Brandnew Boy by Oozoo Inc.

(4.7/5) Brandnew Boy for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a beat-'em-up style action RPG powered by Unreal Engine 3. The graphics, powered by the earlier mentioned Unreal Engine 3, are absolutely amazing. The colors are vibrant, the backgrounds are detailed, and everything is full of life. The cutscenes and dialogue are in a 2-dimensional anime style, but everything else is in glorious 3D. The gameplay is full of excitement, as you go from monster to monster, listening to the epic background music, killing them with punches and kicks. The controls are quite simple, tap once to start or stop running, tap repeatedly on a monster to attack, swipe to dodge attacks, etc.. However, the game can misinterpret a tap for a swipe, which can prove to be annoying at times. The game has plenty of levels and bosses to keep you occupied.Brandnew Boy is an amazing game that I am definitely willing to recommend, for only $3.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/brandnew-boy/id500428935?mt=8

Cavorite 2 by Cascadia Games

(4.7/5) Cavorite 2 for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is the sequel to the amazing puzzle-platformer Cavorite. Like its predecessor, you control a scientist who made a great discovery of a substance called "cavorite", which makes objects float for a limited time. The graphics are retina-display compatible, and have a 16-bit "SNES" style. The controls are handled with 4 onscreen buttons (left, right, jump, and spray). In order to complete the levels, you must use the titular cavorite in order to float and solve puzzles. The controls can be weird and unresponsive on rare occasions. The game is full of levels, and has tons of replay value. The music and sound effects are fun and catchy, but don't distract you too much. Overall, Cavorite 2 is definitely worth the $1.99 for fans of the first game, or newcomers to the series. Cavorite 2 is available now. http://itunes.apple.com/app/cavorite-2/id497224807?mt=8

Tobe and Friends Hookshot Escape by Secret Base Pte Ltd

(5/5) Tobe and Friends Hookshot Escape for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is an endless vertical-scrolling game. You can control one of 4 different characters, each with unique ways of advancing upwards, through one of 4 different themes for the world. The music is extremely catchy, and I found myself constantly pausing the game just to listen to the music. The graphics are in a 16-bit style, reminiscent of old Game Boy Advance games. There are plenty of unlockables to keep you hooked, in case the game starts to get old. The controls are very simple, similar to another fantastic iOS game, The Blocks Cometh. I would definitely recommend Tobe and Friends Hookshot Escape to anybody, because I was addicted as soon as I started playing. Tobe and Friends Hookshot Escape is available on the app store for $1.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/tobe-friends-hookshot-escape/id490586728?mt=8

Kale in Dinoland by The Rotting Cartridge

(4.7/5) Kale in Dinoland for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a retro-styled platforming game. The game is started by dragging a Gameboy cartridge labeled "Kale in Dinoland" to the bottom of the screen. To go to the main menu, you just have to "eject" the cartridge by shaking your device. The game has multiple lengthy levels, and has the classic yellowish tint that most old Gameboy games have. Kale is controlled by an on-screen d-pad and two buttons, A and B. A controls jumping, and B controls throwing coconuts, stars, and other projectiles used as weapons. Jumping on enemies doesn't hurt the enemy, but it allows Kale to ride the enemy and use its powers. The chiptunes in the game are catchy, and there are different tunes for each level and menu. The game brings back a lot of nostalgia, and for $1.99, Kale in Dinoland is a must-have for any iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad user. http://itunes.apple.com/app/kale-in-dinoland/id490504452?mt=8

Final Run by Rotor Games

(4.0/5) Final Run for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a combination of zombies, cars, and guns- all in one game. You play as a group of (2) scientists in a zombie-infested earth, in which you and your associate are some of the only people left. The controls can be changed between multiple methods, some of which use the gyro, on-screen buttons, or both. Some of the control methods can be awkward to use, but that might just be me. The unity-powered graphics look great with or without the retina display. The storyline is easy to follow along, and interesting too. The music can be muffled occasionally by the revving engine of your beat-up car, which can prove to be quite annoying. However, your cars and guns can be upgraded with tools and parts found in-game. Final Run is a great game for people who love shooting zombies and other things, along with fans of driving games. Final Run is available in the app store for $3.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/final-run/id504183640?mt=8

Dodonpachi Blissful Death by CAVE CO., LTD.

(4.3/5) Dodonpachi Blissful Death is another "bullet hell" "shmup" game developed by CAVE. The game feels like a slightly stripped-down version of Dodonpachi Resurrection, with only two ships to choose from, and no "smartphone mode". However, some changes have been made. The user interface is different, and there are now a set of "dolls" to choose from, each one providing separate boosts to different aspects of your ship. The music is less upbeat than the music in Dodonpachi Resurrection, which sets a more fitting mood to the game. Overall, Dodonpachi Blissful Death is a cheaper, more budget-friendly shoot-'em up from CAVE. For $4.99, Dodonpachi Blissful Death can be downloaded from the app store. http://itunes.apple.com/app/dodonpachi-blissful-death/id486756858?mt=8

Dodonpachi Resurrection by CAVE CO., LTD.

(4.6/5) Dodonpachi Resurrection for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a port of a Japanese "bullet hell" shoot-'em up game. You can control one of three different ships with unique shooting styles. There are two modes included with the game, smartphone mode (a version of the game optimized for your device's screen), and arcade mode (the classic layout). The controls are simple, your ship is controlled by moving your finger around in whatever direction you want your ship to fly in. There are multiple bosses, and many difficulty levels. The music seems to be somewhat too upbeat for the game, but it still adds a nice touch. Dodonpachi Resurrection is a little expensive for $7.99, but it's still a great "shmup" that any fan of the genre should own. http://itunes.apple.com/app/dodonpachi-resurrection/id387176580?mt=8