Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition ($9.99)

Super Monkey Ball is fairly synonymous with iPhone gaming, so it's little surprise to see an enhanced version of the sequel launch alongside the iPad. Still, while it comes pretty much as expected, the Sakura Edition is both nicely equipped and a good fit for the device, arriving with more than 100 total stages and new mini-games for the iPad. Tilting the iPad to roll the titular ball across increasingly elaborate stages feels right, and the game sports a clean, crisp look on the tablet.

We Rule (Free)

Here's another free game worth your attention on iPad. We Rule arrives on iPad shortly after its initial iPhone launch, and the kingdom-building game is fairly robust and very much social in nature. You must be logged in to play We Rule, but the upside is you'll be able to visit friends' kingdoms to interact and purchase items. Like ngmoco's other recent titles, We Rule is free to download, but you can spend some cash to improve the game by speeding up otherwise sluggish processes (like growing crops).

N.O.V.A. - Near Orbital Vanguard Alliance HD ($9.99)

Gameloft's sci-fi shooter certainly takes many cues from Microsoft's Halo franchise, but it's hard to think of a better first-person shooter on the iPhone. The iPad version offers a smooth visual experience, but some of the coolest upgrades come with the control scheme, which lets you curve grenade throws with a two-finger swipe, as well as target multiple enemies. With a complete campaign and online multiplayer, N.O.V.A. HD is sure to be a hot pick for early iPad action fans.

Tap Tap Radiation (Free)

Rather than bring its established Tap Tap Revenge series directly to the iPad, Tapulous instead opted to rework the rhythm title and unleash it as Tap Tap Radiation for the tablet. From what we've played so far, it's even better in this refreshed iteration, as the larger touch pads make it easier to jam along to the tracks. Radiation is free, but only ships with a few tracks. Luckily, several extra songs can be purchased, like a six-pack of Lady Gaga hits for just $2.99.

X-Plane for iPad ($9.99)

Movements of the iPad are surprisingly suitable substitutes for a proper joystick in this traditional flight simulator, which is unlike anything else on the device at the moment. X-Plane may not be as fully featured as its computer counterparts, but for a $10 handheld app, it nails enough of the sensation of piloting a jet plane to be well worth a look for both on-the-move sim junkies and casual flying fans.

Zen Bound 2 ($7.99)

Secret Exit's iPhone puzzle hit returns on iPad with a visually upgraded iteration that features 100+ total stages. In Zen Bound 2, you're tasked with wrapping a set amount of rope around a series of wooden sculptures, with a certain percentage of the sculpture needing to be covered to pass the stage. Between the minimalist soundtrack and at-your-own-pace approach, it's easy to zone out and get lost in this pleasant puzzler.

Sam & Max: Chapter 1: The Penal Zone ($9.99)

One of the surprise releases on the App Store this weekend was the debut episode of the third season of Telltale Games' well-received humor/adventure series, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse. Launched two weeks before it arrives on other platforms, The Penal Zone is a hilarious graphic adventure boosted by strong, cartoon-like 3D visuals. Even if you're a newcomer to Sam & Max, The Penal Zone is a great place to start, and if you love it, four more episodes are planned for the coming months!

Touchgrind HD ($7.99)

If you ever bought a Tech Deck or any other sort of finger-controlled skateboard, you'll probably love Touchgrind HD. The concept is the same: you use two fingers to manipulate a board around a skate park, shifting your fingers around the board to navigate and pull off tricks. It takes a bit of time to learn how to control the board, but once you do, Touchgrind HD can be an epic time killer. Plus, the iPad version adds a split-screen two-player mode, so bring your skate crew!

Need for Speed: Shift ($14.99)

If you're seeking a slick iPad racing game with more of an arcade bent, check out Need for Speed: Shift. Like Real Racing HD, Shift features licensed vehicles and realistic visuals, but also lets you trigger nitro boosts, whip around turns using over-the-top drift maneuvers, and bump competitors aside for points. Shift comes at a definite premium, boasting a $15 price point, but includes 18 tracks, 28 cars (eight of which are exclusive to the iPad version), and some very polished aesthetics.

Civilization Revolution for iPad ($12.99)

We had few complaints about the stellar iPhone version of turn-based strategy favorite Civilization Revolution, but the upgraded iPad iteration really shows it up, using the extra screen real estate to display quite a bit more detail than before. The turn-based strategy genre might seem daunting to newcomers, but with multiple difficulty settings and handy advisors, Civilization Revolution's a bit more accessible than your average genre fare. Plus, the iPad version adds a scenario creator to let you customize your experience.