True fact: this edition of Mobile Monday was written almost two hours later than originally planned. Why? Because the games below occupied more of my time than I had ever anticipated. Seriously, mobile game developers, why are you doing such cool things these days?!
Groove Coaster (universal) - An utterly phenomenal rhythm/music game from Taito that strongly mirrors the style and structure of Space Invaders: Infinity Gene. All you have to do is tap the screen each time your craft comes across one of the little spots. Your tapping goes in time with the music, and soon you'll have to tap, beat, flick, hold and more, all while you take a fantastically sci-fi-infused journey through 3D vector space. The visuals and music make this game an enormously attractive package, but throw in unlockable bonuses and you've got a seriously addictive game on your hands.
Gesundheit! (iPhone, iPod Touch; iPad) - It's been nearly four years since Matt Hammill unleashed the original downloadable game Gesundheit! on the world, and boy have we missed it! Playing like a cross between Theseus and the Minotaur and a stealth game, you play a little piglet dude who is trying to rescue his friends from some monsters. This piglet is sick, and as he discovers, the monsters love his snot. Fling some boogers to draw the monsters around the screen, using them to open gates by stepping on switches and the like. Move them into the traps to win the level! This has got to be simultaneously the most well-illustrated and most disgusting games we have ever played. And it's great! Gesundheit! HD for iPad is also available.
Dice Soccer (universal) - We love games that aren't usually played with dice but then, well, are. Lock 'n' Roll and Dice Wars are prime examples! Dice Soccer combines what is arguably the world's most well-known sport with the art of rolling dice, allowing you to customize your team using player cards and push through the field to score goals by rolling dice. Tap or shake to turn your players into dice. If your side has the highest numbers, you move forward. Wild cards, multipliers, and other tricky math things come into play, adding some strategy to the actual dice rolling and creating a game you absolutely won't be able to stop enjoying.
Ionocraft HD (iPad) - If racing and steampunk are your friends, Ionocraft is where you should live! Not in the real game, though, because that world would be depressing and dour. Except for the races, of course, which is what this game is all about! Create your own steampunk racer by buying and placing parts in the shop, then head to the track to try out your creation. It's a surprisingly intense racing game for the mobile platform, and even though the control layout seems a little awkward at first, soon you'll be racing smoothly instead of crashing like a klutz.
NOTE: Games noted as 'universal' have been designed for iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone devices alike. Any game not listed for iPad will work on the system, but native full screen will not be present. Games listed may not be available outside of North America. Prices are subject to change and are therefore unlisted. Please see the individual game pages for purchasing info.
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