$0.99$1.99

$0.99-1.99 Roundup: Qbix, Sheep Abduction, Mini Golf Ace

Here are a few $0.99-$1.99 games that we thought were worth a look.

Qbix screenQbix – $0.99 [link]

Vega Mobile’s Qbix is basically Q*Bert in the forest.  Gone are Coily, Ugg, and Wrong-Way, replaced by various enemy plants and woodland creatures that strive to do in our hopping, hero squirrel.

The game is played using touch control (directional swipes) and features 32 levels.  And although we’ve heard that an official Q*Bert game is coming, Qbix is a good option for those needing an 80s retro isometric fix.

Though more nature than Day-Glo, Qbix delivers something close to the feel of the original.

Sheep Abduction – $1.99 [link]

Sticky StudiosSheep Abduction is a lot more coherent (and fun) than the game’s bizarre premise.

Planet Zurq 340 is dying! They need a single drop of water to save their planet. Luckily, they’ve found a planet with lots of water: Earth!  Since Zurqs are very polite they need to ask permission from the local inhabitants: humans. In order to establish contact with Earth, crop circles need to be created. Sheep seem to be the ideal candidate to chew crops.  So…In order to save the planet, you will need to move around sheep to their destination!

Premise aside, Sheep Abduction is quite a polished game that’s both enjoyable and challenging.  The alien craft can only pick up sheep of a particular color at a time, after having grabbed a floating, color-specific “beam enhancer."  Grab the enhancer, grab the sheep, and get them to the target area before the timer runs out.  Chaotic, goofy, and enjoyable.  And while the game’s price has danced about quite a bit since launch, it’s currently well priced at $1.99.

Mini Golf Ace – $1.99 [link]

Mini Golf Ace from three-2-one GmbH is an 18 hole mini golf game that’s rather sparse on scenery but solid on gameplay.  You and up to four friends have six tries each to negotiate the course obstacles and get the ball into the hole.  The game features touch / drag controls for aiming and swinging and accelerometer controls for setting camera angle.

While the visuals are nothing close to realistic, the game is a fun, pick-up session of mini golf.


[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]

31 Comments

  1. Greg

    Slide To Play seemed to think the Mini Gold Ace suffered from unforgiving cups (The ball would shoot out of the hole) and simple not enough holes as its only one 18 hole course but they liked it, but hope they'll update it.

    http://www.slidetoplay.com/...

    1. blakespot

      I found the holes not so much a problem, but did find it took some getting used to to apply the proper amount of "swing" to a putt.

  2. Touch News

    Great Round-Up Guys, keep up the great content

  3. Jeezey

    I like the idea,but the trailer is so bad its completely put me off purchasing.

    1. Samwell

      Really? I actually liked the trailer quite a bit.

    2. KSPLANET

      The trailer is great. The game is relaxing and addictive.

    3. SkiFan

      Couldn't disagree more, and most others seem to agree with me. Keep reading!

      1. skiFan

        The trailer is chill, and the game even better!

  4. George

    looks utter shite, sorry.

    1. Iam

      George, uh, WTF?!

  5. Kris Jones

    I didn't think the trailer was bad. Just really long.

    1. Dan

      really? it is only a minute and a half. That isn't very long at all!

  6. rich_952000

    I might give this a go later.

  7. arn

    it's a solid $0.99 game. feels nice. Agree with using one hand than two though.

    arn

    1. Carlos Alberto

      I like to the both thumbs in jump mode.

  8. Deathinacan

    I downloaded it, it's not bad. Worth a dollar.

  9. Ballpeen

    wtf? the trailer looks fine to me and it's only 1.5 min long..

    Anyway my 1st instinct was "eh", but seeing the way the user can control each ski, it looks like it could be fun. And the price is correct IMO.

    I'm a skier and I might get it. I say "might" ONLY because I have hit the limit on apps the iphone can handle, so apps now need to be good enough to bump something else off my phone.. :(

    Anybody know if the limit is going to be fixed with ver3.0??

    Will we finally be able to create folders to categorize apps?

    1. ZZMitch

      I have 3.0beta 2 and you can have up to 11 pages, so 2 more pages.

      1. Ballpeen

        Thx ZZMitch!

        Well at least that's something. It would definitely be in Apple's interest to allow more apps to be purchased!

        Kinda funny that the limit is actually preventing me from buying more apps & games.

        And copy&paste are coming!!!!! Woot! :D

  10. Samwell

    I tried it out, this game rocks. So much content for a $0.99 app

  11. Acidbottle

    without doubt a suprise from nowhere. if ya like racing games of anykind i really cant recommend this game enough .. superb controls and extremely addictive. thumbs up at the price to!

    1. Will

      Hey Acidbottle, nice scores!

  12. J.R. Jalapeno

    bought it and love it. keep your fingers at the bottom of the screen so it doesnt block the view. the video is crappy b/c he has his fingers halfway up the screen. i love it. super fast and looks good. this and freefallin are 2 killer apps for a buck. this is why iphone gaming is great, unique apps that cant be done anywhere else

  13. rich_952000

    I'm digging it. Online scoring isn't working for me, guess I need to reinstall it.

  14. Malarkey

    Instant download for me... In the last several months I haven't touched my PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii very often. The iPod Touch has become my platform of choice!

  15. blakespot

    I'm glad to see people liking the game. Granted, when I saw the screenshots I wasn't sold, but after playing it I was quite pleasantly surprised. Arnold is of a similar opinion. This is a nice game.

  16. Vikram @ iPhone Game Reviews

    This game has just had the privilege of sitting on my iPhone's dock. I really like the two-fingers-for-two-skis idea. Very easy to use and really innovative.

  17. kkj

    I love the trailer! The music is awesome too. And I really enjoy the game. I used to be addicted to the other Naquatic games, Turtle Bounce and Corners, but this is my new addiction!

  18. SkiFan

    Next best thing to being there, and the music makes it rock!

    1. blakespot

      For sure!

  19. Pitch_Blak

    Are you able to play your own music? I'm definately looking into this.