The Breakout clone Brickzors doesn't beat the original.

An exhaustive and, more importantly, finely balanced release, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing offers up a watershed moment for karting on iPhone.

Slow to start, and surprisingly easy to fail at first, give Pocket Academy time and it'll grip just as hard as Kairosoft's previous management games.

A classic example of pushing the hardware too far, Ionocraft Racing has an entertaining concept at its core but is let down badly by a stuttering frame-rate and a lack of rivals to race against.

BackStab sails on restless oceans, thrown about by ropey controls and annoying bugs, but it remains a swashbuckling romp that will appeal to fans of Captain Jack Sparrow and his kin – if they can stay the course, that is.

An innovative take on the slice-'em-up genre whose new ideas and simple controls will endear it to fans of the Chop Chop series and newcomers alike.

Hills of Glory: WWII is an entertaining tower defence romp, but it's too difficult without IAPs and too easy with them.

A well presented freemium take on Theme Park-style games, Tiny Tower wins plaudits for its early activity and quirky nature, but lacks long-term compulsion.

Trenches: Generals adds multiplayer, but falls short of the original iPhone strategy game in terms of accessibility.

Utterly intense, but ridiculously addictive at the same time, Pudding Panic's marriage of fear and food delivers a puzzler without comparison on iPhone.

Frustrating in all the right ways, this sophisticated head-scratcher is a must for puzzle nuts.

Luxor on the iPhone is everything we hoped it would be and more. It's currently the best marble-popper on the App Store.

With a simple play mechanic and beautiful retro presentation, A Long Way Home is big on atmosphere, small on gameplay.

A retro platformer that stands out from the crowds with its evocative presentation, exploration, and firm-but-fair controls.

Taking too much inspiration from other – much better – games, Infinite Dreams' shooter never rises to the quality of the titles it wishes it was, instead providing a bland but competent shmup.

Samantha Swift and The Hidden Roses of Athena is perfect for hidden object fans, although it's rather on the short side.

One for fans of the film only as charismatic visuals are not enough to mask problematic controls and monotonous gameplay.

A little too complex to get into its stride, FishMoto nevertheless looks wondrous in motion, if you can stand to stick to its strict rule set.

An atmospheric and good-looking twin-stick shooter that's saddled with crushingly linear downtime, a rubbish plot, and control issues.

A solid match-three puzzler saved by a recent update, Zoo Keeper DX Touch Edition would benefit greatly from a dash of innovation to help it stand out from the crowd.

City of Wonder is a competent city-building social game that does not rely heavily on in-app purchases but is not one for the impatient.

Charm and challenge in a neat 22MB file that will sit on your PSP for a lifetime. While it's an unforgiving game in places, it largely overcomes this with a vibrant and intelligent design ethos.

Cell Bound has the nucleus of a great puzzler, but the rush to introduce new ingredients contaminates this interesting experiment.

Lacking cohesion and decent collision detection, Marvel Kapow! fails to land a decent blow.

With its endearing visuals, finger-friendly gameplay and stern challenge, Monster Soup proves to be an excellent iPhone puzzler. Only the lack of play options and that all-important multiplayer mode hold it back.

While it won't challenge seasoned puzzle gamers, Tic Toc Body Pop is a fun robot posing game and suitable for all ages.

Popstar Physics: Save Toshi 2 isn't pretty, but it sure is addictive.

While it sounds bare, Zynga's Hanging With Friends is a well-featured casual game that takes Hangman to new heights.

Jewels of the Ages is satisfying for a short while, but the lack of gameplay variety means boredom is not far off.

A throwaway bit of fluff that nonetheless entertains for every minute you play it.

With charming cartoon visuals and pin-sharp controls, Rocket Bunnies is addictive, planet-tapping fun.

Beautiful but slim and unexciting, Hard Racing is a title you'll want to steer clear of.

The hand-drawn animation is superb but Dragon's Lair II doesn't offer anything new over its illustrious predecessor, and in fact feels like a less appealing game due to its nonsensical plot.

Slow and saddled with a frustrating interface, Companions has a lot to say, but only the most patient will want to listen.

Flick Golf Extreme! isn't a major departure from the original's arcade strokeplay, but the new locations and game mode are still a welcome addition to the formula.

The Incredible Machine won't impress in the same fashion as when it was first released, but it still offers a decent collection of surreal physics puzzles.

While the freemium model may deter some, Shadow Cities is MMORPG is good fun, and free to those who don't mind grinding.

With a host of new features and visual improvements, Galaga 30th Collection is an essential package for arcade fans, while the inclusion of Galaxian for free means that there is no excuse not to try it.

A gloriously inventive combination of Nokia's Snake and Tron's light cycles, Hard Lines includes a dazzling variety of modes and provides weeks of entertainment for short-burst gamers and dedicated score-chasers alike.

Utterly addictive in nature, 1000 Heroz's series of daily races is undoubtedly hard to put down, though working out the right path from the wrong one is even more difficult than in a bible parable.

Solid, simple, and effective controls are the basis for an entertaining one-touch experience.

dream:scape weaves a compelling tale, but it's a real slog to reach the finish. Promising, but ultimately disappointing.

Despite one or two control inadequacies, Blackout represents a creditable attempt at offering up something new to the match-three puzzle genre.

A little harder than the previous entry, Episode 4 HD continues the Back to the Future story, warts and all.

Handsome and unrepentant, Rip Off combines borrowed gameplay and artistic concepts to create something that justifies its theft.

Polished, addictive, and disarmingly sweet, Joining Hands is the perfect puzzling pick-me-up.

Almost like as a dribbler's bible, Bonecruncher Soccer is a nice addition to this year's football line up, schooling the art of mazy runs in true arcade style.

A high calibre fighting game with stunning graphics, great mechanics, and solid controls that simply imports too many elements to be truly great in its own right.

Not quite as simple as it should be, Bird Strike is nonetheless a fun-filled arcade game packed with style.

Combining a fishing simulation with online multiplayer and crazy mini-games, Big Fish sits uncomfortably in the genre.

Despite its polished presentation and solid execution, Kung Fu Panda 2: Be The Master borrows too liberally from Fruit Ninja and Doodle Jump, adding nothing original to their gameplay.

An overly simplistic take on the franchise, Monster Hunter Dynamic Hunting is dismantled by a control system that's all too often not fit for purpose.

Monsterz Revenge is too scattered to be fun, its colourful charm offset by oddball tendencies and disjointed gameplay.

A spellbinding combination of hidden object and adventure gaming, Midnight Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials is as captivating to behold as it is to play.

Without structure and a user-friendly design, Beaterator is not so much a game as it is a musical toy - and not a very entertaining one at that.

A unique brand of colour-matching puzzler gameplay ensures Bayo Bongo provides plenty of instant gratification and just enough depth to make it worthy of consideration.

Proof that four wheels aren't necessarily better than two, Ducati Challenge boasts slick visuals, realistic controls, and solid gameplay. Online multiplayer would have taken it to the top step, but it's a solid podium finish regardless.

The building blocks of solid strategy are in place, but Battlefield Moon drops the ball when it comes to presentation and gameplay; the fact that it seems to run at a snail's pace doesn't help matters much, either.

Axion features good role-playing hampered by myriad design flaws including a poor interface and clunky controls.

Aurora Feint 3 gives you some idea of the potential for the RPG match-three fantasy series on iPad, but there's little meat on the bones as yet.

Occasionally confusing instructions and repetitive nature aside, Aurifi is a fascinating experiment with sound which proves that you don't need high-res visuals to make a compelling interactive experience.

A fun physics-based puzzler that, with more levels and some fine-tuning, could yet be an iPhone essential.

Immensely difficult at points and not always enjoyable, Artilect doesn't consistenly deliver when it comes to entertainment.

Employing a relative simple mechanic, trading card game Arena 9 offers a lot of tactical variation, which is both a strength and weakness.

Aractroid's simple gameplay is loaded with possibility, which more than makes up for a lack of extra modes and so-so presentation.

While differing from the main series, ANNO: The Harbor explores a new style of gameplay that proves franchises can have exciting new life on iPhone and iPod touch.

With phenomenal hint systems, a lengthy adventure, and inventive multiplayer on iPad, Amazon: Hidden Expedition is a delight.

Devilishly playable and packed with action, Alien Space long-term appeal is limited in terms of variety.

Alien Panic is a one-note line-drawing game that's colourful in tone, but not in nature.

With controls that make shooting an ordeal, Al Rambone: Hussein in the Membrane is an ill-advised take on the war on terror that is terrifying itself.

Good-looking and instantly accessible, Icebreaker Hockey will be another smash hit for NaturalMotion.

Murder In Venice has a great story with plenty of twists, but doesn't provide decent enough puzzles and gameplay to back it up.

Simple and attractive, Mighty Fin offers up a short but well-made casual fillet.

Ocarina of Time 3D is, and forever will be, pure unadulterated bliss, taking the original title and making it essential gaming all over again.

While solid and bracingly difficult, A Knights Dawn is a very average tower defence experience.

The Secret Tree of Life will give your brain a real workout, with challenging puzzles and plenty of intrigue.

Tri-Tri-Triobelisk is basic, different, and fun, just like a classic arcade title. But it's best when played with friends.

Pumped full of character and charm, Feed Me Oil is a little too tight in practice, but nonetheless delivers an intriguing physics puzzler that bodes well for a sequel or two.

While offering nothing radically new or different, House of Mice is an entertaining and charismatic physics based puzzle game.

Good-looking and fun to play, Incredible Express manages to bridge the gap between casual strategy and tough puzzler with aplomb.

Demolition Dash brings Rampage-like fun to the iPhone, guaranteeing players tons of destructive satisfaction wrapped in a visually engaging art style.

Pretty to look at and fun to play, Nuts! is a competent 3D alternative to Doodle Jump.

An entertaining, if familiar, shooter, Velocispider may not be the most original title on the App Store, but it offers up a good dose of dependable old skool gaming.

A flawed but fun puzzler with honourable intent.

If you're looking to grab a DSiWare title in preparation for the upcoming 3DS eShop, Mighty Milky Way would be a mighty good choice, providing plenty of fun and intrigue.

A little overwhelming, but very slick to play, Current will have its fans, but the majority of players will be left bewildered.

Leaping off the roof of a tall building wouldn't be a good idea in real life, and Rooftop Escape's sterile and ultimately fruitless play proves it's not such a good idea in a video game, either.

Unique, bizarre and totally great, Persona 3 Portable is an Otaku's dream and the strongest antidote to run-of-the-mill JRPGs going.

A polished, entertaining, and varied assortment of brainteasers that's a must have for any iPhone puzzle fan.

Angry Hipsters is a rebel without a clue. It seeks to gain attention in the wake of Angry Birds, but fails to entertain on even the most basic level.

Tower Defense: Lost Earth lives up to its official status and gives the App Store a well-presented and enjoyable tower defence experience.

Despite being reasonably lengthy, DeckMake Fantasy's shallow story, repetitive battles and translation issues mean that it's difficult to recommend to those who aren't fond of the genre.

Dead or Alive: Dimensions has a fighting style that fits the system its running on, and some excellent graphics.

A blistering combination of killer visuals and arresting shooter gameplay, Danmaku Unlimited will send bullet hell fans into bullet heaven.

Touchgrind BMX is fast, addictive and enjoyable to play. Sadly, a crushing lack of tricks and some serious control and camera frustrations hold it back from being an essential ride.

Great fun for a while, but frustration will likely set in before the home stretch. Here's hoping a sequel hits the heights that To-Fu can't quite reach.

Part 3 is an enjoyable continuation of the Back To the Future story, but is still plagued by the technical issues of past attempts.

A fantastic adaptation of an excellent boardgame, and a must-buy for strategy fans.