Annoying Orange Kitchen Carnage may be a bit of a cash-in while the YouTube show is still hot, it's at least a cash-in that gamers can have a lot of fun with.

While we're not entirely sure why they're doing it, it's wonderfully refreshing that Glu seems committed to reinventing Mafia Wars- style gameplay by making it more interactive.

Driving feels good, combat is crazy fun and the upgrade system is borderline addictive. It's true I wish there were more tracks, but hopefully that's a problem that will be remedied soon. But as it stands it's one of the best racing games we've seen on the App Store yet.

While not perfect, the game offers a lot to get excited about. Excellent visuals and voice work, and a wonderfully fun story to play through make City of Secrets well worth your time.

For those who don't mind a little bit of morbid fun, Unpleasant Horse is anything but unpleasant.

An absolutely adorable, albeit frustrating physics-based game for the mobile platform.

Aimed squarely at people with a taste for the vulgar, sort of a latter-day Leisure Suit Larry without the soft heart and charm that made Larry such an endearing character.

A great casual game on the iPhone. It's easy to learn and fun to play, not to mention the fact that it's genuinely adorable. Fans of casual puzzle games will love it, as will just about anybody else.

As short as it is though, Pulse is an absolute treat for the ears.

A really fun, challenging game that appeals to the kid in all of us.

Until Siege Hero finds a way to give it a real distinctiveness, there's not enough here to help it stand out in the crowd. That's too bad, too, because it really should.

As popular as the series is, some evolution needs to happen if it wants to have the long term staying power of a Mario or a Pac-Man. In Rio, we're starting to see the first glimmer of that evolution.

Everything you loved about their previous effort is back, and the tables are even better than before. If you're a fan of video game pinball, it's time to soldier up; looks like you're going to war.

A fun, fast-paced platformer that deserves some extra attention because its gyroscopic controls work so well. In order to master the game, players are required to replay several of the levels until they're finally able to nail them flawlessly; thankfully, iStunt 2 is fun enough that the constant replay is an enjoyable scenario.

Despite a little retreading, Rat on a Skateboard is a really addictive, fun arcade title. You have no excuse to pass it up. Rat on a Skateboard will reside on your iPhone until you upgrade to the next model, and maybe even after that.

It's kind of surprising how good the game actually looks.

Fans of Ninjump and Ninjatown will absolutely want to make Mechanic Panic their next buy. It may be built on the same foundations as these popular vertical jumpers, but it brings enough new to the table to be well worth the purchase for any fan of the genre.

While it lasts, though, Egg Vs. Chicken is a blast to play. More importantly, it's wonderful to see developers starting to stretch their legs and mixing up gameplay in new and imaginative ways. You knew this pun was coming: Get cracking on Egg Vs. Chicken today.

As a game that favors timing, patience, and well-placed attention over button-mashing controls and bull-headed behaviour, Fight Night Champion manages to deliver a knockout performance for gamers who'd rather polish their skills than throw fireballs and do crazy spin-kicks through the air.

The only other thing with Food Processing is there should be more of it. It's not the most original title in the App Store, but it sure is well-made, and most importantly, fun.

Like the best shoot-em-ups, play here is about fine margins and non-stop action, and once the onslaught begins, it's especially hard to stop the beat running away with you.

I was amazed at how quickly I was sucked into the Shadow Era world.

When I played Chaos Rings on the iPhone, the visuals seemed razor sharp. On the iPad, it looks like the game's environments were simply enlarged from lower resolutions, hence the fuzziness.

A great iPhone game with plenty to offer most mobile gamers. Despite a few setbacks in variety, the game still manages to be plenty of fun in short bursts, which is just about all I could ask of an iPhone game.

Visually, Starfront is pretty stunning.

Overall, JellyCar 3 is a very fun iPhone game that just about anyone could enjoy. Although it is missing a few features that seem like no-brainers at this point in the series, JellyCar 3 manages to deliver more of what fans love about the franchise.

As far as fast-paced, death-at-every-corner survival games go, The Blocks Cometh easily ranks up there with the best of the best. It's tough as nails, but if you're even tougher this is a challenge you'll absolutely want to face.

With 54 stages included in the app and the possibility of more to come, League of Evil offers a tremendous amount of value for its paltry 99 cent price of admission.

Full Fat Productions have made something special with Flick Golf, offering up a perfect pick-up-and-play experience that's easy to learn, difficult to master, wonderfully unique, and impossible to put down.

An incredibly robust package that should keep any tower defense fan busy for quite some time.

The game features challenging, inventive, and just plain fun gameplay that will test even the best of players. Besides, look into those little orange eyes: you can't say no to that, can you?

Cave Bowling features original design, mechanics and challenges, something many iPhone games lack these days. For the price, it's a prehistoric good time on the go.

A game with much hidden depth.

It may be a tough nut to crack, but it's filled with fun, laughs and solid gameplay.

Bug Heroes should be commended for its expert juggling act. In keeping intense action, strategy and RPG elements in the air simultaneously, developer Foursaken Media must have six arms of its own.

Aside from some slight control issues and an annoying theme song, Burn The Rope has just about everything you could ask for when it comes to pick-up-and-play puzzle games. It's cute, simple to play, and full of plenty of challenging stages. And it's the only way to burn ants without looking like you're crazy.

But if you want to try out something truly bizarre and fun, there are minotaurs floating through space that could use your help.

Wizard Hex is a very solid game that provides a great amount of depth to it... once you learn it. I'm afraid the lack of instruction or guidance will only serve to scare people away before they've had a chance to see what's it's really about, and that would be a tremendous shame.

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.

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.

It's something that really gives you that feeling of a game that's been 30 years in the making.

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.

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.

While an inaccurate title though, Pudding Panic delivers where it counts, which is in the fun department.

The pedigree is there, and if you're as old as me, it'll poke the nostalgia node in your brain and remind you of playing in younger days.

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.

You'll likely play it frequently and often without thinking. Skipping Stone is the kind of game you play when you have five minutes to spare and need something to occupy your hands. Given its outrageously affordable price, this makes it a definite must buy.

A fun, goofy little puzzler that succeeds really nicely. Even the in-app purchases are easy to ignore if a player doesn't want to utilize them. It's a great game that casual puzzle fans will undoubtedly enjoy the heck out of.

Speaking of bragging rights: MumboJumbo has earned some for delivering a great rendition of its marble-matching hit, which marries the tried-and-true puzzle approach with great visuals and sharp touch-screen controls.

On one hand, it's got some really solid production values, increasingly frantic gameplay, and some really interesting RPG-like elements. That said, it's frustrating because it doesn't always feel like strategy is the focus, with button mashing being a more effective technique.

A must-have for any puzzle fan, Continuity 2 is remarkably elegant in its simplicity.

If you're one of my fellow, bitter, retrogamers, Frogatto will be a breath of fresh air in a world filled with motion control, exercise games and war simulations. Despite the jumping mechanics that may test your patience, this game is a lengthy, polished platformer that serves up hours of nostalgic, amphibious fun.

A fantastic puzzle game. It's fun and challenging and pretty much unlike anything else in the App Store. That said, if you're a player who lives for things like achievements and community rankings, then you might want to give this a pass.

There are a ton of match-three games out there in the App store, but Zookeeper DX manages to stand head and shoulders above nearly all of its competition. It's goofy and fun and –above all- insanely addictive.

It pushes the boundaries of what a ball-breaking game is, and is absolutely worth your time, effort and money.

At first glance, Shake Spears! seems rather shallow and repetitive. But it turns out that isn't the case. There's a surprising amount of strategy involved with the gameplay, especially in the latter portions of the title. As a result, there's a lot of challenge, depth, and fun.

With a bunch of different unlockables (players and vanity items like jerseys) and different leagues of varying difficulties, not to mention tournaments, Dice Soccer really does offer a decent amount of content. Once you get past the goofy idea and put some time in, the game opens up and really presents a nice experience.

Though some may be turned off by the premise, most players will be delighted by Gesundheit!. It's a fun game that offers something different – and not just the gross-out content. Gesundheit! is definitely worth the tissue.

The slight quirks aside, Fast Five will be a real treat for those with a taste for iOS racers. The rather extensive list of unlockables and titles to achieve, as well as the online multiplayer mode, guarantee that wannabe Vin Diesels will whet their appetite for flashy drag racing and high-speed gameplay.

A terrific release in an exceptional series. With 75 new levels to start with and the promise of more to come, there's simply no good reason to keep this one out of your collection. Besides – everyone loves a good mad scientist.

An excellent little game that manages to do something with a genre that's been all but played out for a while. It's a lot of fun and incredibly entertaining. Plus, it contains 75 different levels to play through, so there's a lasting appeal here.

On the gameplay side I think they trimmed out a lot of the under the hood yin and yang nonsense.

If you like the Phoenix Wright or Professor Layton series, or enjoyed games like Hotel Dusk: Room 215, then it stands to reason you're going to like The Secret Chateau de Moreau. The story is well paced and wonderfully interesting as a murder mystery.

A game that feels so inviting that you'd be a fool to turn away. Come to the light.

Halfbrick is one of only a handful of developers that seem to impress with every release on the App Store, and Jetpack Joyride is no exception. Is it yet another endless survival game on the App Store? Sure. But it's one that's brimming with personality, challenge, and a machine gun that you wear on your back to fly. If that doesn't say second amendment, I don't know what does.

Frogger Decades is the sort of game that Frogger fans have been waiting years for. Heck – maybe even decades. But it's also a game that offers up a tremendous amount of challenge, so the easily frustrated need not apply. Still, if you've got the skills and the patience needed, Frogger Decades simply doesn't disappoint.

An incredibly entertaining little puzzle title, thanks in large part to its challenge and sense of fun. In spite of its sometimes-middling production values, this is a game that starts out feeling like something casual but winds up becoming something addictive.

It's juvenile, rude, silly, and it also happens to be the funniest video game I've played in years.

If DrawRace was a prototype, DrawRace 2 is the finished product. Fans of the original will be tickled pink by what the sequel as to offer, and if you haven't played the first, chances are you'll be just as excited to dive in.

A pretty delicious little game. It's challenging, fun, and addictively fast-paced. Not only that, but the constantly-changing gameplay provides players with varying gameplay mechanics that help keep things fresh and interesting.

An absolute must play-it's just that there's more we'd love to see them do with it.

Teaming up NaturalMotion with the NFL was a stroke of genius. This is a developer with a proven track record for football fun, so it's really a win-win scenario for everyone involved.

If you're a fan of tower defense games but have grown tired of the same ol' TD experience, Tiny Heroes delivers that something special you've been holding out for.

While the lack of Game Center multiplayer support is devastating, the core game and modes will last your average word nerd for hours on end. The Domination mode will always give you something to shoot for, while the Daily Challenge will give your brain a taxing workout.

If you're looking for more Burn the Rope fun, Worlds delivers just that, with the same great gameplay and adorable visuals. There's just more of it and, thankfully, the controls have been tweaked to make things less frustrating.

A great little title. It's fun to play, its levels are easy to beat (most of the time), and it features some seriously adorable style. On top of that there are a lot of levels to play through, which means players aren't likely to get bored with it.

Some people may decry the lack of variety involved (the game only offer two modes – endless and time attack), but games like this don't need to be anything more than what they are to be a success. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some monsters to feed.

A wonderful reminder of how unique a video game can truly be. Whether you're a fan of the original release or a gamer who's never heard of the work of Eric Chahi before, Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition is one you'll want to be adding to your collection.

It's smart, it's funny and it proves that effective comedy is well within the range of video games. Hector Episode 3: Beyond Reasonable Doom is a fine finish to one of the most entertaining adventure games I've ever played.

Pixel Ranger has been a blast to play for a few years now, and this new iPhone version is no exception. Even better, though, is that Pixel Ranger on the iPhone ends up feeling more like a sequel than a simple adaptation. There's more structure, more power-ups, more modes – more of everything.

FIFA 12 goes a long way towards proving me wrong, providing a genuinely compelling gameplay experience and presentation that, while not up to the same standard as its console brethren, does a very good job regardless. FIFA 12 is a nice way to get your FIFA fix on the go.

It's fun, it's intuitive, and it even has the ability to record play to be shared on YouTube or Facebook. The app is lighthearted with fantastic and highly saturated color palette, and despite their simplicity, each of the three characters have a wonderful amount of personality.

A fun game. It is incredibly simplistic, but each aspect of the game is polished and entertaining.

Super Cyclone is by no means an epic adventure, but for a buck it's an excellent arcade-style shooter.

Great fun for pocket gamers.

Aiko Island is a fun little game that contains an insane amount of content in a very attractive package. Its vast quantity of puzzles, combined with excellent production values, will keep fans of the genre entertained for quite some time.

On the one hand, I'm a little disappointed to see that not every mode from Fruit Ninja has made its way into Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots. On the other, though, there's a part of me that would have happily paid for Bandito mode as a standalone game. It's just that much fun.

Simple to play, utterly charming, and completely addictive, Whale Trail has all the makings of a great mobile game.

Asides from the occasional turn-based gem, great multiplayer mobile games are few and far between on the App Store. Assassin's Creed Rearmed is easily one of the best we've seen. It's totally unique, and a great mobile extension of an already stellar franchise.

Between the great story, goofy characters, and solid production values, Evertales is easy to recommend. The gameplay might be a little too simple for hardcore action fans, but just about everyone else will love it.

In terms of presentation, the music lacks a certain freneticism – something that we would have expected to match the Asteroid Gunner's frantic gameplay. And while the visuals are serviceable, they aren't quite spellbinding. But as a total package, everything seems to come together as it should.

But once you accept what it is – a clone of a great game that's not available on mobile devices yet – it becomes fairly easy to appreciate what Gameloft has delivered here. Mix in some fun Oregon Trail elements, and you've got a recipe for a terrific little social game about settling the Old West.

It may not be the most original game on the market, but Blood & Glory is plenty of fun, and takes a huge step forward in defying our pre-conceived notions about what freemium gaming can be.

Overall, though, Act of Fury: Kraine's Revenge proves that revenge doesn't always have to be served cold. Sometimes, when vengeance is all sound and fury and hot-blooded madness, the results can still be a pretty tasty dish.

Saving Yello doesn't really do anything new or exciting as a physics puzzler. That said, what it does, it does very well. It's charming and fun and challenging and it looks absolutely magnificent.

With no crutch system in place, you know without a doubt that you've earned every point you got, and that's a pretty good feeling.

For everything Infinity Blade II has added to the formula, Chair seems to have been just as quick to take something away. It's a sizable adventure to be sure, and there's no doubt it's an absolute must play – but at the same time, it feels like they're holding back content simply so they'll have something to offer as an update down the road. And when that "something" could be content that was in your last game... well... that just feels like cheating.

Yes it's a little too easy, too short, and completely devoid of a story – but Batman Arkham City Lockdown is also a fast-paced, finger-swiping good time that looks stunning, keeps you hooked, and lets you be Batman. What more could you ask for in a video game?

It's easy to let Mini Motor Racing get its hooks into you, since it comes with quality from so many places at once. It's a well polished racer with fantastic visuals, lots of varied tracks and cars, multiple control options to please all comers and oozes style. Minor issues keep it from being perfect, sure, but this one is an easy one to give two thumbs up.

Rebuild started life as a flash game, and can still be played in browser. I will say, though, that they did a great job of translating the game to the touch screen, and it's a much better experience there. Rebuild isn't especially deep or long winded, but it's pretty engaging and will easily provide zombie fans with a taste for simulation a satisfying experience.

A game that young children will enjoy. Zooming in on your pet can giving it a nice rub under the chin and hearing it purr is just a heart-warming activity, even for my black, cynical soul. There's plenty of content on offer here, and while some of it is repetitive and there are some accuracy issues with some of the motions, this is the perfect game for young children and for anyone that needs some more cuteness in their lives.

Offers what might be the most ideal word game in the series yet. The rounds are long enough to be engaging but short enough that you can play them in between other things. This coupled with the refined and accessible "With Friends" structure makes Scramble With Friends one of the better asynchronous mobile games available today.

Elegant in its simplicity yet challenging in its execution, Super Crate Box is a game that should easily satisfy fans of classic gaming.

The play style of Jazz: Trump's Journey is wonderfully enjoyable for fans of the platforming genre. While the title does make use of rather common game mechanics, it also has a handful of interesting ones, and at least makes an attempt to use the commonplace in more unique manners. Additionally, the game's style is just fantastic, with any flaws being nothing more than picking nits.

It's certainly fun. But without much of a game there and no way to enjoy it single player, you really need to know what you're getting into less you be disappointed in what you find. That being said if your gaming does meet these criteria, Fingle is truly unique and definitely worth giving a try.

Despite the bizarre combination of baseball and anime, the game works well and has a nice amount of content. If sports fans can look past the anime style, there is a surprisingly good game of baseball here. It is not going to replace MLB: The Show on consoles, but it's good enough for baseball junkies to play on the bus ride to work.

Charming and refreshing.

While Ragdoll Blaster 3 doesn't really break the mold when it comes to the physics puzzler genre, it's certainly cute and clever. Aside from the fact that hard physics aren't always on speaking terms with the gameplay, this is a very fun little game.

Pinball Arcade collects a few of the best known pinball tables of old and brings them back to life in a stunning manner.

00 Trials will make you howl in frustration, but when you finally conquer a challenge on your twentieth try, the feeling of elation is unmatched.

The only real knock one can give to League of Evil 2 is that it is an extremely tough game, and thus will only resonate with a certain segment of the gaming populace.

Little Acorns features quite a bit of content as well, with 60 stages spread out over three years, with four seasons apiece.

The game is polished, and the empty look and design of Munch is disturbingly adorable; even more so when he latches onto flowers. Munch Time is a solid physics-based puzzle game that's worth a look.

A little ways in the game finally begins to reveal itself to the player through some pretty inventive and fun worlds filled with interesting puzzles to solve. It takes a little time to warm up, but once it does, Incoboto is well worth the trip.

If you're into extreme sports, or extreme versions of extreme sports (it almost seems to B.A.S.E. jumping what Mirror's Edge is to parkour), then you should have plenty of fun playing this game. It's fun, plays well, and has quite a few (read: 47) levels to play through as you try to get the best score you can, and then beat that.

In the end, The Lost Shapes provides a solid, competent puzzle game experience. It doesn't quite have the addictiveness of a Tetris, but still provides a good bit of fun that should satisfy any fan of puzzle games.

I really did enjoy Mass Effect: Infiltrator and is serves as a wonder companion to the just released Mass Effect 3. I do wish it tied in story wise a little closer to that game, since I'd wager that most of us are playing the two concurrently. Despite this, it's given me a way to enjoy the world while away from home, and more Mass Effect is always a welcome sight.

While virtual controls are still a compromise I'm not completely comfortable with, Kung Fu Rabbit sweetens the deal with level design that makes sense for the platform.

MotoHeroz does a few things wrong, but it does a lot right, too. It's a lot of fun to race against randomly-selected online ghosts, and spitting in the face of gravity will grant you an undeniable rush of joy. Just be prepared for some repetition, though there are worse experiences to repeat than bouncing along rough terrain in a monster truck.

As far as sequels go, Angry Birds Space straddles that fine line between familiarity and progress exceptionally well – but there's no question that it leans more in the direction of the former than the latter. If you're already a fan of the series (and who isn't?), picking up Rovio's latest release is a no brainer.

It's fun, and EA built a great game on a proven formula. The game simply doesn't feel as earnest and honest as the original Flight Control, but hey. That's progress for ya.

Aside from losing points for taking longer, there's no real penalty for not rushing. And it's not a matter of reflexes-- just patience. The puzzles can be pretty challenging, too, so clearing all five houses (with 12 rooms apiece, and a sixth house coming soon) should keep you occupied for a while.

In spite of these issues, my biggest problem with the game is that there isn't more of it. I'm having a blast playing Madcoaster, and I keep going back to try and get just a bit further. It's a ton of fun, and the rollercoaster tie-in (while making zero sense) is awesome. Please give us more Madcoaster, Chillingo! Post haste!

Despite its generic nature, Swordigo is an enjoyable game in the spirit of classic console games delivered in a handheld package perfect for long play sessions or quick bite-sized moments.

Because of the relatively early difficulty, Ion Storm might struggle tackling similarly frantic games like Temple Run and Jetpack Joyride. Constantly beating your old score is a big reason the runner genre is so addicting, and it's a shame it wasn't implemented a little better here.

Fibble may not be for everyone due to the low challenge level early on, but it's still pretty solid. Definitely the type of game you can feel good about giving to someone-- a non-gaming young child, significant other, parent/grandparent, what have you-- and that they may have a pretty good time with.

Cubis Creatures is a fun entry into the puzzle genre, and is definitely worth a look for anyone who considers themselves a mobile puzzler.

Avernum: Escape From The Pit provides plenty of bang for the buck in a world that's both impressively vast and well realized. Trying to escape a horrifying fate has rarely been this enjoyable.

Walking away from Ice Age Village feeling satisfied is an easy thing to do, especially if you're a fan of the film series. While it would have been nice to see a bit more social in this social game, the gameplay that exists stands on its own as being fun and compelling. Considering the cost of entry, I'd recommend the game to anyone even mildly interested.

Not every title from the early 2000s has stood the test of time, but Max Payne Mobile's fantastic presentation and storytelling keep it a must-have for action junkies looking for a serious game on iOS. It might not look or control as well as it did over a decade ago, but much like the hundreds of mobsters and bullet wounds you'll encounter over your 10 to 15 hour adventure, it won't stop Max Payne from emerging successful.

It may lack originality in some areas, but it makes up for that with its charm and challenging, water-based gameplay.

Scaled down out of necessity, Total War Battles: Shogun isn't quite the grand spectacle that the name might suggest. That's easily forgiven, though, since the compelling tactical battles, rich setting and high production values all shine on their own accord. It's not the cheapest iOS app, but it's well worth the dough for anyone looking for high quality RTS gaming on the go.

Sketch Nation Studio might not be able to conjure up professional-grade games, but it still offers an appealing set of tools for the beginning creator.

MacGuffin's Curse is a great, meaty puzzler that will really get your brain cogs whirring. With so much content, the formula was bound to feel a little samey eventually, but by the time that feeling sets in you'll have more than gotten your money's worth.

For the first time in maybe ever, I'm genuinely invested in a branded mobile game. By all rights, this is a highly playable mini-racer which just happens to have recognizable characters in it. Far from collecting dust alongside the App Store's other promotional play things, Fleece Lightning deserves on a home on your device.

Colourful, packed with a genuine sense of play, and far more than the sum of the parts; a simple set of building blocks that combine to form something full of nuance and depth.

It might not be purrfect, but Cannon Cat is still a great iOS title. It's challenging, fun, and full of personality. It's a little light on variety and a tad glitch toward the end, but that's nothing a few updates can't fix.

While it's no Skateor Tony Hawk, that's perhaps the most surprising thing of all: the fact thatsomewhere along the line, Penny Timestops being an advergame, and starts feeling like a trippy skate session more than worth the price of admission. In a sea full of games shilling pet food and restaurants, you could do a lot worse than to shell out for this wild ride.

Despite the giant price hurdle, I really can't complain too much. Juggernaut: Revenge of Sovereign looks great, plays great, and has plenty of different modes to keep a player occupied for a long time.

Minor control issues aside, it successfully walks the fine line between being playable in quick bursts and being fun enough to play for much longer than that. It's another great game from the likes of [adult swim], a developer I trust more with each release.

Despite its control issues, Bee Leader is a game I feel every iDevice owner should try. Like a honeycomb dripping honey, it oozes quality from nearly every facet.

Slingshot Racing is as smooth graphically as it is in its tether turning system, and it's well worth a spin into your app library.

Maybe the slot machines are supposed to be a metaphor for all of the dice rolls, seen and unseen, that affect every fantasy RPG from Dungeons & Dragons to World of Warcraft. It's also possible that's a massive over-thinking, and the guys from Game Stew Studio just really like to hit the casinos on their days off. Regardless, Tower of Fortune is one to bet on for a pretty great time.

It takes an enjoyable concept, slices it into two fun modes, and respects the player's competence by getting relentlessly difficult. It's a little simplistic, sure, but that's just as often a compliment as it is an insult in the world of mobile games.

People that missed the first title will get their hands on this and find it to be extremely unique, and people that loved Defender Chronicles for being great in 2009 will get more of what they liked.

Even without much real-life influence, Virtua Tennis Challenge accomplishes one key goal: portable tennis action. It may be pricier than most mobile games, but if you enjoy hitting the fuzzy green ball, it'll be well worth your time and cash.

The issues I had with the game revealed themselves because I played it a lot. I loved it and still do, and I'd readily recommend it to anyone. I only complain because I see a good game, but I know with some minor tweaks it can be great.

Heroes Call isn't quite in the same class as Diablo, yet it manages to capture much of the same spirit in a freemium mobile package. That's a pretty impressive feat, and it should be enough to keep you hacking and slashing for a while.

Unless there's some grim subtext I've not managed to pick up on, that is. I guess you could say this whole situation is... puzzling. To add to the mystery, "Ichi" is the word for "one" in Japanese, and the game is very much a one-button affair. Could that be the link? I leave that mystery to you.

Anyone who likes arcade shooters should pick this game up. If you like a challenge, doubly so. My biggest qualm with the game is that, because the control surface is also the screen, I sometimes couldn't see the action because my own thumbs got in the way.

Song Pop is the perfect game for the music obsessed, but not to the point where it alienates those who don't fit that bill.

A pretty repetitive game, and you get tired of flinging and smiting before very long. Don't be surprised if you return, though. Velocirapture isn't a very diverse distraction, but it still works well for bite-sized play sessions.

There's a lot of depth to Vampire Season; more than you'd expect from a game that wheels and deals so heavily in comedy.

CSR Racing is more than worth a look if you're looking for a racing game that doesn't require you to set aside five minutes to get the most out of it.

There's nothing revolutionary enough in Heroes in Time to think it will become an all-time classic RPG, but it's a very good addition to the genre, even without considering the limitations of the iOS platform or its low price tag. Don't be hesitant to put on your rose-colored glasses and try out this particular throwback.

To be completely honest, Tap Tap Revenge Tour isn't tearing down any new walls. The game mechanics got tweaked, as did the graphics, and a pretty basic tour mode was added to extend playtime. This isn't so much a new game as it is an update of the same game that has been around since 2008.

Jurassic Park Builder's core gameplay certainly doesn't break new ground, but it builds a solid experience with its old materials. Even if you master dinosaur wrangling, however, don't get too confident: life finds a way (to eat you alive).

All problems aside, though, Manos was a pretty addicting experience. It felt just like a game out of my childhood, and continued to call me back for another playthrough after running out of lives.

Despite its few deficiencies, ORC: Vengeance is a great game. Controls are solid, story/ambiance is no worse than its competitors, and the graphics are top notch. I was continually impressed by the draw distance, and at no point did my first generation iPad experience any slowdown.

It holds up incredibly well as a multiplayer experience, and the inclusion of enhanced graphics, additional levels and online play makes the game feel like so much more than just a simple port of a classic. And as a bonus, nostalgia goggles are far from required here; a love of explosions and humor, on the other hand, most certainly are.

Unfortunately, Car Toons! shares the biggest shortcoming of the previously mentioned title – too often it's too easy. The chain reactions are fun to watch, but they're all over too quickly.

If you're getting a little burned out on the idea of match-3 mixing with role playing, 10000000 probably won't do much to change your mind. Then again, if you're a little burned out on the idea of match-3 mixing with role-playing, you're probably not very much fun, and I don't want to talk to you. For the rest of us though, 10000000 offers up another great example of genre mashups done right. Congratulations – we've just found your next month-long addiction.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Dreamer's take on the endless runner genre. It could have tried to rest on the loins of its charming graphics, music, and premise, but instead it went the full mile and offered up a unique style of gameplay.

It maintains some excellent tower defense action while adding a new aspect that keeps things interesting enough to deserve attention. It's enough familiarity mixed with some freshness that is definitely worth experiencing.

If cruising through wave after wave of similar disposable baddies in order to reach a challenging boss sounds repetitive to you, than the game might not feel so super. But if you've grown up on arcade classics and are looking for a cheap way to relive the thrill of incredible combos, then this is a must buy.

A simple game, but that's more of a strength than a weakness. It's simple enough to provide quick, painless matches on an iPhone in an idle moment, and there are enough different units to choose from in the battle mode to make playing against other players endlessly rewarding. Best of all, the option to fight against NPC goblins gives Clash of Clans a small edge over similar strategy games that rely almost entirely on player-versus-player combat.

If you're looking for a 3D runner with a distinctive visual style and thrilling level design, Pitfall! will more than satisfy. However, with an upgrades system that proves to be more frustrating than fun, I can't help but feel that Activision missed a huge opportunity to place itself as the absolute "best 3D runner on the App Store".

What Agent Dash lacks in originality, it makes up for in solid design. Its controls are responsive, the graphics are some of the best I've seen in an endless runner, and the gameplay doesn't pull any sort of punches.

As far as the iOS implementation, I actually found San Juan to be a nicer experience over its board game brethren Puerto Rico. While both games hinge on a similar mechanic and identical theme, I found the simplicity of the cards to help immensely with the UI.

Critter Escape is what you want out of a mobile puzzle/action game. It has a ton of variation, huge relay value, and a clever concept.

Like the conventions it bucks, this one escapes the faux pas of a potentially poor start, and gets exponentially better each time you play.

Honestly, the replay value can be forgiven; Disney Fish Hooks succeeds in just about everything it set out to do. It provides a quality product that extends the Disney name, it's faithful to the show, and it's completely free.

I'm still sitting here bleary-eyed, blister on my finger, totally satisfied for having played this game way past the time I should be in bed.

Aside from its lack of any real innovation, the only nagging problem with The Simpsons: Tapped Out is its insistence that you connect to EA's Origin service, even if it's only used for online features such as visiting your friends' parallel Springfields for daily bonuses.

The Curse is a great game, but again, it's out to taunt and torment you into spending your money to be able to lock The Mannequin away once again. It's just a darn shame we kind of want him to stick around, which seems to work against the entire premise.

You're not going to find a lot of innovation in the core gameplay if you're already committed to another city builder; it's still the same type of game we've seen many times before, but with a charming space theme.

Even with the control issues, I had a permanent grin during my time with Blast-A-Way. It builds up to more difficult elements -- like portals -- with an incredible level of tact, and it respects the player's intelligence in a way you don't always see in the puzzle genre.

Huebrix's sins are far from great enough to sink it, as its original gameplay, bold difficulty, long term expansion potential, and dedication to hardcore puzzling help it rise above not only its poorer decisions, but feel like a great one for any fan of the genre. Especially those in need of a little humility.

Wipeout also tries to get you to pony up for premium currency, but it's not a free game to begin with. Most of the game is open to you regardless, but panhandling in a paid app is always a little off-putting.

Rail Rush is a blast to play, and the first endless runner that has threatened Temple Run's placement in my favorite games folder. The winner? I'll let the evil monkeys and giant spiders battle it out; I'm too busy playing.

Dead Stop isn't really doing anything new with the tower defense concept. Then again, it doesn't pretend to, either. If you go into the game knowing how the genre works and are just expecting it to have a little fun with the zombie theme, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

With great level design and some unique twists, Blade Guardian is an absolute must-play for fans of tower defense. It's not a flawless game by any stretch, but with so many competitors on the market, Blade Guardian does more than enough to set itself apart from the crowd.

Nightmares From the Deep: The Cursed Heart is kind of like the old pirates of yore: What it lacks in finesse, it makes up for in brute force. If refinement and attention to detail are a priority, then it will probably leave you cold. But if what you're after is a big pile of hidden object scenes and you're not too particular about how it's all tied together, this tale of tragedy on the high seas will fit the bill nicely.

If you're easily intimidated by difficult or frustrating games, you might be better off dosing yourself with acid than playing Tentacles: Enter the Dolphin. But if you like things rough, Tentacles is more than happy to challenge you.

The gameplay elements are really solid. The on-the-fly puzzle feeling is well thought-out, levels are put together perfectly, and the game manages action and strategy well. It's just not a story-telling game and, because it takes itself too seriously, it suffers in places. The game is worth playing, but it needs to lighten up a little.

Breakout is a classic game, but a little bit dry. Super Bunny Breakout has a couple of hiccups, but it's a cute, worthy upgrade of an arcade mainstay. It also serves as a good indication that both Atari and Zynga might be getting the hang of developing stuff for this "mobile game" fad.

Luckily, you don't need power-ups to appreciate Funky Smugglers. On its own, the game is fun, silly, and addictive. But it is unsettling that the game's planes always take off regardless of how shoddily you perform behind the scanner.

True Axis likely has another hit on its hands. True Skate makes you feel like you can really skate, and at least for this writer, that's quite the accomplishment.

There are only sixteen levels available right now, with another eight coming soon, but they are each packed with plenty of things to do, see, and bounce on. Square Planet certainly isn't flat.

The only real disappointment to be had in Gizmonauts is how much it feels like ground we've tread before. Yes there are improvements, and yes it's a lot prettier, but at the end of the day it just feels like DragonVale with robots. Is it a better product that DragonVale? Absolutely. But it's just not different enough to really blow our socks off.

He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe is shallow and straightforward, but it's fun. In fact, it's the most fun you can have with He-Man outside of re-watching your grainy VHS collection or engaging in grownup He-Man roleplay.

In navigating the tension between reverence for something old in a new package, Disney have done a wonderful job at delivering an experience that deftly straddles nostalgia and novelty. Next time you're in the mood for some great pint-sized play, save your bag of quarters. You only need four.

With gameplay both difficult and satisfying, Nutty Fluffies has that just-one-more-time appeal that so many games in the mobile space strive for.

In truth, that's perhaps what I enjoyed most about About Love, Hate, and the other things: the fact that - despite its flaws - it remains an artfully assembled, surprisingly emotive puzzler that aims for something better than "addictiveness." Rather, this is an experience designed to feel wonderful while it lasts.

A freemium offering with great visuals and challenging gameplay, Storm The Train is a worthy addition to any iDevice.

Every level is worth at least one play-through thanks to some excellent platforming and simple puzzle elements that force the brain to work a few steps ahead. Don't let the look of this title fool you--it's quite exciting and requires a sharp mind. Some variety in goals would be nice, but these are more petty wants added on to a really solid experience.

As you may have surmised, Micro Miners is not a game for those who frustrate easily -- Simple controls or not, it's one tough cookie. For those in the market for a mobile game with a bit of a kick, though, it ought to scratch that itch just fine.

I say this with no irony: Heads Up! Hot Dogs is one of the best arguments for smartphone/tablet gaming I've seen yet.

Despite these issues, Skylanders Lost Islands is not a game that feels incomplete. If you know a youngster who's a fan of Skylanders, or if you're a fan yourself, take a second to introduce your plastic pals to the Mabu's island home.

Taking a game from Wii to iOS probably wouldn't work for a lot of titles, but Rage of the Gladiator manages to do it with style. It turns out the motion controls weren't essential to the experience, and anyone who enjoys boxing, gladiator or mobile action games in general are probably going to find something they like here.

Spellwood doesn't break a whole lot of new ground, but instead refines Scrabble-style gameplay into a fresh and engaging single-player experience. It's a bit one-dimensional, but if you like word games or just want to tune up your vocabulary a bit without turning your brain numb with boredom, it's definitely worth a look.

City Conquest stands as proof that the tower defense genre hasn't said its last word. It feels a little too ambitious at times (the RTS elements in particular sometimes suffer from a mild tacked-on feeling), but its beauty lies in the fact that it works in spite of that. If you're a fan of either tower defense or real-time strategy games, City Conquest is worth a look-particularly if you bring along a friend.

Our stodgy beliefs in the power of real human interaction aside, Playdek's digital take on Fluxx is just about everything fans of the card game could ask for. Here's to hoping that they add some in-app purchases down the road, because my life just won't be complete without Zombie Fluxx on my iPad.

The game itself is pretty standard for the genre, not taking too many chances by deviating from the established formula, but when it looks this good, is written this intelligently, and plays with such ease, you'll have a hard time saying no. The lure of filling out status reports and managing superhero nap times is too great to resist!

If you're a fan of word and grammar games you'll enjoy suffering with The Grading Game. But if you are or ever were a TA, you might want to gird your soul before playing. This one hits a little close to home.

It just needs to be a fun little puzzle game that's well worth the price of admission. And when looked at in that light, Pudding Monsters is downright delicious.

The open world aspect of Ravensword: Shadowlands is one of its big selling points, and it is fun to explore some non-linear adventures on your iOS device.

The gameplay is the thing here though, and it remains as addictive as before. Feel free to bump this review score up another half-star if you've never experienced reverse tower defense done right, and prepare to spend some of your free time fending off our would-be robot overlords even if you have.