The flood of 8-bit revival games continues this week with some fresh entries, and if they’re any indication, then this trend just keeps getting better and better. Plus, with the Game Center coming to life and services like OpenFeint collecting results, the long-lost art of arcade-era high score chasing is coming back too.
Here are a few fun new titles we’ve been enjoying this week from the App Store. Want your game featured? Just drop us a line!
Super Mega Worm
Super Mega Worm
Leading the pack is a game destined to be a classic. Super Mega Worm places you in the segmented body of “Wojira”, the Great Death Worm. Summoned by Mother Earth to cleanse the surface of pesky humans, your mission will take you across the surface of our planet, scouring all traces of mankind from it in a hilariously satisfying rampage of 8-bit carnage.
To control the voracious worm as it evolves and grows stronger, you can either use the accelerometer or an on-screen sliding bar to change direction as you tap buttons for speed and abilities with your other finger. Developers, Deceased Pixel LLC, promise a D-Pad control option in an update.
Excellent production values and plenty of great special abilities and power-up items to eat make for an addictive game you’ll enjoy returning to. Gruesome retro gaming at its finest.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Deceased Pixel LLC
Download: App Store
Buganoids
Buganoids
More 8-bit fun awaits with Buganoids, a retro sci-fi take on whack-a-mole where your goal is to use the spread of available weapons to eliminate all alien bugs crawling out of the levels.
The controls are tight and while the themed planets are distinctive, there’s room for more diversity in the environments — perhaps with different gravity, etc. The visuals are crisp though, and optimized for the Retina Display.
Buganoids is so accessible that it makes it easy to recommend for quick play sessions. An in-game purchase will rid you of the annoying banner ads, but if they don’t bother you then it’s yours for free!
Price: Free
Developer: Backflip Studios
Download: App Store
HellJump 2
HellJump 2
In case you haven’t had enough of DoodleJump clones yet, SoftGames presents a diabolical take on the gameplay mechanic which stands out because of its gorgeous artwork.
The basic tilt controls are joined by the ability to shoot projectiles to clear enemies from your path as you ascend the moving platforms. Future updates ought to address things like jerky animations and sub-par sound effects because they mar an otherwise spectacular presentation.
Beware of the crumbling platforms as you hop your way up out of hell in this breezy bouncer.
Price: Currently $0.99 (Usually $1.99)
Developer: SoftGames
Download: App Store
Aftermath
Aftermath
You can never have enough zombies, and although Aftermath is not brand new, it was recently featured as OpenFeint’s Free Game of the Day — and with good reason: it’s spectacular.
Most two-stick control schemes turn out awkwardly, but Aftermath feels perfectly tuned. As you make your way through zombie-infested environments, you will automatically shoot enemies within the beam of your flashlight. If that sounds easy then think again: the atmosphere and tension is unbelievably well realized, and you will find yourself reaching for the sprint button more often than you expect.
The real-time lighting physics and excellent sound effects make it feel like Left4Dead in the palm of your hand, and OpenFeint support combined with an infinite survival mode will keep you returning to this stylish survival horror gem.
Price: Currently Free (Usually $1.99)
Developer: TwoHeads Games
Download: App Store
Graveyard Shift
Graveyard Shift
Another slightly aged entry is PunBros Games’ quirky falling object puzzler, Graveyard Shift. By tapping various types of blocks, your goal is to collapse the structures holding up a skeleton — allowing the bony ragdoll to tumble gracelessly into the waiting coffin.
Recently updated with new levels and Retina-ready graphics, the game earns its pricetag this time around. An interesting aspect is the presence of introductory comic pages that set up some semblance of plot before and after the levels. The artwork is uniformly excellent and the difficulty ramps up nicely as you go along, with explosive blocks and all sorts of other varieties emerging to spice up the gameplay.
Despite the lack of a hint system to help folks through the punishing later levels, Graveyard Shift is a worthy addition to your macabre collection.
Price: $2.99
Developer: PunBros Games
Download: App Store
What Have You Been Playing?
Have you discovered any great new games this week? Let us know in the comments below!