The app?  NES

Based on? Technically, Nintendo’s complete 8-bit catalog. Say hello to the first functional console emulator for iPhones.

Worth the download? Tricky territory here. In order to use the NES app, you’ll need a “jailbroken” iPhone, one that’s been hacked and freed from Apple and iTunes’s control. Travelling down that warranty-voiding road brings many rewards, but many potential punishments as well. Frankly, we wouldn’t recommend breaking your phone just to play the NES app. Although an undeniably awesome effort by indie developers, controlling games like Mario and Mega Man with the touch buttons is cumbersome. Then again, the emulator is bound to be updated and improved over time… (Free)

The app?  Tiger Woods PGA TOUR

Based on? EA’s realistic golf simulator, dominant in its genre for over a decade now. This is for folks who like the science of the sport, not the silly fun of something like Hot Shots. And yes, Tiger makes his blurriest appearance in years.

Worth the download? Hard to believe, considering the publisher and the hefty charge, but Tiger Woods on iPhone is a terrific buy. Almost everything you love about the console games has been fit in here: the licensed courses, the extensive tournaments, the professional cameos, the character generator, the precise control scheme and over 120 holes to choose between. Wow. ($10)

The apps? Need for Speed Undercover (top left), Asphalt 4: Elite Racing (top right), Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D (bottom left)and Pole Position: Remix (bottom right)

Based on? Various racing franchises, some more successful, recent and worth porting to the iPhone than others.

Worth the downloads? The app store offers dozens of racing games, but only these four have titles you might recognize. Need for Speed Undercover is the newest, as well as the best by far. The graphics are spectacular - you could easily mistake this for a PSP title – and the play modes are varied. If you’re unwilling to spend ten dollars, you can opt for Asphalt 4: Elite Racing at half the cost. Until NFS arrived last month, Asphalt was the king of iPhone racers… and it’s still pretty damn good.

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D is a totally different experience, similar to what you’d get with Mario Kart (please, Nintendo, make a Mario Kart app!) The visuals are cartoony and the gameplay is goofy, with weapons like bombs and oil puddles littered across all the tracks. For a purely fun racer, go this route.

Finally, there’s Pole Position: Remix. It’s cheap. It’s retro. It’s glitchy as hell. Suppress your nostalgia and download one of the three titles above instead.

Need for Speed Undercover ($10)

Asphalt 4: Elite Racing ($5) 

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D ($6)

Pole Position: Remix ($2)

The apps?  PAC-MAN and Ms. PAC-MAN

Based on? The most famous arcade game of all time… and the other one with the red bow and lipstick.

Worth the downloads? The developers did what they could with what they had. These are both faithful translations and, while the controls aren’t anywhere near perfect, you can choose between three different styles until you find what works. Based on the price tags, however, we hesitate to whole-heartedly recommend. PAC-MAN is one map and no frills for over five bucks. The sequel offers a bit more, but is still ridiculously overpriced. Unless you’re a diehard aficionado, keep waiting for the cost to drop. ($6 each)

PAC-MAN isn’t the only ancient arcade game available on the iPhone. Here are some quick looks at six others.

The app? Galaga REMIX

Worth the download? Yes, if you liked the original. You get both that classic and an enhanced update with detailed backgrounds, new weapons and boss fights. Three control schemes are available, so at least one should suit your preferences. ($6)

The app? Centipede

Worth the download? Yes, for pretty much the same reasons listed above. The trackball controls from these old games port very well to the iPhone. Again, you get an Ultra mode with fancier graphics, sounds and enemies.($5)

The app? Missile Command

Worth the download? Yes once more... you get the classic and the whiz bang upgrade. This might be our favorite of the three listed so far, as the simplicity of having your gun planted firmly in one spot gives Missile Command the quickest learning curve. ($5)


The app? Space Invaders

Worth the download? No ultra fancy, super duper, extra enhanced mode here. Space Invaders is just Space Invaders. Which is fine, we guess, but a bit disappointing after experiencing the facelifts on all the others. Especially since this is the same price. ($5)

The app? Frogger

Worth the download? No. This is a game requiring absolute timing and precision… timing and precision that touch screen controls honestly can’t provide. Plus, the price is an insult considering what you get. ($6)



The app? Dig Dug Remix

Worth the download? The original is relatively intact. The remixed version adds power-ups and baddies that truly change the way you play the game. Both are fun for different reasons, so the cost is reasonable. Now if only they’d throw all these arcade remixes and updates into one package… ($6)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Prices may and probably will vary. Wait long enough and most will go down, in fact. Those listed here were recorded on the day of the feature’s posting.

May 12, 2009

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