iPhone game of the day: Pizza Boy

Game: Pizza Boy
Price: $1.99 / £1.19
Size: 12.1 MB
Get it now on the iTunes store:US/UK

It’s beyond us how a blue jay could fly off carrying an entire large pepperoni pizza loaded with sweet toppings, but we suppose hunger can do strange things to man and bird alike. Unfortunately for Pizza Boy, that steaming disc of tasty, cheese-laden goodness is a gift for a certain special someone, and you have to get it back for her. We’re not sure why you’d still want it after that cantankerous bird had its way with the thing (*gag*) but nonetheless, the chase is on in this oddball, Mario-inspired 2D side-scroller.

Wrangling down that pizza-stealing sky rat is honestly the least of your worries. While the look is adorable and gameplay varied, it’s also freaking hard. All of the animals in the neighborhood (dogs, birds, lizards, etc.) are in cahoots with your avian nemesis, and they all have it out for you. Steering clear of their wrath is a little trickier than you might think. Thankfully you don’t have to dodge them all the time; you can pick up and hurl plastic bottles at their face – once you’ve smashed and looted soda vending machines to arm yourself properly. The virtual directional pad and NES-style buttons are responsive and easy to use, but the levels designs grow increasingly more bastardly as you progress.

In between rounds of accidentally falling into pits, being dive-bombed by masked avian, and having your ass chomped on by roaming bulldogs, there’s a lot to do. Each level is littered with scrumptious strawberries to collect, and secret letters that spell “P-I-Z-Z-A” can also be found with a little effort. Solid old-school platforming and a cool presentation make Pizza Boy a good pick for quick gaming sessions. Just be prepared to contend with a steep difficulty curve.

Nov 23, 2010