Ninja Pong is a simple game. But like many arcade classics, it inspires a desire to improve that will keep it entertaining long after you've seen all it has to offer.

Goodnight Games has made an interesting action game in Malevolent Machines [$1.99]. It's a game with some clever ideas, and a unique art style that looks both a little ugly and yet detailed and stylish in its own way. It's a game with some bugs and issues, but a lot of good ideas at the heart that shine through the experience. It's an experience that may be off-putting to some folks, but its unique charms and quirks wormed its way into my heart as an entertaining and unique action game.

Lichtspeer comes with a solid amount of content. The 13 levels alone for $3.99 would be worth it, but there are multiple difficulties to play after that, not to mention the quest for gold medals on each level. If you preordered for $1.99, you're a freaking genius. The developers estimate about 4-6 hours, and that sounds about accurate. There isn't an endless mode, though this would be perfect for mobile in particular. If you like replaying existing content to maximize your performance, then you'll get a ton of fun out of Lichtspeer. Its difficulty and control frustrations mean this is only for patient players, overall Lichtspeer is a goofy good time.

The story is quite good, the characters are interesting to get to know, and the translation is pretty solid. As a result it's a very readable visual novel.

Stuttery control issues aside, Blazing Star features some of the most intricate shooter gameplay you can find in the vast pool of shmups available on the App Store.

While the game doesn’t do a whole lot to shake up the formula and its story is going to be largely nonsensical to those unfamiliar with the somewhat vintage Record of Lodoss War property, the controls are tight, the pacing is brisk, and the map designs are strong. It’s a very pleasant Metroidvania experience, and the six or so hours it takes to finish go by in a flash. Those who love Symphony of the Night in particular will find this game wonderfully familiar in all the best ways. I doubt it will inspire many imitators of its own, but it’s very well-done.

I really, really like Mad Skills BMX, and keeping in mind its challenge and somewhat steep learning curve, I still totally recommend giving it a try.

It’s a relatively lengthy game for its genre and the back half will test your patience at times, but as a whole Astalon is a terrific game that may surprise you in some interesting ways. Some issues with backtracking keep it from being a total slamdunk, but if you’re feeling nostalgic for that old style of exploratory action game that can be a little opaque in a good way, you’re likely going to have a very good time with Astalon: Tears of the Earth.

Glyder 2 delivers a fanciful, aerial questing experience to your iPhone or iPod touch. It, like its forerunner, is a highly enjoyable game that's challenging, and at the same time, relaxing.

Sketch Nation Shooter is easily recommended simply because it does something no other app can do– it allows you to design competent games and share them with your friends.

I can safely say that if you enjoy roguelite action games such as Dead Cells or more intense examples like Spelunky, you’ll find a lot to like in Vagante. There’s a lot to discover in this game, and it never stops feeling dangerous enough to produce the tension that makes this genre work so well. It also has some great multiplayer options for those who want to tackle a game like this with that advantage and/or disadvantage. A well-rounded experience where you get all of the fun of building up a character and all of the thrills of narrowly evading instant-death traps. Give it a chance, and you’ll reap the rewards.

Although Triangle Strategy might not be the second coming of Final Fantasy Tactics that some are hoping for, it’s an excellent entry into the tactical RPG genre that should have players enraptured for dozens of hours. Just be prepared to spend an awful lot of time with characters who have a tendency to talk too much and say too little. The plot itself is intriguing enough and the gameplay mechanics compelling enough to keep you coming back, but one can’t help but pine for the character work of the games that clearly inspired this one.

The basic mechanics reward mastery without being overly complicated, and it just feels good to zip around dungeons like a little whirling dervish of destruction.

Playdek always does a wonderful job making the digital versions of these card games, and their familiar touch is in full effect here. The game is fully furnished with voices, albeit in Japanese, sound effects, and appropriate music. As a conversion, it's top-notch, no complaints.

For anyone looking for an accessible, heartwarming, laid-back casual game with no strings attached, Doctor Life is the perfect companion to waste hours of your life before you turn around.

If Pixelocity can find a way to streamline matchmaking and add a friends list, and possibly even a single-player component for offline play, then Disc Drivin' could be really huge.

Ok, it's basically the plot from the 1986 film The Fly mashed up with elements of Spiderman, but it works pretty well in setting up the story for Banzai Rabbit.

I enjoyed the game's take on sliding puzzles quite a bit, and would certainly recommend trying it out to any puzzle game fans.

If you enjoy weird, wonderful things or have ever wondered what it'd be like if Pug Luv Beats had been more of a game than a musical toy, you seriously need to check out Bad Hotel.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a great fighter with a lot of modes and features to enjoy. While its presentation isn’t quite up to snuff with some of the other versions of the game, relative to other Switch games in the genre it carries itself well enough. Some missing online features will be of more concern to those who intend to take their battles into the digital space, but overall this is a strong pick-up for Persona fans and those looking for a little on-the-go pugilism alike.

It's fun, fast, and easy to run just "one more round" on, especially with the exciting power-ups that pop up that grant extra firepower, as fleeting as they may be. Note that there isn't a whole lot in terms of strategic depth though, even in the form of getting deliberately captured by the enemy and escaping to grant yourself an edge -- something the original had going for it.

I don’t know if Family Man is for everyone. Its visual style is certainly modest. Its themes are darker than you might expect. The minigames and other activities are shallow enough that you might get tired of them. Your choices don’t mean nearly as much as you might hope. It’s an unusual game, but there’s a charm to it that I can’t deny. While some of what it’s doing is a sleight-of-hand magic trick, it’s one that has been pulled off fairly well.

I assume that if you’ve taken any interest at all in EGGCONSOLE, you’re willing to accept some of the cruft that comes with games of this time and place. If so, I invite you to check out Yokai Tantei. It’s a great take on some familiar concepts, and one you’ve likely never experienced before.

If you like the idea of building castles, goofy or otherwise, and like a little bit of economics simulation, this game is tailor made for you.

Despite the controls, which I hope they address in a future update, Projection: First Light is a game worth playing. Its beautiful scenery, great music, and cute wordless story outweigh the annoying controls and interactions with shadows and different objects. You might even rage quit because of its controls and interactions, but the game is so good you’ll want to pay again almost right away.

I do really dig what this game does, though, with its mobile-friendly gameplay and great balance of challenge and playability. At least give the ad-supported version a shot.

Subdivision Infinity is a slick-looking shooter that offers excellent action and accessible, arcade-style gameplay. It's a straightforward game that has a few nasty difficulty spikes here and there, and it will definitely test both your skills and patience at times. That said, the pure thrill of zipping around and shooting down a pack of enemies more than balances out those frustrating moments. It isn't much more than a weekend's worth of joy, but it's a weekend well-spent, to be sure.

While the incremental upgrades probably won't win over gamers that weren't fans of the original, Hunters 2 still offers a compelling turn-based strategy experience.