The dual-screen platformer Grinder will give both your thumbs (and patience) a serious workout.

Reckless Getaway runs out of petrol before the finish, but otherwise this exciting racer is well worth a test drive.

Better on flash, 8 Ball Pool is still an enjoyable - if limited - game of pool to play on the move.

An unusually slow-paced puzzler with a single control niggle which holds it back from greatness.

Squirmee and the Puzzling Tree's tricky puzzles, novel controls, and distinctive ideas ensure that it firmly sits near the top of the iPhone puzzle tree.

Xevious is a true arcade classic, offering a delicate slice of shooting action that will seriously test your gaming skills. The asking price, however, is far too high to fully recommend.

Twin-stick blasting goes online with this excellent and highly addictive title. If you can stomach the large amount of time required to unlock the best weapons, you'll find a long-lasting challenge awaits.

The online mode shows promise, but cheap computer-controlled opponents and a curious lack of excitement make Protoxide one for dedicated combat racers only.

Brimming with content, eminently replayable, and much improved over previous iterations, Sid Meier's Pirates! is a must-have for any self-respecting iPad buccaneer.

A strong ending to a good series, if you've pushed past the technical issues this far then there's no reason why you shouldn't complete the set.

Fans of historical pseudo-realism will find the format intriguing but a disappointing fighting system nestling at its core scuppers much of the potential of Gladiator Begins.

First baffling, then mesmerising, Deflex proves a welcome change of pace for Minter.

Time Geeks: Cloneggs's delightful pixel art and pop culture-inspired sprites are not charismatic enough to compensate for a solid but ultimately mediocre matching puzzler.

Xtreme Wheels is an undeniably fun ride, though the 3D visuals sometimes tax the iPad too much.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty has strong core concept in terms of its gesture gameplay, but rough edges blunt its appeal.

A technically ambitious but unintentionally hilarious shooter that's far too flawed to recommend.

A solid platform game that is well worth picking up despite falling just short in its slingshot leap towards greatness.

Despite a few gaps in its defence, Z is a solid time-killer for the solo strategist.

A good-looking, well written side-scrolling platform/RPG hybrid failed by its lack of online functionality and one-dimensional gameplay.

Though Jack's time-travelling tale is a touch bizarre, the gameplay it's built around serves as the idea model for a time-management sim, delivering a title that's as welcoming as it is engaging.

Taito's Qix is reborn in this visually arresting puzzle title, but fans will have to learn to live with its rough edges in order to gain maximum enjoyment.

A clever and tactical game that just lacks the extra features to truly ascend to the top of the deck.

Until Magic: The Gathering comes to iPhone, Kard Combat will rule the dark magic roost, with hours of single-player card battling action and wonderful multiplayer options.

Despite its cartoon art style and arcadey gameplay, Shake Spears! scores thanks to the surprising tactical intelligence it requires.

Dragging The Settlers into the world of 3D, Monarchia: Second Dawn's set up could do with refining, but it holds up well enough to deliver a rich and absorbing experience.

Finger Shoes is a walking concept that ultimately leads nowhere.

Block Breaker 3 Unlimited's great visuals, effective controls, and multitude of modes and features make this an essential purchase for block-breaking fans.

A fun and easy to play strategy game that entertains with its great graphics and wide variety of troops and missions.