Best of 2011 (Top 5):
From Halfbrick Studios comes a cave flying-style game with the power to keep you playing for many multiple hours. Jetpack Joyride takes the best from jump-and-run-style games and mixes in a host of achievements, missions, store upgrades, vehicles and more, crafting a game that looks phenomenal and will keep you doing "just one more joyride" dozens of times in a row.
The Last Rocket, from Shaun Inman, looks and sounds like it belongs on the top shelf of your Game Boy Color library. It plays like a puzzle-oriented version of VVVVVV, high level of difficulty and retro presentation included. It's the sort of game that will challenge you to make precise movements, quick decisions, and flawless maneuvers, and if you fail, you die and have to start the level all over again. But hey, you don't get to be the big hero without crashing into spikes a few dozen times, do you?
An adorable and simply marvelous one-button game where you control a fat little bird whose wings barely function. Tap and hold the screen to fold your wings in and dive, sliding along the hillsides to gain speed. Release the screen to take flight, turning that momentum into a bit of air time. Gobble the glowing pellets on the screen if you can, and stay on the move to beat the lurking darkness. One of those rare games that instills a bit of wonder into the player.
Mazes plus monsters plus shooting equals so much fun. Run around the Pac-Man-esque corridors as you pick up dots and shoot at enemies. Nab the key and head to the door to exit the floor and make your way to deeper, more difficult levels. Old school retro stylings make this game feel like it should be on an arcade cabinet, and the high score-centric skill-based gameplay reinforces that aesthetic. Just how good are you at picking up dots, anyway?!
Old school LCD handhelds will never die, not even when super-futuristic touch screen devices rule the world! This lovely emulated LCD game is all about carrying piles of wood from the conveyor belt to the furnace. Problem is, a monkey is standing above you trying to bonk you on the head. Stoke the fire with several logs, and when the monkey is below the lit burner, let him have a taste of fire! A great game of its own accord, but if nostalgia rules your video game budget, you should definitely grab this one right away!
Update