iPhone Games

Game developer Crytek unveiled one of the first iOS games to feature MFi controller support at the Worldwide Developers Conference last week. 9to5Mac reported that Crytek demoed the controls of a tactical action game called The Collectibles while using the form-fitting Logitech controller prototype created for the iPhone. This is one of the first games known to take advantage of the new MFi (Made for iOS) game controller support Apple added to iOS 7.

Apple shared two hardware mock-ups with developers during a 45-minute long WWDC session called "Integrating with Game Controllers". One controller featured the "form-fitting" design 9to5Mac claims Crytek used during their demo, and the other was a wireless standalone device. 9to5Mac said players can use either touch-based navigation, or the D-pad and physical controller buttons to control the action in Crytek's new game.

Back in April, PocketGamer claimed Apple secretly met with developers at the annual Game Developers Conference to discuss production of an unnamed iOS "joypad". It was then discovered at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, that Apple had added MFi (Made for iOS) game controller support to iOS 7. Apple followed up the MFi announcement by holding a 45-minute long session on Tuesday, where they showed developers app frameworks and hardware mock-ups for third-party iOS controllers, according to Apple Insider.

The event was entitled "Integrating with Game Controllers", and Apple revealed that both Logitech and Moga were already collaborating on some prototypes. Apple also showed two mock-ups of a "form-fitting" design, and a standalone device for both the iPhone and iPad. Both controllers featured the standard D-pad and dual analog sticks seen in most home console controllers these days. The form-fitting model turns the iPhone into a gamepad that and frees up space on its smaller display, and the standalone mock-up is a wireless device that does not need to connect to the iPhone or iPad to work. Both controller mock-ups featured a dedicated pause button, pressure-sensitive buttons and non-drifting D-pads.

Pretty soon iOS gamers will be able to play all their favorites full-sized on a real television screen. GamePop promises to bring this technology to couches everywhere, linking mobile gaming to bigger displays. The games be controlled with an iOS device (great for games that work by tilting the phone) or with GamePop's included video game controller.

The GamePop console uses new mobile-to-TV technology known as "Looking Glass" to play iOS games on different hardware. According to the company, the console is not an emulator. CNET quotes BlueStacks CEO Rosen Sharma, "Looking Glass works at the API-level... it embraces all aspects of running the [game] app and using the [GamePop] app as the controller." GamePop claims the games run just as fast if not faster than they run on top-tier smartphones.

There is nothing worse than waiting for the sequel to your favorite game, only to find out that the developer completely changed it. Kingdom Rush fans will be happy to know this is not the case with Kingdom Rush Frontiers. The sequel to the hit tower defense game features all the towers, monsters, power-ups and same gameplay as the original. Ironhide Game Studios delivered exactly what fans wanted, a bigger and badder version of Kingdom Rush. Fans of the original are going to want to download the sequel as soon as possible, and tower defense junkies are not going to want pass this one up. Kingdom Rush Frontiers is the best iOS tower defense game I have played this year.

Kingdom Rush Frontiers features all new levels, Easter eggs, side missions, monsters and tower upgrades. New features include the addition of heros that you can unlock and upgrade, and a shop for buying helpful items to aid you in battle. There are three free heros, who were previewed before the game's release, and five heros you can buy. It does kind of suck that you don't have access to all the heros after paying $3 for the game, but $3 is pretty cheap for a game of this caliber, and everything else is free.

Warner Bros. has released a trailer for Phosphor Games's upcoming Man of Steel mobile game. The game is a tie-in to Zack Snyder's highly anticipated Man of Steel movie hitting theaters on June 14. Players can recreate the events in the film via story mode, and do battle with the movie's main villain General Zod and his army while controlling Superman. Unfortunately, the trailer is highly disappointing for a $3 iPhone game. Which is odd, since Gameloft managed to release a very impressive free iOS game for Iron Man 3.

Greg Ballard, Senior Vice President of Mobile Gaming for Warner Bros, described Man of Steel as an "addictive brawler that lets players feel the power of being a Super Hero.”

The game also features survival mode which allows players the chance to compete against their friends for the highest score. Man of Steel the mobile game will hit Apple's App Store and Google Play on June 14. The iPhone version will be $2.99 and the iPad and iPad mini version will be $4.99. Check out the trailer below.

PopCap has finally announced the release date for the long awaited Plants vs. Zombies sequel. The game entitled Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time will be an iOS exclusive, and will hit the App Store on Thursday, July 18. PopCap, now a division of Electronic Arts Inc., previously released a teaser trailer in May, but did not give a specific release date. The developer also promised a newly designed game with new worlds, levels, plants, and zombies, but failed to mention that the game would not be available for PCs or Android devices.

PopCap also announced that the game will feature "all-new touch-screen power-ups that enable players to 'break the fourth wall' and interact with zombies directly, as well as via plant defenses".

“It’s about time!” said Allen Murray, Senior Producer for Plants vs. Zombies 2. “We’re confident that players will see the love and attention we’ve put into this game. We’ve created wild new ways to experience the plants and zombies you know and love as well as packing the game with tons of completely new content, and we’re still hard at work coming up with even more cool stuff that will keep Plants vs. Zombies 2 fresh and evolving in the months and years following launch.”

Fans of Hungry Shark Attack and other fish-eating frenzy games will enjoy Zombie Fish Tank by Chillingo Ltd.. The game features top notch graphics, a fun storyline, plenty of fun characters, boss battles and achievements; it’s pretty much everything you can ask for from a $0.99 iPhone game. I was originally worried that the tilt controls would make the gameplay annoying and difficult, but I was absolutely wrong. I was pleasantly surprised about how easy it is to navigate the crowded zombie infested aquarium by tilting my iPhone. You can even double tap the screen to calibrate the controls in case you set down your device, or change positions.

The game follows a small fish who is set on revenge after he is torn away from his girlfriend and transformed into the undead by mad scientists. Players must survive in harsh environments by eating smaller fish and toxic waste, all while avoiding being devoured by larger laboratory created monstrosities. You eventually work your way through various genetically altered bodies of water, such as the Toilet of Doom, until you reach the final stage.

Ironhide Game Studios has released the official Kingdom Rush Frontiers trailer. Frontiers is the sequel to the highly popular tower defense game Kingdom Rush. The gameplay for Frontiers looks unchanged, but the trailer reveals all new terrains, towers and enemies like giant scorpions and evil genies. The game also features three new heroes that were previously showcased in their own individual videos.

Kingdom Rush and Kingdom Rush Frontiers are tower defense games set in the Medieval times. In the original game, players must use a combination of towers, and magic spells to defeat armies of goblins, trolls and other mythical creatures. Kingdom Rush is considered one of the best tower defense games ever released. The original is available for the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad for $0.99. There is also an HD version available for the iPad.

Electronic Arts' mobile division has released Tetris Blitz to the U.S. App Store. Blitz offers a new twist on the classic puzzle game. Players must race against the clock to score as many points as possible before time runs out. The game features easy one-touch and swipe controls, plenty of fun and interesting power-ups, and hours of replay value.

I originally thought Tetris Blitz was just another flashy, button mashing time killer, but it can be an addictive strategy game. Especially if you attempt to climb the leaderboards, which reset every week. The game's multiple power-ups, finishers, and Frenzy mode make it a fun mobile app that new and old Tetris fans will love.

It is like the developers read our minds, Samurai vs Zombies 2 is just too easy to beat, which left most players stuck with an awesome samurai army and nothing to do. Lets not even discuss the pointless and boring Multiplayer mode that Glu Games Inc. added to the sequel, because it does not extend the game's replay value.

If you're like me, and have beat every level, daily challenge and have collected every artifact more than three times, I have good news. Glu Games has rolled out an all new “Endless Mode" that generates single player waves beyond level 50. There is also a new warrior Daimyo (you have to pay real money to unlock him), new ally upgrades, and even a new zombie wasteland to battle through. Other upgrades include small tweaks such as the ability to view an enemy's individual stats, new Village Archers artillery, new Bridge Spirits to defend your gate, and additional stability and performance improvements.