This post begins a series of iPad/iPhone games that are classified as hidden gems by me. To be a free hidden gem, the game must have two qualities: 1. The game must not be well known (for example, Plants vs. Zombies). 2. The game must either be free presently, or must have been available at one time for no cost to you. Toss the Ball https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id441640955 Carnivals are a mecca for those who have a burning desire to squander their disposable income on useless plastic novelties, unhealthy food, and unjustifiably difficult fairground games. Toss The Ball combines this carnival theme with elements from the popular arcade game Skeeball to create something that thankfully doesn’t measure success by your ability to win an oversized stuffed animal. Toss The Ball comprises four modes, each of which features the same basic aim of throwing a selection of novelty balls into holes on a board. Success is rewarded with points, while rewards and bonuses are dished out for throwing balls into illuminated holes. Controls are simple: you dictate the speed and direction of the ball by the manner in which you swipe the touchscreen. The boards and animations are visually impressive, and the game grants you a great deal of control over the ball. In Rolling Race mode, you must hole balls to ride to victory in a fantasy race, while Ball in Time mode tests your ability to score points within a time limit. Chill mode issues you with a finite number of balls, and Multiplayer mode, well, you can guess that one. Each of the balls has a different speed, score, and XP value. A super-fast lightning ball, for example, may be quicker, but a ball with a high XP stat will gain you more experience. The boards, meanwhile, feature different layouts and unique elements, such as pinball-style flippers. If you're looking for that game of days gone by that takes you back to that special feel of the Carnival, Toss the Ball is for you.
