iPhone developer ATOD AB has recently released Fastlane Street Racing [App Store], a Ridge Racer-style racing game that has generated much commentary–most of it rather positive–in the App Store user reviews and our forums since its release.

The first thing that hits you about Fastlane is the game’s graphics quality.  Fastlane is the best looking iPhone racer, hands down.  What’s more, the game runs at a decent framerate and experiences very few slow-downs.  Of course, you’re racing only three other vehicles and the on-road traffic is at a bare minimum, but still–it’s a lovely looking game.

So how does it play?  Let’s first take a look at the game modes.  Fastlane has three racing modes: Arcade, Time Trial, and Challenge.  Arcade mode involves racing from checkpoint to checkpoint and completing the course before the timer runs out.  Successfully completing courses unlocks new ones–there are 12 in all.  Time Trial mode is a race against pre-recorded times–race against a pace car or against your own best time.  Challenge mode presents the racer with various goals to achieve in order to move to the next course: complete the route within the time limit without touching the walls more than twice, overtake the other car before it passes the finish line, etc.  While there has been some outcry due to Fastlane’s lack of a “career mode,” I personally am pleased by its absence.  The time constraints surrounding typical gameplay on a mobile device (vs. a home console or desktop) make full blown career modes (winning money in races to buy upgrades, garages, homes, etc.) impractical.

And controls?  Well, there are many opinions on this in our forums.  Some call the game too difficult, indicating that the accelerometer controls are unforgiving and serious corners are impossible to negotiate.  Here’s the thing about this game, though: mastering the technique of drifting is a prerequisite.  Each of the game’s 10 vehicles feature different driving characteristics and finding the perfect drifter for your particular driving style is critical.  If you can’t master drifting, then this game is not for you.  That may seem like a tall order or a particular negative, but the thing is, Fastlane’s drifting feels much more “realistic” than does the seemingly on-rails drifting exhibited in the latest console versions of Ridge Racer.  So, take the time to learn to drift and the game’s controls are in the palm of your hand.  Have a look at ATOD AB’s tips page for some technique suggestions.

Fastlane includes a gameplay musical score along with well done sound effects.  If a song is playing from the iPhone’s song library at game launch, Fastlane’s sound effects will overlay it.  Hats off for that, ATOD AB.

All said, Fastlane Street Racing is the best iPhone racer in terms of graphics, racing challenge, and overall gameplay.  More and more, iPhone App Store releases are resembling high-end Nintendo DS and Sony PSP hits.  Fastlane Street Racing is a fine example.  Racing fans willing to tackle the learning curve will find this $5.99 title well worth the price.

Swipe Interactive’s Quick Draw [App Store, $5.99] is now available in the App Store.

We previously highlighted this game in which players take turns drawing a word and guessing words. Online play allows for play over EDGE, 3G and Wi-Fi networks. Features include:

• Instant Online Play over WIFI, 3G and EDGE
• Constantly updated selection of words in several exciting categories
• Play fair or get accused of cheating!
• Offline play, perfect for playing between friends or just for practicing

App Store Link: Quick Draw, $5.99

One of the most impressive looking iPhone racers has appeared in the App Store. Fastlane Street Racing [App Store] is now available for $5.99.

Inspired by Ridge Racer and Outrun, this game is described as “the fastest racing experience on the iPhone”.

Features include:

• 5 Game modes
• High detail 3D graphics
• Advanced lightning and effects
• 10 Original cars
• 8 Fun and challenging city routes
• 2 High speed race circuits
• 6 Challenge tracks
• Save replays

We will provide a review shortly.

App Store Link: Fastlane Street Racing, $5.99

One of the early App Store favorites Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D [App Store] has been discounted from its original price of $9.99 down to $5.99.

The price drop for the Kart racer comes after its main rival, Cro-Mag Rally [App Store] has made its way to the number one position in the App Store (paid apps) after dropping its price to $1.99. Though we preferred Nitro Kart in our head-to-head comparision, both were solid titles.

As a Kart-racer, Nitro Kart dispenses with any sort of realism and focuses on fun. A game play video is provided in our head-to-head comparison review. Nitro Kart features:

Mobile developer Digital Concepts has released a pick-up role playing game (RPG) for the iPhone called Loot Master [App Store].

And when I say “pick-up,” I mean it.  Loot Master is the most abbreviated RPG I’ve ever seen.  At first these sound like harsh words, but after playing a few rounds, I think Loot Master hits the intended mark, which is to deliver an RPG experience to the mobile player who is looking to kill 3-4 minutes waiting in line at the bank.

The game screen consists of a stats readout and various character equip slots at the top and a playfield at the bottom.  The objective is simple: Monsters are trying to cross the playfield from left to right–do not let them.

Tap a roving monster to attack it.  When killed, some monster leave behnd a weapon, shield, spell or ring that can be dragged up to an equip slot to strengthen your player.  Spell items can be dragged from holding slots at the top down onto a group of monsters to unleash its destruction.

Features as listed by Digital Concepts:

• Original title developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch
• Captivating gameplay and beautiful graphics
• Thousands of equipable items
• Variety of spells and skills to learn and use
• Gameplay feels like a mix of Tower Defense and action RPG

Loot Master is simple (and I mean simple) RPG fun on the go.  However, at $5.99 [App Store], all but the most die-hard RPG hounds may find the title a bit pricey.

Interactive Fan previously released some screenshots for their upcoming iPhone game Fan Caps. The game was released to the App Store this morning [$5.99, App Store]:

Choose between loads of caps, fields and balls, move your cap and hit the ball in the right direction to fool your opponent and score a goal. Use your abilities to score as many goals as possible playing against the computer or wirelessly against a friend, and enjoy your spare time with this mobile 3D game. Fan Caps features touch controls and accelerometers-based camera.

The game offers both computer and head-to-head Wi-Fi play as well as some attractive visuals.

The actual control mechanism, however, was a bit of a surprise as it uses a vector (hold and pull) method to strike the ball rather than direct control of the puck. We’ll publish a full review once we have had more time with this title.

Konami has dropped the price of their Frogger [App Store] game from $7.99 to $5.99. The $7.99 price had already represented a price cut from its original price point of $9.99 at launch.

We had found the iPhone version of Frogger to be, well, Frogger — no more, no less. If you’re a longtime fan of the game, you might find it more tempting at the the $5.99 price.

The iPhone version offers both accelerometer and two types of touchscreen controls. As with other classic arcade games, we found the swipe technique to be the most precise.

Konami has plans to bring other titles to the iPhone in the near future.

Pangea Software is running a seven day promotion for its award winning physics based puzzler Enigmo [App Store] for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Users who download Enigmo between 9am (PST) Wednesday, August 27th and 9pm Wednesday, September 3rd will take advantage of the promotional price of $5.99, temporarily down from the standard price of $9.99.

Enigmo, recently named as a ‘Showcase Winner’ at the Austin Independent Games Festival and voted “Best iPhone Game” at Apple’s 2008 World Wide Developer Conference, is the ultimate 3D puzzle game for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch! To complete each level the player will need to manipulate various streams of flowing liquid so that the droplets can reach their destination. Liquids (water, oil, and lava) fall from droppers, and will bounce off walls in a visually stunning cascade. By moving various types of bumpers, sliders, accelerators, and sponges, the player diverts the flow of the falling droplets. The faster players complete each level the more bonus points they receive.

We first covered news of Enigmo back in March.

Pangea recently released a version update that allows Enigmo to download levels created by other users to provide an essentially unlimited pool of levels. Enigmo comes with 50 built-in levels.

[ via IGN ]

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.

When word got out that part-time developer Eliza Block had started earning $1800/day from her crossword puzzle application, we took notice.

While crossword puzzles aren’t the flashiest of games on the App Store, they represent a significant market with a dedicated following. And unlike Sudoku and Solitaire, only two developers have released crossword games for the iPhone.

Block’s 2 across [App Store] is the more popular of the two at $5.99, but Stand Alone’s Crosswords [App Store] represents another solid offering at $9.99. We decided to take a look at both crossword apps.

In the end both applications are remarkably similar in execution and functionality, and you are unlikely to make a bad choice with either app. Both applications offer an almost limitless pool of downloadable crossword puzzles as well as access to subscription NYTimes puzzles. I was unable to test the premium puzzle downloads, but was able to test drive both apps and provide gameplay videos.

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