Now that my iPhone has been stable for a few days, I decided to put all the icons of my 16 favorite games on one screen to make them easily accessible when I want some gaming action.
3-tuple – Solitaire version of the card game Set for the iPhone. Very well done! Unfortunately this has been taken out of the store, probably due to legal reasons. Price: free. [no longer available]
AquaForest – Cool physics game where you can add water, fire, solve puzzles, etc. I’m not a huge fan of it myself, but my girlfriend loves it. However, I must admit I’m more of an action/strategy gamer, not really a puzzler. Price: 5,99 €. [link]
Aurora Feint – Amazing free game! A combination of arcade/puzzle/RPG in the style of Tetris Attack for the Super Nintendo (although it’s nothing like Tetris). Additional element is added by being able to tilt the iPhone to make the blocks fall in that direction. Price: free. [no longer available]
Circulate P. – Interesting puzzle game balls fall into a circle which you can then rotate by tilting. Price: 0,79 €. [no longer available]
Crash Kart – Best racing game on iPhone, although I must admit I haven’t played Moto Racer nor Cro-Mag Rally, but that’s what I’ve read from other reviewers. Great gameplay, graphics and sound. Has much the feel of Super Mario Kart. Includes Cup, Story, and Time Trial modes. Price: 7,99 €. [link]
Dizzy Bee – What an interesting little game! Very Nintendo-esh feel. Feels like a kids game, but very intense and unique. By tilting, you control all the characters on the screen and you have to rescue your “fruit friends” while not touching the enemies. Harder than you think. Also you can try out the Dizzy Bee Free demo to see if you like it before you buy. Price: 2,39 €. [link]
Garf – Remember that electronic device Simon? Well, this is Simon on steroids. Play the traditional Simon and then play a version with 5 buttons, and then unlock another game with 6. Ah, nostalgia. Price: 1,59 €. [link]
GTS World Racing – Most realistic racing game for iPhone. If you’re into serious racing as opposed to the comic-like cart racing games, this is for you. Very well done, most say the graphics and sound are better than its equivalents on PSP! With 64 track layouts, 16 worldwide locations and 3 cars, this won’t be getting old anytime soon. Great value! Price: 5,99 €. [link]
Texas Hold’em – Apple’s only game for the iPhone weighing in at a whopping 128 MB! Great for what it is, playing against computers, but I’m still upset at Apple for not allowing Full Tilt Poker to come to the iPhone, because it would “ruin its reputation“. Oh well, at least you can play some robots that look like animated people for fake money. Woohoo. Price: 3,99 €. [link]
Ikanoid – If you’re a fan of the old arcade classic Arkanoid, then this is the game for you! Amazing port to the iPhone. If you liked Arkanoid, get this. Heck, that’s only 12 quarters. 
Price: 2,39 €. [Now called Space Buster 3D: link]
MetaSquares – I have fond memories of playing this on AOL back in the day. There’s an 8×8 grid and each turn you place a marble on the board. If four of your marbles form a square, you get points. This can also happen by having a turned square. The larger the square, the more the points. First one to get 150 wins. Really hoping they’ll add online play soon! Price: 2,39 €. [link, my interview with Metasquares]
Monkey Ball – Who hasn’t heard of Super Monkey Ball? Great graphics, sound and gameplay. Controls take some getting used to, but that’s a lot of the fun! Lots of levels and will keep you entertained for quite a while. Price: 7,99 €. [link]
PapiJump – Cool little light game. Guide a jumping smiley face higher and higher by tilting left and right. Simple, yet fun and addicting. Nice price too. Price: free. [link]
Radius – Innovative action game. Flick a sphere in all directions while enemies come to attack you. Kill them by crushing them with your finger. Wait too long and they’ll attack back vibrating your iPhone. Very nice quick game with the intensity of arcade’s past. Price: 0,79 €. [link]
Tap Tap Revenge – Want to play Guitar Hero, but don’t want to pay 90 € for it? Or maybe you don’t want to pay anything at all? Well, here’s a good introductory game. I’m really surprised they didn’t charge for it. Tap the beats as they come down to the music and score high. Also involved shaking to the beat occasionally, although this can also be turned off in case you don’t want to hit the guy next to you on the subway. 2-player mode is also phenomenal. Players sit across from each other tapping out the same song. Definitely get this one! Price: free. [link]
Trism – Flick the triangles in a row to match them up. Innovative gameplay not possible before the iPhone, since you can turn the iPhone to change the gravity in which they will fall. My girlfriend absolutely loves this game, but I can’t quite get into it. Oh yeah, it has a colorblind mode too. Sweet! Price: 3,99 €. [link]
I’ve been mulling over the idea of buying an iPhone, but in the States it is limited (officially) to AT&T Wireless, which I’ve heard mixed things about. There’s always hac^H^H^Hunlocking it, but I can’t afford the risk of bricking it. Another suggestion I’ve heard is to keep my cell phone and just buy an iPod Touch–but then I wouldn’t be able to use the Internet beyond a Wi-Fi hotspot. Many choices, none ideal.