Dreamcast classic Jet Set Radio was just updated for controller support.
Jet Set Radio tasks you with fighting rival gangs and the police by graffiti tagging a relatively large city, set against a beautiful (and at the time, very original) cell-shaded backdrop, all while listening to one of the most memorable soundtracks ever heard in a game.
This is one of those games that really defined the Dreamcast. Quirky, colorful, fun, and unmistakably Japanese, it didnât sell massively, but it did manage to develop a cult following. This iOS port is by far the best version of the game available. Retina graphics, super smooth framerate, widescreen compatibility, universal iPhone and iPad support, Game Center leaderboards and achievements, and now MFi controller support make for a first class iOS citizen. I found this game almost unplayable on a touch screen, but with controller support newly added, this is a true classic.
Hustle Chumy was recently updated for MFi controller support.
Originally released for the Japanese MSX computer in 1984, this port brings the original game to iOS with full controller compatibility. Hustle Chumy is a traditional dodge-and-climb in the same vein as Donkey Kong, where your goal is to dodge enemies and obstacles to reach the top of the map.
As a game, this is amusing, though perhaps not one for casual players who are unfamiliar with the original. As a port, this is more interesting, though. The MSX was a relatively popular computer in Japan, and many classic games were originally released for it. Metal Gear, Bubble Bobble, Lode Runner – all had early homes on the original MSX console. Depending on how this port was handled, it could mean many more MSX games being ported with full MFi controller support. Lets hope so.
The R-Type games are classic arcade shoot-em-ups from the late 80s that helped to define the genre. Tons of weapon pickups, challenging enemy patterns, great level design, difficult bosses – all hallmarks of the genre, and all make an early appearance here.
Luckily this is no mere gaming history lesson. R-Type still holds up as an excellent game. This iOS port is likely the best version ever made. It has universal compatibility, Game Center, controller support, a smooth framerate, extra content – everything youâd want in a top quality port. Fans of the arcade shoot-em-up genre will find a lot to love here.
Classic arcade side-scrolling shoot-em-up R-Type II has just been released with full MFi controller support.
R-Type II (and its predecessor, which was recently updated for controller support) are true classics. Released in the 1980s, they set a very high watermark for what airplane shoot-em-ups should be, with advanced weapons, tons of power ups, giant bosses, beautiful graphics, and challenging level design.
This new port comes with all of the features youâd want out of a great iOS app. Smooth framerate, Game Center leaderboards and achievements, universal iPhone and iPad compatibility, and both Standard and Extended controller support.
For shoot em up fans, and for fans of classic arcade games, R-Type II is an easy recommendation.
Apple 2013 Game of the Year Badland has been updated for MFi controller support. This joins the also excellent game of the year runner-up Impossible Road in supporting controllers.
For those of you who havenât played it, Badland is a real treat. Top quality graphics, engrossing presentation, and brilliantly simple gameplay. Badland is a 1-button game – press the button, your character flaps into the air and moves forward a little bit. Fly higher and fall lower, avoid traps, collect power ups, and navigate your way to the exit. This is made more difficult by the camera, which moves forwards every time you flap – if you fall behind the camera, you lose.
One of the things that separates this game from a glorified Flappy Bird is the swarm aspect. Along your way to the end of the level, youâll meet up with other little guys – clones of your character. Each one you collect joins you on your way towards the goal. Some puzzles require multiple characters to complete, but finishing a level only requires one guy. The rest are expendable – and they will be lost on your way to the exit. Think of it the way the multiball works in pinball games.
Badland didnât require controller support to be amazing. Heck, Apple gave it their iPad Game of the Year award, based on only touch controls. With that said, physical controls DO make for a better experience here. Having your finger block the display on the iPhone made the game needlessly difficult – hardware controls fix that issue. Twitch-response controls are easier with a button to press, even on the iPad.
Even without touch controls, Badland is an excellently crafted iOS experience. Brilliant graphics, Game Center achievements, multiplayer modes, iCloud sync, full retina graphics, great sound and music – everything here is lovingly crafted, and makes excellent use of the technologies enabled by iOS. Beyond that, though, Badland is just a great game. This is easily worth the asking price, and a strong recommendation.
Any Landing, the newest game from longtime iOS developer Strange Flavour (Flick Fishing,Grunts,Slotz Racer), just hit the App Store with full MFi controller compatibility. Some of their other iPhone games will be updated for MFi controller support. The self-published SlotzRacer games and Apple Bob are confirmed, with a rereleased self-published version of Grunts a possibility.
The Moga Ace Power controller has been reduced in price from $99.99 to $79.99 USD.
The Moga Ace Power was the first MFi controller to his the shelves, and although controllers from SteelSeries and Logitech have subsequently been released, the Moga controller is still the best for iPhone gamers looking to play games with the Extended control layout. Some quality control issues aside, I can certainly recommend the Moga, especially at this new price.
The Moga Ace Power is the best way to play FPS games on an iPhone
Although the controller is still listed for $99.95 at Apple’s Store now, you can purchase it direct from Moga at the new price. Hopefully Apple’s will change to reflect the price drop soon.
Rayman Fiesta Run is a difficult game to review. The components for a truly great game are here. The graphics are beautiful, the music and sound excellent, the levels challenging and fun, the content plentiful. Its the way these components are assembled that cause Rayman Fiesta Run to fall as flat as it does, and makes this as disappointing an experience as it is.
Unlike itâs console and computer brethren (and an earlier, now-discontinued Gameloft game release), the newer iOS Rayman games are simplified response-based platformers. Your character automatically runs from one side of the screen to the other, with your control over the action focused on correctly timing jumps, attacks, and other maneuvers.
As Rayman, you run from the beginning of the level to the end at a fixed speed. Along the way, you must must dodge enemies, collect as many collectables as possible, jump from platform to platform, and eventually perform more difficult maneuvers with the use of power ups and new abilities. While this plays well within the confines of a touch screen environment, the addition of controller support makes the game much more fun. Timing jumps becomes easier, combining multiple button presses is less frustrating, and most importantly, it is easier to see where youâre going without fingers obscuring the screen.
With that said, playing Rayman Fiesta Run with a gamepad just hammers home how far away this is from a true Rayman game, especially to those whoâve played Rayman Origins or Rayman Legends. This mobile outing simply doesnât have anywhere near the care and heart put into it that the full games do. Whereas the full games are beautifully balanced, thoughtfully assembled experiences, this mobile game feels somewhat soulless. The world map, and most of the menus, have multiple Facebook buttons covering them, with the developers attempting to bribe players in in-game currency for spamming their friends about the game on Facebook. The console games have music tracks carefully paired with level themes, whereas this mobile game randomly pairs songs with unrelated levels. Pop-up ads, in-app currency purchasing, social spam, ads during loading/pause screens – this isnât a game made by people who have much respect for their customers, or their own creation.
Rayman Fiesta Run is fun, but so are manyotherplatforminggamesworthplaying – games that that treat their players with more respect. For those who absolutely must have any platforming game, or any game with Rayman in it, this is worth a buy. For the rest of us, there are better iOS games to spend time on. The recent console and Mac Rayman Games are nothing short of platforming masterpieces – sadly, this isnât one of those games. This is a mobile tie-in, with all that entails.
Final Fantasy III has been updated for widescreen iPhone compatibility and controller support. This game was originally released in Japan in 1990, and only officially made its way to the rest of the world in 2006 (Final Fantasy VI was released stateside in the 90s and confusingly titled Final Fantasy III – the App Store releases of these games correct that issue).
I have to say, I really, really like this game. LaterFinalFantasygames have more complicated stories, a more fluid battle system, more developed characters – theyâre great games, and deserve the praise they get – but something about Final Fantasy III appealed to me from the minute I played it.
The story is much simpler than future Final Fantasy games would later become famous for. An evil enemy has stolen 4 crystals and put the world into danger, forcing your band of 4 heroes to find the crystals, fight the bosses, and save the day. Along the way youâll see flying ships, magic crystals, evil bosses, underground cities, mountain peaks, giant castles – all familiar RPG tropes, and all make early appearances here. The combat gameplay is handled via a very traditional turn-based RPG battle system. Future Final Fantasy games introduced the more fast paced and complex Active Time battle system, which increased the tension of combat by bringing in some real-time components. Personally, I prefer the simpler turn-based system of Final Fantasy III – not only is it less confusing, but it fits perfectly with the confines of a mobile platform.
The Job system – a feature that would become famous in later Final Fantasy games – makes its debut in this game. Rather than assigning you party members with predetermined specialities, the Job system allows you to collect various Job cards you can assign to each of your 4 characters, allowing you to build a party with exactly the abilities you want. You choose the number of healers, swordsmen, mages, hunters, etc. based on your own personal style. It was a major innovation to the RPG genre, and one that would only resurface in the Final Fantasy series a few games later.
Graphics are one aspect that Final Fantasy III excels at much more than the other iOS titles – with the exception of Final Fantasy IV, other iOS Final Fantasy games feature two-dimensional graphics and blurry sprites. This game features new, completely 3D graphics reminiscent of PlayStationeraRPGs – games I have a particular affinity for.
In addition to the recreated 3D (retina!) graphics, this port includes some gameplay rebalancing, additional areas and quests, rewritten English dialog, more distinct characters with individual personalities, and improvements to the famous Job system. The amazing, memorable soundtrack sounds better than ever, thanks to the improved storage capacity and quality of audio on iPhones, versus the consoles this game was originally available for.
This port isnât quite as fully featured as Square Enixâs later iOS ports. While future Final Fantasy games include universal iPhone & iPad compatibility, Game Center achievements, and even iCloud support, this game misses all of those things. The iPad version is also a separate download with a separate price tag, and currently lacks retina resolution or controller support. With any luck, itâll be upgraded soon.
Controller support in this game is adequate, and better than playing with the touch screen. All controllers work, though only the d-pad registers for movement. Button arrangement is a little strange by default, with configured as the action button. This can be changed in the settings.
Even with the high price tag and occasional missing feature, Final Fantasy III for iOS is the best version of an absolutely amazing game. For fans of Final Fantasy games, or RPGs in particular, this is a strong recommendation.
Crazy Snowboard – also available in pro and lite versions – just received a significant update, bringing MFi controller support and significantly improved graphics.
This game is a perennial iOS favorite. I remember first beating this game when it was tied to the plus+(!) gaming network, before Game Center was even on Appleâs horizon.
Downhill snowboarding fits nicely within the constraints of iOS. The pre-set level length keeps things short and to the point; you can jump in and play for short bursts, or complete a few missions in a row over the course of a longer session. The game itself is packed with content and iOS features, with smooth gameplay, solid graphics, tons of unlockable content, 30 missions – thereâs a lot to keep you entertained here.
