With nearly 500,000 apps on the App Store, it's getting more and more difficult to find just the good stuff. Plus, we think Apple's not that consistent when it comes to featuring great games. Not every gem has to be hidden! With that in mind, we're marking the halfway point in the year with our 20 favorite iPhone games of 2011... so far.
#20: The Heist
One of the best puzzle collections on the iPhone, The Heist combines elegant graphics, sharp puzzles, and a few fun surprises, like virtual phone calls from Russian spies. This game briefly topped the charts back in May, but we want to make sure nobody misses this superb safe-cracking mission.
Our Bottom Line: The Heist will own you from start to finish.
#19: Mos Speedrun
Mos Speedrun is all about getting through tricky platforming levels as fast as possible. In addition, you can collect a hidden skull icon and collect all the coins on each level. This multitude of goals will keep you busy for a long time, since Mos Speedrun is just as challenging as it is addictive.
Our Bottom Line: Mos Speedrun is a well-made platformer that encourages you to play the game in a way you probably wouldn't otherwise.
#18: Disc Drivin'
Ever been to a sporting event where they play an animation of three discs jockeying for first place on the Jumbotron? Disc Drivin' is just like that, except you're taking turns to flick your disc to the finish line before your online opponents do. Disc Drivin's lasting value can be summed up in three words: asynchronous online multiplayer.
Our Bottom Line: Disc Drivin’ is an addictive, turn-based multiplayer racer that will keep you flicking day in and day out.
#17: Legendary Wars
If Lord of the Rings and Plants vs. Zombies had a baby, it'd look a lot like Legendary Wars. This strategy game lets you control waves of wizards, elves, and unicorns as you try to beat back the forces of darkness. Tons of levels, fantastic visual design, and clever strategic gameplay make Legendary Wars one of the best in its genre.
Our Bottom Line: Legendary Wars has enough content and variety to keep you playing for a long time to come.
#16: Hard Lines
Snake, one of the first games you could play on a phone, has never been this cool. In Hard Lines, you can choose from one of a half-dozen different gameplay modes, most of which involve surviving as long as possible while snakes of all sizes and colors fill the screen. We especially love the witty remarks these lines spout before they explode.
Our Bottom Line: You will believe...that lines have feelings, too.
#15: Feed Me Oil
If you've ever played the physics puzzler Enigmo, you'll know what to expect from Feed Me Oil. Your goal is to transport goopy liquid from one part of the screen to another. Besides the clever puzzles, Feed Me Oil has a bizarre art style, with massive creatures reminiscent of World of Goo.
Our Bottom Line: Feed Me Oil provides a unique experience that’ll leave you smiling long after you put the game down.
#14: Angry Birds Rio
It's rare for a movie-based game to be any good, but Angry Birds Rio bucks that trend by adding new gameplay elements to one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. Angry Birds Rio is still a best-seller long after the movie's left theaters, which should tell you something about how much fun this game is.
Our Bottom Line: Angry Birds Rio doesn’t change the formula, but it doesn’t need to. Angry Birds Rio is a blast.
#13: DJ Rivals
This massively-multiplayer freemium game from Booyah not only lets you compete against other players in a rhythm-based battle, but it also lets you claim supremacy at your local businesses and landmarks. At one point, we even took over the White House. The stellar graphics, licensed music, and zero money down make this game a very highly-recommended download.
Our Bottom Line: DJ Rivals is one of a kind: A well-produced, massively-multiplayer, location-based rhythm game.
#12: Death Rally
Remedy Entertainment knew what they were doing when they revived this 90s PC game for the iPhone. They not only improved the graphics substantially, but they also fine-tuned the game's destructive car combat for mobile gamers. If you love the screech of tires and bursts of machine gun fire, this is your game.
Our Bottom Line: What Death Rally lacks in content and features, it makes up for with customization and intensely fun gameplay.
#11: Tom Clancy's Rainbow 6: Shadow Vanguard
When terrorists seem to have the upper hand, that's when our government sends in an elite squad to quickly and quietly handle the situation. In this game, you'll use flashbangs, surveillance equipment, and of course, your rifle, to settle delicate hostage situations. This iPhone game is even more fun to play ever since the real-life Seal Team 6 took out Osama bin Laden in May.
Our Bottom Line: The tactical team-based combat in Shadow Vanguard adds a fresh layer to Gameloft’s terrific FPS formula.
#10: NBA Jam by EA Sports
The arcade classic, which we played to death in the local pizza parlor, returns with the exact same excitement and action. This sports game isn't a simulation, unless you think basketball players routinely perform 50-foot dunks and then set the ball on fire. Loads of extras and fun, fast gameplay define this stellar title.
Our Bottom Line: NBA Jam is an arcade classic that's fully updated for the iPhone-- except for the lack of multiplayer.
#9: Starfront: Collision
We never thought we'd see Starcraft on the iPhone and iPad, but... well, we still may never see it, but Starfront is close enough. Gameloft's real-time strategy game borrows everything down to the three races and their specific units, but it's still an incredible accomplishment, especially when you throw in online multiplayer.
Our Bottom Line: Starfront: Collision is deep enough to appeal to hardcore RTS fans, but also approachable to newcomers.
#8: Coin Drop
Coin Drop is what we consider to be the spiritual successor to Peggle. Instead of shooting balls, you're dropping coins into a fun, busy environment, racking up points to unlock new levels and figures. The crazy graphics and addictive, "one more try" factor make this game nearly impossible to put down.
Our Bottom Line: Coin Drop is a gorgeous game that’s a perfect fit on the iPhone.
#7: Tiny Tower
The brothers from NimbleBit did it again, in their follow-up to the freemium hit Pocket Frogs. This time, you're collecting little people instead of amphibians, and you have to keep them happy and productive in order to build a bigger tower. The detailed pixel art is what seals the deal on this astonishing game.
Our Bottom Line: Tiny Tower represents the next great chapter in freemium games. Call it Farmville 2.0.
#6: Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing
Finally, Sega took a break from ruining classic Genesis games with shoddy iOS ports, and released a proper iPhone game that actually takes advantage of the hardware. Not only is this a fantastic kart racer, but it's got online multiplayer, and a cast of characters that will appeal to anyone who ever owned a Dreamcast.
Our Bottom Line: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing boosts ahead of other iOS kart racers by miles.
#5: Order & Chaos Online
2011 is the year the iPhone finally got its World of Warcraft. Gameloft went all out for this MMORPG, crafting a gorgeous virtual world with lots to do and see. Not only that, but Gameloft is continuing to maintain this world, in order to keep people paying a subscription fee.
Our Bottom Line: Order & Chaos Online sets a new bar for Gameloft. It is hands down the best MMO on the platform and will be hard to top, short of Blizzard entering the fray.
#4: Tiny Wings
Tiny Wings was a surprise hit, joining the other best-selling bird games when it launched in February. We're still playing it months later, because of those perfect, maddening, timing-based swoops and slides. You'll be seeing waves everywhere around you if you take a chance and help this little bird soar as far as possible.
Our Bottom Line: Tiny Wings is brilliant in its simplicity, originality, and ability to keep you coming back again and again.
#3: Kami Retro
There have been a lot of retro, pixel-style games on the App Store recently, but Kami Retro is near the top of our list. This game not only lets you arrange an environment to get your character to the exit, but you also have to time your jumps four different times to get the best score.
Our Bottom Line: This masterful, retro-themed gem belongs in every iOS gamer's collection.
#2: Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP
Sword and Sworcery is a fantastic and original adventure, drawing on epic themes and using a stylish pixel-art canvas. You'll have to solve some light puzzles by tapping, fight a handful of creepy bosses, and chat with the game's weird citizens. Most of the time, though, you'll just be wandering in bliss, trying to take it all in.
Our Bottom Line: Sword and Sworcery has some of the most amazing visuals and music of any iPad game, but the gameplay leaves something to be desired.
#1: Dead Space
Our number one game of 2011 (so far) is action-packed, suspenseful, and scary as hell. The Dead Space series on consoles has been freaking people since 2008, but its iOS debut is just as good, especially if you play it in the dark with headphones on. We hope that EA continues to make wonderfully polished shooters like this on the iPhone again and again.
Our Bottom Line: Dead Space for iOS is just about everything we’d hoped it would be: action-packed, scary, challenging, and a total blast.
32 Comments
Thanks! I was just about to email you guys and ask this question! Dead space is defiantly game of the year material!!
Suprisingly good enough list :)
Here are my favorites at the moment:
Coconut Monkey VS Beavers and Birds
Meon
Catcha Mouse
Jelly Invaders
Cool.
So, just for fun, my little personnal list:
20 - Mos Speedrun
19 - Bumpy Road
18 - Continuity 2
17 - The Dongeon Saga
16 - Angry Birds Rio
15 - Feed Me Oil
14 - NBA Jam
13 - To-Fu
12 - Death Smile
11 - Coins Drop
10 - Dead Space
09 - Sword and Soldier
08 - Sonic and Sega All star Racing
07 - KOF - i
06 - Robotek HD
05 - Tiny Wings
04 - Orions 2
03 - Forget Me Not
02 - World Of Goo (iPhone)
01 - Sword & Sworcery: EP 1
I would add a spell checking app to you list you moke.
You definitely should as well smartass
LOL
Yes, Dead Space is indeed game of the year material, it has great graphics, great storyline, and replay value(achievments and posters) and it has survival mode for added replay value. People say Infinity Blade is better, those people obviously don't have Dead Space, if people like IB better because of the graphics then they've never played DS with an iPad 2. As with the rest of the list, I agree with most of the games but not their spots, I mean NBA jam is awesome I recommend it to any arcade lover but R6 has a story and online multiplayer, unless NBA jam was put there because it's easy to play and pause and pick up again and not miss anything unlike R6. Well anyway, if the game is on this list then it must be good I have some of them and they are.
I think NBA Jam is probably in my top 5. Rainbow Six was good, but not THAT good.
I agree with Dead Space being #1, but why isn't King of Fighters-i #2 ?!? In fact, why is KOF-i not on your list?
I'm completely shocked that King of Fighters-i didn't make the cut, it's an amazing game, it's a travesty that it got overlooked. I also thought that N.O.V.A was great too, it's a shame that it also didn't make the cut.
20 - Bumpy Road
19 - D.A.R.K.
18 - Mos Speedrun
17 - Street Figther 4: Volt
16 - Angry Birds Rio
15 - NBA Jam
14 - Kami Retro
13 - Final Fantasy 3
12 - Deathsmiles
11 - Perfect Cell
10 - Feed Me Oil
09 - Sword and Soldier
08 - Coin Drop
07 - Sonic and Sega All Star Racing
06 - Tiny Wings
05 - Rainbow Six
04 - King of Fighters-i
03 - Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery
02 - World Of Goo
01 - Dead Space
yeah i totally agree to your list and comment, king of fighters is surprisingly fun and to some extent (IMO) it feels better to play with than street fighter despite its popularity.
This comment has been moderated.
Really?! Huh! Me thinks Gameloft should spend a wee bit more time developing their games.
It's an okay list. I agree with Dead Space and S&S being 1 & 2, but KAMI RETRO should have been a bit lower. And I can't believe you put Mos Speedrun but not League of Evil. Legendary Wars should've been higher on the list.
And why the hell are DJ Rivals and Hard Lines on the list? They should've been replaced with two of these games:
- Battleheart
- Final Fantasy 3
- Frisbee Forever
Their list, not yours.
thx for leting me know better games that werent on the other guy list :)
Of course everyone will have their own "hey, why is this game not on the list?" game but I have to say this.
Bumpy Road.
Unique gameplay, simple and brilliant with amazing candy visuals and music.
Honestly, the design itself is worth it.
+1
Where's King of Fighters-i and Final Fantasy 3? Both games should have easily made the list.
Where's World of Goo??? Feed me oil is clearly based on the awesome (and better) World of Goo! Anyway, nice list.
In my opinion, World of goo is great, but not top 20 great. Top 30? Yep.
where is galaxy on fire 2? aralon?
In 2010.
PWNED!
Wrong time bro !!! Those were in 2010 dammit
Aww sword and sworcery? God I hate that game. It's so bloody overated...surprisingly good list besides that.
Dead Space is indeed the best game of 2011 so far, it hopefully gets the best game of 2011 it deserves by the end of the year because that games really nails everything, from graphics, controls, voice acting, storyline, interface.. Everything is crafted to the platform rather than being lazily ported.
It still gives the best gaming experience on my iPhone so far, it's just fantastic to play on iPhone 4 with a pair of great headphones and all lights off.
This game ( ) is due out in December of this year, and something tells me it's easily going to crack your top 5 when it comes out.
Afterlife (for iPad 2 and upcoming iPhone 5) is the game I was referring to. For some reason I'm unable to post the link to the video, but it's on youtube if anyone wants to see it.
Good list, but I think Gravity Chain should be on that list too. Check out trailer here:
I have all of those I want which is most of those :)
Complete list of best games, also wanted to add one more information about the new iPad puzzle game(Apple Life), found it really interesting.So go ahead and download this free game from the appstore:
Add a Comment