Marty Farty Punch and Jump Game needs explanation

With a name like Marty Farty Punch and Jump Game where does one even start? This free 8-bit game for iPhone and iPad is brought to you by the same developers of Squiggle Racer, a game TUAW reviewed not long ago. Much of the objective of this new game is in the title: punch and jump over obstacles as you ride along on your motorcycle, while you're passing gas.

By you, I mean Marty Farty. He's the frantic character you play riding along on his motorcycle. Judging by the green fog that persistently trails behind him, it appears he's rushing home faster than a lactose intolerant who just ate an entire pizza. Unfortunately for Marty, he faces two obstacles in his path: trees and buildings.

This is where the gameplay comes in. Tap anywhere to the left of Marty to leap over trees and tap anywhere to the right to super punch and destroy buildings. As the app description notes, by leaping over the trees, Marty Farty's flatulence is actually saving them. What an all-around humanitarian.

The game plays very much like Timberman, that some claimed for a while might be a popular replacement to Flappy Bird. In Timberman, you're chopping wood from a tree with infinite height and to avoid branches, you tap left or right to switch sides. Of course, Marty Farty Punch and Jump takes its own angle. There's less pine, but more odor. Graphics and design are both nice too, as far as 8-bit allows for anyway.

Like many of the games that inspired this one, it sounds easy but in fact is pretty difficult. For each obstacle you dodge you get one point. My record is 19 and that came only after playing several rounds. Poor Marty Farty just wants to reach his destination, but it doesn't seem like many players will successfully aid him in doing so. Of course, with the difficulty factor comes the addictive side of the game. As the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try again – advice that's very easy to follow here.

Marty Farty Punch and Jump also integrates with Apple's Game Center to view your scores in a leaderboard and compare with friends. The app doesn't currently support this, but what might be interesting down the road is a split-screen multiplayer mode to play against a friend or stranger over the Internet.

The game is completely free to play with no limitations, however a single in-app purchase for US$0.99 removes all ads if the mere thought of a promotional banner makes your stomach turn more than Marty Farty's.

Though I didn't find it quite as addictive as Squiggle Racer or Timberman, Marty Farty Punch and Jump Game is still fun enough to keep me entertained and wanting to take just one more shot at beating my own record. Plus, at the very least, the title is good for a chuckle or two. The game is universally available for iOS 7.0 or later in the App Store.