Blobster makes its debut at number four on the App Store’s top ten paid games this week, and Harry Potter: Spells sees a surge in popularity due no doubt to the release of the final movie. The top grossing apps list looks similar to past weeks, but Trade Nations cracks this list at number nine. Read on for buy links, our reviews, and more.
Top-Selling Apps
#1: Angry Birds
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: Destructive physics help make this a very charming puzzler, and the great level variety seals the deal.
#2: Tower Defense: Lost Earth
Our Score: 3/4
Our Bottom Line: An excellent addition to the seemingly endless line of tower defense game, with some interesting gameplay variations and plenty of challenge.
#3: Fruit Ninja
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: As far as simple pick-up-and-play games go, Fruit Ninja is among the best.
#4: Blobster
Our Score: 3/4
Our Bottom Line: Blobster is a run-of-the-mill platformer that satisfies the platforming itch.
#5: Angry Birds Seasons
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: All the fun of Angry Birds, but more challenging, and with pumpkins and presents.
#6: Tiny Wings
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: Tiny Wings is brilliant in its simplicity, originality, and ability to keep you coming back again and again.
#7: Angry Birds Rio
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: Angry Birds Rio doesn’t change the formula, but it doesn’t need to. Angry Birds Rio is a blast.
#8: Cut the Rope
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: Cut the Rope is a charming, challenging, and– most importantly– fun puzzle game that nearly anyone will enjoy.
#9: Harry Potter: Spells
Our Score: 2/4
Our Bottom Line: Potter fanatics will enjoy being able to duel with the best Hogwarts has to offer, but this is more of a diversion than a full game.
#10: Words With Friends
Our Score: 3/4
Our Bottom Line: Words With Friends is a great experience that word game fans will enjoy.
Top-Grossing Apps
#1: Angry Birds
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: Destructive physics help make this a very charming puzzler, and the great level variety seals the deal.
#2: Tap Pet Hotel
Most helpful iTunes review: Fun and different from all those other games out there! I love my panda!
#3: Top Girl
Most helpful iTunes review: “I luv this game but is WAY to slow to refill energy! Plz change that!”
#4: Tap Zoo
Our Score: 3/4
Our Bottom Line: Lions, tigers, and bears! Also, teeny-tiny animals in a teeny-tiny land!
#5: Zynga Poker
Most helpful iTunes review: “Fun way to pass time.”
#6: Texas Poker
Most helpful iTunes review: “Looks great and fun to play.”
#7: Smurfs’ Village
Our Score: 2/4
Our Bottom Line: The Smurfs’ Village doesn’t offer much gameplay beyond building a Smurf enclave and some middling minigames. But for a casual distraction, you could do worse.
#8: Zombie Farm
Most useful iTunes review: “Every time I finish invading the app crashes and I don’t receive any money, brains, loot, powers, or credit but I still have to wait 2 hours to invade again?”
#9: Trade Nations
Our Score: 3/4
Our Bottom Line: Trade Nations improves on the addictive formula of We Rule, but not as much as we’d hoped.
#10: Tiny Tower
Our Score: 4/4
Our Bottom Line: Tiny Tower represents the next great chapter in freemium games. Call it Farmville 2.0.