The free end of Asteroids Gunner offers plenty of boulder-blasting enjoyment, especially if one likes the satisfaction of chasing the cost of that next upgrade or besting an old completion time. And all of this without the risk of swollen thumbs; isn't modern technology great?

I was genuinely shocked when I'd first started playing Swing Away. It came out of nowhere, but it does such a good job of incorporating many a proven iOS game mechanic ("endless" gameplay, constantly changing goals, adorableness, etc.) that I have a hard time imagining it doing poorly. Hopefully this will help to spread the word.

There's enough variety between the two modes to keep players interested, while never deviating from the core purpose behind the game. An ideal casual delight.

G30 is a stark and beautiful puzzler if you're willing to give it the time it needs.

With great visuals, fun levels, and enough off-road vehicles to keep things fun, Alpine Crawler Wild will keep even the most hard core side scrolling racing fans entertained for quite some time.

Overall, Tunnel Shoot is a fun, simple game. It's a great casual shooter that's easy to figure out, but very difficult to master.

HoloVista is a narrative adventure that starts with a bang before fizzling out.

Star Connect is an app small children will enjoy. The interface is constructed like a virtual connect the dots, and parents will appreciate opportunities for fulfillment of children's curiosities about space, allowing for parent-child bonding.

Based on the popular Facebook game, Village Life makes it's way to iOS and is a truly enjoyable experience for players old and new.

For anyone who enjoys an action-puzzler, but is tired of variations of the same themes over and over, this is a solid pick up with a lot of promise.

Digby Forever is a tight little arcade game that presents new challenges almost every time you boot it up, and it does all this while avoiding most of the pitfalls of other free-to-play arcade games.

Coco Loco doesn't reinvent the physics puzzler, but it adds a honeyed style of its own to arguably the most popular genre of game on iOS.

Call of Cookie proves that plants aren't the only fighting foods out there.

While slinging Blobster around the game's levels, watching him bounce all over the place, it really feels like one's playing with a toy, rather than simply controlling another video game character. This is what makes Blobster a unique, stand-out platformer.

Amazing Alex is a very engaging and challenging game, and presents all the proof needed that Rovio isn't just a one-trick birdy.

Puzzle/platformers take the cosmos by storm in this unique take on a tired genre.

I'm certain there are some people out there who will find NOM 5 enjoyable, but unless the tap-timing sees an improvement I have a hard time imagining it finding much of a fanbase.

If this was a paid-for game, I'd recommend that any aspiring virtual pilots went out and bought it. It's almost like a fully featured, mobile version of the HAWX games we see on consoles. The fact that its free, however, means it should certainly be trialled. Even if the always-online requirement can be a bit of a pain when not connected via WiFi.

iBomber Attack lives up to the quality of the rest of the iBomber family. The graphics are sharp and clean and the gameplay will keep players on their toes. Although the game is relatively short with only 24 missions, each mission can be played multiple times to be able to collect all items and complete all the objectives.

Zipping through space, catching fireflies, snowballs, and the sight of glorious stars. Increase difficulty for more zaniness and unpredictability.

Reventure is a clever game that plays with the conventions of traditional video games in fun and surprising ways.

Primal Flame knows that it's better to burn out than fade away.

It is very old school in its approach and doesn't ease you in gently. With 30 hours of gameplay on offer though, RPG fans would be mad to overlook it however. It's a tremendous piece of gaming history and still holds up well to this day.

Predators is a little rough around the edges, but overall, it is a good game that makes great use of its license, and it being a universal app as well should be the start of a trend that other developers and publishers pick up on.

Skill Game is a must-try for those who are up for a challenge to solve puzzles that are fun and non-intimidating.

Exploring and discovering secret areas is very satisfying but might not be to everyone's taste, with those people preferring more exact level design instead. For everyone else though, this is an ideal change of pace.

Save the world by flicking rocks at increasingly large aliens. It's simple yet quite challenging.

I thought the gameplay was very clever and it was nice to finally be on King Kong's side instead of fighting against him like we see in the movies.

Rhythmanix (or Rhythmix, as it is named in any region other than North America, the United Kingdom, Korea and Japan) is an outstanding take on rhythm and music based gaming on iOS.

Atlantis:Pearls of the Deep is a superb puzzle and match-3 game that will appeal to fans of either genre.

Wow. Real time strategy meets 4X meets Einstein is a lot more awesome than most people might expected.

This free-to-play dungeon crawler has a fun art style, a remarkable attention-to-detail, and borrows mechanics from "gacha-style" titles.

Could 4 Snaps be the next big thing in social gaming? Most definitely.

A great calming experience. It's relaxing to just fly around and it's amazing how just going with the flow can immediately improve scores. It's an ideal game to chill out to while still feeling that great competitive edge.

Control armies of zombies, mystical creatures, cybernetic troops, and more in this free-to-play trading card game.

The consistent sense of progression and the little personal touch of incorporating local businesses make it stand out in the crowd of games that require real-world money to speed things along (or just lots of patience).

There's a surprising level of depth behind SpellCraft School of Magic. It is a freemium game that requires some real money input to really get anywhere after the first few hours but it's worth it.

This roguelite shooter is straightforward and generic, but that works in its favor more often than not.

Astrologaster’s premise makes it interesting, but its writing and voice acting make it truly special.

The only real issue I have with TwinGo! is that the entire first world is just far too easy.

The game is never-ending really. You just keep going, trying to last as long as possible while taking on new monsters.

Offering quite the murder mystery, Special Enquiry Detail: Engaged to Kill is a great example of the Hidden Object genre.

If you like the series, this one should definitely be on your list, and if you’re completely unfamiliar with Shin Megami Tensei, it’s still worth checking out if you’re a fan of RPGs in general. Undoubtedly there’s some grinding to be done the further you get - especially if you want to avoid microtransactions - but that’s fairly standard for this type of game, rather than being unique to Liberation.

It won't take long to complete Captain Antarctica at only an hour or two, but it's an enjoyable ride while it lasts. The cute stylization of everything particularly lends itself to family gaming but anyone with a love of endless running but a craving for level progression will enjoy this pleasant journey.

It's a solid effort for Hogrocket, however. It just needs a challenge level re-adjustment to make it truly as great as I suspect it could be.

It just feels like it's lacking that special something to transform it into a 5-star game.

This may not be the most inventive or unique physics game out there, but it is a strong new entry in genre.

This game is a great bite-sized retro masterpiece with focused gameplay and modes that will fit any gaming occasion. Box Cat's quirky, unrelentingly enjoyable role reversal will keep players crashing this kitty for a long, long time.

There's a lot to love about Tank Riders. It looks and sounds fantastic, and the idea behind the gameplay is sound; in fact some of the levels are quite tense. It's a shame that the controls always feel a bit too sluggish, because while it doesn't ruin the game, it's a prominent niggle in an otherwise fine game.

Anyone expecting a huge, story-driven first person shooter might be a bit disappointed but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of fun to be had with Overkill 2.

It's the kind of game that you'll find yourself playing obsessively at first, but even after the initial excitement has gone, you'll still be returning to it daily for the next challenge.

Despite the lack of light this endless flyer most definitely does *not* stumble around in the dark.

Master of Craft's blend of town-building and adventuring should keep aspiring weapon-shop owners happy for hours.

Plenty of games have clever designs and plenty more have clever writing. Car Toons! is fortunate enough to have both.

One of Another World's largest shortcomings, which is really a product of its original design, is that it's more of an exercise in repetition than actual skill.

This is a great film trivia game that is simple to play and has more to enjoy than just correctly answering questions. The game's images are so well done, the effect is positively spooky. Film buffs will appreciate FilmWise Invisibles and they will really enjoy the images.

This best-in-class brawler makes its way to iOS in an uncompromised state, but still has the same warts of other games in the genre.

Middle Manager of Justice is a shallow affair. One that shouldn't be as much fun as it actually is. Fortunately, it is fun and very addictive. After a time, players might find themselves repeating their actions but, ultimately, they won't care.

A simple game. It's run-and-jump, over and over again; the only semblance of "depth" comes with the online leaderboards.

Distinctly wacky in nature, while loose controls might affect things Aliens Drive Me Crazy is still rather fun to dip into.

Identity V is a little waffly in its introduction, but the actual game is great fun and feels pretty slick on a smartphone.

For this quality time, $2.99 is a small price to pay for this quirky and adorable game.

The only criticism is that the last few levels could do a little more oomph, a little more of the ingenuity that was shown in the middle section of the game.

1000 Heroz's daily task mechanic is what really makes this game stand out, and encourages the kind of long-term play that the strongest iOS games have.

Surge is a funky tapper that has converted this non-believer.

Flo is back and free! PlayFirst revives the time management classic Diner Dash as a free-to-play and the transition is, for the most part, smooth as butter.

It's like playing Chess, only everyone goes at the same time and the price for losing is being wiped out of existence.

This simple looking puzzle game is as smartly executed as it is brutally hard.

If you like Canabalt style games and are looking for a twist on the genre, you'll enjoy Dead Runner. It's fast paced, looks nice, and has that great OpenFeint leaderboard that I know you want to crack.

One of the App Store's lesser-known treasures.

Ignoring the silliness of the Party Play mode and the slightly gimmicky power ups that can be easily bypassed, there's a solid and enjoyable movie trivia game on offer. For trivia fans, it'll be very easy to get carried away and find that hours have passed in the company of this title.

The game is both immersive and addicting, involving you as the player and requiring you to keep an eye on a virtual land, it's efficiency and survival. With great in-game graphics and audio, The Settlers is highly recommended for people who digg the likes of Command and Conquer, Age of Empires, or RTS genre.

This driving game can feel amazing, but only really if you have the right equipment to play it.

The strategy in Demise of Nations is really compelling and interesting. Its focus on combat makes feel pretty different than something like Civilization while still retaining a good sense of depth. I do wish the game looked a little better, and that its menu commands were easier to decipher, but otherwise, Demise of Nations is an excellent (and free!) strategy game.

The controls – while still imperfect – are easier to use and being able to outfit characters with awesome-looking gear, then send them off to assist friends or complete strangers, brings a imparts a sense of pride for all that time spent customizing. Overall I'd say it's a tactical win.

Kill Me Again: Infectors is a match-3 puzzler that actually manages to feel fresh. You know, despite all the zombies.

A game with a man who launches animals from a magical monocle can't be bad.

This narrative adventure starts as a meditation on the life of an artist before revealing some hidden layers to its story.

This action-packed combat racer brings new meaning to the phrase "burning rubber."

It's a somewhat no-frills, yet highly polished package.

If you like old school RPG's and don't need flashy 3D effects or mind-numbing puzzles, Inotia 3 is just the game for you. It won't challenge you too much, but you'll be entertained by Inotia 3 far longer than the vast majority of the other games on the platform.

Once the somewhat clunky menus have been overcome, though, RC Plane 2 was more than I'd hoped when first seeing it.

Jurassic Park Builder may not be a super deep simulation with tons of factors to micromanage, but it is a well-made freemium simulation that's far less restrictive than many of its peers. Plus it's dinosaurs. Dinosaurs, people.

As an adventure game book, Judge Dredd: Countdown Sector 106 succeeds very well and I suspect Judge Dredd fans will adore it all the more.

It's a fun way to get your brain thinking, and to test your vocabulary. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the much-hyped "bee" design – it's a little too heavy for my tastes – but games should be about gameplay first. And WordsWorth HD has that down.

A cute game, with bright and engaging graphics, great music, cute sound effects and just plain fun gameplay. With easy controls and a simple learning curve, FatCat Rush is great for everyone in the house.

Dead Man's Draw is a fun deck-building card game that would be a lot more fun if it had multiplayer.

Aliens Versus Humans is the closest thing iOS users have to THE classic sci-fi strategy game, but it doesn't quite cover all the bases.

Overall, there is fun to be had here, however. Objectives exist in the capture of rockets, but most matches seem to exist merely to kill each other, whereby it offers many an option to the player.

The Silent Age is an absolutely fantastic adventure that fans of the genre should not miss.

Despite its serene presentation, Astro Shark HD is a tough and exciting interstellar adventure.

Fantasy Chronicle definitely ranks in my top five experiences with an iOS RPG, rivaled by Zenonia and Final Fantasy. It may be my favorite.

For those of you that fit this category, first I hate you, and second you will find an immersive and complete game that did wonders on its console debut and is meeting with pleasant reactions in its iDevice debut as well.

Within superb in-game graphics, and an upbeat infamous sega-esque soundtrack to boot, Super Monkey Ball 2 is just one of those games you can pick up and play. I highly recommend it!

In all, what Cubed Rally Racer lacks in modern visual style, etc., it more than makes up for with quality, challenging, varied gameplay and quality retro elements nostalgic gamers will love.

The gameplay is just as complex and rich as it always was, but much less intimidating.

BlocksWorld HD is more toy than it is game, but it can be entertaining to mess around with.

With the number of tracks and the challenge of getting a gold mark on each one, it's going to take players a while to get through this game. Skyriders is definitely a fun diversion with plenty of action!