Graphics showdown: 13 games for newer iPhones

(Credit: CNET / Josh Lowensohn)

Ever wondered what some of the graphical differences are in games that make use of the newer hardware in the latest versions of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch? So were we. That's why we put together a screenshot comparison gallery of 13 games, all of which are either packing extra OpenGL ES 2.0 goodies, or that more complicated graphics modes that run a whole lot better on the beefier hardware spec.

As for our testing, we ran each title on an iPhone 3G and a third-generation iPod Touch, the latter of which packs the faster innards required for some of the advanced OpenGL effects.

To our surprise, there were very few apps on the App Store that made use the new graphical spec, and even fewer that required a standalone version of that application to do so. However, many of the developers we talked with said that they were cooking up new titles that would be pushing these new devices a little further than what they had already created. That's good news for those with a newer iPhone or iPod Touch, but a definite thorn in the side of those who might not be able to play some of near-future App Store releases on their original iPhone or iPhone 3G.

Click on our slideshow link below to get started. We've also included links to each version of each app (in case there are variations), all of which open up in iTunes. Also, in case we missed any, feel free to leave them in the comments and we'll try to add them later.

Update: We've added bonus screenshots of Ravensword, the upcoming 3D RPG, as well as top-down pinball game Wild West Pinball.

Images: iPhone games graphics showdown

See also:
The future of iPhone games
For games, no big rush to speedy iPhone 3GS
iPhone developer: 3G S graphics will be sooo much better than PSP's

[kristinacallis]

It's great advantage for new buyers but can this utility can be installed to the current and old iphone users.
For games i would prefer PSP for better gaming. I even found some cool gadgets in
http://www.techsoft.org

[mbenedict]

Playing games on the iPhone has been a crappy experience because beyond the simple games, the majority of them CRASH all the f*n time.

It sucks to have to 'reboot' the iPhone so you can play games for a few minutes before they start randomly crashing again. But even Safari crashes all the time so what can you expect from 3rd party publishers if Apple can't get things right with their own apps.

[setgo]

My Safari never crashes. Maybe it's operator error.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I haven't had Safari crash yet on either my iPhone or Touch. I do get crashes with the embedded email app, but... meh- it's rather expected on a mobile device.

[Josh.Lowensohn]

I rarely have games crash one me. More often than not it's as a result of an iPhone OS update that may break a few things, especially between the transition from OS 2 to OS 3.That said, there are some problematic titles, and users are usually vocal enough in the App Store reviews to get the developer's attention for a quick fix.

[ca5ter]

Don't get Safari crashes on the iPhone either. Some games will crash, but most of the ones that crash often are done by new developers.

[cvaldes1831]

Josh is correct. iPhone games rarely crash. The ones that do are probably dominated with one-star ratings (out of five) which will discourage savvy iPhone/iPod touch owners from downloading these poorly-tested apps.

[bousozoku]

If you're having that many problems, maybe you should fix your machine instead of coming here to complain about it.

Think about restoring at any time?

I've got a 2nd generation iPod touch and I've yet to have any application, Apple or third party, crash and the machine is practically full. After 10 months, I'd expect something to go wrong but it's all been pretty smooth especially with iPhone OS 3.1.2.

[technewsjunkie]

That's funny, because most programmers are complaining about the strict (Apple Quality Control) standard Apple requires for Apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch.

What makes you think the problem is Apple's doing? Might it be another source? Maybe?

[mbenedict]

Type `iphone safari crash' into Google and you'll get 26,300,000 hits!!

So I'm sorry lemmings, it's not "just me" and it's not "operator error".

Another example, I recently purchased Sid Meier's Civilization for the iPhone because I love this series on the PC. I've yet been able to complete ONE SINGLE GAME at the King level or above without the game crashing (latest version both App and OS).

This game is highly rated on the App Store, yet crashes all the time. I suspect because most people just play the easy levels which are less resource intensive. I can save the game after every turn but that gets old really quick. For me it's $6.99 wasted which is annoying.

@technewsjunkie:

Get real. Apple doesn't have any quality control on apps, OBVIOUSLY, looking at all those 1-star apps polluting the App Store. Developers are complaining because Apple approves 10 billion fart apps then rejects Google Voice, decisions which have _nothing_to_do_ with quality.

[shellcodes_coder]

wow, that was funny!! iFone and gaming...PSP rocks and blows iFone out of the water. Just installed those newly released games on my Zune HD and it's awesome!!

[Perry_Clease]

Troll

[Vegaman_Dan]

Use what works for you. I have an iPhone and Touch. I don't have a Zune or PSP. I can't really speak for the other hardware platforms that I don't own or use.

[Hoodgrown_Magazine]

PSP also blows Zune out the water..

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

But is the psp a phone.

[Yelonde]

Have fun playing your 6 games. I will be enjoying from a selection of 30,000 + (with several thousand, high quality games as well).

[bousozoku]

Installing games on your Zoon HD is awesome? I'd bet it is. Installing things might be the best thing that you can do with it.

That sounds as ridiculous as what you wrote. :-D

[toddvj]

It doesn't even have any controls!!!

[Vegaman_Dan]

It has no floppy drive!!!

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Are you new here?

[sciontcya]

@ V_Dan,

Low-blow. Neither does the Zune you fanboy ;)

[codynews]

Say what you will about Apple, the iphone, AT&T, etc., but you have to admit that some of the games for the iphone are pretty damn amazing looking, epically considering ITS A DAMN PHONE!

It wasn't too many years ago we were all playing Snake on our little Nokias.

Cody

[ca5ter]

Ahhhh Snake....

I have to say SimCity on the iPhone is a really advanced game for a mobile platform. A great time waster.

[opiapr]

Agree. We are not talking of a stand alone gaming console we are talking about a phone (or mp3 player) that also have the best mobile browser, video playback and well amazing games.

[bousozoku]

Not all of the 3G S images look better than those for the 3G. For instance, Asphalt 5 looks much better on the older 3G, unless the images have been switched.

None of them make me think that I should buy a new model. Besides, what happens in 2010?

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Yes, on first blush that does appear to be the "really--that's better?" image of the bunch, but believe me, the framerate differences between that game running on a 3G and the newer hardware is incredibly noticeable, esp. on boot and pre-game load times.

[jakeZ2]

Some of the differences in the rendering are amazing. Others, you can barely tell. Still impressive. However, I've never understood the draw to playing games that use the accelerometer. It's a pretty annoying form of conrol. Maybe it's better using a tv out for a fixed display.
And yes. The iphone does crash running apps. Quite often.

[frobots]

I just discover a terrible bug in Leopard. I'm posting it here because the "Apple Discussions Staff" deleted my post about this from the "Apple Discussions Forum."
This bug made me loose some important files. I tested this in different Macs:
I had many text files in the .rtf and the .rtfd format. They were sorted by type inside a folder and I wanted to group them together. To group these text files together, I manually changed the .rtf extensions to .rtfd. Then, I opened these files using TextEdit and dragged an image inside each of the .rtfd text files. and tried to Save only (not with a new name).
Here is a step by step:

1- Open TextEdit and save a .rtf file
2- Manually change the extension to .rtfd
3- Open the .rtfd file and drag an image inside the text.
4- Try saving it. TextEdit will ask if you want to just Save it or Save with a new name. Click "Save" only.
5- Voila!!! Your file vanished forever !!!!