Wednesday night is Big Game Night for iOS owners. That’s because Apple updates their iTunes lists on Thursday, and if developers want their games to be featured, they have to time it just right. Here are our picks for the biggest games hitting the US App Store at 8pm Pacific, 11pm Eastern tonight.
Silent Ops
We had a chance to play this third-person spy game at E3, and while it was the least polished of Gameloft’s lineup at the time, it should be fully complete by now. In Silent Ops, you take control of three secret agents who can infiltrate high-security areas, stealthily kill enemy guards, and hold their own in a firefight when the alarms inevitably go off. Not only does the single-player game look great, but Silent Ops has 12-player online deathmatch as well.
Price: $6.99 US
Get ready by reading/watching: Hands-On with Gameloft’s E3 line-up, 9mm review, BackStab review
Gesundheit
We first saw this unique game just last week. Developed as a collaboration between Revolutionary Concepts and animator Matt Hammill, and published by Konami, Gesundheit is the story of a green pig with severe allergies. By sneezing and blowing your nose, you can lure enemies out of your way so you can reach the exit. It may be a little gross, but we love the look of this game.
Price: $.99
Get ready by reading/watching: Gesundheit trailer and screens, UFO on tape review
Roboto
Another great-looking game that we can’t wait to play, Roboto is an action-platformer where you control a square-headed robot on a hoverboard. The trailer shows off some amazing, console-quality graphics, which remind us a bit of the Ratchet and Clank series.
Price: $2.99 US
Get ready by reading/watching: Roboto trailer
Heli-Awesome!
The most notable thing about this casual, tilt-controlled platformer is that it’s from Namco, the makers of Pac-Man and Galaga. Heli-Awesome! isn’t exactly at the same level as those classic arcade games, though– from what we’ve played, it’s a pretty standard take on Doodle Jump, where you tilt your hovering character to collect power-ups and avoid enemies.
Price: $.99 US
Get ready by reading/watching: Galaga 30th Collection review, Doodle Jump review
Mad Wheels
This week’s Chillingo release is a top-down, 3D arcade racer that looks a bit like Reckless Racing and Death Rally. Like in Death Rally, you’ll have an entire arsenal at your disposal, but like in Reckless Racing, you can also play online multiplayer via Wi-Fi. You may remember developer NewFX from their last iOS racing game, Horror Racing.
Price: $.99 US
Get ready by reading/watching: Reckless Racing review, Death Rally review, Horror Racing review
Groove Coaster
From the creator of Space Invaders Infinity Gene, Reisuke Ishida, comes tonight’s new Taito release, Groove Coaster. In this trippy music/rhythm game, you have to tap on the screen in time with the electronic beats. Like in Infinity Gene, you’ll unlock new elements as you progress, so we’re really looking forward to playing this beautifully abstract game.
Price: $.99
Get ready by reading/watching: Space Invaders Infinity Gene review