There are so many games in the iTunes App Store that sometimes it's really hard to figure out what to download and what's worth playing. There's also the dilemma of the age old adage that if it isn't broken, there's no point in fixing it. And, well, so many game companies have already perfected the kind of games we're looking for, so why bother looking anywhere else? Well, I can answer this one for you: do the words "free" ring a bell?

If you wish you had a free alternative to popular games like Plants vs. Zombies and Bubble Bobble, you're in luck! I've found exactly what you're looking for. Maybe. Take a look for yourself after the cut and save a couple of bucks on all those big blockbuster games with these free alternatives. Because you can't spell "free" without the "f" from "fun", right? Glad we're all in accordance here.

Mac

iZumas

iZumas isn't backed by the same fabulous jungle tunes as PopCap's Zuma and Zuma's Revenge, nor is it backed by everyone's favorite game publisher, PopCap. In fact, the description in the Mac App Store is hardly intelligible, but I can say for certain that I've played the game and it's just like PopCap's Zuma, except that the game's protagonist is a tortoise and the owl is the animal you're fleeing from. Don't get eaten, kids!

Bubble Shootix

I remember Bubble Bobble as a kid. Bubble Shootix is exactly like Bubble Bobble, except it's also kind of like Tetris because the "pearls" continually drop down from up top. This free game also has some very cool graphic effects, and it's a great time waster if you're in between meetings at work.

iOS

WackaMonsta

Now, if you're looking for a real Bubble Bobble clone, WackaMonsta just as delightful as the arcade classic it's based off of. However, instead of adorable dinosaurs, little monsters spit up colored bubbles to "whack" the other ones.

Legendary Wars Free

If it's one thing that's hard to find, it's a free Plants vs. Zombies clone. Fortunately, Legendary Wars is worthy of this cause. You job is to build up a massive army of archers, golems, and even wizards to fight against the Netherworld. While the free version only gives you 7 levels, it's good to get some practice in before you decide to actually fork over the 99 cents for the full version of the game.

Words with Friends

You already know about this game and you're probably wondering why I'm even bothering to include it in this round up. That's because, once upon a time, I really needed a Scrabble helper. I needed someone to teach me the ins and outs of winning the game, or at least doing better than connecting words like "at" and "door". Words with Friends helped me make it in the big leagues, and I probably wouldn't have managed that if it wasn't free.

Jumpy Monkey

Oh, Doodle Jump. Your simplistic, doodled-during-class graphics are no match for this free version. Jumpy Monkey is jumpy, and he needs you to wiggle around your iOS device and get him up to the top--wherever he seems to be going.

Shadow Era

When I said popular games, I meant popular games. Magic the Gathering is still really popular among these parts of town--the nerd parts, that is. And because I actually have no idea how to play the game, I'm glad there are apps out there that can teach me the rules of The Gathering and get me geared up for my eventual foray into this wonderful world of card-flipping fantasy.