The App Store has been online for nearly six months now and there are already over 10,000 applications available for download–most of them games. And while there’s no shortage of match-three, Sudoku, or poker titles for the iPhone and iPod touch, there is a distinct lack of 2D platformers. Team Phobic’s recent iPhone release Bounce On [App Store] helps to fill that void.
In Bounce On, a red ball has accidentally fallen out of someone’s pocket and it’s the player’s job to guide it home while picking up gems and power-ups along the way and avoiding (or squashing) enemies, Mario-style. The ball is controlled via tilt with a tap to the screen to bounce. The graphics are simplistic, cartoony and colorful, also evoking a Mario-esque feel.
The game features smooth animation and a comfortable play pace. The current release features 15 levels and the developer promises more will be avialable via free updates.
We pointed to Team Phobic’s preview video earlier this month and weren’t quite sure how the gameplay would pan out when we finally got our hands on it. Now that we’ve spent some time with it, we’re happy to report that Bounce On is an enjoyable iPhone platformer.
Our gameplay video shows the first few levels, which are fairly easy to complete. Rest assured the game gets more difficult further along, as the aforementioned, lower resolution preview video demonstrates.
[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]
So, is it the iPhone’s Great Giana Sisters? Well, not quite. But Bounce On is a fun basic platformer that fans of the genre, lamenting the dearth of such titles in the App Store, may find to be worth a look.
App Store Link: Bounce On, $2.99
If you haven't tried it you should.
The devs are working on around 6 worlds.
And with every world they release, the price will rise a bit. So grab it now! I really like this pricing model. Much better than releasing a "expensive" app just to go down few days after. That is annoying. And this game is worth every Cent.
this game frustrates me.......
i love the concept and the control is pretty good but --
collecting diamonds is useless! I wish they made this mandatory to advance levels or SOMETHING.....it would force you to fully explore too..
i find myself just avoiding them...also just jumping over enemies rather than killing them to advance to the end....i wish they would create boss levels and do something with those stupid diamonds...
I am happy they released the lite version, because now I know that I don't like this game at all.
@andrea:
Personal taste or is there a reason, why?
I really don't like the design. Blandness, definetly
I was really expecting the red ball to bounce like a real rubber ball. It lands with a thump. Playing a mario game with a rubber ball should be more crazy fast paced.
@G:
Just curious why you think you should have to collect all of something to advance? Neither Mario or Sonic required you to do this, you could go through the level and do as much or as little as you wanted.
@andrea:
To each his own. ^_^
i played the lite version and thought the game was great and looking forward to all the updates. i'll be picking this one up.
this game is awesome!
i already own the full version and am a very satisfied customer
if u enjoy playing platformers, then you'll definitely find this game fun
downloading the lite version right now. I really love how there are so many lite versions of games now - a great development of the apps store and developers in general
bryhon:
mario and sonic are vast games that take a long time to beat.
This game, however, does not.
If im NOT collecting diamonds and NOT having to kill anything to get through a level, then what am i doing? Bouncing slowly through boring level after boring level?
And I agree that the design is bland. It looks hastily put together. The storyline segue to the junk level is a joke to say the least! judging from the artistic quality i would almost think the entire game was put together using clip art! blehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I just bought it. I figure, it would be nice to have one platform game and if there really will be 6 worlds, it's well worth the $4+
does anyone know how to complete the 3rd level in lite version , i am able to collect 24 diamonds and not able to figure out how to complete
After playing the lite version, I picked up the full version and found that it was worth the money. I think the game could use a little more story. Also I appreciate the free add-ons but it makes me wonder how the team making the game will make any money.
It's not the best game ever, but it's a good amount of bang for the buck.
It's all about skill, balance and ultimately control. The lite version is for my kids. The kids are 4 and 6 and they have finished all levels except the grey one's, but all the doors have been opened and finished. So this game is fun and time consuming but it builds skill. For the one's that don't like it...go buy a game that you enjoy killing people or something.