Games

Skylanders Cloud Patrol (99 cents) is a target-shooting game unlike any other at the App Store, with just the right mix of cute graphics and addictive gameplay to keep you coming back for more.

The concept is simple: tap to fire your weapon or touch-and-slide across evil little trolls to create combos as you complete short quick levels. The game is based around the superpopular Skylanders franchise -- toys and videogames about a group of little monster heroes who defend the skies from darkness.… Read more

The perpetual running game genre that works so well on touch devices doesn't seem to be winding down anytime soon -- and I, for one, am very glad it keeps getting refreshed with new and unique games.

Running games are perfect for when you need to kill a little time because you can go for your high score a couple of times while waiting in line at the DMV or perhaps while riding the train, but they're not so involved that you can't put them down at a moment's notice. There are plenty of classics to explore in this category, such as Hook Worlds, Monster Dash, and many others, but I thought I would run a little comparison of old vs. new to see where the genre is headed.… Read more

In the tradition of last year's Grand Theft Auto III port, the classic 2001 console game May Payne will be arriving on iOS and Android phones this month, according to an announcement made today by Rockstar Games.

The iOS version arrives on April 12; Android users will get the game on April 26. Android device compatibility hasn't been formally announced, but the game will work on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4, iPad 1, iPad 2, and the new iPad. Besides HD graphics and a requisite collection of touch buttons, May Payne Mobile will also connect with Rockstar's Social Club.

As of late, it feels like the App Store's collection of classic console games is growing at an impressive rate. Many of these games are continuing to find ways of overlaying controls onto touch screens, Grand Theft Auto III being a classic example. Mobile devices certainly don't lack for games, but control schemes still remain a limiting factor. A dedicated controller would certainly help.… Read more

What makes a game addictive? Obviously your answer to that question will depend on what type of games you like to play, but certain games have a way of breaking down those barriers when they have just the right mix of challenges, rewards, and overall feel.

If you had never heard of Angry Birds, a description of the game probably wouldn't entice you to play. But once you fling your first bird at a structure and hear the sounds as it flies through the air and takes out the pigs, suddenly you start to want to chase that perfect three-star rating. Few games have just the right mix to keep you playing, but when you find one you can't wait to jump back in whenever you get a spare moment.… Read more

With more than 45 million downloads from the iTunes App Store, Temple Run is easily one of the most popular running/escape-style games available on iOS. Now, after several months of pining by rabid fans, Android gamers get to share in all the addictive fun.

Different from most other perpetual running games, Temple Run offers a 3D, over-the-shoulder point of view. This unique game style feels a lot more intense, which to me, makes the game a lot more addictive than typical side-scrolling runners. As an Indiana Jones-type character, your job is to run and navigate your way through levels, … Read more

The BlueStacks app player for running Android apps on Windows has taken a major step forward today with the release of its first beta, which can run even graphics-intensive Android apps on desktop PCs.

The BlueStacks beta (download) leverages a new, patent-pending technology that the company has developed called LayerCake, which does two things necessary for running Android apps on Windows. First, it powers the app on hardware that it wasn't originally intended to run on. That's basically the ARM to x86 conversion which runs the apps, and it comes with the blessing of one of AMD's … Read more

Games. Philanthropy. Sweet deals. They all merge spectacularly in the Indie Gala III bundle.

Here's how it works: You decide what you want to pay for a collection of three "indie" PC games (meaning they come from independent, little-guy developers, not a big studio like Activision or EA).

The minimum buy-in is $1, but if you pay at least the average price (currently $4.57), you get two additional games.

You also get the three "secret bonuses" that will be revealed next week. These will probably be more games, though they could also be level … Read more

With the incredible success of the original Angry Birds, few iOS gamers were probably surprised that Angry Birds Space would rocket to the top of the iTunes Store's list of paid apps. I've been playing the game quite a lot over the past 24 hours, and though I've noticed some bugs (kill all pigs with one bird to get one star, anyone?), the new gravity fields, interesting levels, and new bird types definitely add something new to the game.

Angry birds isn't the only game in this genre, however. When Angry Birds took off at the iTunes App Store, several developers came out with their own version of the sling-shot game mechanic and many brought new elements to add to the fun.

This week's collection of iOS apps are all Angry Birds-like destruction games, but each have an interesting twist on the original game mechanic. The first offers a heavy metal theme as you smash monster trucks into structures. The second lets you blast ragdolls through intricate levels towards a target. The third mixes game genres to add liquid physics into the equation making for unique challenges.… Read more

Can't get enough "Hunger Games"? Need something to do while you're in line to buy movie tickets? (The film version opens today, in case you've been living underground.) Get ready for some Katniss-inspired app action.

The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire for iOS has arrived, and while it may be little more than a "teaser" game (the studio's words, not mine), it sure is fun.… Read more