Modern Technology Is Really Something
When the iOS App Store first released, it opened the floor to anyone and everyone who wanted to try their hand at app development. While this filled the store with many undesirable or poorly-made games, there were still plenty of opportunities for the better ones to shine through. Less likely to be spoken about today, this list of mobile games carried the App Store through a good chunk of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
1. Rolando
First released in December 2008, Rolando was a puzzle-based adventure game developed by HandCircus. The gameplay involved players navigating “Rolandos,” the main creatures of the game, through the fictional world of “Rolandoland.” While the original game is not available on newer devices, the remake, Rolando: Royal Edition, was released in April 2019.
2. Fieldrunners
This mobile game first came out in October 2008, and was the first of many tower defence games to grace the App Store. Unlike many tower defence games we see today, this game allowed players to place turrets wherever they pleased, making their own path for enemies to walk through.
Hasan Tayyar Besik on Unsplash
3. Hill Climb Racing
Created by Fingersoft, this sandbox game first graced our screens in 2012. The point of this game was to control a vehicle and try to survive as far as possible. Reaching further in the game gave you coins to use for upgrades, vehicles, and unlockable stages.
4. Tap Tap Revenge
The first game in Tapulous’ Tap Tap series, Tap Tap Revenge, dropped all the way back in July 2008. Similar in function to Guitar Hero or Rock Band, players had to tap colored balls when they reached a line at the bottom of the screen. If you hit on the beat, you gained points.
Jake of 8bitjoystick.com, cropped by TravisL on Wikimedia
5. Space Miner: Space Ore Bust
First released in February 2010, Space Ore Bust was a role-playing game that required players to shoot asteroids. The premise of the game was to protect your family’s mining field from the ‘Mega Space Corporation.’ Since it launched, the game has been held in high regard, with a 91% positive rating on Metacritic.
6. Chaos Rings
First introduced in 2010, Chaos Rings was a full RPG series that allowed players to explore various worlds or dungeons, complete quests, and battle enemies. While the first two Chaos Rings are no longer available on the App Store, the third edition of the game is still up and running.
7. Cube Runner
Cube Runner is a simple game that requires players to fly across a landscape while avoiding multicolored cubes. It was first released in July 2008 and has been a popular game for iPhone users ever since. The game is still operational today.
8. Plants vs Zombies
This iconic tower defence game first came to iPhone in February 2010, a year after its original PC release. Players were required to place various flowers to protect their home from incoming zombie hordes, with the ability to purchase upgrades from their neighbor, “Crazy Dave.” While no longer available on the App Store, Plants vs. Zombies is available on many other platforms.
9. DrawRace 2
This early iPhone game was released in September 2011 and was considered a popular mobile racing game as a sequel to DrawRace, which came out in 2009. This game required players to draw a racing line for their car to follow, with several tracks, cars, and challenges for players to complete.
10. Jelly Car
First released in 2007, this side-scroller game required players to drive a car across obstacle-ridden platforms. However, your car and the surrounding land are made of jelly, making it flexible enough to squeeze through certain tough spots.
11. Enigmo
This puzzle-based arcade-style game was first released on iOS in 2008. The goal of the game was to move various substances around into proper containers, which players could only accomplish by moving other items to affect where the liquids went.
12. Dungeon Raid
This puzzle-based RPG required players to match dungeon-related items by linking them into chains, similar to that of Candy Crush, to maximize their chances against monsters. The game first came out in 2011, but is sadly no longer available on upgraded iOS devices.
13. Pocket God
First released in 2010, this game tested the good and bad within all of us. Giving you full control over a group of islanders, players could help or hurt the community they lorded over by collecting treasure, building fires, or hitting them with lightning, if you so chose.
14. World Of Goo
This puzzle game first appeared on Microsoft Windows and Wii in October 2008, but it wasn’t long before it made its way to iOS. World of Goo required players to use small balls of goo to create bridges or other structures to reach the end of the level. It’s considered one of the first commercially successful indie games, and is available as a remastered version on iOS today.
15. CounterSpy
This stealth-based side-scroller was first released on PlayStation in August 2014 before being released on iOS in September of the same year. Your goal was to infiltrate military bases before they launched nuclear weapons, requiring players to move quickly and quietly to get the job done.
16. Labyrinth
First released in December 2009, this physics-based game challenged players to control a ball through a maze full of holes and traps. It had 75 levels and prided itself on realistic physics. Lucky for you, the game is still available today.
17. Tiny Wings
This adorable game first came to iOS in February 2011. It required players to generate height and speed by sliding down hills before launching their baby bird into the sky. This game had a race component, as you attempted to get your bird to the finish line before any of its siblings.
18. Flight Control
This time management game first came out in March 2009, and was a number one bestseller in 19 countries only a month later. In this game, you play as an air traffic controller for a very busy airport. You’re required to draw paths to direct the flow of air traffic, and the game ends if and when two aircraft collide.
19. Words With Friends
This classic puzzle game was released on iOS in July 2009 and was a cross-platform game for you and your loved ones to enjoy. It required players to build words similar to the board game, Scrabble, receiving more points for longer words.
20. Paper Toss
First released in July 2009, this iconic 3D game had players trying to flick paper into a garbage bin. There’s not much more to say about this game, aside from the fact that it was highly addictive. Sadly, the game was removed in 2019 due to its studio being shut down.
