Hands On: iPod Games

Everyone knows Apple is not a gaming company, and they do not claim to be, but they have invented a portable device that should utilize some crafty games. Today Apple opened their doors to those with this mindset by offering games through their new version of iTunes, and I have downloaded a couple to check the out.

What to expect

Do not go into the Apple iPod Games section expecting the next Halo, there are games that you would see on a cool flash games site, like addictinggames.com. Apple is currently offering 9 titles; Vortex, Tetris, Pac-man, Cubis, Zuma, Texas Hold ‘em, Mini Golf, Mahjong and Bejeweled for 4.99 a pop.

I happen to think that this is not too bad of a deal, and Apple is really proving that they can not only offering better quality products to people, but better prices for their quality.

Download

Like anything you download from the iTunes music store games role along pretty good and in iTunes 7 they are placed in the iPod Games category under the Library Section.

Once downloaded the games are not playable in iTunes and require the latest firmware for the iPod, which is offered directly through iTunes 7. When you click on the game in iTunes you get directions for the game, controls, set up and other options.

Game Play

The games are placed in the Extras section of the iPod and played like the other games that come standard with your iPod. It seems that Apple has worked on games that are suitable for their scroll wheel. Being a big Zuma fan I found that the controls were perfect for the game.

The colors are very crisp and the game play of Zuma was terrific. I really enjoyed the smoothness of the scroll wheel and the format Apple is using. They allow you to pause the game, turn off the iPod and resume game play, which I found to be very beneficial.

The screen is not too small to play these games, despite what some may think, and believe it or not I did not find the graphics to be horrible. I would compare it to playing a flash game online, Zuma looked identical to the Zuma I know and love.

Well done

If you are curious about the games, or are a big fan of one of these games, I would definitely spend the five bucks on a game and play it on your iPod. I found Zuma to be excellent and I was very skeptical about it. Apple is moving in the right direction with the game play section and I am sure more games will follow.