On this week's TouchArcade Show, we power through a meaty discussion of WWE 12 and how we'd love our lives to be like a wrestler's in order to bring you the latest, hottest, and bestest in iOS. At the top, we praise Infinity Blade 2 and pan Judge Dredd vs Zombies. Later, we dig into discussions about third-party controllers, companion apps, games that fell off the radar, and "high" game prices. I think we all really dug this week's show, so hopefully you will, too.
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When Call of Duty: Zombies hit the iOS app store way back when we praised it for what was, at the time, a great adaptation of the console secondary game mode. Now, over two years later, the zombies have finally returned with Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies [$6.99], the first true sequel to iOS CoD Zombies (strange psuedo-sequel notwithstanding). While Black Ops Zombies does succeed in providing improved visuals and extra variety in the addition of the excellent Dead-Ops mode, a frustrating selection of controls, spotty multiplayer, and a very limited map selection on the onset may make some fans hesitant to purchase now.
For the uninitiated, Black Ops Zombies is a first person shooter zombie survival game based off of the survival mode found on some console versions of Call of Duty. Zombies is map-based, with each map typically featuring numerous rooms and weapons that must be unlocked in order to provide the player with better weapons and defense. There are some small secondary objectives, but the primary goal of each play through is to simply survive as long as you can. Zombies come at you in waves, and you earn money for each one you take down, giving you the currency needed to unlock everything. There are also power-ups, such as extra ammo or double currency, which can randomly drop from the slain undead.
As a lot of you are already aware, Infinity Blade 2 [$6.99] has some crash issues on iPad and iPod Touch. Thankfully, Chair Entertainment and Epic Games have already identified the culprit and are speedily working on a fix to address the problem. "For some users, IB2 seems to be running out of memory on heavily-laden iPad and iPod Touch devices," Epic's Mark Rein wrote on the publisher's message board. "We're working on a quick fix and will submit an update to the store as soon as possible," he continued later.
Rein explained that the game wasn't tested on machines with a "massive" amount of apps. He suggested a user-end fix for the meanwhile. "When apps run out of memory at loading times, that is something often fixed by restarting your device. I recommend that people try restarting their device to see if that solves it for them."
You know, I've got to hand it to EA. They're really really good at making money. The latest cash cow they've set loose on the App Store pasture is the updated version of Tetris [99¢] which as we mentioned last night isn't an update to the existing Tetris. Instead, it's a new app that everyone will need to purchase, even owners of the original Tetris if they want access to the (admittedly really cool) new features.
Aside from a massive visual overhaul, Tetris now comes with a "one touch" control mode which greatly simplifies playing the game on iOS devices. When a new piece appears, you're given all the locations that you could drop said piece, and instead of steering the piece into place yourself you just tap where you want it to land. It works great, and effectively puts an end to those annoying moments that every single Tetris player has experienced where you drop a piece one block off from where you wanted it, ruining your perfect line-clearing setup.
In mid-November, True Axis finally released Space Tripper [$3.99] into the App Store. This was a big deal for a couple of reasons. First, Space Tripper was a straight up awesome indie shoot 'em up that released a decade ago, and not only does it hold up extremely well today but it also makes a fantastic fit for the iOS platform. The second reason Space Tripper's release was a big deal was that the development of the port hit just about every type of snag you can think of, and with what seemed like a black cloud looming over the game's progress there was a strong possibility it would never see the light of day on the App Store.
However, determination won over, and even though it took more than 3 years True Axis completed their goal of releasing Space Tripper for iOS. And spoiler alert: it kicks major ass, as evidenced in our review. But it wasn't all happy times and rainbows, as the one glaring omission from Space Tripper was any sort of option for touch controls. As it stood, the game only offered a tilt control scheme.
You'd think from the buzz that the gamification of daily life was a new thing. That we need expensive devices and fancy apps to build rewards into the tasks and chores that otherwise fail to motivate us. But as anyone who's spent time bagging groceries knows, you can turn anything into a game if you try. Bagging groceries is like Tetris -- and your goal is to fit everything into place just perfectly that the bag is full, the eggs are unbroken, and you can still lift the thing into your car.
Bag It! [$0.99 / Universal HD] puts those life skills to good use. Turns out bagging groceries is actually so much fun. Seriously. This little gem almost slipped by us, but I'm sure glad it didn't. In Bag It! you're tasked with bagging up a friendly collection of grocery items, like Sir Eggward and Sunshine the juice carton. Like their real counterparts, they have weight to them, and fragility. A carton of eggs is easily crushed, a watermelon less easily so.
You might remember that way back in June we took a look atSuper Stickman Golf [99¢] developer Noodlecake Studios' current project, called Lunar Racing at the time. This multiplayer-centric 2D side-scrolling racing game looked like it had all sorts of promise, especially considering how well Noodlecake nailed the multiplayer aspect of Super Stickman Golf. But, it's been nearly six months and I'd started wondering just what the heck was going on with the development.
It's been over a year since the last update, and many in our forums were worried that the app had been abandoned, but I'm happy to report that Manomio has released an update to C64 for iPhone [App Store], the Commodore 64 emulator and game store (at over 50 titles right now) for iOS, that we've been tracking since way back in 2008.
Stuart Carnie of Manomio filled me in on the license tangles he's been dealing with since late last year which stymied work on the app, but indicates all is now resolved and that he's excited to bring this update, as well as return his focus to development and the acquisition of new licenses for C64-loving iOS gamers.
The big news in this latest version of C64 for iPhone, version 2.2, is the addition of support for the iCade and compatible devices (such as the iControlPad and Gametel controller we recently covered), which is huge news given the nature of the typical Commodore 64 game title. In this initial implementation, iCade support means joystick and fire button emulation -- certain games with extended features, such as The Last Ninja, still require tapping the screen for key input and the like. This update also brings full support for iOS 5.
It's worth pointing out that, presently, C64 is not a Universal application, and so using it on an iPad in the iCade means running the iPhone app at 2x video magnification. However, Stuart has big plans for the app and shared a short-list of what's coming, down the road...
A new, Universal app!
This is a rewrite in order to add all the required features
PRO: By not replacing the iPhone version, we can keep existing users with old hardware on the current builds
PRO: For compatible games, we'll continue to add them to C64 for iPhone
Activate your original C64 for iPhone purchases if you have it installed
Cycle-exact emulation -- will require ARMv7 devices
The following demo video taken by one of our readers shows C64 for iPhone running on an iPad, being controlled with an iControlPad (in iCade emulation mode).
We're very glad to see Stuart out of the woods and moving forward with his efforts to bring retro fun to today's gamers. We will keep readers in the loop on the latest from Manomio as the news unfolds.
Hey, here's a thing: both Space Miner [Free] and Space Miner HD [Free] are totally free right now. Back in February of last year, Venan Entertainment released Space Miner to the masses and pretty much took everybody by surprise with the amount of depth, humor, personality, and most importantly stellar gameplay found within the title. It was almost as if they took the core mechanics of the classic Asteroids arcade game and built a fantastic, fully realized universe around it with copious amounts of RPG elements, space shooting, and a gripping storyline. In fact, that's exactly what they did.
We loved Space Minerin our original review, and Venan kept the love flowing during 2010 with a huge update in April which enhanced the visuals for the then top-tier hardware and added a hardcore difficulty mode. With the arrival of Retina Display devices, Space Miner eventually jumped on board the high resolution gravy train and in December of last year an iPad native version of the game was released. All of this post-release attention didn't go unnoticed either, as we chose Space Miner as our iPhone Game of the Year for 2010. In fact, if you ask Brad Nicholson, he'll tell you that Space Miner is an even better game than Game Dev Story [$3.99/Lite]. That's high praise!
Now, to celebrate the release of their latest title Book of Heroes [Free], Venan has gone and not only made the Space Miner games free through the weekend but have actually made their other games free as well. Don't hesitate to jump all over Ninjatown: Trees of Doom! [Free/HD] while you're busy mashing away at the download button on Space Miner.
The Space Miner games have seen several sales during their time on the App Store (and really what games haven't), but this is the first time it's ever gone completely free, although there is a free-to-play version called Space Miner Blast [Free] which is a more arcade-focused affair and is also totally worth a download as it offers a slightly different experience. But seriously, while you have the chance, grab the real-deal Space Miner for free during this weekend. I don't want to sound like a jerk or anything, but if you don't own Space Miner, we totally can't be friends.
The week of PR shenanigans is still going strong, the latest of which involving a late-day surprise release of EA's new iteration of Tetris [99¢] which we mentioned seeing at EA's recent winter preview event. Here's what The Bearded One had to say about it:
Basically everybody on the planet knows the falling blocks puzzle game Tetris, and we’ve had an iOS version of the game almost since the very beginning of the App Store. While that is a fun and totally decent version of the game, the touch screen controls left a bit to be desired. That’s where the new One-Touch mode comes in. Here, when blocks appear at the top of the screen you’re given an assortment of spots to automatically place the block at the bottom of the screen, represented by outlines of the block’s shape.
This seemed like a weird idea to me at first, but after actually playing this mode I was a believer. It’s such a simple change but it dramatically changes how you would typically play Tetris, almost transforming it into a different game and bypassing any imprecise control issues from the touch screen. There’s regular Marathon mode as well as a progressive level-based Rush mode in addition to One-Touch, so this version of Tetris should appeal to purists as well as those looking for a fresh take on the classic gameplay.
Unfortunately, it seems that this new version of Tetris has replaced the old version of Tetris on the App Store. So, this will be a new purchase for everyone instead of an update, and you might as well back up the old Tetris .ipa somewhere in case you ever want to re-sync it to your device.
Guys, Christmas is right around the corner. Real Racing creators Firemint delicately reminded us of that we're zeroing in on the holiest of holidays with one well-positioned holiday-themed update to its awesome puzzle game, Spy Mouse [$.99 / HD].
Starting now with an update, World 1 in Spy Mouse and Spy Mouse HD have been turned into winter-y paradises, complete with snow, candy canes, and other decorations. The team has also turned the game's icon on its head with a bit of Christmas cheer and even added a new challenge to Agent Squeak's backpack.
Flight Control [$.99 / Lite] for the iPhone and iPod Touch have also been updated, though not with anything Christmas-related. These two versions now have a new level featuring a vicious thunderstorm with lightning that can damage your planes. The HD version [$4.99], on the other hand, now rocks a "Moon Base" map with asteroids and four new vehicles: land shuttles, satellites, rockets, and UFOs.
Interestingly, all three versions of Flight Control now have a "rewind" feature, which allows you to, er, rewind time in order to, say, avoid a collision. The catch? They need to be purchased.
You wanted it, and now it's here: The Game Bakers's beautiful real-time strategy RPG, Squids [$1.99], is now on the iPad. The team dropped the support as Universal, which means if you already own it, you can now play the game on iPad for $0. Otherwise, you can pick up the iPad and iPhone version for the usual $1.99.
During review, we got a chance to see Squids on the big screen, and even that non-optimized state, we were really impressed with how it looked and technically played. But here's some things we didn't get to see: the new 3D "anaglyph" version of the Halloween map, which has been rolled into this update on top of screen rotation functionality, new bug fixes, and new localizations including Russian, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.
If you've got some of those silly 3D glasses, give the Halloween map a spin and tell us what you think. We're currently digging around in TouchArcade's toy box, but we've been coming up empty.
Judge Dredd vs. Zombies [$.99] is what you think it is, which is to say, it's an over-the-top dual-stick shooter that pits the equally over-the-top dystopian cop against hordes and hordes of the undead. Despite all signs of the End Times have come pointing to "Yes," Dredd is as moronically meat-headed as ever. The slick Versace-wearing, line-slinging judge, jury, and executioner has his hands full with himself throughout the entire experience. It's as if, in a weird twist, this game is more about Dredd's need to stroke his own ego than his desire to purge his precious and pure Mega-City One of zombies.
Hearing "I am the law" or some other ridiculously chest-puffing line every 15 seconds isn't this game's biggest problem, though -- the free-to-play model is. It comes across as much too pushy and needed and, as a result, it consistently strikes me as gross.
The week of weird PR shenanigans continues with Ubisoft's surprise release of Assassin’s Creed Recollection [$2.99]. We've been posting about the few details that Ubisoft has been leaking out, specifically how the game boasts things like "deep tactical gameplay" and "challenging political battles."
Now that the game is finally released, we'll get to see just how challenging these political battles are. Hopefully my opponent doesn't use the "reveal 13 year long affair" ability. We're downloading the game now and hope to have a review up shortly!
While the iOS device's multitouch screen has introduced a whole new way of interacting with software and enabled game developers to rethink the fundamentals of game control, there are definitely areas where it falls short. One such area is in the on-screen approximation of a physical control stick or D-pad. Ever since we first mentioned the iControlPad, three and a half years ago, button mashers particularly frustrated by virtual controls began eagerly waiting for such physical controller accessories to arrive. This summer, the iCade and iControlPad did arrive and developers wanting to go that extra mile began adding in support for these controllers, where it made sense.
Gametel controller
In a short time from now, the controller market will be gaining another iOS-compatible unit for gamers to choose from in the form of the Gametel Bluetooth controller from Fructel AB. News on this one began spreading a couple of weeks back, but we only just learned of the device, likely due to the Android-centric PR that surrounds it; there's scant mention of iOS devices on the product webpage. Luckily, C64 for iPhone[App Store] developer Stuart Carnie of Manomio pinged me to let us know that the unit works quite well with iOS devices (by way of an iCade emulation mode, the addition of which was driven by Stuart, himself), and that he is particularly impressed by the unit's ergonomics.
On this week's TouchArcade Show, we power through a meaty discussion of WWE 12 and how we'd love our lives to be like a wrestler's in order to bring you the latest, hottest, and bestest in iOS. At the top, we praise Infinity Blade 2 and pan Judge Dredd vs Zombies. Later, we dig into discussions about third-party controllers, companion apps, games that fell off the radar, and "high" game prices. I think we all really dug this week's show, so hopefully you will, too.
When 
As a lot of you are already aware, 
You know, I've got to hand it to EA. They're really really good at making money. The latest cash cow they've set loose on the App Store pasture is the updated version of Tetris [
In mid-November, True Axis finally released Space Tripper [
Hey, here's a thing: both Space Miner [
Guys, Christmas is right around the corner. Real Racing creators 
You wanted it, and now it's here: 
Judge Dredd vs. Zombies [$.
While the iOS device's multitouch screen has introduced a whole new way of interacting with software and enabled game developers to rethink the fundamentals of game control, there are definitely areas where it falls short. One such area is in the on-screen approximation of a physical control stick or D-pad. Ever since we 
