Node.Hack may be a simple tap and play style game that you'll pick up in a snap, but becoming a master hacker is far from easy and you'll need nerves of steel to survive its later stages.

Swordigo treads the line between slavish homage and love-letter to a genre and style of action-adventure that remains exciting thanks to its almost unstoppable pace that keeps you hooked the entire way.

One of the most elegant word games you're likely to find on the app store, with modes to test both those who like to think on their feet or prefer a game with little to no pressure.

A game for the hardcore puzzle lover. Don't let the ease of design, control, and goal fool you, sooner or later this game will have you tearing your hair out. The sense of satisfaction when a particularly hard level is bested however, is unrivaled.

When it comes to Angry Birds, you know what to expect, but Angry Birds Space tweaks things just enough to make that statement almost entirely obsolete; sporting brand new mechanics, birds and a host of fun and challenging levels, it's the sequel the series warranted.

Hunters 2 moves the series forward, stepping away from the sterile and automatically generated levels of the original and on to something more exciting; a great pick for turn-based fans after a game ready to punish players for poor decisions.

As movie tie-ins go, Hunger Games: Girl on Fire keeps things simple, but original and fun, making it the perfect companion for wasting your time if you haven't already seen it on the big screen.

Instead of an endless runner, we have an endless coaster, and coasting along is exactly what you'll be doing, cause despite some neat ideas, this game offers little challenge.

A blast from the past - Bubble Jets will remind you of just how frustrating and addictive water-based puzzles were, taking a few liberties to up the challenge at the same time.

Despite the immaculate presentation, Super Lemonade Factory never truly excites with its Lost Vikings-esque gameplay.

Mostly aimed for younger players with its cute and expressive protagonist, Harry the Fairy will amuse with tight tilt controls and the relaxing, floaty feel of its gameplay.

Simple, calming, and fiendish. Relying on color and tone, Circadia is one of the more unique puzzle games out there and is worth a look.

Firemint take their Flight Control series in to a whole new world filled with sci-fi fantasy fun and pack it with fun and over-the-top ships designed with nothing more in mind but to throw you off your multi-tasking; it's just a shame the shadow of IAP looms in the background and mars the lighthearted mood.

MotoHeroz may be a stripped down version of its bigger console brother, but it packs a seriously addictive punch when it comes to trying to best your fastest-times and the times of those around the world; fun, simple and packed with cunning surprises for the competitive player.

Despite its asynchronous gameplay, Draw Something succeeds in turning a simple game of Pictionary in to something delightfully engaging thanks to features that make you feel as your opponent is right there beside you.

rComplex suffers greatly for its focus on style over substance, choosing to provide players with a beautiful game, complete with an intriguing story, only to make it inaccessible thanks to poor design choices when it comes to the basic endless-runner gameplay.

Those that have fond memories of playing Outrun in the arcades, Final Freeway 2R is pretty much that experience with a very well executed tilt control scheme.

A puzzle game with some interesting ideas, but rigid solutions coupled with average controls dampen the experience.

The iOS platform matures once more thanks to the Chaos Rings series as the third title in the series proves itself to be a true sequel complete with revisions and tweaks to the basic formula, while adding more depth the the gameplay and managing to pace itself with confidence; it's not a match for the greats of the genre, but it's without peer on this platform.

Zuma is one of the original time wasters, and Popcap shows that it knows how to exploit the formula for a solid game on the mobile platform.

Gridrunner may not be an entirely new product from Jeff Minter, but as always the mash-up of gaming nostalgia and distinctly modern influences makes for an appealing 'retro' remake.

Pebble Universe defies the expectations that come with almost any 'physics' based puzzler found on the App Store these days, but it still remains intriguing thanks to its unique spin on timing that will (with luck) cascade in to a perfect level completion.

A competent enough running platformer with plenty of pathways and characters to choose from, and runs to perfect. The controls and breaking nature of the gameplay might put off players however.

Lightopus is visually intriguing and aurally relaxing, as you swim around protecting your babies, and having them feed on your enemies. A unique experience.

An enjoyable physics flinger with a funny premise and lots of variety. You also get to sumo butt-stomp for purposes of carnage.

Brandnew Boy has the right idea when it comes to testing out new methods for bringing exciting action-based gaming to the iOS platform, however it's riddled with problematic design issues that not only result in the game feeling incomplete, but also dull.

Storm Strikers isn't particularly original when it comes to the broader details, but Sunny Tam's distinct style shines through in the fine details, making this a manic challenge suited to those who find themselves not dying enough in games.

Swiping puzzle fun. Yes we've seen this concept before but Twingo pulls it off with great presentation and a truck full of content.

For the hardcore puzzlers, grabbing Monster Flip just to compete against others via the thought-provoking 'Sequence' mode is worth the purchase all by itself - for everyone else you get a polished, cute and at times hilarious arcade puzzler that feels more like a two-for-one with its arcade and puzzle modes being pulled apart.

Kids vs Goblins provides an alternative to those who are tired of needing to learn multiple RPG class types, earn powerful items or learn complex boss patterns - when this game works it's a treat, but initial release issues hamper an otherwise fun new take on the genre.

While a fantastic game in its own right, the iPhone port lacks the tight controls that made this such a joy to play on consoles, making this a frustrating experience.

Tie-ins often get a bad rep (and for good reasons), but Mass Effect Infiltrator is worthy of play in its own right, which is high praise for games of this type - while not a true miniaturization of the full game, it captures the title's combat and style while providing something distinctly 'iOS' in its execution.

Waking Mars mixes human curiosity with a fascinating storyline straight out of the pages of a sci-fi classic; learn to master Mars' complex ecosystem and find out whether or not there truly is sentient life close to home.

Simple and straightforward, but only the most dedicated players can best the arcade gauntlet that has been thrown down by this title.

A strategic tower defense game set during wartime. Lots of variety and a well balanced upgrade curve. Easy to recommend for tower defense fans.

Whether you've played a Tobe title before or not, Hookshot Escape is a great time-waster that knows that variety is the spice of life; a real challenge that constantly rewards the player for their progress.

While repetitive, Zombie Panic in Wonderland Plus is none-the-less a beautifully presented and fun action-packed shooter that harkens back to a classic era of Arcade shooters (albeit with a very modern Japanese spin) - however, much like these classics you'll have to pump in many a shiney quarter to scratch beyond the surface of the game's content.

LUME is a unique puzzle experience that should delight adventure and puzzle fans. It's unique style and puzzle variety is only detracted by its constant crashing and relatively short game length.

The original 'A Reckless Disregard for Gravity' captured the speed and excitement of base jumping in a way that was visceral, but 'Force = Mass x Acceleration' takes things to a whole new level, introducing tilt controls to the iOS platform and allowing players to feel every crunched bone as you miss that finely-timed dive through a vent-shaft; a real boon for any iPhone or iPad gamer.

Fans of the original Wrestlefest may get some nostalgia out of this remake, but the small bizarrely chosen roster and seemingly luck placed gameplay will leave a sour taste in the mouths of most.

Every last pixel of Fancy Pants feels as though it's dedicated to making its platforming as smooth and flawless as possible; simply running around is a joy, let alone completing the game or taking on its many unlockable challenges, modes and side-objectives. A must-have iPhone title.

Nostalgia is often preceded by a rose-tinted belief that things were better 'back in the day' and while this is often untrue, Barbarian - The Death Sword is more excited about introducing slick 3D graphics and new mechanics than it is in retaining the responsive combat that made the original game so brutal and fun.

Munch Time packages ninja-rope swinging gameplay in to the tried-and-true formula of cute, three-star physics puzzlers that have come before it.

Midway Arcade is more than just a trip down memory lane - it's a real pint-sized Arcade that goes to great lengths to provide cheap thrills and spills that are hard to pass up if you're an old-scool gamer.

A tilt based endless runner that ties in progression, upgrades and social media to create an enjoyable campaign.

It's an endless runner with unlockable heroes that play slightly different and have upgraded versions. Nothing to set the world alight, but it does feature some pretty awesome music.

Fans of twin stick shooters and music games should give Beat Hazard Ultra a try. The controls are sublime, and the visual/audio experience is one of a kind.

A neat idea with good presentation plagued by bad controls. Your mileage may vary.

Retro Racing says it all - those who have played top-down racers in just about any form will slip right on to this title with ease and find themselves enjoying the nostalgic, yet distinctly modern feel of the game; it's just a shame it's all over too soon and without even a thank you for having completed it.

Whether you're swinging a sword, a whip, a light-saber or smacking foes with a scrubbing brush, Armed and Gorgeous HD makes beating up peasants look sexy; if only the combat was more than a repetitive smack-down it'd have something far more compelling.

Pizza Vs. Skeletons aims itself at casual gamers with its huge amount of short, simple and gorgeously presented challenges that only require players to learn one set of controls to complete them all; an ingenious and at times hilariously game that's hard to rip yourself away from.

As endless racers go, Fishbowl Racer is middle of the road. The destruction should amuse but nothing here will hold your interest for too long.

Despite some minor control annoyances and the pay-wall, this is a must have app for lovers of pinball, especially those that used to pump coins into the machines when arcades were in their heyday.

On the Hop uses a simplistic single touch control scheme and designs a deadly platformer's paradise out of it with a death mode, bonus levels, and more content on the way.

It's a Star Wars puzzle game that should amuse fans of each with its theme, and simple but addictive puzzle gameplay.

Like many word games, Bubbles in Paradise will amuse fans of the genre but the pacing and unlocking won't please a larger audience, even though it might be fun for a short play.

A side-scroller with labyrinth areas, upgrades earned off bosses, chip tune music, pixel art, and a talking dinosaur. Far from polished but its charm should delight a few.

A refreshing addition to the match 3 genre revolving around colorful animal mascots and blocks full of juice.

A platformer that one can play in short bursts that has some interesting ideas, but ultimately comes off as being a bit bland.

The Tower Defense craze of the app store has long subsided but there are still games that take the formula and create a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. Spice Bandits is one of those games.

The sort of game that comes from a mad fever dream that mixes games like Trilby: The Art of Theft and Dance Dance Revolution... the end result is something that carefully balances its puzzles with a rhythm based system, sucking you right in and not letting go until you're done.

If you loved League of Evil, you'll eat up the sequel by the spoonful even if it does feel like the same thing in a pretty new package; it's a shame more wasn't done with the boss-encounters, but you'll be too hard pressed mastering the near 100 other levels to be too upset.

100 Trials opts to extend the Challenge Mode experience from 100 Rogues instead of fleshing out a brand new RPG experience - it's not as fresh, but it packs a punch thanks to its many 'bite-sized' puzzles.

Blot is Jetpack Joyride on a student's sketch book. You'll have some fun with the title, but it wont last too long.

An inventive game with a great presentation. The play experience is a little more frustrating than it needs to however, and might turn some players off.

A head-to-head castle defense game with a lot of unit options, RPG upgrade mechanics, hack and slash segments, and plenty of modes. The long standing issues of the genre are not addressed here, but fans should be more than happy.

Like a souped up Monster Dash, One Epic Game will satisfy your endless runner needs with a peppering of wanton violence.

Ragdoll Blaster 3 may look like yet another physics puzzler to throw on the pile, but the original formula is enhanced thanks to four new dolls and far more complex situations to overcome.

DoDonPachi Blissful Death takes you a few years in to the past before the events of Resurrection and puts you in control of the 'dolls' you'll eventually need to destroy; as such it's just as frantic and energetic as the series ever gets and a solid release from bullet-hell developer CAVE.

Despite its adorable appearance, Diggin' Dogs doesn't mess about and players will find themselves attempting to balance their way past numerous hazards in order to keep their doggy-trio alive; a treat for all gamers, young/old, casual and hardcore alike.

Raid Leader is a short burst of fun for those nostalgic (or aching for their next hit) of 'raiding' in larger MMOs; the process of condensation has also limited the experience, but the lack of real 'leveling' and jumping straight to the boss encounters themselves may be attractive all on its own.

A nice introduction to the endless runner genre (or in this case the endless flyer). Pleasant visuals but there are some balance issues.

Running Fred shifts the 'Fred' series in to a whole new dimension, giving the titular 'hero' a whole new set of abilities as he bounces, flips and dodges his way past oodles of deadly traps - a seriously addictive runner with a high skill cap for high-score junkies to enjoy.

For a game that doesn't ask for a payment up-front, Off The Leash remains rock solid thanks to its simple, yet fun mix of endless runner gameplay with harsh time-limits that push you to the edge of your skill.

Combining a town building game with addictive match three mechanics creates such a simple yet hard to put down play experience. Only purchase Triple Town if you have the time to spare.

RPG fans looking for an old school dungeon crawler... this is not it, but what it does offer is fun turn based combat, a humorous plot and lots of loot.

Mission based gameplay, touch and glide mechanics, cute cartoon characters. Brave Beak tries to hit all the sweet spots of popular iPhone gaming and for the most part succeeds.

GHOST TRICK: Phantom Detective, quite simply, feels like it was always destined for the App Store and now that it's here you should definitely grab it; funny, clever and fun - easily a must have.

Reckless Racing 2 is bigger and better in almost every way and while it's not a leader in terms of new gameplay, it's still a benchmark for the platform.

Boy Loves Girl has the feeling of an art game, but the message is overshadowed by frustrating gameplay and bland visuals.

With a colorful yet muted palette and affective audio ambiance, Sploosh offers a physics puzzle experience that's worth a play. Like all physics puzzlers, things can get frustrating in the later levels, but you'll find yourself returning to this world of exploding cacti and water rotation when ever you need to slow things down and have some fun.

Innovative, unique and chaotically amusing - Tweet Land embodies all of these things; sadly a combination of inconsistent collision detection and nightmare keyword combos can rip control out of your hands, making it hard to enjoy.

It should be no surprise to see yet another 'cute 3-star physics puzzler' from Chillingo, but don't let that fool you - Hank Hazard is genuinely clever and rewarding thanks to tight level design and varied puzzle objectives.

An intriguing name, an intriguing setup, and an intriguing approach to a puzzle game. While it feels that the presentation and controls could have warranted more attention, this will provide some amusement to puzzle fans.

A fun rolling platform with a lot to offer, that is somewhat marred by its control scheme.

Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land is a great concept gone to waste as players are forced to deal with game design concepts that belong to another era.

Most likely meant for a younger audience, the cuteness of Clay and his world will appeal to that demographic, but other players will likely find this too bland to be of much fun.

NFL Flick Kicker is yet another polished release from Full Fat, but it would have been great to see the developer push the limits a little further.

Reminiscent of Resident Evil's mercenary mode, Desert Zombie Last Stand is a pretty fun third person survival shooter that should satisfy any zombie blasting urge a gamer might have (especially when they shoot back).

Paper Monsters keeps things simple, yet fun, making it a great game for younger or more casual audiences.

Adventure game fans will really enjoy this addition to the genre. For others, the lack of voice acting, and the slow pace of solving puzzles might be a deterrent.

Another Crush the Castle type game, but with a unique aiming system, bountiful weaponry and an amusing presentation, fans who haven't gotten enough flinging physics destruction should give this a look.

Puzzlejuice is the perfect way to zone-out while testing your fundamental gaming skills at multitasking in a puzzler environment; gorgeous executed in almost every way.

Greedy Penguins is a decent take on the long-established formula of cute animals and physics puzzles, but it fails to make its gameplay as exciting, engaging or rewarding as those it seeks to stand along-side of.

Llamasoft and in particular Jeff Minter once again manages to densely pack an arcade game with concepts inspired from classic titles as well as Minter's clear auteur style; it's a shooter that both attracts and repels you, making it almost the Vegemite of gaming.

Smash Cops doesn't overstay its welcome by forcing players to deal with its limited variety in gameplay; thanks to this the game remains short, sharp and a fun way to blast away an hour or two.

A freemium approach to a GTA style open world crime game. Bad controls and pay wall barriers harm the experience.

While not necessarily as flashy as more recent releases in the fighting genre, SoulCalibur remains a compelling and incredibly varied 3D fighting title despite its age and usual platform-specific concerns (controls).