What are the best iPad games for launch in April 2010? Below we have sifted the best titles that you can find for Apple’s portable powerhouse. And compiled them into a nifty list for your viewing pleasure.
Games can be downloaded from the App Store on you iPad and range anywhere from free to $15+ in price.
AirCoaster XL
Price: $2
This game is a great deal for a cheap price. AirCoaster XL is a roller-coaster sim which looks fantastic on the iPad’s large screens (though it’s a bit bland color-wise). In the game you use the touchscreen to build whatever insane roller-coasters you can imagine, then you “ride” the coaster and see it from the viewpoint of a passenger in first-person.
Asphalt 5
Price: $7
Asphalt 5 is a great racing game for the iPad with controls that work perfectly. The game has both single-player and head-to-head two-player racing modes (locally or over Bluetooth/Wi-Fi) and online play . . . although you need a Gameloft account for the online portion. The game also supports custom soundtracks. Otherwise it’s simply an exciting (boost-filled) racing game, with a more cartoony graphical style than that of Real Racing HD.
CastleCraft
Price: Free!
This game is a MMO fantasy-themed strategy game in which you build an empire while interacting with hundreds of online folk. One nifty feature of this iPad version is how the game handles the iPad’s lack of multi-function. Since you can’t do more than one thing at a time on iPad, this game has you log into the online servers, and then whatever action you took keeps goign whether you are playing the game or not. So while it takes time to build something, you can leave and come back to it.
Civilization Revolution for iPad
Price: $13
This game is actually the same as the console versions, although it has been redesigned for iPad. The game is essentially an upgraded version of the iPhone release. Additions to the strategy game include better graphics, better controls, a broader view (which makes great use of the iPad’s larger screens) and an exclusive World/Scenario Creator!
Diner Dash: Grilling Green
Price: $5
The addictive king of casual time-management strategy gaming comes to the iPad with a new version of the game everyone and their mother loves. This version is great because of the bigger screen, which actually gives you more room to manuever without making mistakes by pointing to the wrong table. It also features better graphics than the iPhone version (naturally), and a few new features, like the ability to help the cook with a nifty mini-game.
Flick Fishing HD
Price: $3
An upgraded version of the million-selling iPad fishing game. This version features better graphics, two packs of included add-ons and a Brag system. If you’re looking for a great fishing game then definitely check this out. Comes cheap too.
Flight Control HD
Price: $5
Another update of an iPhone game, this version looks great on the big screen and also features great multiplayer implementation where two players can play on the same screen. Flight Control HD is a puzzle game in which you must point planes to their proper flightpads without crashing into incoming planes. In addition to the co-op play, this version features improved graphics, more room to manuever your plans (and make less mistakes) thanks to the iPad’s larger display, bigger airports, three new “HD” airfields, 8 single-player maps, improved collission warnings, a longer song, split-screen multiplayer annnnd a 3D mode (3D glasses not included).
Galcon Fusion
Price: $10
This action strategy game has you taking over the universe by producing a mass amount of ships. Whoever has the MOST ships wins. This game looks awesome in HD on the iPad.Features great online play.
Geometry Wars: Touch for iPad
Price: $10
One of the best Xbox Live Arcade multi-directional top-down shooters comes to iPad with glorious HD graphics. Naturally, this beautiful game makes great use of the bigger display. The controls for this game, which have you creating a thumbstick whever you touch, works extremely well on the larger iPad screen. Modes include: Evolved, King, Deadline and Pacifist. If you want a shooter you can’t go wrong here.
Glyder 2 for iPad
Price: $5
This adventure game has you soring on wings to explore the large game world. Solve puzzles, upgade your equipment, find items and collectibles, customize your glyder, collect over 450 crystals, challenge yourself with mini-games and earn over 40 Achievements. The iPad version features better graphics than before, a new control scheme, enhanced navigation and Facebook connectivity.
iBlast Moki HD
Price: $5
This award-winning physics-based puzzle game comes to iPad with improved graphics. Even more adorable on the iPad’s large screens, the HD graphics also make blasting the little tikes into their holes simply seem funner than ever before. You’ll also be kept busy for quite a while with all of this games puzzles to solve. And the iPad makes it easier to place your bombs and set their timers to make them perfectly explode the Mokis into their goal holes.
Minigore HD
Price $5
Sadly, this awesome run-and-gun/multi-directional top-down shooter is (as you may have guessed), SIMPLY an upgraded version of the great iPhone game. The game is still great, but the price is much higher (the original is 99 cents on iPhone) for nothing but better graphics. Note though that the controls take a bit of getting used to on the iPad.
Mirror’s Edge
Price: $13
Although $13 is a steep price to pay, this game is one of the best-looking iPad games and presents the player with a 2D side-scrolling take on the first-person parkor console game, but with side-scrolling action. The backgrounds however are in complete 3D and this really makes the game “pop”. The game also features an intuitive swipe interface that works really well. There are 14 multi-part levels and split-screen multiplayer that will keep you playing for quite a while.
NBA Hotshot HD
Price: $3
Arcade goers who love to play the basketball shooting games at their local pizza parlors will love this game. Which is essentially the same deal, just recreated virtually, and upgraded with improved graphics for the iPad. There’s also a new set of WNBA balls to collect.
N.O.V.A.
Price: $10
An HD version of this iPhone Halo-like first-person shooter. However the game features somewhat blurry low-res textures and is far from the best iPad HD game. The user-interface also looks a bit worse than it should. It does run smoothly though. However the controls don’t transition super well to the bigger screen (you gotta move your whole hand instead of just your thumbs as with the iPhone).
Need for Speed: Shift for iPad
Price: $15
The most expensive game you’ll find, you won’t be disappointed graphically as this little powerhouse really demonstrates what the iPad can do. Naturally, it’s a shrunken-down version of the console games, and includes 28 cars (including 8 exclusives), 18 tracks to race on, day and night racing and local WiFi and Bluetooth multiplayer play. Controls are also good.
Parachute Panic HD
Price: $2
Downloaded over 4 million times for the iPhone, it was only natural that this game would come to the iPad to make even more money. But you can’t argue, with charming stylized graphics, this puzzle game has you simply aiming parachuting people towards safety on the boat below. Great scribble-art graphics, quirky music, and fun gameplay make this a great iPad title at two bucks.
Plants vs Zombies HD
Price: $10
This million-selling Tower Defense game has you using all manner of plants to defend against the oncoming horde of undead. On iPad the game looks fantastic and controls even better thanks to the ability to see the whole playfield thanks to the large iPad screen.
Pocket Legends
Price: Free!
This MMORPG has players teaming up in a lobby and then taking on various quests. Everything you’d expect of an MMO is here, although the game focuses more on loot and is more comparable to Diablo than say, World of Warcarft. The game doesn’t look great graphically and could use some polish, but overall it’ll keep you occupied if you’re into MMO’s and you can’t go wrong with the free pricetag.
Real Racing HD
Price: $10
The Gran Turismo of iPhone/iPod Touch and now iPad, Real Racing HD features great graphics and realistic racing (as the title suggests). And like a lot of other games this is an upgraded version of the iPhone game. The game features an in-depth career mode, and lots of tracks to race on and cars to unlock. The controls on the iPad work well here as well.
Sam & Max Episode 1: Penal Zone
Price: $10
If you love adventure games then you owe it to yourself to try this first episode in a new series of iPad adventures for the dog and rabbit duo. Looks and works great on the iPad.
Scrabble
Price: $10
All of the boardgame fun you’d expect is included in this version, which looks beautiful on the iPad’s large screen. However this game features a few kinks which will hopefully be patched by EA soon. However the game includes lots of new features over the previous iPhone version which makes it a great deal, like the ability to play against Facebook friends! It also has a really cool TileRack application which allows you to use your iPhone as your tilerack to hide your letters from you friends while you use the iPad as if it was a real gameboard!
Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition
Price: $10 until April 10th, afterward $13
The popular puzzle platformer that has you manuevering the floor that a monkey in a plastic ball sits on, in order to reach the end of a tricky course without falling, makes it’s iPad debut. This version features four-player same-screen multiplayer (yup, you heard that right) madness, a large playfield and viewing area for the iPad’s bigger screen and new mini-games.
Tap Tap Radiation
Price: Free!
Tap Tap Radiation is the iPad version of the popular music rythm game where you tap the screen to the beat. This verion features crazy, vibrant graphics where the tap icons fly TOWARDS you. If you liked the previous games you’ll probably like this one as well.
Touchgrind HD
Price: $8
As with many of the iPad launch games, Touchgrind HD is simply an upgraded version of the same iPhone game. And while the larger screen is a very nice addition, the only real update is the addition of split-screen multiplayer. Touchgrind is a unique game that brings Fingerboard play into the digital realm where you literally control the skateboard with your fingers. The game is hyper realistic with a great physics engine which makes it feel like you are doing the real thing.
VH1 Classic Presents: Intellevision for iPad
Price: $3
This game is exactly what it sounds like, six classic Intellevision games recreated to run on your iPad. Not exactly a what you’d call a great way to show off the capabilities of the system. Intellivion games also haven’t exactly aged well. But if you’re into this type of thing then you may want to consider it.
Warpgate HD
Price: $8
This space exploration game has you taking on quests to seek and discover over 35 star systems. With 172 different starships all vying for that same space. A great looking game on the iPad as well, it will remind many of the glory days of PC gaming.
Worms HD
Price: $5
The classic turn-based strategy combat game that has you blasting your friends worms with all manner of cool weapons comes to the iPad. Although this will be a great game if you are into the Worms titles, the iPad version is not the best and features controls that seem to be a bit off.
Zen Bound 2
Price: $8
This unique puzzle game comes to the iPad. With a larger playfield and even better graphics for wrapping your objects in string (yep), the game features great, relaxing music, cool, realistic graphics and looks fantastic on the iPad.