So you received a new smartphone or iPad over the holidays. You downloaded all the must-have apps. You have Twitter and Facebook. You probably snagged Instagram or Hipstamatic.
When it comes to games, you immediately went for “Angry Birds” and “Words With Friends.” But, now, a few weeks later, you’ve probably hit three stars on every level or just need a new challenge.
Search the games category in Apple App Store or Android Marketplace, and you’ll be overwhelmed with choices. There are thousands of titles, and unfortunately, nothing much to go on other than screenshots and vague ratings. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the better titles I’ve played on mobile devices. These are ideal for gamers on the go, and best of all, they’re affordable, meaning you can take a chance on all of them without breaking the bank.
“Bag It!”: Hidden Variable takes what seems like a mundane job and turns it into an addictive puzzle game. You take on the role of a bagger at a grocery store, and you have to arrange items such as eggs, milk and bread in a paper bag without breaking them. As in “Tetris,” you must use a fair amount of problem solving as you rotate and move the produce to pack them efficiently. Best of all, there are several modes, so there’s enough variety even after the novelty has worn off. (99 cents on iPhone/iPad and $1.99 on Android)
“Jetpack Joyride”: Following on the heels of the hit “Fruit Ninja,” Halfbrick released this action title that works on that same high-score premise. The plot is simple: You are Barry Steakfries, a man who hijacks a jetpack and flies it out of a secret lab. The simple controls and big personality are what make this a game great. All you have to do is touch the screen to make Barry float up and let it go to ease him down. You’ll do this constantly while dodging obstacles and foes that move at a breakneck pace. You can even grab other vehicles such as a robot dragon and upgrade the hero via money you earn on each run. (99 cents on iPhone/iPad)
“Tiny Towers”: This sim sneaked up on me slowly. It was mentioned often on my Twitter feed, and, curious, I downloaded NimbleBit’s clever blockbuster. The game puts you in charge of a building, and you have to add residential floors and businesses using money that citizens and stores earn. The sim fiendishly latches onto that compulsive urge to build and create what’s essentially a self-sustaining village. The more you play, the more you’ll appreciate the level of detail that the developers went into creating a living, breathing society that’s replete with a faux Facebook, specialty stores and interesting characters who mill around the tower. (Free on iPhone/iPad)
“Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP”: If you’re searching for a unique experience, look no further. This experimental action-adventure game stylishly mixes infectious music along with a plain art style that’s evocative of video game’s 8-bit heyday. It’s a clean, beautiful experience with intuitive controls and adventure-style puzzles. Combine this with a game that connects to Twitter and works with the phases of the moon, and you have a game that’s unlike anything out there. ($4.99 iPhone/iPad)
“Pushmo”: Technically, this is neither an iOS nor an Android title. It’s a downloadable game on the Nintendo 3DS, and it also happens to be one of the best on the system. Fans of “Catherine” should immediately be drawn to this puzzle game, where the hero, Mallo, moves around blocks trying to rescue kids. The 3-D is essential to the experience, letting you know the depth of each block as Pushmo pulls and pushes it. Highly addictive, this game by Nintendo’s Intelligent Systems is worth every penny. ($6.99 Nintendo eShop)
Contact Gieson Cacho at 510-735-7076 or gcacho@bayareanews group.com. Read his blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei.
