The Apple iPhone was a revolutionary device when it was released in June of 2007, and it is still arguably the best phone on the market today. One aspect of the iPhone which is surprising to many people is the robustness of its portable gaming capabilities. With its full multi-touch display, its "accelerometer" which can detect which way the device is being held and moved, and 3D graphics, the iPhone has proven itself to be a major competitor to both Sony and Nintendo in the portable gaming market.
There are tens of thousands of free games in Apple's App Store, but most of them are either really bad, or they are merely "demo" games of a higher priced paid version. However, there are definitely some real gems if you are willing to mine for them. Here are some of the top free iPhone games to help get you started.
1. Tap Tap Revenge II
If you've ever watched someone play Guitar Hero, then you know the basic concept of this game. Instead of a guitar, you "tap" on the screen to the beat of your favorite music. You can rack up a high score by tapping many notes in a row without missing any.
2. Sol Free Solitaire
This is a simple solitaire game like you might find on your Windows PC. Actually, there are many solitaire games like this one on the iPhone, but Sol Free Solitaire stands head and shoulders above the rest. The graphics are clear and crisp, and the cards are extremely responsive to the touch of your finger as you drag them from pile to pile.
3. Real Racing GTi
Real Racing GTi is a full-fledged arcade racing game which several years ago could only be found in a mall arcade or on a home console. The graphics are top-notch and realistic, and the smooth controls lets you feel like you are really in a race car. There are three game modes: quick race, time trial, and cup championship. This is undoubtedly the best arcade racer on the iPhone.
4. Chess with Friends / Words with Friends
These are two games from a company called NewToy. What makes these games unique is that they can be played over any length of time. Chess with Friends is (obviously) a chess game, and Words with Friends is a variant of Scrabble. After you make your move, you can turn the game off and go about your daily business. When your friend has made their move - hours or days later - you can open the game and make your next move. Simple gameplay, elegant graphics, and their inherent social nature have made these games extremely popular.
5. TapDefense
This is a popular game in the "tower defense" game genre. Tower defense games have become popular as simple online games. A swarm of enemies come out of an entrance and head in a line toward an exit which you must defend by constructing a series of towers to defend the exit. Although there are a multitude of games like this in the App Store, TapDefense is unique because it is not only top-notch, but also free.
6. iBowl
This is another social game. If you've ever played bowling on the Nintendo Wii with your friends, then you might be able to imagine what this game is all about. You throw your bowling ball by literally swinging your arm, and the iPhone tracks your arm's movement. Your friend across town (or across the world) can watch your ball roll down the lane, and then they can take their turn. It's a fun and competitive game for people who like to play games without pushing a lot of buttons.
