Featured App: Princess Phone

Featured App: Princess Phone by AppsNMinded

Perfect for the little ones, your kids will have fun answering the questions asked in Princess Call. What's your favorite ice cream? Color? Can we talk again?

This cute little app is the perfect distraction for your own princess, who can have a grown up conversation on Princess Phone. Check out Princess Phone on the App Store today.

Thumb Wars review

Thumb Wars by appsNminded
Current price: $0.99
Reviewed at v1.0
One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war!
Thumbs Wars for the iPhone and iPod Touch lets you relive those intense childhood matches of Thumb War.
This app provides three levels of difficultly for you test your thumb: captain, major, lieutenant. The game is presented in Lichtenstein-pop-art style graphics, making for fun and attractive animations.
While this game does allow flexibility in offering three levels (captain being the hardest) it is quite challenging, even for me. I had my nieces & cousins try out the app and they all had difficulty pinning down the elusive thumb. It moves quickly, of course, but instructions aren't clear on when exactly to pin it down.
The game should probably feature clearer instructions, especially if the game is trying to be kid-friendly. I'd also like to hear some cool sound effects, which would further enhance the game.
This game has lots of promise, but if it doesn't get easier it won't be such an approachable application for the different age groups.
The gameplay is really the main aspect that needs polishing. The premise of a thumb war is simple, but I feel the gameplay should be more direct and easier to approach.
For more information on Thumb Wars, visit the iTunes Store or appsnminded.com.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: N/A
Replay Value: 3/5
Overall Value: 3/5

Pinball Destruction review

Pinball Destruction by Martin Reddy

Current Price: $0.99

Reviewed at v1.0

Pinball Destruction is a fun, straightforward pinball app that's actually quite fun and refreshing. The boards are simple yet colorful and you control the game by tapping the bottom left and right corners.

The goal is to hit the different pins and clear them off the board. From there, after you "destroyed" the table, you move onto the next level. This adds a twist to the normal pinball game that makes Pinball Destruction all the move fun and enjoyable.

The game provides a similar experience at every play yet with different outcomes. You never know how long you'll last and it's fun to see how far you can go. There's a leaderboard that appears after you've ended your run to see how you rank up.

There are few games that are this simple yet provide enough levels of gameplay to keep people going. Pinball Destruction is a fun game and great value at 99 cents. Check it out today.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Overall Value: 4/5

Ruben & Lullaby review

Ruben & Lullaby by Erik Loyer

Current Price: $2.99

LE: NO

Reviewed at v1.0

A top contender in International Games festivals, Ruben & Lullaby is a unique cross between the graphic novel and the game.  

Ruben & Lullaby have been dating for five months, and at the start of the game, is their first quarrel. From then on, their fate as a couple is in your hands. Tilt your device left and right to progress their argument, shake and hold a finger down to madden someone, or run your finger across the screen to calm them down. Gameplay is unique and may take people some getting used to; the learning curve isn't steep, but provides a different angle of direction than typical games.

The art work, by Ezra Claytan Daniels, is stunning. The subdued colors keep the character's emotions intact, while helping gamers distinguish frustration from disbelief. The emotions of the character's come alive, even though there are no animations. It's a definite achievement of the artist. 

There are 5 outcomes of this game, although I've only ended up with 2 so far. There is no 'direct' way to come out with these different outcomes, forcing the player to uniquely imagine the scenario. 

Listen to the music as you play--it seems to mimic the emotions of the scene. This adds another layer of gameplay and helps build up the emotions in the scene. 

I have never played a game from the App Store quite like Ruben and Lullaby. Graphic novels, I've read, games, I've played--but never before have I encountered a bridging of the two in an application. This game provides a new texture to gaming, and shows just what the iPhone/iPod Touch can do. 

As far as gameplay, I know it will not appeal to everyone. Others may feel its too boring, or feel the actions available are limited. As far as replay value, certain players may feel frustrated because they end up with the same outcome, even though there are 5.  Perhaps in the future, more scenario's will be developed?

However, this is a unique game, and doesn't play out the same way for everyone. Gamers are in control of the scenario, and the combination of artwork, music, and player actions help develop the gameplay. 

Ruben & Lullaby takes only a few minutes to play until you reach a the end of the scene, but it is interesting to see how the scene plays out each time. This is a unique game that combines elements many have never seen before, like myself. At $2.99, purchasing this app is an investment in something unique, and deserving of attention. The art work, music, and unique gameplay help create Ruben & Lullaby, but ultimately, it's the gamers who are control. 

Graphics: 5/5

Sound: 5/5

Replay Value: 3/5

Value: 4/5 

Toy Raid review

Toy Raid by Flying Tiger Entertainment Inc.

Current Price: $0.99

LE?: NO

Reviewed at v1.0

Toy Raid by Flying Tiger Entertainment is a newly-released shooting game with relics of childhood toy battles and Parachute from early-gen iPods. With colorful visuals and fast-paced gameplay, Toy Raid is one of the hottest apps to release this summer. 

In Toy Raid, you're shooting anything and everything that comes after you in the air: helicopters, paratroppers, UFO's and more. Everything is coming after you to destroy your base. Don't worry, though, because along with these enemies from the sky are also plenty of special weapons/bullets to help you stay alive. Shake your device to active the nuke's!

You can play this game with either touch or tilt contols, but I prefer the latter. However, with both control mechanisms, I'd like to see smoother movements. Sometimes I feel the controls could be smoother and less clunky, especially with touch. Also, at times when playing on touch controls, I would activate a nuke. This may be due to the position I played it in, and it's not a huge deal--but worth mentioning.

Controls aside the graphics are eye-catching and keeps your attention throughout the game. The sound effects are clear and make Toy Raid even more fun and intense. The animations are fast, keeping gameplay exciting and fresh at each wave, of which there are over 50! 

Gameplay is intense yet incredibly fun. It's a simple shooter that doesn't require you to do much in order to be successful. The arcade-style gameplay is sure to appeal to a wide variety of gamers, especially those who looking for something simple yet fun and action packed.

There are no difficulty options; the game increases in difficulty in each wave, so there's really no need for it. Other options include sound off, English/Spanish language selection, control type, and a personal high-scores chart.

Truth be told, I've only reached Wave 11-barely 1/5th of the game! But, with that said, Toy Raid is worth every penny. Hopefully, the 50+ levels will last gamers of all skill level a long enough time to enjoy the arcade style fun of this app. 

The app is currently just $0.99--a bargain considering its replay value. Kudos to game designers John Brandsetter, Jeremy Klein, and Flying Tiger Entertainment for creating a great app! Grab Toy Raid now before the price goes up. 

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 4/5

Replay Value: 5/5

Value: 5/5

My Make Up review

My Make Up by AppsNMinded

Current Price: $0.99

LE: NO

Reviewed at v1.3

My Make Up is a great, kid-friendly make up application that's currently at the top of the Kids leaderboard in the App Store.

In this app, you have four different characters to doll up: Blake, Tia, Tessa, & Brooke. They say simple phrases like "Toodles" all in a British accent; very entertaining! 

There's s a good variety of make up to use; my niece enjoyed putting more formal colors and wacky ones on characters. Great fun for the little ones!

This application is geared towards kids, so it's easy to play and simple to use. It's a great app for children, and I'm sure there are updates to come to make this app even more fun.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

MyMemoryMad review

MyMemoryMad by Jaja & Co

Current Price $0.99

LE?: NO

Reviewed at v1.2

MyMemoryMad is a simple memory game, where you repeat the flashes and sounds of the five color panels in the correct order. Chances are you've played a game like this before.

You tap on the colors in the order they flashed in. Each level gets harder and harder, until you lose track. It's a definite challenge once you reach a certain level. 

You're scored and remarked on your memory once you go awry. 

The UI of the game is simplistic and could probably be livened up to be more appealing to the eye. The game doesn't offer much in terms of depth, and provides only one style of gameplay. 

Despite this, MyMemoryMad is a simple, true test of your short-term memory. It's a familiar game that will test you each time you play.

Graphics/Interface: 3/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Bug Squash review

Bug Squash by Faster Than Monkeys

Current Price: $0.99

LE?: YES

Reviewed at v1.2

Squash creepy crawlers--over 50 of them--in Bug Squash by Faster Than Monkeys. In each level, you have to tap faster or else your 10 lives will fly by fast (no pun intended). 

You can select from themed levels like "Beetle Mania" and "Spider Stampeded," or compete in my favorite, random, where all bug types are in play.

You have the option of selecting your own background picture, or go with the classic. It's a nice touch that can yield some funny personalization options (check out the snapshots in the App Store).

The gameplay is simple and the graphics are good. There are sounds effects that help add to the experience in the game. It's clear that this app isn't meant to wow gamers with intricate gameplay and meticulous graphics. It's supposed to entertain gamers, young or old, and Faster Than Monkeys accomplishes this beautifully. 

Overall, Bug Squash is a great app that's sure to entertain the kiddies, but also older crowds as well. There are plenty of levels to choose from and the gameplay is fast-paced and easy to pick up. If you're not sure about purchasing Bug Squash just yet, check out and play the LE first. 

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Parachute Panic review

Parachute Panic by FDG Entertainment

Current Price: $0.99

LE?: NO

Reviewed at v1.0

From the makers of the popular Bobby Carrot series comes Parachute Panic, a new casual game that challenges you to "successfully land a host of parachutists into passing boats." Dodge detering dangers including helicopters, U.F.O.'s, sharks, and thunder clouds.

The objective is clear: safely land the parachutists into the passing boats. Swipe your finger to control the direction of the parachutists via wind, in order to land them safely. This game can get quite challenging however, as dangers seem to clump around you. I've only landed about a dozen parachutists safely, in fact!

The hand-drawn graphics of the game are well done and the animations are fun. The gameplay requires you to act swiftly in order to be successful. You have 5 lives before you die.

The sounds of the game are quite ominous but add to the overall quality of the game. I find the gameplay to be challenging, yet refreshingly so, considering how easy other casual games are. It takes practice before you can master the game, so be prepared to get a little frustrated at times! But in all honesty, for the price of $0.99, you won't find another app as well done as Parachute Panic. While I wish there were more options to control the difficulty of the game, it remains a true challenge for gamers like myself.

The controls are easy to pick up; simply swipe your finger to create winds. This game isn't heavy duty by any means, but you do have to pay attention to the screen in order to stay alive. It is however something you can easily play on the go, lending itself to be a "casual game."

Overall, this is a high-quality app by FDG Entertainment, the same people that have delivered Bobby Carrot Forever. The animations are fantastic and the accessibility of the app is established within the first few minutes of gameplay. This app is sure to be a hit, so check it out while the price is low.

Graphics/Interface: 4/5

Sound: 4/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

iCanSketchIt review

iCanSketchIt by ChewSoft LLC
Current Price: $0.99
Reviewed at v3.3
iCanSketchIt is a competative drawing game that tests your precision and attention to detail. The app features three levels of difficulty with three level packs in each degree of difficulty. There are a total of 8 levels in each pack, so if you do the math that's 72 levels! Great variety.
The game using a grading scale to determine your score. You can view the image you're to draw as a guide. You fool around with the brush sizes and style to craft the perfect picture. From there, you're scored, given a total, and able to share them through a global server.
The app is unique. I haven't encountered anything like it before. The levels are enjoyable to play and it's fun seeing how well you'll turn at each picture.
iCanSketchIt is Feint enabled, so you can view the chatboard and talk with other gamers. A nice touch, but I don't view it often.
There are two game modes: precision and speed. In precision, you're not timed, but scored on your drawing precision. On Speed, you must hit a certain percentage of precision to progress, in addition to being timed. Intense!
This app is enjoyable. It's a competative drawing aap, offering something new to the table. You're also able to use the sketch pad and save pictures. It's not a comprehensive drawing game though, so it's pretty basic.
iCanSketchIt is created by ChewSoft, headed by Andrew Borland. They put an immense amount of effort into their apps and listen to consumers. It's one-of-a-kind app that provides a unique gaming experience.
Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

AniMatch review

AniMatch by Lima Sky LLC

Current Price: $0.99

Reviewed at v1.1.8

AniMatch is a kid-friendly matching game built for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Kids (and adults!) alike will enjoy this animal matching game, featuring a bevy of creatures, from raccoons to frogs to monkeys to lions & tigers and more!

The matching starts up right away. Matching on the 5x4 grid is fun and provides a challenge for all users.

Gamers are rewarded for matching up animals correctly, but also minused points when matches aren't made.

This game is geared mainly towards children, but it's the type of app that anyone can pick up and play.

The game is very fun to play for the little ones. It's definitely great to have on hand when you have your nieces, nephews, little cousins, or kids around. The pictures are pleasing and provide sufficient laughs and giggles. Controls are a breeze as well.

I short, AniMatch is a pleasure to play.

Tips from my 6-year old niece:

Provide a "hint" button (She got a little frustrated at times)

Ability to choose animals (Maybe in the form of a custom grid)

Graphics: 5/5

Sound: 5/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Labyrinth review

Labyrinth by Illusion Labs

Current Price: $2.99

Reviwed at v1.6.0

This app has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first apps I purchased from the Apple App Store, and has been one of the few that remain on my device.

Like the classic physical version of the game, in Labyrinth, you control a steel ball by tilting a wooden labyrinth, with the objective of getting it into the checkboard hole.

Like many buyers, I first used the lite version of this app. The app provides extremely precise physics and clear graphics, making Labyrinth a stunningly simple yet thoroughly enthralling app to play.

There are many downloadable level packs, which range from easy to difficult and everything in between. While the gameplay is repetative, you'll find levels sufficiently challenging.

There are a few options to tweak to the game to your preferences. You can game time limits to add a level of challenge to the gameplay, turn sound effects on and off, and play in 3D mode, which is also adjustable. These simple changes may seem trivial to other games, but to a simple game as Labyrinth, it makes a difference.

I purchased this app at around $6 or $7. I say take advantage of the current price drop. While this game is fun and challenging, there is only so much you can do with it.

Nonetheless, Labyrinth was the first app of its kind available on the Apple App Store. Illusion Labs has done an excellent job with this app, as many as the several other apps they have produced.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 4/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Up There review

Up There by Veiled Games
Current Price: $1.99
Reviewed at v1.2.1
Up There is one of those simple games that seem to stick to you, no matter how approachable the gameplay.
It's probably due to the attention to detail that's been put into this game. The hand-drawn graphics are beautiful and add to the aesthetic quality of the game; the music is fantastic, featuring original songs "Joy of Sky" and "Artic Moon." The levels transition seamlessly and the pacing of the game is smooth.
The objective is to keep the ballon from disappearing from the screen, or getting stuck underneath somewhere. Dodge bookshelves, branches, clouds and more as you continue on in the game. The gameplay is very straightforward, allowing gamers of all generations to experience Up There.
There are several options available to gamers as well. You can change difficulty from easy to hard (no in between), personalize your balloon pattern (I stick to red), try reverse controls, and choose songs. You're able to view personal and global scores as well.
With any straightforward game, Up There is repetative. When I first purchased it, my competative edge to get a top score was much higher than today, after having owned the app for months.
This game currently costs $1.99, but there is a lite version out now too. The game is worth the price; if you appreciate all the aspects of the game, you'll see its worth.
Graphics: 5/5

Sound: 5/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5