Great games on a dollar a day

What are the best new iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch games available for a total budget of $30 -- or about a dollar per day? Below are the best-reviewed titles released over the past month. All games are available for all Apple portable devices unless otherwise indicated.

Best-Reviewed New iPad/iPhone/iPod Games, $30 Total Budget - June 2011

	Game	Genre	Rating	Metascore	Price
	Pudding Panic	Action/Puzzle	9+	92	$0.99
	Rocket Bunnies	Action	4+	91	$0.99
	Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing	Racing	4+	90	$4.99
	Feed Me Oil	Puzzle	4+	88	$0.99
	Hard Lines	Action	9+	86	$2.99
	Chop Chop Slicer	Action	9+	86	$0.99
	1-bit Ninja	Action	4+	84	$1.99
	Tiny Tower	Simulation	4+	83	Free
	Joining Hands	Puzzle	4+	83	$2.99
	Hanging With Friends	Word Puzzle	4+	82	$1.99
	Continuity 2: The Continuation	Action/Puzzle	4+	82	$0.99
	Flick Golf Extreme!	Sports	4+	79	$2.99
	Icebreaker Hockey	Sports	4+	77	$0.99
	Cell Bound	Action/Puzzle	4+	77	$0.99
	Mighty Fin	Action	9+	77	$0.99
			TOTAL COST:		$25.86

The Metascore for iPhone and iPad games is an unweighted average of individual scores given by professional game publications on a scale of 0 (bad) to 100 (good). A Metascore of 75 or higher denotes generally positive reviews, while 90 or higher indicates universal acclaim. Scores are not calculated for games with fewer than four reviews.

Below, we take a closer look at each of the past month's best new games. (Note that all game summaries are from the publishers' official descriptions.) Don't forget that you can now get updated critic and user reviews for these and all iOS games in Metacritic's iPhone/iPad section.

Pudding Panic  iPhone iPod Touch
A separate HD version for iPads is available for $2.99. (Reviews are for non-HD version)

A jiggly pudding (yes, that's what we said) must evade spooky creatures in a haunted house in this humorous puzzler.

From the Publisher: Pudding, don't panic! A nervous little pudding is trapped on a ghost train in a haunted house. Help him escape with his quivers intact! Puzzle your way to the exit and scare back the monsters with funny weapons and traps! Weird witches, rattling skeletons and wandering skulls make the vanilla sauce freeze in your veins! Your only chance: Scare the monsters before they scare you! Defend yourself with crazy traps and funny weapons! Manipulate the rail system to build the ideal route and escape the dark labyrinth! Do you have enough courage for the powerful supermonsters waiting for you in the dark? Enjoy the first ghost train game ever developed in real-time 3D! Explore 48 suspenseful levels with many playing variations! Are you clever and quick enough to solve the puzzles and to trap your enemies? Play this addictive, tongue-in-the-cheek puzzle action game and find out.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	AppSafari
In all, I really liked the look, the tone the game set, and the monster designs. The gameplay is unique and for this low price Pudding Panic is a great buy.
100	Slide to Play
This spooky, weird puzzle game is like a tasty dessert.
90	148Apps
Even if your not a fan of desserts that jiggle or haunted houses, this game is sure to have something to make you smile.
90	Pocket Gamer UK
Utterly intense, but ridiculously addictive at the same time, Pudding Panic's marriage of fear and food delivers a puzzler without comparison on iPhone.
80	Gamezebo
While an inaccurate title though, Pudding Panic delivers where it counts, which is in the fun department.

Rocket Bunnies  iPhone iPod Touch
A separate HD version for iPads is available for $2.99. (Reviews are for non-HD version)

Navigate a cartoon bunny around obstacles in outer space in this fast-paced action game.

From the Publisher: Space, the final frontier…for rabbits. Help the intrepid Rocket Bunny feed his friends by guiding him through the universe! Avoid explosive mines, space spiders and other interstellar hazards in your quest to feed every hungry bunny out there! Collect powerups, dive through black holes, and even escape giant space-spider webs! Features: // Speed your way around 60 levels spanning 2 galaxies // Simple one touch controls // Cleverly designed and varied levels // Avoid explosive mines, giant space spiders, and deadly electricity arcs // Time your boosts to gain maximum speed and skim past hot stars and asteroids // Beautiful cosmic backdrops and cute cuddly bunnies!

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	AppSmile
A speedrun-style offering with polished graphics, a fun concept, and simple gameplay, Rocket Bunnies fires on all cylinders to provide a great challenge that keeps us glued to our devices.
100	AppSpy
Bright, cheerful, fun and immediate; Rocket Bunnies is simple to pick up but a true challenge to master and a great distraction no matter where you are.
90	148Apps
A little more logic to the galaxy maps, and a bit more information on the hats thing would be nice, but otherwise this is an almost perfectly executed game. Served in small fun helpings, Rocket Bunnies is a must-have.
90	Gamezebo
Rocket Bunnies is never dull, and never lets you lower your guard for a second — but by the same token, it never makes playing a painful process, either. The ability to strike such a balance shouldn't be underestimated, and Rocket Bunnies is a game most certainly worth having on rotation.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
With charming cartoon visuals and pin-sharp controls, Rocket Bunnies is addictive, planet-tapping fun.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

A kart-racing game (ported from last year's console version) featuring classic Sega characters like Sonic the Hedgehog and Eggman.

From the Publisher: Your favorite SEGA characters come together to battle it out in an adrenaline-fueled race to the finish line! The world's fastest hedgehog, Sonic, and the SEGA All-Stars are zooming on to your iPhone and iPad for the ultimate party racing showdown. Race as your favorite character across 15 white-knuckle courses in a frantic race to the finish line. Stay ahead of the pack by dodging traps, firing missiles and, if all else fails, wreaking havoc with your All-Star moves! Whether racing on your own, or battling it out with friends, anything can happen in this crazy competition where winning is only part of the fun! MEET THE ALL-STARS Race to the finish as one of 10 iconic SEGA characters and take to the track by car, monster truck, bike, plane and even a banana! Each vehicle has unique handling characteristics, and each character's All-Star move will speed you to victory! START YOUR ENGINES Rev up your skills with 25 missions then outrun the competition in three Grand Prix Cups. Not satisfied yet? Hand out a glove slap and demand satisfaction in the dueling Battle Mode! TWO'S COMPANY, BUT FOUR'S A PARTY Challenge a friend over local Bluetooth or up to three friends online. Party like the All-Star that you are! THE VICTORY LAP Now with integrated Game Center and Open Feint. Measure up and climb the ranks to be number one.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	AppGamer
What Sega have done here is amazing. They've certainly created the best kart racer on the App Store by far and Sonic & Sega All-stars Racing is truly a fitting gift for Sonic's 20th Anniversary.
100	AppSpy
Whether you're scraping by in your banana in a spooky mansion or throwing your motorbike around a Mexican musical wonderland, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars approaches 'whacky' from a different angle and succeeds in this fun kart racer.
100	Modojo
It's an outstanding experience regardless of which control scheme (tilt, virtual slider) you use. Kudos to Sega for releasing such an excellent port that instantly became the best kart racer on the App Store.
100	Pocket Gamer UK
An exhaustive and, more importantly, finely balanced release, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing offers up a watershed moment for karting on iPhone.
100	Slide to Play
It would be a disservice to call this a port or cash-in. Sega has proven that they're serious about making top-quality iOS games instead of just emulating relics. Plus, you can get Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing for a measly $1.99, making it one of the best deals on the App Store.
90	148Apps
The game does just about everything right. Great graphics, universal app support, online play, solid controls; this is Sega's best game so far on the App Store, and is well worth a pickup for fans of kart racers and Sega's characters.
90	TouchGen
With smooth controls, impressive visuals, a huge variety of race modes to choose from, a good number of characters and tracks to unlock, and challenging AI in later levels, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing provides the best kart racing experience on the App Store.
80	AppSafari
Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing is a cute, fun kart racer that's difficult enough for adults to enjoy, but innocent enough for kids to pick up play.
70	Destructoid
Despite the moments of frustration, it's a fun little game that works surprisingly well for a mobile SEGA port. That's good enough for me!
70	Gamezebo
A high-quality title. If you're a huge Sega fan, it's a fun trip down memory lane through games you thought Sega forgot like Jet Grind Radio, Crazy Taxi and Space Channel 5. If that last sentence makes no sense to you, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a good but flawed racing experience.

Feed Me Oil  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Transport oil to a variety of odd creatures via carefully placed pipes and other objects in this physics-based puzzler.

From the Publisher: When hunger strikes, strike oil! Welcome to a weird and wonderful place where the land is literally alive — and it's starving! Your job is to get the oil from the broken pipe to the mouths of the strange creatures. It won't be easy though, as you'll need to use all sorts of fun tools, as well as your brains, to solve the puzzles. Highlights // A huge variety of mind-bending levels will test your mental skills. // Different ways to solve each puzzle for endless replayability. // Intuitive touch controls that make the game a breeze to play. // Incredibly slick and realistic physics create oil like you've never seen. // Unique, surreal art design that looks amazing on your iPhone. // Use fans, magnets, wind, and more to beat each level. // Gift free levels to your friends and family and share your experience. // Stunning musical soundtrack that features jazz, emotive piano tracks, and more.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	AppSpy
Feed Me Oil jumps in to a genre already full of interesting titles and manages to stand out despite its obvious inspirations.
100	GamePro
This is a beautiful puzzle game with loads of challenge and plenty of variety. Each level will force you to think differently and develop new tactics solve them.
100	Modojo
One of the App Store's best puzzle games. It's a familiar concept (Enigmo, another iPhone hit, springs to mind) that feels fresh, thanks to sharp visuals and most importantly, engaging play. The best part? No messy cleanup later.
100	Slide to Play
Provides a unique experience that'll leave you smiling long after you put the game down.
90	148Apps
It's cute, fun, easy to get into, inexpensive and (according to Chillingo) will be getting even more levels in future updates. Solving ecological disasters has never been so entertainingly surreal.
90	AppSafari
Although the general notion of the game is not totally exclusive, the use of oil in the game is a genuinely new idea and adds a new element to the game.
90	IGN
A delight. Sure, there are tons of puzzle games in the App Store, but amongst them Feed Me Oil stands out for its addictiveness and character. The aesthetic just works.
80	AppSmile
With its rough cartoon graphics, challenging puzzles, and fun fluid physics, Feed Me Oil is a solid gaming experience.
80	Eurogamer
Apart from being a thoroughly engaging game to fiddle around with, Feed Me Oil also looks the part, with a disturbing selection of slurpy behemoths to satiate. And then there's the price. Honestly, it's getting rude now. How is anyone supposed to compete with that?...In summary: Oil have some of that.
80	Gamezebo
A success thanks to the fun and challenge it provides. Not only that, but the game features a ton of content to play through, too. So long as you can get past the setting and either swallow or ignore the cost for the instant hints, there's a lot here to love.
70	Pocket Gamer UK
Pumped full of character and charm, Feed Me Oil is a little too tight in practice, but nonetheless delivers an intriguing physics puzzler that bodes well for a sequel or two.
70	TouchGen
There are better games out there when it comes to gameplay, but Feed Me Oil is still a worthy addition to the genre giving a couple of hours of oil-feeding.

Hard Lines  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Snake meets Tron's light cycles in an action game that has players guiding a talking, glowing yellow line through multiple game modes.

From the Publisher: Take on all comers, avoid collisions and score millions of points in this stunning game of skill and quick reflexes! Guide our plucky underdog hero Lionel in his epic task to kill all lines, pick up lovely glowy things, fight for survival (in spaaaaaace!) and most importantly don't crash! This is literally the funniest game you will ever play that has a glowing yellow line as the main character. Outwit the hilarious AI in a never-ending quest for points and glory on the worldwide leaderboards! Aim to beat your personal best or compete against friend's high scores over 6 distinctly fast, fun and frantic gameplay modes. Inspired by classic arcade games from years gone by (you know the ones we're talking about!), we've brought them kicking and screaming onto your iOS device! Screen-searing graphics, a bass-thumping retro soundtrack and endless replay value make this must-play package unlike anything else you've played.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	AppSpy
Hard Lines doesn't require fancy 3D graphics or a huge gimmick to make Snake fun again; amusing writing, multiple modes and competitive AI go a long way to revive this classic game.
100	Slide to Play
You will believe...that lines have feelings, too.
90	148Apps
Hard Lines is a little gem simply put. It's immensely enjoyable offering that 'just one more go' mentality. With its keen sense of humor (right down to the credits song which is very much worth listening to), Hard Lines keeps one step ahead of the pack making it an essential purchase.
80	Edge Magazine
It gets far more laughs than it should, and special mention to its credits song: perhaps the finest ending on the App Store. Original, funny, and intense: for a game based on Snake, not bad at all.
80	Eurogamer
Like most things in life, personality goes a long way, and Hard Lines has it in spades. And probably buckets as well.
80	Gamezebo
In taking a classic concept and packing it to the brim with personality and playability, Spilt Milk Studios has developed an absolute winner through and through. If you've ever enjoyed Snake, TRON, or talking lines, make this one your next purchase.
80	Multiplayer.it
Hard Lines is an amazing attempt to revive an old gameplay with a formula that mixes two different gameplay mechanics. That's not just a Snake clone: it's a game about surviving that charms the player with chiptune music and neon graphics.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
A gloriously inventive combination of Nokia's Snake and Tron's light cycles, Hard Lines includes a dazzling variety of modes and provides weeks of entertainment for short-burst gamers and dedicated score-chasers alike.

Chop Chop Slicer  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Slice flying objects in this action game that crosses Fruit Ninja with Slice It!

From the Publisher: What is it all about? Well... It's about slicing stuff. Alien stuff. Stuff like Robots, Droids, Flying Saucers, Asteroids and other creatures paved with bad intentions towards you. Your only weapons are your finger - no, it doesn't matter which one - and your natural ability to repel wave after wave of incoming enemies. Technical mumbo jumbo: We're actually very proud of the technical aspects of Chop Chop Slicer. So make sure to memorize the following paragraphs as they make for great cocktail conversation pieces: // Precise complex object slicing: The player gets to decide at which precise position and angle the object will be cut. Chop Chop Slicer also features detailed concave targets, unlike most slicing games which use pre-determined cutting angles on simple convex objects. // Real-time mesh slicing technology with physics dynamics: The fragmentation caused by the slicing action creates realistic fall patterns based on the laws of physics. An object can be cut multiple times, thus creating accurate and visually stunning graphic effects. // Dynamic squad-based tactics for AI movement patterns: Chop Chop Slicer uses a variety of dynamic movement patterns, inspired by military tactics. The enemy flies in organized groups to attack in order to enhance the player's experience. This feature adds tremendous challenge to the gameplay, especially in arcade mode.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	Slide to Play
Chop Chop Slicer is the best Chop Chop Anything so far.
90	148Apps
Hugely fun, very well made and is just the sort of thing that will keep me coming back over and over again in an attempt to better my scores, and hopefully those of my friends.
80	AppSpy
Chop Chop Slicer takes another swipe at the object slicing gameplay and manages to capture some of the original spark of fun by mixing things up.
80	Gamezebo
While it may be a familiar experience, there's more than enough of a twist here to make Chop Chop Slicer a worthy addition to any Fruit Ninja fan's game library.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
An innovative take on the slice-'em-up genre whose new ideas and simple controls will endear it to fans of the Chop Chop series and newcomers alike.

1-bit Ninja  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

A retro platformer with a twist: you can only move forward.

From the Publisher: 1-bit Ninja is pure run + jump fun unlike anything else on the App Store. The stylized 2D side-scrolling world can be dragged into 3D at any point to reveal hidden paths. Built from the ground up for touch screen control that rivals 'real buttons', 1-bit Ninja sacrifices a back button in the name of precise control you don't ever have to think about. Need to move in the opposite direction? There's a spring or platform for that! // Stylized 1-bit engine mixes 2D & 3D // Simple 2 touch control for jump-precision // Classic head-bouncing, run + jump gameplay // High scores & best times // Save & watch replays of your best runs // 4 worlds, 20 levels & over 100 challenges // Secrets & easter eggs // Unlockable camera modes inc. red/cyan 3D // Original chip-tune sound track.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	Gamezebo
Combine all that with infectious classic gameplay and I'm sure you'll agree that 1-Bit Ninja is, well, brilliant.
90	TouchGen
It's the best example of a retro platformer on iOS yet ... and I'm hooked!
80	148Apps
With four worlds (five levels each) and unlimited replay value, 1-bit Ninja is a worthwhile purchase for old schoolers, new schoolers, and anyone else looking for a challenging retro platformer.
80	AppSmile
Reminiscent of the days of the original GameBoy in both graphics and simplistic style, 1-Bit Ninja reveals itself to be anything but, as you switch frequently from the default 2D presentation to 3D to discover and unlock the game's hidden pathways.
80	AppSpy
Do you pine for something harder than the average platformer? Do you hate predictable level design? Try 1-bit Ninja - it's an old-school flavor with a menacingly modern twist.
80	IGN
With twenty levels across four worlds to ninja through, the experience is meaty.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
A retro platformer that stands out from the crowds with its evocative presentation, exploration, and firm-but-fair controls.

Tiny Tower  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

This free-to-play simulation game asks you to manage an ever-growing skyscraper.

From the Publisher: Tiny Tower lets you build a tiny tower and manage the businesses and bitizens that inhabit it! // Make money to build new types of floors and attract bitizens to live and work inside. // Special events and VIP visitors will earn you special perks as you build your tower towards the clouds. // Customize the look and placement of each floor and the bitizens that live in them, and upgrade your elevator. // Game Center integration to let you see your friends towers, back up your game and earn awards. // See what is on your bitizens' minds by peeking at the "BitBook" virtual social network for your tower!

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	Slide to Play
Tiny Tower represents the next great chapter in freemium games. Call it Farmville 2.0.
90	Gamezebo
By flying in the face of tradition and encouraging players to stay engaged for as long as they like, Tiny Tower has set a wonderful new standard for freemium games on the App Store. With great presentation, style, and gameplay, this is one tower you'll want to move in to.
84	Pocket Gamer France
Tiny Tower takes the Sim Tower concept and brings it to iPhone in freemium form, delivering a pleasant play experience before a cent is even spent. With its attractive pixel-art design, its humour, and never short of something for the player to do, Tiny Tower is hard to quit.
80	148Apps
The game has a great charm to it, with plenty of humor to boot.
80	AppSafari
In terms of free apps available for Apple handheld devices Tiny Tower is near the top. The fact that it is free makes it essential to any gamer to download this application. The fact that it is a complete experience makes it essential for any gamer who's into resource management apps.
80	AppSpy
As with just about any freemium title there's no harm in trying out Tiny Tower, but you'll be hard pressed to put it down after getting acquainted with the folk you house, employ and keep merry.
70	Pocket Gamer UK
A well presented freemium take on Theme Park-style games, Tiny Tower wins plaudits for its early activity and quirky nature, but lacks long-term compulsion.

Joining Hands  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Arrange a variety of creatures called Peablins in a hexagonal grid in this cute puzzle game with 90 levels.

From the Publisher: A handtastic puzzle game that offers innovation and originality but is still easy to learn and even packs a challenge for those who yearn it! Enter the Whispering Woods and meet the Peablins! They are curious little creatures who share a common belief: hold hands with your friends and the Bogeyman won't take you. This has worked as long as they can remember so it must be true. Join the Peablins on their quest to find all their siblings and cousins! Basic gameplay: drag and drop the Peablins so that all the hands in the level are joined and all the Peablins are happy. And remember: Leave no hand behind! HILIGHTS - Innovative but elegant and easy to learn - Fun to interact with and suitable for all ages - All-in-one premium Universal App with Retina support - Several kinds of Peablins that require different approaches - Tasty high resolution graphics - Hilarious sound effects - Already dozens of hand made levels - over a hundred after the update! - No time limits, no enemies, no pressure. Just one more level... - Compete with your friends for Most Stars Collected on GameCenter Leaderboards.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
90	Gamezebo
It's a rewarding and satisfying puzzle game whose cute look and increasingly hard solutions make it a good fit for casual and hardcore puzzle game fans alike.
80	148Apps
Joining Hands is distinct in that is really is a pure logic game. It takes trial and error and patience too. But it's a challenge and with the App Store bursting at the seems with physics, matching and action puzzlers, this is a novel treat.
80	AppSmile
The graphics are pleasant and the controls are easy to use if you move slowly.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
Polished, addictive, and disarmingly sweet, Joining Hands is the perfect puzzling pick-me-up.

Hanging With Friends  iPhone iPod Touch iPad
iOS 4+ required. The paid version has no ads; there's also an ad-supported free version.

The creators of Words With Friends return with a multiplayer take on the classic hangman word game.

From the Publisher: The creative geniuses behind Words With Friends are pleased to bring you your next word game addiction: Hanging With Friends! Hanging With Friends brings a brand new twist to the classic game of hangman that adds creativity, strategy and fun for all ages. Build mystery words to stump, amuse or impress your friends, but be prepared to flex those brain muscles as you decipher the words they send back to you. Key Features: // Cute characters in perilous situations // Instant replay lets you see your opponent's guesses // Use strategic lifelines for hints Built on the Games With Friends platform: // Turn based design lets you play up to 20 games simultaneously // Play with friends or find a match with a random opponent // Stay in touch with friends and family with in-game chat messaging // Push notifications tell you when it's your turn // Find friends to play with easily using Facebook Connect. At this time Hanging With Friends requires iOS4+. If you are still running an old version of iOS on your device, please sync with iTunes and get the latest device update.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
100	Slide to Play
If you like hangman and Scrabble, you'll be down with Hanging With Friends.
80	148Apps
Hanging With Friends is a neat twist on an old classic; Zynga With Friends did a great job at making the classic hangman game work in a competitive sense with asynchronous multiplayer.
80	AppSafari
There are still some minor bugs to be worked out and the coin system needs fixing, but Hanging With Friends Free is a fresh twist on a classic game. If you're a fan of word games, this is a no-brainer iPhone app to download.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
While it sounds bare, Zynga's Hanging With Friends is a well-featured casual game that takes Hangman to new heights.
70	Gamezebo
Hanging with Friends is a pretty basic app, but it still manages to be fun and engaging.

Continuity 2: The Continuation  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

A sequel to the hit student-designed game Continuity picks up where that puzzle game left off, adding new twists along the way.

From the Publisher: Continuity 2: The Continuation is the sequel to the puzzle game Continuity. Continuity has been played over 6 million times and won the Best Student Game award at the 2010 Independent Games Festival and Gameplay Innovation award at IndieCade 2010. In Continuity 2, the game world is drawn onto sliding tiles. You must figure out how to rearrange each level in order to move your character through it, collect the key, and unlock the door. Continuity 2 is a Universal App and contains 50 brand new levels that have been designed specifically for iPhone and iPad.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
91	A.V. Club
The game also offers surprises that are too good to hint at here, so suffice it to say that the ingenuity of Continuity was no fluke, and the sequel has its fair share of "Aha!" moments.
90	AppGamer
A great little game which will entertain for some time.
80	AppSmile
Replay value is so-so, as you can always replay levels in order to collect missing coins and best the target time. This is, however, the only real source of replay value, as there are no global leaderboards or achievements to earn. However, the enjoyment of watching such a cool concept in practice might just be enough to keep you playing.
80	Gamezebo
A must-have for any puzzle fan, Continuity 2 is remarkably elegant in its simplicity.
80	IGN
Even if you have played the original, this is an easy purchase. 62 new levels, more of the same cool gameplay, and some added twists that keep it from feeling like just more of the same title we played a year ago.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
Frustrating in all the right ways, this sophisticated head-scratcher is a must for puzzle nuts.
75	Slide to Play
A masterfully designed puzzle-platformer hampered only by clunky controls.

Flick Golf Extreme!  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

This follow-up to Flick Golf takes the extreme part of its title seriously, asking you to tee up from locations like a moving helicopter.

From the Publisher: Are you ready to conquer the most extreme courses in the world? Ready to tee off from grand canyons, icebergs or fighter jets? Flick Golf Extreme is the perfect adrenaline fix for your finger. DESCRIPTION: The most addictive golf game to blaze its way onto the App Store. Incredibly simple to play, just flick the ball and hit the hole. Our trademark spin control, combined with insanely fun gameplay brings you the world's first truly extreme golf game. There are no rules, no clubs and no laws in Flick Golf Extreme! Play across skyscrapers, an oil rig, aircraft carrier and more in the most insane conditions you've ever seen! FEATURES: // Shoot for an insane score in classic Quickshot mode. // Play World Tour across the most extreme courses in the world. // Try out the challenging Five Ball mode! // Gorgeous 3D environments. // See your ball set ablaze with amazing hole-in-one special effects! // Incredibly accurate in-air spin control. // Full Game Center and Openfeint leaderboards. // Over 30 in-game achievements. // High resolution Retina Display graphics for iPhone 4. // Listen to your own music while you play!

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
90	AppSmile
Pairing the same awesome control mechanics with some crazy new environments, Flick Golf Extreme will put your flicking skills to the ultimate test.
80	148Apps
My only complaint would be that load times can seem a little long for when I'm trying to get a quick game in during a commercial break on television or something, but it's certainly worth waiting for - it's also totally understandable when considering the detail in the levels that's been squeezed onto our little devices.
80	AppSpy
Flick Golf never presented itself as a 'realistic' golfing title, so 'Extreme!' takes things to the next level by placing courses in locations that fit its over-the-top style.
70	Pocket Gamer UK
Flick Golf Extreme! isn't a major departure from the original's arcade strokeplay, but the new locations and game mode are still a welcome addition to the formula.

Icebreaker Hockey  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

An ice hockey version of the Backbreaker soccer series is more puzzle game than sports simulation.

From the Publisher: Icebreaker Hockey is pure, adrenaline filled fun. Whether you like quick bursts of action or want to dive deep with hours of gameplay, Icebreaker Hockey is for you! NaturalMotion Games, the makers of the million-selling hit Backbreaker Football, are proud to present: Icebreaker Hockey! Crushing checks, slick moves, and super-addictive gameplay combine to create an experience that redefines action on the rink! Deke and spin your way towards the goal, dodging and skating past players on a mission to take you down. If you make it through, it's time to face the goaltender: taunt him with your showboating skills, and charge up a super-shot to show him who's boss! Amazing Visuals: Developed by Digital Legends, Icebreaker Hockey pulls out all the stops in high-end iOS gaming: smooth, life-like skating based on motion capture data from professional ice hockey players; crushing sidewall checks and takedowns powered by NaturalMotion's endorphin simulation technology; advanced OpenGL ES 2.0 techniques (such as mirror ice reflections) for stunning graphics. Slick Moves: Skate down the rink using the accelerometer. Spin and deke past opposing players for extra points. SPRINT to storm forwards, or perform a hard stop to send your enemies into the wall. Press the Showboat button to really rack up the points, and finish it all off nicely with a charged-up Super Shot. The goaltender won't know what hit him.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
80	AppSpy
Despite a change of setting, Icebreaker Hockey fails to step out of the comfort zone of its predecessors; this is disappointing for a sport famous for its hard hits.
80	Gamezebo
A fun, fast-paced, challenging title. Anyone with a penchant for Stanley Cup viewing should definitely check it out. Even if you're not a sports fan, Icebreaker Hockey is worth a look for the different take on sports game it delivers.
80	Pocket Gamer UK
Good-looking and instantly accessible, Icebreaker Hockey will be another smash hit for NaturalMotion.
80	TouchGen
I wish someone would figure a way to make a truly great full fledged hockey game for mobile, but for now this will hold many of us hockey fans over. If you like hockey (of the ice variety), then I would advise checking this game out.
75	No DPad
Follows the footsteps of both Backbreaker Football and Backbreaker Football II with a fun and addictive gameplay, great animations, and great character models. The UI and other graphical elements do need some work, and the GameCenter needs a bit of fixing up to do.
75	Slide to Play
Icebreaker Hockey will knock you on your butt, but you'll get right back up and keep playing.
70	AppGamer
It's certainly one of the best looking sports games on iOS and well worth investing some time in. I only wish NaturalMotion would work on providing a full match version of the sport with proper team against team play.

Cell Bound  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

A casual match-three (in this case, match-five) action title.

From the Publisher: Link up 5 or more of the same color to cause the cell-like structures to burst and vanish before they can contaminate the whole play area. Burst more chains at a faster rate to score more points. Cell Bound has three different game modes to play, plus Game Center support: // Infinite Mode: The main mode, colored cells drop towards the center and explode when 5 like colors are connected. All of the cells can be burst using the smart bomb trigger in the center of the dish. More smart bombs can be accrued by racking up points. // Timer Mode: Gain as many points as possible in 1:30 minutes. There are no smart bombs, and for every 1,200 points, one more second is added to the timer. // Burst Mode: Cells that connect and are not the same color turn black and inert, obstructing the new cells.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
90	Gamezebo
It's incredibly simple, but it's addictive and fun and pretty much impossible to get tired of.
80	AppSpy
Cell Bound is Hothead Game's third offering for the App Store and a relaxing alternative to the usual three-match titles for the iOS.
80	Da Gameboyz
Not only does Cell Bound feature a novel twist with the rotation mechanic, but Hothead has also done a superb job with the style of the game.
60	Pocket Gamer UK
Cell Bound has the nucleus of a great puzzler, but the rush to introduce new ingredients contaminates this interesting experiment.

Mighty Fin  iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Use your finger to guide Fin the fish through an underwater obstacle course.

From the Publisher: Fin needs a vacation. He's signed up for Shady Sal's suspiciously cheap — and possibly deadly — Round the World Tour. Hey, money's tight when you're a working fish. Mighty Fin is an addictive arcade game that's easy to pick up, hard to master... and impossible to put down. The controls are simple: touch the screen to dive and let go to soar through the air. Grab bubbles for a high score, leap over lighthouses, swim under icebergs, and try not to get eaten by hungry sharks! Features: // Guide Fin through golden isles, arctic ice caves, and vicious storms // Replayable levels that are never the same twice // Beautiful Retina Display artwork // Collect over two dozen souvenir costumes, from sombreros to bunny ears // Compete for gold medals and Game Center high scores.

What the Critics Said

Score	Publication
80	148Apps
A great game with responsive, simple controls and a fun atmosphere. There are some difficult spots due to the randomness of the levels, but this doesn't hinder the gameplay and adds to the life of the game.
80	AppSpy
If you're looking to feed your insatiable need to bust high-scores, check out the fun and easy to pick up challenge that is Mighty Fin.
80	Gamezebo
With great one touch controls, unlockable endless modes, and more costumes than you can shake a stick at, Mighty Fin should keep gamers entertained for far longer than it has any right to.
80	Thunderbolt
While not containing an extensive range of content, Mighty Fin does provide a consistently enjoyable experience on the move, one devoid of frustration or a 'buy in-game credits' system.
75	Slide to Play
It's a very polished one-button game that's sure to give you at least an hour or two of fun before you'll want to get out of the ocean.
70	AppSmile
At $0.99, Mighty Fin is a 3.5-Dimple offering that seems like it might be a good distraction for the youngest of gamers.
70	Pocket Gamer UK
Simple and attractive, Mighty Fin offers up a short but well-made casual fillet.

What not to buy

The past month's lowest-scoring games include Tecmo Bowl Throwback 55 and Evil Dead 56.

What are you playing?

Have you tried any of the games above? If so, what did you think of them? Are there any other new iPhone or iPad games that deserve a download? Let us know in the comments section below.