field as the iPhone (which is probably more advanced than any gadget found in the show) opting instead for the retro pixel art feel of 80s coin-op titles. Most of the game is spent driving the car in a top down view and there are plenty of powerups available that hark back to the TV series, clips of which can also be unlocked as you play.

If you enjoyed Knight Rider growing up or simply love the glory days of kids TV you’ll likely get the same goose bumps we did as the intro sequence and title music plays when you launch this app.

$6.99

KNIGHT RIDER

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-05-23 :: Category: Games

I remember going to video game arcades in the 80’s and feeding all of my hard-earned allowance into the mouths of select, unassuming coin-operated, wood-encased predators.

While the majority of arcades all died off in the mid-to-late 80’s, there are developers who still work to bring us back to those beloved, nostalgic days of soda-soaked fingers and greasy joystick bliss, only without the joysticks.

One of my favorite games was Data East’s arcade classic, Karate Champ, which, in addition to providing me with hundreds of hours of entertainment, played an integral role in teaching me Karate moves I would later need to fiend off bullies, thugs and arcade employees.

Imagine my delight when I learned Revolutionary Concepts is working to bring the original fighting game that started it all to the iPhone! Karate Champ’s controls consisted mainly of two joysticks and only those players with expert timing, intuition and the satisfaction of knowing Chuck Norris would be proud were declared winner.

Karate Champ will include:

Look for it in April!

[via Finger Gaming]

3bot, a 3D action/puzzle game for the iPad, iPhone and iTouch, developed by DevKid, in cooperation with PIXELFEDERATION, is gearing up for it’s app store debut!

3bot is shaping up to look like an exciting, unique, 3D puzzle/action game. Game play previews feature a tripedal “bot” traversing a dynamic, multi-colored polygonal game board, set within a retro, 50′s-60′s-style cosmic universe reminiscent of a puzzle version of Q-bert set in the 50′s space-age.

According to the game’s developers, 3bot is a robot with 3 feet that thinks in three’s. Game play centers around 3bot moving and coloring 3D patterns, navigating its way around a 3D environment set in outer space.

3bot’s cosmic puzzle/action unfolds throughout 3 worlds containing 45 different levels and features multi-touch controls, global score sharing and an authentic, “retro” 50s-60s sci-fi genre atmosphere.

Features:

1. 3+3+3+3+3 levels in 3 worlds = 45 levels.
2. New features added into levels to keep players “on their toes.”
3. Global Score-sharing.
4. Simple, intuitive touch controls.
5. Multiple player profiles.

3bot was developed by DevKid, in cooperation with Pixelfederation and looks like it’s shaping up to be a unique game play experience. You can follow 3bot on Facebook.

Hit the jump for some more screen shots of 3bot.
Continue reading 3bot for iPad, iPhone and iTouch coming soon! »

Random musings of the App Store.

Retro Invasion

Retro games are appearing in the App Store in droves! Pac-Man Remix, Q*Bert Deluxe, and of course, the incredible Space Invaders Infinity Gene. All of these are updated in some way from the classic games. Q*Bert has updated graphics, Pac-Man Remix has updated graphics (though they are still not too hot on the iPhone) along with power-ups that sometimes feel gimmicky, and Space Invaders is a complete re-imagining of the classic game. Of these, the only game that really captivates me is SIIG. In my opinion, retro games are retro for a reason – frankly, they’re boring and outdated. However, the concepts are still good, and if they’re updated for modern gamers, they can turn out like SIIG. To go with these retro games, there are plenty more on the way: Snood, a classic match-3 shooting game, TAITO’s Bust-a-Move, and most importantly, Pac-Man Championship Edition. Pac-Man CE, for XBLA, is, along with SIIG, one of the best re-imaginings of a retro game I have ever played and, if the controls are changed from Remix, should translate fantastically for the iPhone.

Pac-Man CE, a great re-imagining of the classic game

Gameloft coming on strong (maybe)

Along with NFL 2010, Gameloft has an upcoming FPS, Sandstorm, and a GTA knockoff, Gang$tar in the works. These games are particularly of note because it seems as if Gameloft is attempting to directly compete with other developers. NFL 2010 was notably released before EA’s upcoming Madden 2010, and at a lower expected price point – $7.99 compared to $9.99. Sandstorm seems to be in line for direct competition with ngmoco’s upcoming FPS (as yet unnamed). Gang$tar looks to have a huge advantage on current App Store GTA-a-likes with a fully roam-able 3D world. If I was a betting man (ok, I am a betting man), though, I would count on the other two games losing out. If there’s two things Gameloft games have in common, with the notable exception of Castle of Magic, it’s lackluster, on-screen controls, and uninspired gameplay. Gameloft seems to put all of the genre “requirements” in their games, without doing anything truly unique to make the game their own. They seem stubborn about their controls as well, always opting for mediocre on-screen d-pads or joysticks, rather than attempting any innovation for the iPhone. NFL 2010 is a solid football game with licensing, and I’m sure Sandstorm will be a decent FPS. However, neither if these titles, probably, will be great.

Get out of my games, stupid pygmy

I wanted to briefly address a common complaint springing up various places: games requiring 3.0 software or higher. Developers are excited to utilize 3.0 features and making their apps 2.2.1 compatible takes a lot of time, resources, and extra testing. Look, I know that the update is $10 for iPod touchers (whoops, that sounds weird), but that’s really not a lot for a major software upgrade, and if these stubborn users don’t update soon, they’re going to find themselves left out in the cold for some of the App Store’s best apps and games.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse

First Doodle Jump, now Harbor Master; the Pocket God pygmies are invading other games! It was bad enough that I had to look at those stupid pygmies while playing Pocket God, thinking I would eventually like it. But no, that wasn’t enough, now they have to ruin games that I actually play! I really want to kill a pygmy, and in a way so that they can’t be magically dropped from the sky a few seconds later.

Apps of the Week

Gomi

Gomi, an app of the week!

Last week, I previewed Kevin Calderone’s new game Gomi, mentioning the staggering amount of content. Now, the app is out, and not only is it huge, but all that content is actually worth playing! In Gomi, you clean up the world by eating pollution and the like while spitting (?) out trees and flowers. You have to eat smaller things to build your appetite, eventually building up to shopping malls and the like. The regular levels are great, the boss battles are challenging and clever, and the game is seemingly endless with 140+ levels, eight mini games, achievements, and online scoreboards. At the low price of $1.99, Gomi is a unique game and a highly recommended bargain. Expect a full review soon (sorry, I’m on vacation).

$2.99

Gomi

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-08-06 :: Category: Games

BargainBin

BargainBin is an app that allows you track other apps; creating wish lists with target prices and viewing the newest apps, updates, and price drops. BargainBin recently was updated with two major improvements: a nice UI update and a killer feature: push notifications. Now, whenever an app you’re tracking reaches your desired price, you’ll instantly receive a push notification without ever having to open the app. Finding the App Store’s best deals has never been easier!

FREE!

BargainBin With Push!

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-03-26 :: Category: Productivity

Well, that’s it for this week, and I’m still loving writing this column! Apparently, I messed up the links for the previous articles, so commenting was impossible. This has been fixed, so hopefully this week my begging for feedback/comments will succeed!