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: 7.9/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.20
Developer: Handmark, Inc [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $4.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5
Size: 4.8MB
Lite Version: [iTunes Link]

Platypus is a uniquely themed arcade shooter which will bring back a lot of nostalgia for folks who played the hundreds of similar games in the time of the Nintendo 64.  The goal of Platypus is to gain as many points by shooting up enemies with one of several weapons (power-ups are available throughout each stage). There’s a huge amount of stages and levels to go through, beating all of them would take several hours being a skilled player.  Although you only get four lives, you’re able to continue where you left off, just with your points reset.

Like all classic arcade shooters the high score board is your main motivation to playing – although Platypus is very enjoyable, it’s not really the addictive paradigm and therefore you’ll probably put it away once beat.  Unfortunately there’s no global high scores and the only competition is yourself, friends who you let use your device and the pre-ranked entries.  However the four total stages should be more than enough to keep you entertained for that five dollars worth of time.

The graphics are very unique, the theme is well, it’s clay.  Everything was basically drawn from clay.  Although it doesn’t look modern or extremely detailed it gives a nice effect and really sets the theme.  The graphics in all are satisfactory, keeping them at a low level leaves room for game stability, and with the huge amount of objects (bullets, enemies, particles, etc) on the screen at the same time, stability is key.  Handmark Inc has done a great job on the control interface, you can control via touch or accelerometer and both allow you to set sensitivity and calibration.  Nifty eh?

All in all if you’re into arcade shooters, Platypus is for you, it definitely does not disappoint.  It’s quite entertaining while it lasts, and it’s an excellent game to show to friends as you can show them so many aspects of your awesome new iPhone.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.9/10 – Lots of stages, enough to last quite a while.  Tons of different enemies and powerups.

Enjoyment: 7/10 – It’s a pretty nifty game and will keep you entertained no doubt – how long is the question.

Graphics: 7.5/10 – The theme isn’t the best but they executed it well.

Sound: 8/10 – For those who love nostalgia, you’ll love the sound effects, for those who don’t you can turn it off.

Technology: 8.2/10 – Ability to control via accelerometer and touch, both can be customized to your personal standards.

Replay Value: 7.8/10  – Lots of levels available but the only real motivation is the local-only high score board.

Overall Rating: 7.9/10

Further Improvements:

• Global high score board
• Different themes – a lot of people will be pulled away from buying this due to the current clay style graphics.
• Different ships and more guns!

More screenshots on iPhone App Reviewer’s Flickr Page!

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Our Rating: 8.9/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.2
Developer: FDG Entertainment
Price as of Review: $0.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3.5/5
Lite Version: [iTunes Link]

Kryzer is a full blown 360 degree arcade game in which you control a spaceship fighting against enemy entities.  Although this isn’t a remake of any classic game, Kryzer really brings back the old arcade gaming experience.  The object of the game is to hunt down enemies by shooting at them, all you have to do is control your proximity to and from the inner circle.  Seem easy?  Bring it on; you’ll need some awesome reflexes to get in the high scores on this bad boy.  The game will continue to speed up (and change colour to notify you) and more enemies of different types will appear.  Every level you’ll also get a snake boss which can be a tricky thing to beat.

Due to the repetitiveness of the game, a few users might quickly forget about Kryzer and move on, the other 95% of it’s audience, will put it on the first page of their iPhone and be immensely addicted to it.   With it’s smooth and sleek graphics and very stable gameplay, you’ll be quite addicted.  I’ve found it to be the perfect pick up and play game, even though a game could very well last for hours (ok you’d have to be pretty good), the average game would be around 10 minutes, you can exit the app at any time and then pick it back up at any time with your progress saved.

The sound effects really move along our arcade paradigm we’ve got going here, they can get slightly annoying like most arcade game’s sound.  However the gameplay will really overcompensate and create a delightful ambiance for your addicted mind.  I really haven’t found anything I don’t like about this app.  Maybe a storyline or additions to the app throughout the game would be nice, and that’s really what stopping from getting this classic a 10/10.

So if you’re an arcade freak or just like a good addicting game, pick Kryzer up.  For a mere dollar this is one of the best values I’ve seen.  If you’re not sure about it, there is a lite version.  Enjoy!

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.2/10 – Simple but immensely immersive.

Enjoyment: 9.5/10 – There was a point where this was definitely my favourite app.

Graphics: 8/10 – With any app, they could be better; I really like the style of Radial 50 with the cool background graphics.  Maybe Kryzer could implement this.

Sound: 7/10 – It’s an arcade game – not good not bad.  Really adds to the gameplay though.

Technology: 8/10 – Even though it just uses two touch buttons to control it, it’s the stability and sleek user interface that brings this rating up.

Replay Value: 9.7/10 – This is one of the most addicting apps I’ve played since Trism or Phaze.

Overall Rating: 8.9
Note the average rating is actually 8.4 but we’ve given it a half bonus point cause it deserves it.

Further Improvements: (Note to the developer!)

• Different sound effects
• Better backgrounds then just the plain ones now
• Storyline or some reward to get throughout the game

More screenshots on Flickr.

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Triphids: Dodging. Shooting. Arcade skills
Yes, another retro style arcade game. In Triphids you control a ship that goes around 360 degrees dodging and shooting at enemy spaceships and bosses.  This app did surprise me as usually I am not a fan of this game style. Bring it into the modern gaming era and Triphids would be a hit. Triphids is a nicely done arcade shooter with two gameplay modes and multiple levels of difficulty.

The story mode is quite long and will leave you entertained for hours, although it can get really difficult.  In my personal opinion story mode is better than perpetual mode and brings more value with the boss battles and flying through the solar system.

Graphics are decent but could be better, they’re still in the retro arcade style graphic with little 2D pixelated objects.  Which is ok is you’re on for nastalgia but we want modern graphics now   The spiraling graphics that give you the illusion that you’re travelling through space are perfect and add a nice experience to the game.  As for sound, it’s actually pretty good, not annoying like many other arcade games.

All in all if you’re looking for a nostalgic arcade experience, Triphids is an excellent app and I strongly recommend it.  If you’re not a fan of arcade games and love intense 3D graphics stay away.  This is the perfect arcade game and the price of $1.99 is perfect!

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8/10 – The 360 degree shooting experience is a cool thing, lots of bosses and enemies to face.

Enjoyment: 7.5/10 – I enjoyed this mostly, but it does get boring unless you can advance in the game and continuosly beat your high scores.

Graphics: 8/10 – Could be better but it does provide a nice 2D look, the spiralling star background is pretty cool.

Sound: 8.5/10 – No complaints here, all is well.

Technology: 8/10 – You’re able to switch from portrait to landscape mode automatically.  Touch controls are decent but could use a little touchup.  Great demonstration of the iPhone’s ability of casual gaming.

Replay Value: 8/10 – Story mode is quite long with lots of bosses to beat!

Overall Rating: 8/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Graphics touch-up
• Smooth out touch controls a bit
• More powerups

More screenshots here

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