Our Rating: 7.8/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 2.0.0
Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3/5
Size: 2.7MB

Konami Entertainment has ported Atari’s classic game, Frogger, to the iPhone – yes that means even more nostalgia for the older gamers out there.  For those of you who never got the chance to play Frogger while it was still around the game is about controlling a frog and guiding it to it’s destination.  No this isn’t a puzzle game where you’ll have to logically figure out a path, instead you must have fast reflexes and timing to avoid all the obstacles that you will encounter.

The unfortunate part of this app is the immense lack of new environments, although there are several levels which each provide a new obstacle or two, it’s the same map over and over again.  None the less, the gameplay is quite enjoyable and provides a great pick-up-and-play addiction.  A game lasts from a mere few minutes to an hour (if you’re really good).  Only a few people I’ve demoed it with have been able to get a score over 20,000 so this is a great challenge too!  The environment can get pretty crazy with all the obstacles, making for an excellent immersing gameplay.

The graphics are quite friendly and smoothly rendered.  I don’t think photo-realistic graphics would suit Frogger and therefore the current ones provide the perfect environment.  Sound is a little dull but nothing annoying (which can be rare for an arcade game).  Konami has done a near-perfect job on the control scheme, you can control the frog via three ways, tap (touch), slide (touch) or tilt (accelerometer).  The touch control schemes are awesome – each have their own personal advantage so whatever suits you best.  However the accelerometer controls are a pretty large bucket of fail.

All in all, Frogger is a highly enjoyable arcade game but won’t entertain for long and is very limited.  For a couple of bucks though, definitely check this one out.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 6.9/10  – Frogger provides very immersing gameplay but lacks multiple environments

Enjoyment: 9/10 – Just utterly awesome

Graphics: 8.7/10 – Sets the perfect theme.

Sound: 7/10  – Nothing to complain about…

Technology: 8/10 – Excellent job on touch control schemes, great stability and the only glitch I’ve found is a very small irrelevant animation glitch.

Replay Value: 7.2/10 – This only gets a 7.2 due to the addictiveness, the only competition is a local score board – no online mode – no new maps.

Overall Rating: 7.8/10

Further Improvements: (Note to the developer!)

• More. maps.  Have a whole adventure for our frog!
• Create a better accelerometer control scheme – anybody who’s played with it will know why this needs to be changed.

More screenshots for Frogger on iPhone App Reviewer’s Flickr Page.

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Our Rating: 6.4/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.2
Developer: Spigot Games, LLC [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5
Size: 9.5MB

Board@Work is another match-them-up game on the iPhone, this one packed with features but unfortunately won’t keep your entertained for long.  The goal in this work-themed is to match as many objects as possible using the various tools on the bottom of the screen and your wit.  Using your finger on a touch white board you slide around the blocks matching either three or more symbols or colours.  Bonus points will be awarded for rows/columns of more than three, consistency of symbols and colours, and of course if you make multiple matches in synchronization.

If you do like this style of gameplay, and don’t get bored of it quick (unfortunately I did, and many of the people I showed it to did too), Board@Walk offers some great features.  The multiplayer mode in particular was quite impressive.  I haven’t found any glitches but stability problems are definitely an issue.  The graphics are mediocre but we can’t really complain, it keeps the game simple and Spigot Games has done a nice job setting the theme.

I’m a huge fan of games like this (Bejeweled, Trism) but unfortunately Board@Work just doesn’t cut it.  It’s four gameplay modes and multiplayer abilities should draw some people in.  We at iPhone App Reviewer just haven’t been touched by this.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.7/10 – The classic gameplay with a total of seven different modes.

Enjoyment: 4/10 – Can’t say as Board@Work really got to me.

Graphics: 7/10 – Satisfactory but that’s about all.

Sound: 4/10 – Annoying.

Technology: 8/10  – Bravo on the multiplayer mode – no glitches in particular but unfortunately some stability issues.

Replay Value: 6.5/10 – There’s a high score board but overall not much addiction or motiviation.

Overall Rating: 6.4/10

Further Improvements:

• More modern graphics
• Create less of a dry, boring ambiance.

More screenshots on our Flickr Page.

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Our Rating: 9.1/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.02
Developer: Roundthird Interactive LLC
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5
Size: 37.0MB
Lite Version: [iTunes Link]

Radial 50 is a revolutionary breakout game with astounding gameplay and and an awesome theme.  The goal, like any breakout game, is to knock out as many bricks as possible without losing lives.  Radial 50 adds a spectacular twist, you’ll control your paddle in a circle, 360 degrees.  The graphics are spectacular, each level with a new and refreshing background; the rest of the area is very vibrant and the particle effects are superb.  Even the user interface looks smooth, Roundthird Interactive must’ve done some vigorous work on this app.

You start with five lives (which will regenerate slowly) throughout each level, make sure that if you lose one that you get your paddle over to the ball quickly.  Due to the 360 degree nature, and the very small amount of clearance between the bricks and rim, once you’ve missed once with the paddle, you’re likely to lose quite a few lives.  The way the game area is setup makes for a challenging play session.  However there’s multiple power-up’s (and down’s) to guide you along the way.  My tip for making major points?  Try and get the Particle Magnet and Explode Target power-up’s together.

The touch control scheme very responsive except for a very high annoyance, even though the paddle goes around in a circle, you can only slide your finger vertically to control it, may people will try and slide their finger with a curve; this can cause some serious first-play problems.  Unfortunately no accelerometer controls (how about tilting your iPhone to move particles?).  Luckily Radial 50 makes up for that with awesome stability and little to no glitches.

All in all, Radial 50 is the best breakout game I’ve played on the iPhone, and probably in my top 25 favourite iPhone games. If you like breakout games, addicting “just-one-more-round,” or just love great games, $1.99 is a great price.  Enjoy!

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.9/10 – Lots of different powerups and a really addicting, creative gameplay.

Enjoyment: 9.5/10 – Definitely o of my top 25 most enjoyed apps

Graphics: 9.2/10  – Extremely creative and awesome to play on, no level is boring with this.

Sound: 8.5/10 – Crystal clear sound effects, no trouble playing iPod music.

Technology: 9/10 – Quite a few settings, awesome stability, geotargeted global high score boards, ability to post score to Twitter and Facebook.  Just a few control annoyances that stop this from getting a perfect 10.

Replay Value: 9.5/10 – 50 different levels and even achievements, several different leaderboards; lots of motivation to play this.

Overall Rating: 9.1/10

Further Improvements:

• Two player mode!
• Difficulty settings
• Accelerometer controls

More screenshots on our Flickr Page.

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