Ten iPhone Games Worth Paying For

As of June, Apple boasted over 225,000 apps in its App Store. While not all of these are games, a huge chunk of them are, and it can be a pain in the ass to sift through the sea of crap in order to find good games. In anticipation of the launch of Apple’s new Xbox Live-esque Game Center next week, we’ve put together a collection of games with a no-suck guarantee. The best part? Most of these titles are only a dollar.

Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night - $4.99
I’ve been playing Castlevania Puzzle non-stop since it came out. I loved it then and I still love it now. It’s an awesome reinterpretation of the original Symphony of the Night with a puzzle twist. The original graphics, music, and sound effects are all reproduced perfectly. You still get the sense of exploration through Dracula’s castle, and all battles are replaced with a familiar-yet-unique puzzle battle system. At its current price of $5, it’s on the expensive side for apps, but it’s totally worth it. Also, it’s already been temporarily discounted so keep an eye out for price dips.



Puzzle Quest - $4.99
In that same puzzle-mixed-with-another-genre vein, the original hit still rules on iPhone. If you’re not convinced, download the free version first. You only get a limited amount of time with the game, but it’s enough to tell that you pick up the full version. Once you realize that, it’s only $5 to get all three chapters plus the Revenge of the Plague Lord expansion in one convenient package. In fact, due to the strange way the pricing works with this game, this is the cheapest method to own the entire set of chapters.



Plants vs. Zombies - $2.99
This amazing game translates perfectly to iPhone, and some say the touch controls are even better than the original PC version. Sure, you could wait until January for the DS port if you’d like another portable option, but there’s no way it can beat this absurd $3 price point. Don’t forget PopCap’s other excellent entries on iPhone like Bejeweled 2 + Blitz and Peggle.



Angry Birds - $.99
This is one of the most successful iPhone games of all time for a reason. Plenty of games on the App Store involving flinging something at a structure to bring it down in a certain number of turns, but Angry Birds is easily the most polished. You pay $1 for a crazy amount of levels, and developer Rovio constantly issues updates with new stages and more hidden golden eggs to find.



Helsing’s Fire - $.99
This completely unique puzzle game finds Dr. Helsing and his assistant Raffton taking on Dracula and his minions over 90 levels. The story is sparse, but includes plenty of silly old-timeyness, large moustaches, and fist bumps. Gameplay is the star here with a unique mechanic where you try to shine light on certain enemies (but not others) and blast them with the correct tonic. A new update just came out that adds 30 more levels in addition to several other tweaks.



Stick Skater - $.99
Unlike many sports games on the iPhone that overreach with 3D gameplay and pain-in-the-ass controls that just don’t work on a touch screen, Stick Skater plays like a classic sidescrolling platformer. One button makes you go faster and the other performs jumps and tricks (don't bother with the unreliable “advanced” control style). Grinding down rails, launching over stretch Hummers, and barely clearing that last treacherous stair all feel great whether you like skating games or not. Plus, a generous checkpoint system keeps the wipeout punishment to a minimum.



:Shift: - $.99
Speaking of platformers, this is another one that manages to get it right. So many others try to use sloppy virtual d-pads that just don’t work the way you need them to in a genre that demands precision. Shift uses a simple two-button mechanic that works perfectly. It takes place in a stark black and white world where you can shift your character from one plane to another – transforming a pit into a tower, for example. It’s also got some elements of N+ and Portal’s GLaDOS in there as well. Just watch the video to see how it works.



Fragger - $.99
Here you adjust the angle and force of your soldier’s arm as he chucks a grenade at some dudes placed around the map. It’s kind of like a single-player version of Worms. There’s a crapload of levels already and more always seem to be on the horizon. The visuals are crisp and there’s always a clever new way you have to think to get the ‘nades where they need to be.



Stick Golf - $.99
If you like the gameplay of Fragger, but not the fact that you’re blowing dudes up, Stick Golf provides a similar hook using a gentlemanly sport. This 2D fantasy golf sim doesn’t bother with club selection, just power and angle. Loads of courses will take you through ice caves, volcanoes, gold mines, and even the moon.



Ow My Balls! - $.99
What this game lacks in gameplay depth it more than makes up with laughs. Some poor sucker is just minding his own business juggling on a rooftop and you ruin his day with a swift kick to the crotch that sends him falling to the streets below. Fortunately, his fart blasts will keep him afloat as you steer him towards plenty of dangerous items to get racked on like pointy flag poles, satellite dishes, and the dreaded white picket fence. The best part: being able to record and hear your own voice when the poor sap gets his groin destroyed.



There you have it! Of course there are a ton of other great iPhone games out there, but we had to draw the line somewhere. What are some of your favorite games that didn't make the list?