The folks over at iLounge have taken on the daunting task of reviewing every Solitaire game on the App Store to come up with the following list.

There are 19 games of solitaire in the App Store from 12 different developers. Apps prices link to the App Store:

• Acid Solitaire Collection ($9.99, B-) - 3 games, good gameplay
• Cookie Bonus Solitaire ($2.99, B-) - cutesy interface, online mode
• Cookie Bonus Solitaire - Free (Free, B+) - same game but ad supported
• Demon Solitaire ($0.99, D) - very plain
• Las Vegas Solitaire ($2.99, D) - very plain
• MobilityWare Freecell ($1.99, D) - mediocre, limited single game
• MobilityWare Pyramid ($0.99, D) - mediocre, limited single game
• MobilityWare Solitaire ($1.99, D) - mediocre, limited single game
• Mondo Solitaire ($9.99, B+) - one of the best, over 100 types of solitaire, lots of play
• Platinum Solitaire ($3.99, B) - interface and depth are only so-so compared to others
• Pyramid Solitaire ($4.99, C) - simple pyramid solitaire game
• Pyramid Solitaire Lite (Free, D) - a few less options
• Solebon Solitaire ($9.99, C-) - 20 games, limited audio
• Wee Spider Solitaire ($4.99, C-) - 7 games
• Sol Free Solitaire (Free, B) - 3 games, very nice for free game
• Solitaire CAO ($4.99, D) - Klondike, demo-quality
• Solitaire City ($9.99, B) - impressive, online leaderboard, 13 games
• Solitaire Forever ($5.99, A-) - slick, 3D engine, over 150 games
• Solitaire Top 3 ($3.99, D-) - 3 games, simple

iLounge picks Mondo Solitaire ($9.99) and Solitaire Forever ($5.99, pictured above) as their top paid picks and Cookie Bonus Solitaire - Free (Free) and Sol Free Solitaire (Free) as their top free picks.

Solitaire City ($9.99) should get an honorable mention, however, due to its unique inclusion of an online leaderboard.

iLounge gets into far more detail and provides screenshots of every game in their extensive roundup.

It doesn’t surprise me that Stinkbot’s Sumo [App Store] game has been seemingly ignored in the iTunes Store.

The title of the game likely attracts those looking for an action packed Sumo-wrestling game when in actuality Sumo is a card-based strategy game.

Unlike the numerous puzzle game clones out there, this one is an original game concept that was birthed as a Shockwave game in 1997. The Shockwave game reportedly gained a bit of a following and was later ported to the Palm. Fortunately for us, the developers have ported the game to the iPhone and priced it at a fair $2.99.

I suspect that card players (Hearts, Bridge) will take to the game most quickly. In essence, Sumo is a card game with a specialized deck of tiles. Tiles are numbed 0 through 5 and there are 5 of each numbered tile in the deck. This gives you a total of 30 tiles.

Each player (you vs. the computer) gets dealt a 5 tile hand. You are each also represented by a Sumo wrestler on the screen. Each player alternates taking turns by selecting a tile and choosing to move forward or backward. Your Sumo wrestler will move forward the corresponding number of steps and you can’t move past the other Sumo wrestler.

If you wish to “attack” the other Sumo wrestler, you simply play a tile that will move you to the exact same spot as the other Sumo wrestler. When “attacking” you can select multiple tiles of the same value to strengthen your attack. The defending Sumo wrestler can successfully hold his position only if he is holding the same tiles used, otherwise he will be thrown back.

In the end, this is a game of position. The game ends when a Sumo wrestler is pushed out of bounds or has the best (most advanced) position after the 30 tiles are dealt.

While the game sounds rather simple, once you start keeping track of which tiles have been played, it becomes clear how your strategy may change depending on the outstanding tiles.

I found myself playing this game again and again and highly recommend it. My only real disappointment with the game is the inability to play against other people. At present, this is an entertaining and addictive game of solitaire.

In the future, however, I could easily see this becoming a very popular online tournament game. While Stinkbot has revealed to us that a multiplayer version is in the plans, it will have to wait until Apple releases background/push notifications which is due in September. While a few other minor issues remain (awkward dialog boxes, for example), these are expected to be addressed in a future release and don’t detract significantly from the gameplay.

This video shows a full match (first player to 80 points):

The list of games available in the iTunes App Store is growing daily, and among these are various free titles that are worth a look.  We thought we’d share a few of the free games we’ve been wasting spending time with lately.

Apache Lander

Apache Lander [App Store] from PosiMotion is an accelerometer controlled, simplified take on the classic Lunar Lander formula.  The goal is to land the helicopter safely on the heli-pad before the fuel stores are depleted.  Tilt the iPhone left or right to maneuver towards the heli-pad and control lift by tilting forward or back.  The helicopter consumes fuel at an alarming rate and requires an extremely delicate touch-down to avoid crashing (which you’ll do a lot).

Fire Drop

Fire Drop [App Store] from xCube Labs is another take on the popular “matching tile elimination” formula.  The game presents a play grid of simmering cauldrons of varying colors that advance upwards row by row.  Gameplay involves tapping on groups of three or more like cauldrons, causing them to burst into flame and disappear.  There are 15 levels in each of the game’s three stages, and at the end of each level a cheerful looking monk quips various words of wisdom.  After completing all three stages, the player will have apparently gained “full wisdom.”

BubbleWrap

Few things in life are as satisfying as sitting down with a fresh sheet of bubble wrap and popping to your heart’s content.  If you are no stranger to this truth, then have a look at Orsome’s free iPhone offering that may eliminate the need to run out and purchase your own block of electronic bubble wrap.  BubbleWrap [App Store] is virtual bubble wrap for the iPhone that not only delivers that satisfying POP!, but is a game as well.  Race against the clock and pop as many bubbles as you can–but watch out–the bubbles reinflate.  The more bubbles popped, the higher the score.  Simple fun for the obsessive-compulsive among us.

Cookie Bonus Solitaire - Free

Cookie Bonus Solitaire - Free [App Store] from Amplified Games is a version of the company’s $2.99 title Cookie Bonus Solitaire [App Store] that contains all of the features of the for-purchase original, but in a free, ad-sponsored format.  It’s also the only free take on standard Klondike solitaire available in the App Store.

Cookie Bonus features fairly standard solitaire gameplay with some nice bonuses.  Aside from one-person play, there is an online play mode that allows chat with other players during the game, high score comparison, badges and achievements, as well as an online profile that can be shared with others.  The game also features various built in cheats that can be called upon when in a pinch.

Tunnels

Tunnels [App Store] from TunnelsApp.com is a maze game in which you pilot a fast-moving ship through a narrow tunnel full of twist and turns with the goal of progressing as far as possible before crashing into a wall.  It’s rather simple gameplay, but even at the “Easy” level it’s quite difficult to keep avoid a crash for more than a few seconds.  (This author can not be held responsible for iPhones crashing into actual walls as a result of the challenging gameplay.)

Griffin Technology, a well known maker of iPhone and iPod accessories, announced today that they had released their first game for the iPhone and iPod Touch: 5 Card Touch [App Store]. The game is described as a “Vegas-style” video poker game and is the first in a series of applications coming from Griffin.

“We are thrilled to roll out an even greater selection of offerings for iPhone and iPod owners” said Paul Griffin, founder of Griffin Technology. “Now Apple fans can get everything they need for their iPhone and iPod collection from Griffin, including cases and accessories, interactive games and more”

Griffin Technology? Making an iPhone game? My curiosity piqued, I immediately went to download the $1.99 game.

Overall, I was disappointed, even at $1.99. I mean, it is what was advertised: video poker (specifically Jacks or Better). The game provides you with an initial $1000 bankroll and the ability to add money at any time, but the game is as basic as can be. It also goes against the video poker convention with which I am familiar where you select which cards you would like to keep (or hold). Instead, you are expected to tap on the cards you wish to discard. This may seem like a minor point but uncomfortable to play if you are used to the other method.

While I’m encouraged that the iPhone is attracting more developers, I’m hoping to see more substantial offerings from Griffin in the future.

Game Details

Name: 5 Card Touch
Developer: Griffin Technology
App Store Link: Buy
Price: $1.99
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod Touch

Once you hear about a game enough times, you start to wonder if you’re missing something. That’s what happened to me with MotionX Poker [App Store] and so I bought it ($4.99) to see what the fuss was about.

MotionX Poker is a dice poker game based on FullPower technology which is a motion recognition technology platform. For this iPhone game, it provides realistic dice rolling physics to provide an impressive package.

Based on dice poker, the game allows you to play against the computer by rolling the dice to make your best poker hand. You get 3 rolls and are allowed to keep whichever pieces you want with each roll. After three rolls, whoever has the best hand, wins. (One caveat for card poker players, due to the decreased probability of a straight, a straight actually has a higher value than a full house in dice poker.)

What really gives this game an edge, however, is the impressive use of the iPhone’s technologies to deliver the game to you. Shaking the iPhone itself is what triggers the roll of the dice. The dice bounce so realistically and with such wonderful graphics and sound effects, it gives you the impression you are actually rolling real dice. The game also taps into the iPhone’s vibration mode to give you some force feedback while the dice are bouncing around.

In order to keep things interesting, the game offers a number of “Gem” achievements when you accomplish certain goals. These include simple tasks, such as winning 10 hands, and winning with the same hand twice in a row, to long term tasks, such as earning a 2.5 million coin bankroll. In addition, higher stake tables are unlocked as your bankroll grows.

Without considering the game itself, MotionX Poker is remarkable technology demonstration and could earn its place on your iPhone just to show interested passers-by. And to be honest, when I first started playing with it, I thought that’s all it was. The game was a bit slow to draw me in, and I wondered if I would ever play it again.

But, once you start playing for an extended session and accomplishing some achievements, it becomes easy to get sucked in and hypnotized by the gameplay. Playing another round is just a shake of your iPhone away. With such quick gameplay, I could see this being a “goto” game for many when they are standing in line or otherwise in need for a short distraction. I don’t think this game is necessarily for everyone, however, as some may bore of it, but for many, it will be a fun diversion.

Game Details

Name: MotionX Poker
Developer: MotionX
App Store Link: Buy
Price: $4.99
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod Touch

Independent game studio Sea Lion Games will soon be bringing Picnic Poker to the iTunes App Store.

Picnic Poker is a rather unique poker-inspired puzzle arcade game for the iPhone and iPod touch.  As the YouTube video shows, Picnic Poker involves timed gameplay where the player swipes a path among an array of shuffled cards in order to pick up their hand.  The game features various achievement that are gained based on success, along with a corresponding increase in play speed.

Picnic Poker will be available for purchase through the iTunes App Store for $4.99.

Sea Lion Games tells us they have a second iPhone game in the works that’s nearly complete and will be offering details on that title shortly.

Update: Images pulled at request of developer, until launch day

A staple in mobile gaming is Solitaire — and developers are certainly aware of that, so we expect to see several solitaire games for the iPhone at launch. Ambrosia Software’s early entry into this market, however, claims to provide “the ultimate Solitaire experience.”

Beyond the popular favorites of Klondike and Freecell (pictured below), Mondo Solitaire has over 100 other game choices. Games can be selected in a Coverflow interface or by list. Screenshots and a YouTube version of the gameplay are embedded below. Additional screenshots and higher quality videos have been posted at Ambrosia’s site. The game is expected to be available at the App Store launch for $9.99.