2048
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Tesla adds '2048' and Atari’s 'Super Breakout' to its dashboards
Tesla is adding more free games to the dashboard display on Model S, Model X and Model 3 cars. Super Breakout and 2048 are joining other Atari classics Missile Command, Asteroids, Lunar Lander and Centipede, which Tesla added in August. To date, hundreds of thousands of people have played those games, according to the automaker.
Play 2048 in your iPhone Today view with new iOS app
Some things exist solely because they can. The new 2048 game (US$0.99) for your iOS Today view isn't a particularly impressive implementation of the game or a great step forward in technology, but darned if we weren't excited to see someone do something novel and fun with widgets. Apple introduced application extensions in iOS 8. These are bundles of code you can add to run in the Today center, as activities in other apps, or as photo editing tools. Developer Minghui Li decided to implement 2048 as a widget. Is this a particularly good implementation? Well, no. Playing directly in the app is far more fun -- and yes, you must install the standalone app to get access to the widget, and then use the Extensions editor in the Today view to install it. Having to use the arrow buttons you see in the widget screenshot are a pain. In the app, you can use standard drag gestures for much better interaction. But hell, if we wanted a good 2048 game, there are lots of other choices on the market. "2048 in Widget!" (exclamation point in original title) really is one of those things you install on your iPhone so you can show it off to other Apple fans and earn the disdain of Android users. We're still having fun with it, but it's probably leaving our TUAW phone in a week or two.
Combine Colors: Add the colors and mix the numbers
Combining number bubbles of the same color to add up to higher numbers to keep the screen from being filled with bubbles is the objective in Combine Colors (free with in app purchases). The gameplay is very similar to Threes! or 2048 with the concept of sliding numbers together to create larger numbers while avoiding filling up the screen with numbers. However, the difference with Combine Colors is that players can only add numbers that share the same color bubble. Combine Colors is compatible with iOS devices running iOS 6.0 or later. When players combine bubbles that total 10, the bubble turns green which adds another color into the mix to try and combine. Once the number hits 100, the bubble turns blue which adds yet another challenge for players. This is a great way to add more depth to the gameplay and keeps it from getting stale as quickly. Combine Colors features Game Center support. This means challenges with friends and 14 achievements, including unlocking the seventh color bubble. This adds a lot of replay value to the game as players can utilize the challenging nature of getting the highest score. Other times, players are able to kick back and relax with the game's non-timed environment. A banner ad remains at the bottom of the screen and plagues some of Combine Colors' fun puzzle aesthetics, distracting players from the gameplay. Combine Colors has an option to save a checkpoint but it is only available through an in app purchase. The save checkpoint doesn't make a lot of sense for casual players. Likewise, competitive players enjoy the challenge of beating the game without a checkpoint. Combine Colors is free on the App Store and offers a good challenge that is surprisingly relaxing. Players can take their time swiping the bubbles to align them. The game is recommended for players who want a variation of games like Three! or 2048.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Pushmo World, Another World, some other worlds
Loads of new eShop games this week, though it's fair to say there are standouts. Top of the pile in more ways than one is Pushmo World on Wii U, with 250 block-pushing puzzles to solve this time around. Meanwhile, Iconic 1991 cinematic adventure Another World is doing the rounds again, and that includes Wii U and 3DS. It didn't take as long as Another World, but How to Survive hits Wii U finally this week too. If you prefer something a bit more sedate, Farming Simulator '14 has a few jobs for you on 3DS. As ever, we've got all the new releases below the break. That just leaves sales to talk ab-oh man, there are a few of those too. When the eShop updates, Toki Tori 2+ and Fractured Soul will both be discounted to $6 until July 3, while Shin Megami Tensei 4 is $25 until June 23. You can find more on the new eShop sales here.
