Gamers Get Ready, Get Set, Get iPadding
Posted 04/02/2010 at 9:51am
| by J Keirn-Swanson
Gaming has made up a significant part of the iPhone experience for some time now. We don't know one person with an iPhone who doesn't have some kind of novelty amusement, be it Scramble or PegJump or even iChess (we're quite partial to Ramp Champ ourselves).
But a lot of the more complicated, graphics-intensive games on the iPhone have been a little weak because of the screen real estate. Like so many other apps, games are getting hellaciously awesome makeovers for the iPad, and we've got the screenshots to prove it. Just feast your eyes on some of these beauties.
We hardly know where to start. Even without an iPad in hand and just the SDK mock up, gaming companies have been bringing tons of sweet goodness to their apps. All your favorite names are at it: Electronic Arts, Activision, Gameloft, Chillingo, you name it. If you aren't making a killer iPad version of your game or bringing something new to the table, you're in the wrong business.
Super Monkey Ball 2

First up is Super Monkey Ball 2 which is just beyond adorable. With new levels, enhanced graphics on all 125 levels, multiplayer game modes, and tons of extra mini-games, Super Monkey, one of the first out of the gate on the iPhone, is ready to go on iPad Day One. Just don't let any super cute monkeys in your life get a look at this game, or your iPad is as good as gone.
Warpgate HD

Warpgate HD couldn't be more beautiful if it tried. The Freeverse title lets you explore the deepest reaches of space with more than 150 starships and over 30 different solar systems and well over 100 different quests. Holy mackerel, this one's going to rock the iPad hard. We are beginning to see major in app purchase potentials in these quest games, something we're sure the developers are already drooling about.
X-Plane for iPad

Gamers near our San Francisco mothership office are going to love the experience of Laminar's X-Plane for iPad as the intensely detailed flight simulator lets you soar past lovingly rendered 3D buildings there and in Seattle. All that iPad screen doesn't go to waste with a cockpit instrument panel that has to be seen to be believed and graphics that will blow you away.
Aircoaster XL

Speaking of has to be seen to be believed, Ziconic's Aircoaster XL lets you design as wild a roller coaster as you can imagine. Just about the only limits on this one is the extent of your imagination and whatever fidelity the designer kept with the laws of physics. And then maybe not even that.
Geometry Wars

Speaking of physics and higher maths, Geometry Wars, one of the iconic games of the arcade era, back before we had all this new-fangled iPad technology, has arrived in the App Store and it. Looks. Awesome. The intensity of non-stop shooting action against the game's clean and colorful field of play makes this one of the more addictive games we've ever encountered. It's just possible our battery would run down before our adrenaline, and that's not even including Titans, the iPad exclusive level. Oh yeah.
N.O.V.A. HD

Where do we start with a company like Gameloft? They're bringing so much enhanced tastiness to the iPad store that we feel like kids in a candy shop trying to decide. We'll go broke at this rate. Get a gander at N.O.V.A. HD with its optimized iPad touch controls and high definition quality graphics.
Real Soccer 2010

Or see how improved something like Real Soccer 2010 is with all that extra roominess. You can actually see more than three players at a time.
UNO HD

Even something as simple as the classic card game UNO when ported to UNO HD gets major overhauls in prettiness and usability, making multiplayer action more than just an idea that sounds good, but plays good too.
Glow Hockey 2

Really when we think about how games are going to change and advance as a result of so much touch screen space, we get a little dizzy with excitement. For example, consider the air hockey iPhone games and how hard they are to control. Now think about getting your hands on Glow Hockey 2 on the iPad. Now look at Glow Hockey 2. Now put your eyes back in your head. Not only does this just scream "GORGEOUS!" but with WiFi access you can play against other iPadders or iPhone users wherever they are. That keeps their greasy mitts off your precious while still letting you school them on the table.