Glu have been a little cautious on their adoption of the iPhone platform. While they have a few games out thus far, they have yet to really make their voice heard on the iTunes App Store. However, it looks like that is about to change. Glu gave us a sneak peak at some of the games they will be releasing over the next few weeks. We were promised that this is only the tip of the iceberg, as they are planning on releasing 20 games for the iPhone this year. Here’s some info on the ones they are ready to talk about now.

Build-a-lot strikes me as a simplified SimCity, smashed up with a time management game like Sally’s Salon. In this game you buy, sell, and build property in a small segment of a city. The goal is to make as much money as possible by selling and renting properties. There are plenty of levels and plenty to keep you busy. Some of the later levels really turn up the heat and require that you really move your fingers.
Approximate release date: March 30, $4.99

Cooking Star is a mini game collection that obviously reminds me of Cooking Mama. But from what I’ve seen of both, this one plays better. An achievement system in this app has been includes where you unlock real recipes, an innovative features. Glu plans to add additional mini games to this title every once in a while, which will increase the value of this app.
Approximate release date: April, 2009, $2.99

Cops and Robbers is a cross between a racing game, a platformer, and a timing game. You play as one of two robbers, and run and jump your way through multiple levels. You goal is to collect money to pay your rent. Once you complete a level, you can re-play the level as a police officer and try to catch yourself from when you played as the robber — like ghost racing. This game is one of the more originals we’ve seen from Glu and has good potential. The only problem we see in the current build is that the action can be a little stop-start with the camera changes.
Approximate release date: Late April, 2009, $4.99

Glyder is a collection game where you are on a glider, trapped in another dimension. This is a slow play game where there are no time pressures or enemies attacking you. There are also no negatives to crashing; you just restart the last place you landed. It makes for an interesting concept for a game, and there’s plenty of variety with the multiple worlds. An achievement system is nicely varied and provides progress info on each of the achievements. My current feeling is that this game has great potential but the graphics in the game’s landscape are a little flat. But for a relaxed, casual game, it does have something going for it.
Approximate release date: April, 2009, $1.99

Mini-Golf: Wacky Worlds is a mini golf game set in four themed and very oddly interesting 3D worlds. This was the least finished of the games so we won’t make any critical remarks about it. It’s just not done yet.
Approximate release date: Summer 2009

Thanks to Slide To Play for providing video of the first 4 games, embedded below.

One thing is for sure, Glu are one of the most popular and prolific mobile game developers. They have been a little slow on the uptake on the iPhone but are planning to go full force now. They haven’t tipped their hat to what they are doing in the social games area, the segment that the iPhone can really excel in, but assured us they just aren’t ready to talk about their plans there yet.

They have some exciting things coming with the above and beyond and we can’t wait to see what they do.