While Run Sheldon may not be perfect in its implementation, nor offer anything truly revolutionary to the genre - in the same way that, say, Polara did - it is fresh enough to deserve the attention of genre fans looking for something that at least tries to break away from the established order of things.

One of the App Store's most intriguing, enjoyable and kooky titles, a game that manages to stick with the player long after he or she leaves the retro inspired world.

Gemini Rue certainly won't be to everyone's tastes, but if you long for the good old days where grim dystopias met a graphical style that never really went out of fashion, then you're in for no small treat here.

The gameplay is a little tricky to get used to on the PSP, but once you get adjusted, you'll find yourself getting into the game's beautiful combat quite easily.

Even if you think the endless runner genre has nothing left to offer you, we still recommend giving Despicable Me: Minion Rush a go. It's packed full of variety and imagination, and not even the occasional frame-rate hiccup can take too much shine off this very worthy movie mobile game.

Skylanders Battlegrounds manages to maintain a high level of appeal, though, simply because it contains so many different characters, daily bonuses tied into specific elements and a leveling system that takes into account the entire roster, instead of forcing players to level Skylanders individually.

ORC: Vengeance absolutely deserves to take its place amongst the best dungeon crawling games on the App Store, of which, there are few. Next to Gameloft's Dungeon Hunter series, it's the closest thing you'll find to Diablo 3 on smartphones and tablets, filled with cool weapons, visually stimulating graphics and rewarding combat.

One of the best games on the App Store, an iPhone and iPad experience that feels instantly familiar, but is in no way boring. A pleasurable nightmare, indeed.

From the wealth of stickers to the challenging levels and creatures, it's one of the 3DS' more enjoyable RPGs, with adorable characters, catchy music and subtle yet effective 3D graphics. Our advice? "Stick" with it.

For a buck, Splishi Splashi offers a few hours of fun, especially if you aim to climb the Game Center leaderboard. If anything, it gives new perspective to our place on the food chain.

While the visuals are the weakest part of the game, it's by no means a deal breaker. NBA Street Showdown finally brings the game of basketball to the PSP, and does it with authority.

Shenanigans aside, this is a well-designed and tricky puzzle game that rewards creativity. It also helps that the designers let you restart puzzles from any point with zero load times, and user friendly controls allow you to view a structure from multiple angles.

With intuitive mechanics, a nice array of game modes and its arcade style approach, World Tour Soccer 06 has certainly earned a place in the library of any soccer fan... and perhaps even in the collections of a few non-sporting nerds like myself.

The biggest issue, though, is the game's length. You'll blow through the first chapter in 45 minutes or less, and the second (accessed via in-app purchase for $0.99) is equally short...On the positive side, it's time well spent, and with more chapters presumably on the way, Emissary of War has even more potential. Worth a buck? Absolutely.

My biggest complaint involves the difficulty, or lack thereof. Instead of introducing the game's intricacies during the first chapter, the designers spread them all throughout the game. What ensues are too many easy levels, where it takes but a few tries to score gold stars and move on; thankfully, "extreme" levels take considerably longer to figure out.

The ball and table physics are outstanding, there's plenty of variety in the tables, and match-making is swift and plentiful.

Overall, though, it's still a step in the right direction for the 'hog, especially considering where he's been lulling over the past couple of years.

Clap Hanz learned from its mistakes and made a tennis game worth checking out, with approachable gameplay, excellent role-playing elements and a slick presentation.

This is a quick, simple, and clean way to enjoy a fantastic card game on the go, and while it may be a far cry from the Game Boy Color version released so many years ago, it's a great start and an option that you'll want to choose if you want to reignite your love for the game or simply get started with it -- and besides, it's free!

It's the kind of thing you really need to see to believe, and once you do you'll notice that a crowd's formed behind you.

If you're looking for a light-as-air platformer to turn to in this era of grizzled shooters and dark adventure, Kirby's the right kind of good, clean fun to cleanse your palate.

In many ways, True Skate represents the very best of what can be achieved with mobile gaming. It makes a virtue out of touchscreen controls, rather than a burden, and it's hard to see how any traditional controller could provide a more tactile and intuitive feel for the skate experience.

For the introductory price of $2.99, Guerrilla Bob can't be beat. It's a fun traditional action game along the lines of Smash TV and Minigore, and what it lacks in a strong Campaign Mode, it makes up for with the awesome Survival Mode and Crystal connectivity.

Patapon 2 is just as wildly addictive as the original, with its energetic gameplay and presentation.

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is a bold remake of a classic RPG that fans shouldn't miss. Its visuals are among the best we've seen on a portable system in some time, and the audio is so high quality, you'll want to keep your headphones plugged in every minute.

Initially impenetrable, Fright Heights rewards the persistent player with the kind of mental workout few other puzzle games can offer. It's original and tense stuff that's free to play as well. Highly recommended for your game time this weekend.

I'm extremely impressed with the amount of care and attention that went into creating such a robust single and multiplayer package. It is a must-own for gamers even remotely interested in puzzle gaming.

This game packs hours of fun into a very affordable package ($0.99), making it a great impulse buy, as well as an excuse for screaming "in the face! In...The...Face!"

The Simpsons: Tapped Out does nothing new when it comes to freemium gaming, but the opportunity to create one's personal Springfield, along with trademark Simpsons humor, makes it hard to resist. It's less "doh", and more "woo hoo."

Ultimately, Riptide GP is a graphically intense and fun racer that'll keep you wet, wild and fully engaged for several hours. Definitely worth $4.99, and congrats to Vector Unit on such a artistically impressive and fun effort. Now bring on the updates.

It's still a great re-imaging of one of the most beloved beat-em-ups of all time. The nostalgia alone is worth four bucks, so if you grew up with Double Dragon or just love a quality beat-em-up, don't hesitate to make this a part of your collection.

Outside of the movie tie-in, it's essentially Hotel Dash with a different skin. Of course, if you're excited for the film and/or thoroughly enjoy time-management games, Hotel Transylvania Dash makes for a smart download, whether you go with the free trial or $2.99 Deluxe version.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has problems, but we're still giving it a hefty thumbs up.

Suffers from the same problems that plague many 3D mobile games, but its drool worthy graphics, enjoyable firefights and wealth of multiplayer options make it an obvious favorite, as well as a welcome addition to any virtual warrior's digital library. Oorah.

Aside from some suspicious analog problems, the game suffers from a horrific plague that hurt previous EA Sports releases: LOADING.

These small complaints aside, ARC Squadron satisfies with a combination of gorgeous imagery and intense, arcade-style gameplay.

It's a bit repetitive, and with only three environments, visually limited, but Major Mayhem delivers thrilling arcade style fun. Worth a buck? Absolutely.

Although we'll take one of the higher-up versions just for the sake of looking at the unimaginable frame rate and getting some online multiplayer in, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is still a solid recommendation on the handheld front.

In all, Epic Meal Time is a surprisingly enjoyable display of gluttony that won't add several inches to your waistline. As for the group's calorie-busting dishes, eat at your own risk.

The number of options and bonus goodies that are available are nice, and the jam-packed action of the games themselves should enthrall fans of the series and gather up a flock of new ones along the way. This is simply a must-have retro collection that should keep you plenty busy until the PS3 Gradius that's been hinted at arrives.

The simple fact is, if the idea of building a dungeon tailor-made to lure in specific mobs, then rushing in and killing those mobs sounds appealing to you, then Dungeon Maker is most likely right up your alley.

A refreshingly different and fun game, with a 50s desert road-trip soundtrack that sets off the puzzling perfectly.

The game was built for action, and it truly shows.

If all you want is an easily digestible single-player experience to enjoy on the go, one with surprisingly impressive graphics, consider VS. Racing 2 $0.99 well spent.

Even if all the initially-exhilarating combat comes to feel a little repetitive after a while, there's no denying that Epoch 2 is one of the best cover-based shooters you can get for your phone or tablet.

It's an action packed sword slashing romp that runs almost flawlessly on Sony's machine. You could even make a case for it being one of Vita's top three launch games.

All of these components have been combined to produce a game that exudes fun.

If soccer's your thing, FIFA 09 is a must buy.

If you're looking for a beautifully presented air-hockey game with bags of longevity, then the competition's going to have to go a long way to topple Shufflepuck Cantina from its throne.

Mr. Particle Man is an interesting riff on classic arcade titles, with plenty of challenge and difficulty. You may not always like where the challenge comes from, but it's there just the same, and if you can surmount it you'll find plenty to like about the game.

If it had a lower difficulty and an easier way to acquire power-ups, Colossatron would be an instant classic alongside Halfbrick's other releases. For now, it's still a monstrously good time, and a novel way to let loose on some of that built-up holiday stress.

Great amount of fun, with a fun and vibrant look throughout.

Though the action in Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise comes unexpectedly and some boredom sets in, this is still a great DS game.

While it's catered for those with a particular passion for the sport, PBA Bowling Challenge provides a refreshing take on the game for all players.

While Zenonia 5 may not be the most original RPG to demand your attention, it is an exceptionally competent one that's packed with a surprising amount of content.

The Blockheads might lean just a little too heavily on the grandfather of sandbox world-building for its own mechanics, but it's also got enough charm and obsessiveness of its own to make it an essential download.

For $20, you get your monies worth from Big Bang Mini. Multiplayer actually serves a purpose here (rather than being a tacked-on gimmick), and the single-player modes will keep you busy for hours. The best part? You won't lose any fingers.

The actual game design is amazing. These puppies look, sound, and act like the real thing.

A brisk, beautiful, fluid, and entertaining endless-runner.

Sure, the objective remains mostly the same, so expect repetition, but with eight playable zombies, a slew of enemies and over 200 characters onscreen during certain moments, Infect Them All 2: Zombies is a welcome change of pace from those third and first person shooters. On that note, won't you reach out and bite someone?

Both brutal and thrilling.

Don't Get Wet is a simple to play, but difficult to master one touch game. It has a unique concept with the controlling of two characters, but it may turn some people off because of the difficulty of having to watch and react to two different sets of obstacles.

There's simply no excuse to not buy N+.

There aren't nearly as many features as what's in the console versions, but, hey, at least what's here is stable.

In the end this Donkey Kong probably won't strike anybody as a instant classic, but it doesn't need to be in order to be very fun to play.

A cool homage to the glory days of gaming, when true skill was required to defeat insurmountable odds. If you have fond memories of tackling bosses and other creeps on NES and Genesis, download this game.

While 2K Drive is a bit pricier than the free-to-play competition, there's plenty of mileage behind it, with hours of events to conquer and plenty of cars to test drive. This'll definitely rev your engine.

With a simple control scheme, robust assortment of parts and vehicle modifications and online multiplayer that will keep you hooked for hours, Racing Rivals is worth a test drive.

The Grading Game is a welcome change of pace and a solid fit for touchscreen devices. After suffering through numerous classes years ago, it's refreshing to play a game that makes learning fun. That said, grab your virtual pen and let the red ink flow.

Offers five to six hours of enemy chopping, frog tossing fun. That said, we hope we haven't seen the last of this new IP.

Bottom line, it's a good start to what should become an even greater experience in the months ahead. Zombies in space? Sure, why not?

If you're in the mood for a quality shooter at a budget price and one appropriate for all ages, you can't go wrong with this imaginative blast-a-thon.

Fans of the previous game won't need a review - they'll already have grabbed the game at launch. For those entirely new to the series though, know that while Super Stickman Golf 2 is fiendishly addictive, and stuffed to the brim with content and challenges, there are just a few inelegant fumbles when it comes to dipping deeper into your pockets.

If you can get past the game's "buy as you go" set-up and increasing difficulty, you'll find tons of value in Cogs. The presentation is top-notch and the gameplay will grind your gears, and we mean that in a good way.

All told, this is another good game from OrangePixel, and a solid pick-up for adventurers who prefer to kill first and ask questions later. We look forward to updates in the months ahead.

It's the current benchmark for iPhone/iPad graphics, and serves as a window into the future. Don't balk at the price. Cough up the dough and give those aliens the business end of Slade's shotgun.

It's a great game to be sure. Extremely playable and thankfully portable, it can have you going for hours on end. But seriously, I wouldn't mind if they tried to break out of the JRPG mold a little more.

A perfect fit for smartphones and tablets. The user-friendly touch controls make movement and shooting easy enough, and after getting killed, players only have to wait a few seconds to rejoin.

One of the prettiest and most entertaining iPhone and iPad games, and for $0.99, you'd be foolish to ignore it.

It remains to be seen whether Temple Run is the greatest running game on the App Store, but it's without question one of the best. For a buck, it's definitely worth a look.

Even if you think you're grown hopelessly tired of endless runners - or, for that matter, zombies - Infectonator: Hot Chase will still win you over. Like the hero you control, it'll certainly grow on you - but without that pesky infection.

Where others have merely replicated, Pixelbite has managed to innovate with its polarity boost mechanics, and it's a game that deserves a place on any racing fan's phone.

While Midnight Carnival ends too soon, it's a smile-inducing side trip that's worth downloading on your PSP or PSP Go.

If you can tolerate the ever-so-slightly weird experience of playing this jingling, festively tuned game in the New Year, then Bubble Season will give you a pretty satisfying mental workout once you've progressed past the early stages.

We don't condone abusing animals, but we still recommend Hackycat for its intense touchscreen play, power-ups (rainbows are a godsend) and lighthearted presentation.

It may not be the deepest strategy game on the App Store, but fans of other card-battling heavyweights such as Rage of Bahamut will feel right at home in Spellstorm's world. There's a huge variety of creature cards to collect and evolve, a generous campaign to work through, and a far more engaging world to explore in comparison to the competition. It won't convert any genre naysayers, but card strategy fans are in for an unusually high quality treat here.

If anything, Fish Out of Water! proves that oftentimes, the simplest ideas fuel the best games. We've yet to decide where it ranks among Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, but one thing is certain, you'll be hooked.

Sophisticated it ain't, but if you can stomach the subject matter and the gentle nudges towards the in-app purchase store, this is as fine a way to kill a ten minute wait as any other.

It's something a little bit different, it's beautifully crafted, and unquestionably entertaining for a time.

Where the game falters (and it's minor, really) is the repetition that comes from grinding and the somewhat lengthy load times between missions. But if you cut your virtual teeth on the likes of Smash TV and Total Carnage, Gun Bros 2 should find its way onto your favorite device, maybe longer than expected, considering Glu plans to add more MODS and vehicles in future updates.

World War Z crashed on us once and there appears to be an issue among some Android players, but by and large, it's an impressively-made shooter and collect-a-thon that manages to avoid the dreaded movie game curse. You'll have to pay $4.99 to download it, and we feel it's worth the money, especially if you're in need of a zombie fix.

Monster-splattering fun. Sure, it plays like countless games that have come before it, but this action fest will keep you glued to the iPhone for hours, thanks to its addictive combat, detailed visuals and dramatic score. Three bucks well spent.

The gameplay offers a few tricks up its sleeve, like with the mugging system and unscrewing the car radios out of vehicles for bonus cash. The presentation appears to be top notch, without missing any steps during its translation to the PSP. And the extras come aplenty.

Throw in a very addictive Survival mode, leaderboards, in-game achievements and 3D models of each pistol, machine gun and sniper rifle, and Overkill 2 contains plenty of appealing features that help make it one of the coolest freemium titles.

Don't let Cyto get lost in the noise of the brasher physics puzzlers on the App Store. It may have its moments of frustration, ones where you feel the game is working against you just a little more than is strictly fair, but this is still one of the finest new games you can get for your mobile this week, and we want to see more of its kind in 2013.

Overall, it's a lot of fun, especially as you unlock achievements and post high scores through Game Center, but you'll need a certain level of patience to deal with constant restarts that make iStunt 2 more of a stop and go experience; it definitely puts a damper on the action.

The presentation hooked us from the beginning. The simplistic and mostly black and white graphics take us back to the Atari 2600 days, and the spacey music does a great job lulling us into a somewhat relaxed state.

If you enjoy South Park or even pinball in general, these are an awesome couple of tables you'll undoubtedly want to spend plenty of time with.