iPod games
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Apple axes iPod click wheel games in iTunes, is the 'classic' model next?
We're all well aware that a new iPhone will see daylight next week. What's still a bit unclear is whether or not Apple plans on discontinuing the ol' faithful iPod classic. However, we may be getting a clue as to what fate the PMP may soon meet. The folks over at AppleInsider discovered that the link to iPod Click Wheel Games no longer appears on the App Store drop-down menu in iTunes. Since 2006, the folks in in Cupertino have been offering added entertainment for the popular mobile jukebox for $7.49 each, but only about 50 titles were available for purchase -- it's kind of hard to develop software when a third-party kit wasn't publicly released. So if you're planning on hanging onto your iPod classic for a little while, we hope you're content to keep playing Vortex, Klondike or whatever else you've already downloaded.
Solved: The case of the missing .Mac widgets
Back in April of 2005, Apple released the much-awaited Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" OS. One of the big new features of Tiger was Dashboard. The overlay feature supported Widgets, mini-apps that were the descendants of Mac OS 9 Desk Accessories, and that some might consider the precursors to modern iOS apps. Dashboard widgets were (and still are) fairly useful tools, and some pretty cool eye candy to boot. But the number of widgets that shipped with Tiger were limited, and many hoped Apple would quickly release additional widgets. Apple eventually did add more widgets with the release of Mac OS X 10.4.4, but that release didn't happen until January 2006. Apple did, however, plan to release some additional widgets to select Mac users before 10.4.4 shipped... If you were a .Mac member (now known as MobileMe) in mid-2005, you may recall a certain call-out on the .Mac Member's Central page that stated "Members Exclusive Widgets - Coming Soon!" The promise of additional Apple-made widgets set Dashboard fanboys drooling. Months passed, however, as the message remained on the .Mac Members Central site, but the widgets had yet to appear. And they never would. In the end the member exclusive .Mac widgets failed to materialize without any explanation from Apple; eventually all mention of the member-exclusive widgets was removed from the .Mac page. Many wondered just what had happened to the elusive exclusive widgets, but no answers ever materialized...until now. I thought I'd finally take the time to close this small chapter of in the book of Apple mysteries.
New iPod game: Bubble Bash
iPod gamers (there's an odd phrase) have got something new to try out. Apple released Bubble Bash this week [iTunes link], a new game for iPod (5th generation) and iPod nano (3rd generation). I played it on my nano and it's fun. Basically, you've got to toss bubbles into bunches of balloons, knocking out three or more of the same color. The graphics are nice for an iPod game and the music is only mildly annoying. It doesn't beat my favorite iPod game, Mini Golf, but it's still fun. Check it out if you like puzzle games.
Apple unleashes Sonic the Hedgehog for iPod
Listen up iPod nano (3rd Generation), iPod Classic and 5th Generation iPod owners! Your ability to abstain from buying iPod games could be challenged, for Apple have quietly released Sonic the Hedgehog for your favorite pocket music players. Yes, Sonic the Hedgehog. I can wait here -- you go celebrate this gaming icon making it to Cupertino via the iTunes Store.You're back? Excellent. Complete with MIDI-esque soundtrack for true 'throw-back-to-Sonic's-golden-era' effect, this new game will cost you $4.99 / £3.99 (yes, almost $8 - pity us Brits) or €4,99 via the iTunes Store and is available now; there's also the usual gifting option, should there be an iPod user in your life you've yet to find gift inspiration for.[Via CVG / David Chartier] - UK iTS Link - US iTS Link
iPod games must be repurchased for new iPods
It looks like those hoping to port their collection of iPod games over to their shiny new iPod nano or iPod classic are going to be out of luck, unless they fork over the cash for new "reformatted" versions of the games. Unfortunately, according to iLounge, only three iPod games have been updated for the latest-gen players, including EA's Tetris and Sudoku, and Namco's Ms. Pac-Man. On the upside, those three games have all received some changes of various degrees, including most notably an all new control scheme on Tetris that'll let you use the click wheel for block rotation. While there's no word on a timeline for upgraded versions of the remaining 15 games, the three that have been reformatted are apparently available for download now for $4.99 apiece.[Image courtesy of iLounge]
Apple releases "Lost" iPod game
I've heard many people complain that the plot for "Lost" has seemed to wander off lately. Apparently, it has found its way to the iTunes Store.Apple has released a "Lost" game for iPod [iTunes link]. It features a storyline by the show's writers, familiar settings (like Black Rock and the hatch) and several "quests" to complete, like assisting the wounded at the crash site for hunting for useful goods. Sounds like fun.The Lost game requires a 5th generation iPod with Software version 1.2 or later, and costs about five bucks (US).
Games coming to Apple TV?
AppleInsider is pointing out some interesting discoveries regarding iTunes 7.1 and the Apple TV. While poking around, they've uncovered some telltale text strings within the application, including, "Are you sure you want to sync games? All existing games on the Apple TV" and "Some of the games in your iTunes library were not copied to the Apple TV."The Mac Dev Center takes things a step further with a complete list of Apple TV text strings, including the "game" mentions. Perhaps it's just synchronization, but why would you send games to the Apple TV if you couldn't play them - maybe with the remote as a controller? Or maybe there will even be - gasp - Apple TV-specific games?!?Let the speculation begin.
Ms. PAC-MAN now available for your iPod
Apple has just released another game for all you iPod gamers out there: Ms. PAC-MAN. The game, which sells for the usual $4.99, features all 256 levels from the original arcade game. You can pick from three different modes of play (one especially suited for the iPod), and you can either listen to your own music or the game's music as you play.This game brings the total number of currently available iPod games to 12. If you're crazy about iPod games and you just have to have all 12 you can buy them with one click for $59.88 (no discount, it just saves you 11 clicks).
New iPod Games Released
Apple has brought out the first new iPod games in the iTunes Store since the introduction of games to the iPod back in September. The new games are Sodoku and Royal Solitaire (iTS links), both from Electronic Arts. The Solitaire game features 10 versions, "including Canfield, Klondike, Peaks, Pyramid, Beleaguered Castle, Aces Up, Yukon, FreeCell, Golf, and Scorpion." (I guess now the last reason to use Windows is gone). Each are at the same price level as the first round: $4.99. While it's certainly good to see some new iPod gaming content, it sure would be nice if Apple would release a SDK and open up the platform for independent software developers to strut their stuff.Thanks alex (and others)!
Apple releases game cheat codes
Oh Apple. You bad, bad company. Instead of making your customers work to excel at iPod games, you go ahead and release cheat codes? Tsk, tsk, tsk. iLounge has an amazingly wrong and unethical article up today, that we at TUAW highly recommend you avoid because none of you are cheaters. And none of you would be interested in how to bypass levels for Texas Hold'em and Vortex.Remember, folks, cheating is wrong.
iLounge reviews all iPod games currently available
Our iPod loving friends at iLounge are getting their game on (was that as painful to read as it was to write?). They have reviewed each and every iPod game that is currently available from the iTunes Store. Mahjong does the best with a score of A- while Pac-Mac gets a D+. Check out all the reviews, or just look at them ranked by awesomeness.
Product placement in Hold 'Em for iPod
Ah, the powerful tactic of product placement, in which a real, commercial product is used in a fictional setting (for a fee, of course). Check out the screen grab of Texas Hold 'Em for iPod [iTunes link] that reader Michael sent us. Is that an iPod and iPod HiFi on the bookcase in the background? Why, yes it is. You can view a larger version of the screenshot after the jump.Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to finish my game of cards...and spend my winnings on an iPod HiFi.Thanks, Michael!
What makes an iPod game tick
We've already given you our first impressions about buying a game from the iTunes Store, and we even got a video review of Mahjong, but what makes an iPod game an iPod game?That's what Ben Sinclair wanted to know, and he did a little digging to find out. First, he asked Apple if there is any documentation for developers who might want to make their own games. No, there isn't. Second he took a look inside at the files that are in an iPod game and made some interesting discoveries.[via MAKE: Blog]
