Even if sports typically aren't your thing, Gasketball is one funky space jam fest you don't want to pass up. Beyond a catchy title and a quirky robot buddy that offers good natured coaching assistance, this upbeat hoops-meets-puzzle game delivers a slam dunk in the trick shot department.
Like other hoops games, taking shots and scoring baskets is the order of the day here, but the way you go about getting the ball into the hoop is a far cry from the norm. The earliest stages aren't too far out: you flick the ball with enough power and the right angle to get it through the hoop. However, subsequent stages layer on crazier obstacles like teleporters, buzzsaws, springboards, gravity-changing switches, and much more. Your robot coach also begins dictating what obstacles your shots have to bounce off and in what specific order before making the basket, which is a fun twist. Soon enough, the levels feel like you're tinkering with a Rube Goldberg machine.
Shot physics are very responsive, so it's not hard to find the sweet spot once you get a feel for it. Gasketball can get really tough in spots, but a forgiving scoring system keeps you in the game even if your skills aren't quite up to snuff. Playing with pals online or in zany same-screen multiplayer is also a must.
The bottom line. Gasketball's fun, quirky approach to puzzle hoops is a breath of fresh air, and the absurd number of levels makes it absolutely worth shelling for the $2.99 in-app upgrade.
iPad running iOS 4.3 or later
Creative gameplay. Charming presentation. Tons of levels and strong multiplayer.
Some stages are heavy on trial-and-error.
