Jetpack Joyride
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Apple Arcade's upcoming additions include 'Tetris' and 'Monster Hunter' games
Apple Arcade is adding the rhythm game 'Tetris Beat' as well as the classic RPG 'Monster Hunter Stories.'
Bounce to impressive heights with Kitten Mega Jump
Kitten Mega Jump is an iOS game that places a fun, blue kitten on a trampoline and leaves you in charge of maneuvering it to collect coins and avoid obstacles. When you reach a certain score, calculated based on a combination of both, you'll level up and face new goals to accomplish at new heights. Downloadable now through the App Store, it's free to play and includes some in-app purchase options as well. Gameplay is truly an enjoyable experience throughout Kitten Mega Jump. The kitten immediately starts to slowly bounce on the trampoline and its your job to guide it to and away from certain objects as it bounces. You accomplish this by tapping on the left of the screen to move the cat left and toward the right to move it right. Otherwise, the kitten bounces completely vertically. The longer you press your finger, the faster it will move in that direction. Red birds (that most likely not by coincidence look like cousins of Rovio's famous characters) occasionally come to drop eggs, which the kitten must avoid. If it fails to do so, the game is over. On the flip side, gold coins will appear throughout the game that you should guide the kitten toward. Each coin is worth 50 points. As you advance in the game, new opportunities and challenges both present themselves. There are power-ups to help you out, like a bubble to temporarily protect the kitten from the impact of an egg or a tool that widens the trampoline to prevent leaping off and ending the game. Other power-ups are available for bonus round-esque gameplay such as a jetpack to freely soar and collect as many coins as possible for a short period of time. While all this is happening, new enemies come along like larger green birds with fiery eggs ready to threaten the feline. To advance in the game, you have to complete missions. Each one comes with three tasks to complete, very similar in nature to Jetpack Joyride. For instance, the first mission requests that you score 1,000 points, survive one season in the game and get the jetpack. Complete all three and you're on to level two. There's something I find incredibly charming about the game design here. Between the faux-3D menus UI and the deliberately cute gaming environment, it's probably hard to not like Kitten Mega Jump. The controls do require a small learning curve as I kept falling off the trampoline the first few times I played, but after that it's pretty much smooth sailing - er, bouncing. While the game is completely free to enjoy in its entirety, if you find yourself in need of more coins, grabbing some in the store will cost you some real bucks via an in-app purchase. A few different packages are available, but it truly doesn't feel gimmicky at all; it's easy enough to just take your time and earn the coins you desire. Overall I had a considerably fun time playing Kitten Mega Jump. The game lands perfectly in the middle of being addictive and simply intriguing. Grab it in the App Store for free.
Google Play adds 'Offline Games' section
Those worried that the games they play on their Android devices might be subtly pushing them ever-closer to their carrier's data cap can rest a bit easier by perusing the offerings in Google Play's newly-launched "Offline Games" section. Like the name says, all games found in the Offline Games section require no Internet connectivity beyond the initial download. While this means the games (which include Plague Inc., Jetpack Joyride and Minecraft - Pocket Edition) won't automatically tap into the cloud for leaderboard updates and in-app purchase reminders, it also means your monthly phone bill won't suddenly inflate to ludicrous levels simply because you spent an especially boring afternoon at the DMV with only your portable device for entertainment. As Engadget points out, the Offline Games section is currently paltry when compared to the thousands of games otherwise available on Google Play, but it's a start. Hopefully more mobile developers will see this move as a reminder that not everyone has an unlimited data plan. [Image: Google]
Jetpack Joyride finally lands on Windows Phone
Android, iOS, Windows 8, BB10. Jetpack Joyride, which has been available on the aforementioned platforms for quite some time, is no stranger to mobile or desktop users -- unless you're using Windows Phone. Despite the fact that Microsoft announced the free game seven months ago when Windows Phone 8 was officially launched, smooth rider Barry Steakfries is now finally collecting coins and getting electrocuted on the mobile OS, and will do so with Xbox Live integration. It's no Halo, but it's still a solid timewaster.
Jetpack Joyride ascends to two million downloads on PSN
Speaking to Joystiq at GDC today, Halfbrick Chief Marketing Officer Phil Larsen confirmed with that Jetpack Joyride has amassed two million downloads on PSN. Halfbrick unleashed Jetpack Joyride on Sony's network in November 2012, initially as a $3.99 download. In December, the game became free on PSN, quickly rising to its first million downloads by February of this year.
Daily iPhone App: Danger Boat is an endless runner on the waves
Most of the iOS buzz around this time last week was from the great Ridiculous Fishing, but there was another new release last week that I really liked and it's Pixelocity's Danger Boat. Vlambeer's big hit deserved all the attention it got, but Danger Boat was overlooked, I think -- it's a really well-made app as well that's simple but offers a lot of fun. "Boatpack Joyride" is probably how I'd best describe this one. It's a endless runner where you guide a boat along a watery course, trying to dodge obstacles, collect coins and use powerups while staying alive for as long as possible. Just like Halfbrick's famous endless runner, this one is well-polished and controls very well (you tilt back and forth to slide your boat around, and while I usually don't like tilt controls, this is done about as well as it can be done), and there are plenty of extras and powerups to spend with all of the coins you pick up. You can upgrade your powerups, you can buy booster items to give you extra benefits or you can buy new boats or places to race out of. There are a lot of fun details in this one, too, from the waves that kick you around to the various environments you race in while playing. Danger Boat is completely free and supported by in-app purchases, so there's no reason not to try this one. If you missed it during that Ridiculous Fishing rush, make sure you give it a good look now.
Halfbrick teases a new game called Fish Out of Water, more coming at GDC
Halfbrick Studios has posted a quick teaser for a brand-new game on its website, but here's all we know. It's got something to do with fishing. As you can see above, the creators of Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja have something wet and colorful planned for their next title, but outside of a fishy pun (and a title, "Fish Out of Water"), they're keeping the title submerged for now. The buoy floating by says the game will be fully revealed in six days, which means the company will be telling us all about the game at a meeting during next week's Game Developers' Conference. Which is convenient, since TUAW's already got a meeting with them all planned and ready. It's hard to believe it, but Halfbrick hasn't released a completely new game since Jetpack Joyride, which originally appeared on the App Store way back in 2011. So Fish Out of Water, whatever it is, should be exciting to see.
Jetpack Joyride sells over a million copies on PSN
Fruit Ninja developer Halfbrick announced today that its other baby, Jetpack Joyride, has been downloaded over a million times on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. The portable PlayStation version of the game has also recently received an update that integrates Twitter support and "performance upgrades."Jetpack Joyride is currently available on... wait, let's try this another way. Jetpack Joyride is currently not available on Xbox 360, Nintendo systems and most brands of toasters.
Jetpack Joyride free on PSN in NA on Monday, today in Europe
Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride will become a free download on the PlayStation Network beginning today, December 21, in Europe and Monday, December 31, in North America. The game was previously available for $3.99 as a Mini for PSP, PlayStation Vita and PS3.Jetpack Joyride on PSN includes everything found in the game's 1.3 update. Fly, Barry Streakfries, fly as long as you can!
Jetpack Joyride lands on PlayStation Network
After going free-to-play on iOS and Android (and undergoing a subsequent Facebook port), Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride has made its way to PlayStation Network today. Jetpack Joyride is available for $3.99 on Sony platforms right now under the Minis section, making it compatible with PSP, PlayStation Vita and PS3.Jetpack Joyride features the most recent version of the game, replete with waves of nigh-unending challenges, a store full of unlockable jetpacks, outfits and other virtual goods. Plus: lasers. There are so many lasers in this game.Jetpack Joyride on PSN also includes gadgets, like coin magnets and gravity belts, which were introduced in the 1.3 update.
Jetpack Joyride now on Android for free
Jetpack Joyride is finally making the rocket-assisted jump to Android. In fact, the game is available for Android devices right now on both Google Play and the Amazon App Store. Even better, the scientist-crushing, coin-grabbing action game is free on either service.You can watch the Android launch trailer above. You might think that it's exactly the same as the launch trailer that was released last year, and you'd be right, except now there are some extra logos at the end.
Apple announces Apple Design Award winners at WWDC
Corrected to list Where's My Water as an iPhone winner and D1 Drum Machine as an iPad runner up. Apple has announced the winners of this year's Apple Design Awards at the WWDC conference, and 2012 is apparently the year of games on the Mac. Two games, Deus Ex and Limbo, have claimed both spots in the Mac ADAs this year, which is the first time in my memory that two games have done so. Games have won before but usually it's in specifically game-centered categories, and productivity apps are usually highlighted. This year it's two games that originally started out on Windows and Xbox, which is pretty crazy. Drawing app Sketch is also highlighted on the Mac. The iPhone winners are Where's My Water and the great game Jetpack Joyride, with the National Geographic's National Parks app as a runner up. D1 Drum Machine is a runner up on the iPad, where Bobo Explores Light and Paper took the win. And both of the student winners are on the iPad: Da Windci and Little Star. All of these are really great apps that highlight some fine examples of what Apple developers can do. Apple has picked this out of the bunch to represent their highest design values. Congrats to all of the winners on their great success!
Jetpack Joyride goes to the dogs
Man, Halfbrick's just not giving up on Jetpack Joyride. We just recently had a huge gadgets update for the game that added all sorts of tweaks to the jetpack action, and now here's another big update, out today, that gives Barry Steakfries a canine pal to run around with. Flash the Dog is coming to the update, and as you can see in the trailer below, he's cute as all get out. Flash will help grab coins and break piggy banks for you, and he'll even ride along, both in his own little jetpack, and by hopping on the various vehicles Barry can acquire during his run. There are a few new other gadgets as well, including headphones that remix the game's music, and a "turbo boost" gadget that will add rings to hit for an extra burst of speed. Jetpack Joyride was a really high quality game when it first launched, and Halfbrick has really gone above and beyond the call of duty with all of these updates since then.
Jetpack Joyride beta now on Facebook
Those of you who work in an office environment: we suggest you just keep right on movin'. For everyone else, please enjoy the following news: Jetpack Joyride is now playable on Facebook for free. Yes, adventure after adventure after adventure with Barry Steakfries is now just a few clicks (and a few onerous Facebook permissions) away.It's worth noting that the game is currently in beta, and some of the seams are definitely showing. The visuals aren't terribly sharp and we even ran into some display issues, specifically if your browser view settings are zoomed in.Again though, it's Jetpack Joyride, excitingly and horrifyingly more available than ever.
BlackBerry making games catalog fruitful with Jetpack Joyride, Sonic, and more
BlackBerry is leaping into the gaming ring with the announcement of major additions to its games catalog. Along with yesterday's launch of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light on PlayBook, RIM is adding Jetpack Joyride (and four more titles from Halfbrick), Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, Smash Cops, Star Marine, Kami Retro and Galaxy on Fire 2 to PlayBook and BlackBerry 10.The announcements come from the BlackBerry World 2012 conference, running this week in Orlando.
BlackBerry gets its game on at BBW, scores Jetpack Joyride and Sonic
One of the things BlackBerry has never really had going for it, is a deep games catalog. Now, that isn't about to change in one fell swoop, but things are about to get a lot better at BlackBerry World 2012. RIM's head of gaming, Anders Jeppsson, took to twitter to let the world know about the impressive pile of titles heading to the PlayBook and BlackBerry 10. The biggest names are certainly Jetpack Joyride, from Halfbrick (the studio behind Fruit Ninja), and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Other games in the pipeline include Galaxy on Fire 2 and Star Marine, while Tomb Raider fans can get down with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light starting today. Keep an ear out for more to hit during this week's BBW.
Jetpack Joyride's 1.3 update lands Thursday
The version 1.3 update, which adds weird new items like the gravity belt, coin magnet, and X-Ray Specs to Jetpack Joyride, will be delivered to iOS this Thursday, April 26. Like the game, the update is free.With version 1.3 finally careening our way, Halfbrick revealed all 15 new items included, along with their functions. That information is listed after the break. And start saving up your in-game currency for a device that freezes you solid. It's helpful ... apparently.
Jetpack Joyride adds attractive coin magnet in next patch
Halfbrick has been teasing gadgets and gizmos aplenty for Jetpack Joyride's upcoming version 1.3 patch, with its latest animated short featuring the irresistible "Coin Magnet." The free update will be available this month and adds 15 gadgets to keep Barry Streakfries flying for as long as possible.
Jetpack Joyride's 'Gravity Belt' drops in soon
Halfbrick is teasing new, weird gadgets for version 1.3 of Jetpack Joyride, including today's "Gravity Belt." We don't know how it works in-game, exactly, but the cute video introducing it makes it seem like something that makes flight more difficult.We can't imagine Jetpack Joyride being more fun without all the ... jetpack joyriding ... but we trust Halfbrick to know what it's doing. We look forward to seeing how being stuck to the ground translates into fun.
The evolution of Jetpack Joyride's store, in pictorial form
Halfbrick's chief creative officer Luke Muscat took panel attendees on a whirlwind tour of the development process for Jetpack Joyride during his Depth in Simplicity: The Making of Jetpack Joyride panel. Aside from sharing what the final name of the game could've been, Muscat also showed us the progression of the store. You may not know this, but the Jetpack Joyride storefront wasn't always so slick.In fact, early on it was downright ugly, but Muscat and his team iterated and looked to competitors on the App Store for inspiration. We snapped some shots of the earliest versions of the store on through what Halfbrick came up with later on -- screens we've conveniently embedded in the gallery below.%Gallery-150322%
