Pocket Mortys!

OK, I'm late to the party, but I finally started watching Rick and Morty this week! So far, I'm finding it to be a pretty hilarious, smart, sharp and witty cartoon. I soon discovered that Rick and Morty have a free-to-play mobile game, 'Pocket Mortys', which I've been playing this week as well as checking out the show. Again...late to the party. This was released back in January, 2016! But, better late than never, right?

The name essentially gives it away - Pocket Mortys is the show's take on Pokemon. Developed by Big Pixel Studios and published by Adult Swim Games, it's set in the 'Rickstarverse', where the sole aim is to beat fellow players (both NPC's and fellow real-life competitors) to collect various versions of Morty's that exist in multiple universes. This is where the game is pretty addictive, just like Pokemon before it.

Review: Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i Controller & Joystick Smartphone Controller

I was recently sent two gaming products to review on 8-Bit Girl by the nice guys over at MobileFun.co.uk. Both of these products are designed to work with Smartphones to enhance your gaming experience across a multitude of supported apps. Check them out below:

Getting Nostalgic, With Help from Abe Speak

Today, I downloaded an app on my iPhone 5s called 'Abe Speak', a soundboard for the game Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. Oh, the memories! 

Pokemon TV Comes To iOS!

Pokemon has made it's way to the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone in the form of an app called Pokemon TV.

Free to download, Pokemon TV allows fans to watch episodes of Pokemon from every generation (there are currently 50 available). Pokemon films can also be watched when the become available, including Pokemon The Movie: Kyurem Vs. The Sword of Justice, which will be streaming from the 15th to the 18th February.

You can download the app here. 

Review: Retro Game Boy iPhone Case

You may remember the Arcadie iPod Cabinet that I reviewed back in January. The same website kindly sent me a Retro Game Boy Case for my iPhone 4 last week, which I am more than happy to review and feature.

Resembling a classic Nintendo Game Boy, this white silicon case includes the handheld's green screen, along with the familiar button layout. It really does look like a Game Boy, and not just a cheap knock-off version. Excellent!

Not only this, but this case offers a perfect fit with all the cut-outs for side buttons, camera and charging port, so it can continue to be used without having to remove it when the interface needs to be used. Also, although this is billed for an iPhone 4s, this fits an iPhone 4 perfectly too. 

Take a look at the photos below of my iPhone in the case. 

Check out the rest of Mobile Fun's iPhone 5 cases here. 

Side

Back

Front

Arcadie iPod Arcade Cabinet Review

I love gadgets, so I was thrilled that I was sent an Arcadie cabinet by the folks at Zeon Tech to review.

What is it?
The Arcadie cabinet is a small iPhone sized arcade cabinet, to turn your iPhone into a retro arcade machine. Made out of plastic, this little cabinet is actually rather sturdy, providing plenty of support and security for your iPhone via the rubber bumpers and clickable closing slot. 

The Arcadie Cabinet works with any of the supported apps. Simply search 'Arcadie' on the App store to download the free to play games. Currently, there are three to choose from; Ping (Pong), Blasteroids (Asteroids) and Alien Invaders (Space Invaders), with the promise of more titles on the way soon. I suggest giving all three a download!

Using it is pretty simple. The iPhone is slotted into the machine by clicking open the back-there's a port that your phone clicks into, much like a docking station. Close the back, and the cabinet will calibrate your phone to work accurately. This only takes a few moments. 

In the cabinet, the games work surprisingly well, although I did find the A and B buttons a little unresponsive at times. A few calibrations later and the problem seemed to sort itself out. It's also a joy playing some retro favourites on a replicated arcade machine. Also, no batteries are required, as it runs solely on the iPhone's power, which is a definite plus. 

For the retro fans, the Arcadie Cabinet is well worth picking up. Whilst there are only three compatible games available at the moment, more should be on the way soon. It's a fun little time-waster, with a great design and appeal. 

Rovio Announce "Bad Piggies"

Rovio have announced that a sequel to Angry Birds will be coming soon...or should that be a spin-off?

Bad Piggies, coming to iOS, Android and Mac on the 27th September, will be set on the pigs side rather than the birds this time around. Details at this stage are very limited. We can gather from the title that gamers will probably be controlling the pigs this time, rather than the birds. Other than that, a brief teaser video was put up online until more information is released. Check it out below!

Apple Release Patent For Controller

A patent application for Apple has surfaced online. The patent details the companies own games controller (which looks a lot like the Playstation 3 Dualshock controller).


The controller will be used with existing i0S devices and Apple TV, and can turn iOS devices into a remote control. Check out the full patent details here.

The Walking Dead Shambles onto iOS This Week

Telltale Games have launched an iOS version of The Walking Dead: The Game this week. 

The first episode, A New Day, is now available to download on the Apple App Store. Episodes 2 to 5 can also be pre-ordered via the App store. 

Walking Dead: The Game will run on the iPad 2, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and all 4th generation and above iPods.

Review: David Haye's Knockout

David Haye's Knockout was recently released, and promptly made it's way to the top of the App charts, gaining the #1 spots in these categories: Sports Game, Arcade Game, Games Chart, whilst claiming second place in the App Chart. It also comes from the Grubby Hands, the studio behind the charming Boy Loves Girl.


Surely this must mean this is a good game then, right? Well, armed with a review code, I decided to find out for myself.


On first glance, David Haye's Knockout is reminiscent of Punch Out, a Boxing series that I'm sure many of you are familiar with. The game sees players boxing it out as World Heavyweight champion, David "The Hayemaker" Haye. As Haye, you'll be pitted against three opponents which increase in difficulty as they go on. The first opponent, D. Boy, served as the more simpler of the three, and worked perfectly as an easy introduction into the games mechanics. However, he's swiftly followed by Big Bro and Little Bro, which is where the challenge kicks in.

The boxing is created by hitting the boxing gloves on the screen. Players can choose from different types of low and high blows, and can then build up combos to get a higher score, thus earning them the Hayemaker status. Swiping the screen will make Haye dodge and squat to the left or right to avoid any nasty blows from his competitors. Thankfully the boxing is fun, albeit rather brief. One issue I did have though is that, unlike other boxing titles, there is no count when an opponent has been knocked down. Instead, the opponent will just get back up or stay down on the floor. I know it's a little point to dwell upon, but I quite like the "counting to ten" part when you've floored an opponent...it makes things a little more tense, and ultimately, victorious, if they do not rise again. 


As I just mentioned, the games duration is, for the most part, rather short. Only offering three opponents to fight against means that soon enough you can call yourself a champion. However, there is a bit of re-playability, thankfully. Trophies can be unlocked from completing objectives, such as achieving a particular combo. Also, achievements via the Game Center means that even if all three opponents have been defeated, players can go back and try to unlock the whole set. As well as this, scores are recorded via the Game Center, so that friends can see how well you are doing at the game. Many of us like our in-game achievements...it gives us something else to aim for once the main game has been completed, so this is great news!

As for the games graphics, unfortunately this is where the game is let down quite a bit. The graphics are incredibly simplistic, whilst the colours seem a little too bright and garish. 


Overall, David Haye's Knockout is a fun little game, which should have been a lot longer. The graphics could have been improved upon somewhat. Gameplay is limited to only three opponents, which players will slug it out against again and again in order to unlock trophies and achievements. Whilst the trophies and achievements keep the challenge fresh, there is no denying that fighting these opponents over and over does get a little dull. However, all in all, it's a fun little game, nowhere near as charming as Boy Loves Girl, but it's definitely a good effort. If you're looking for a fun but brief boxing title for your iPhones, then this one is worth a look at. 

Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 Heading To iOS

Today Capcom announced that Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 is heading to iOS.


Released on the App store for iPod Touch and iPhone, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 allows players to battle it out from a choice of 56 characters, including Iron Man, Mega Man, Ryu and Wolverine. Just like the console versions, this App edition sees both the Marvel and Capcom universes fighting against one another. 


The game also includes the "Variable System", which allows players to tag in other team members at any time. 


Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for iOS will be released on the 25th April 2012. Check out a screenshot from the game below.

Review: Boy Loves Girl

Boy meets girl, but boy cannot get girl easily. Instead he has to traverse through a series of obstacles to win her affections. Sound familiar? It should do. The whole "boy meets girl" storyline has featured many times before, whether it be in films, books or, in this case, games. However, it's nice to see a predictable premise have a bit of a change applied to it. A rather bizarre one in this case.


Presenting "Boy Loves Girl", an iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad title where you get to play as a lovestruck boy who is trying to catch up with the object of his affections-the girl. Working as an infinite running game, Boy Loves Girl on first glance isn't that much different to the hoards of other infinite running games available on the App Store (such as Jetpack Joyride, which is an excellent game). However, what it lacks in uniqueness in the platform it chooses to be, it definitely makes up for it in other areas. 


The game tackles the tried and tested formula of infinite runners by adding in a unique, colourful and somewhat bizarre style. In this instance, the boy is not just trying to run through an infinite scrolling level, avoiding clouds and other obstacles, he has to do all of this whilst pulling along the moon tied to a piece of string (for what reason, I don't know). Oh, and the moon cannot hit any of said obstacles either. That's where the trickiness comes in.

Controlling the moon involves simply swiping it up and down. Occasionally the swiping isn't as accurate as it should be, which harbours some frustration, especially when it results in you losing the level. Other than this though, the controls are pretty straightforward and work, for the most part, how you would expect them to-efficiently. Other than making the moon avoid obstacles, it can also catch "smiles", but other than that, it's down to making sure the moon doesn't hit something during your journey. 


Boy Loves Girl contains a charming premise, one which on first glance may sound a little too mushy for some. At the beginning of each group of levels, the object of your affection will exclaim that she wants a special item before you're able to meet her. The level then begins, with the aim to not only get yourself and the moon safely to her in one piece, but have her desired gift ready to present to her. However, she's not an easy catch. Collect her gift and she'll rush off again after proclaiming that she needs yet another gift. Like Zelda is to Link, this girl is playing it hard to get!

Each level contains objectives which you will aim to meet. These can be related to the clouds or catching smiles, and the fulfilling these objectives counts towards giving you a better star rating at the end of the level. A nice touch is that each cloud generates a different activity. For example, tap a storm cloud three times and it'll burst. As I already mentioned, your aiming to get all three stars at the end of the level. If you manage to achieve this, a bonus section will be activated, where the boy gets to try out the "she loves me, she loves me not" flower petal picking game, where you have the chance to win a heart.


Aesthetically, the game is a bright, colourful and cute looking affair, and simplicity, for the most part, wins here. It's a crisp, eye-catching style which works. The only criticism is that at times the visuals look a little too simplistic, and I think adding some facial features to the boy would have helped a lot too, but then perhaps I'm nit-picking.

As for the audio, the sound effects are fine, but it would have been nice to have some actual music included whilst you are running through each level. This just makes the background sound effects sound more prominent, and it just feels a little lacking without one. However, you can listen to iTunes whilst you play, so if you wish to generate your own soundtrack, then it works brilliantly. 


Overall, Boy Loves Girl is a harmless, enjoyable running romp. Whilst it may not be unique (but then infinite running games are always going to be a hard one to crack in terms of uniqueness), it packs plenty of charm. It's a shame that there is no soundtrack, and that at times the swiping can be a little temperamental, as this would have been an even better game. However, criticisms aside, this is enjoyable enough, and the bizarre moon-steering premise won me over. 


Boy Loves Girl is available from the App Store, but a Lite version has now been made available. This Lite version includes the first 13 levels of the game, endless mode challenges, and bonus levels. 

Angry Birds: Space Launch Trailer

Finland's biggest export, Angry Birds (yes, it's true) is back! Developers Rovio already have three Angry Birds titles under their belts, and Angry Birds: Space will be joining them in two days time.


The company have now released the official launch trailer for the game, which sees the birds slingshot themselves into a warp hole into space. The trailer shows off a bit of the familiar but addictive Angry Birds gameplay, except the levels and look have now been adapted to work with this new space environment.


Check out the trailer below!

Max Payne to Hit Mobile Devices

Originally revealed last September, Rockstar Games will be releasing the first Max Payne game on iOS and Android devices soon apparently. This mobile version of Max Payne will include a HD overhaul (much like most re-releases these days), customizable controls and Rockstar Games Social Club integration. Those who are opposed to using touch screen controls will be pleased to hear that the game will also feature controller support.


Rockstar will confirm the release date and more information soon. 

Wireless Game Controller for iPad

Tired of playing a game via touch screen? Well retro gamers will love this iCade 8-Bitty wireless game controller. 


The controller works for the iPhone, iPad and Android. Here's the whole list of product features if you're interested, and check out the photos below!

Product Features

• Classic retro-styled game controller fits in your pocket and works with iPhone & iPad
• 8 button control including 4 face buttons, select, start, and two shoulder buttons... plus the D-Pad for movement
• Wireless connection with auto power save mode
• Mini version of larger size iCade cabinet invented and designed by ThinkGeek
• Fully compatible with all iCade games
• Completely open development platform. App developers can add support for iCade with no permission needed from Apple or ThinkGeek. (See links for code examples below).
• "Atari Greatest Hits" iPad App ready to go with the iCADE, including support for over 100 classic Atari games.
• Atari App comes with Missile Command for free, other games available for in-app purchase. 3-game packs are $1. All 100 games are $14.99

Bitesize Review: Smash To Bits

Looking for a game to let out your frustrations on? Well, Smash To Bits allows you to do just that. The game, which creator Patrick Gonzales describes as bringing out the "destructive little kid in all of us", allows players to throw objects around the on-screen vicinity.

Each object has different physical properties and weight, and will break apart in different ways each time they're thrown. Objects will smash differently, depending on how much force you put into each throw. Points will be scored depending on how the objects have been smashed, so the objective is to rack up a high score. 

Whilst Smash To Bits is fun, and the simplistic retro-style graphics and soundtrack work well, I did get the feeling of it being a little repetitive after a while, especially as there isn't really that much to the game as a whole. However, if you are looking for a cheap, simple stress reliever to try out on your iPod Touch/iPhone, then go ahead and give Smash To Bits a go. 


Check out Smash To Bits in the iTunes Store.

Plants vs. Zombies Gains "iZombie" Mode

The 15th December brought a new update to the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad versions of Popcap's hit zombie tower-defence game, Plants vs. Zombies. The update adds the ability to play as zombies in the game, a new free level and some festive themed goodies (such as hats) to get in the Christmas spirit.


The mode, entitled I,Zombie, is already available for the PC, Mac and XBLA and DS versions of the game. This update also adds eight additional levels, and a brand new endless mode. Achievement hunters may also be pleased to know that the new update brings with it four new achievements to unlock on the GameCenter. 

Review: Burger Queen World

There are plenty of management games available on the iPhone, and even more on the PC. Although several of them are rather similar to one another, they definitely prove to be fun little time wasters-Burger Queen World being one of them.

For me,  Burger Queen World reminds me of a great Mochi Game called Papa's Burgeria. The aim of the game was to complete customer orders in the quickest time possible in order to keep the business plain sailing. Of course, the game becomes increasingly more difficult as the levels progress, and much like games such as Diner Dash, you're frantically racing to complete more an d more complex orders before the time is up.


Burger Queen World works in exactly the same way. In the game, you're running a fast food shop called Burger K, and each day you are tasked with completing customer orders and quickly and accurately as you can. Customers who walk away satisfied will tip generously, so the aim is to collect as many tips as possible before the day is up. 

Customers orders can be completed by quickly tapping out the various ingredients to make up the burger, and then clicking on the corresponding customer once their order is completed. At the beginning, this is all very simple. Most customers will only be requiring small burgers which can be prepared within seconds, but the later levels definitely provide a much bigger challenge.


As the levels progress, more and more food items are introduced, including different flavours of ice-cream, onion rings, chips, and soft drinks. You'll also notice that the burgers have become more complex, and take a little deliberating over instead of the speedy tapping that the beginner burgers allowed. This is where the game becomes much more frantic, enjoyable and addictive. As the store gets busier, you are required to juggle more orders at the same time. This means that players must keep on top of pre-made supplies. It's handy to keep a constant supply of chips and onion rings cooking and soft drinks pouring, as well as store a few ice-creams in each of the provided flavours, as customers patience wear thin incredibly quick when the games difficulty has been upped. 


Burger Queen World encourages you to manage your time effectively in order to succeed in each level, and the addictiveness actually comes in all of this constant preparation. As for it's negatives, thankfully, there is not many to point out. However, Burger Queen World isn't providing something new to the iPod audience. It's a formula that has been done over and over again in games just as good as this, so those requiring something a little refreshing will not find it here. The addictiveness is an excellent part of the game, but be warned, frantically tapping the screen throughout these levels does leave you with a bit of a sore finger. I found that short bursts of Burger Queen World were much more enjoyable than playing on it for long periods of time. The last slight criticism is that the story (well, the little amount of it included anyway) isn't translated well into English, which may seem a bit off putting for some. 


All in all, Burger Queen World is a great little time waster that is surprisingly addictive and fun. The difficulty curve may seem a bit steep for those with slower reflexes, but it's the sense of an increasing challenge that makes this re-playable time after time. 

Youda Survivor Review

There are plenty of incidences in games and films where fighting for survival is a central theme. Think Castaway, or Robinson Crusoe. Now, it's time to add another to this list-Youda Survivor by Youda Games/G5 Entertainment. In Youda Survivor, the protagonist has been washed up on a tropical island, where elements, thirst, hunger and wild animals are threatening their existence. So the game prompts players to survive on this new found island in a variety of ways.


It may sound like a serious "survival of the fittest" style game, but Youda Survivor is pretty lighthearted. It contains elements of the farming style games that so many people have grown to love on the App store and Facebook (I'm looking at you, Farmville), with an extra bit of narrative thrown in to pad it out somewhat.


As previously mentioned, the game begins straight after you've been washed ashore after an accident at sea. Once regaining conciousness, you are told that an outsider will save the island from disaster, which is presented in a rather humorous still-images cut scene. Conveniently, this of course happens to be the latest recruit to the island-you. However, you must prove yourself a worthy hero in order to save the island from total destruction. Renown can be won in a variety of ways, such as collecting eggs, fighting the swashbuckling pirates, messing with the weather, feeding chickens, collecting items and digging water holes.

Like other games in a similar vein as Youda Survivor, the game requires players to complete specific tasks in order to complete a level and progress further through the game. It seems rather similar to the Farm Frenzy series in particular. Like any quest related game, the tasks start off incredibly easy (egg collecting), but get trickier as more have been unlocked. What is great about the game is the amount of different abilities that can be unlocked as you progress. For example, the weather can be controlled in order to complete particular tasks, powerful potions can be brewed to make you stronger, and access to a host of machinery. 


Tasks are completed by spending energy, which can be regained by eating your resources. However, thirst accompanies hunger, and this can be satisfied by drinking from the many water holes scattered throughout the island. As energy is spent, tokens are earned, which allow players to upgrade machinery in order to complete the trickier tasks. Tokens therefore allow players to continue to enjoy this frantic game for longer. Medals are also awarded depending on how fast a level is completed. Of course, it's great to go for the gold, but the game is surprisingly challenging occasionally, and demands a lot more patience and logic in order to complete them within a decent time. 

And why is the game so frantic? Well, there is so much to do in Youda Survivor that it feels like you are constantly tending to your island, and, as many of you would know from similar time management games, it eats up a considerable amount of time. Not that this is a bad thing-Youda Survivor is fun, and quite addictive for a while. Unfortunately it does suffer from a bit of repetitiveness. Like Farm Frenzy and all those other time management/farming games before it, Youda Survivor will involve a lot of completing the same tasks over and over again in order to unlock new actions. I have no doubt that a lot of people will enjoy this, but the content is a little unsubstantial after pumping a good amount of time into it.


Although very similar to Farm Frenzy, there is enough here not only to attract fans of that series, but also has enough differences to grab the attention of a new audience. Youda Survivor is a harmless, lighthearted time waster which, although isn't that original, is challenging, frantic and rather addictive. The 80 levels included can be more tricky than other games in this genre, which not only helps to grab players attentions for longer, but also refreshes an overly tried and tested formula. 


Youda Survivor can be downloaded for the iPod Touch/iPhone and iPad. 

Scene It? Movies 2 Review

Ever since Scene It? first launched as a DVD board game a few years ago, the series has spread from a huge variety of expansive board games, consoles, and mobile phones. I have previously enjoyed playing through all three Scene It? games on the Xbox 360 (although admittedly, the third in this series- Scene It? Bright Lights, Big Screen was a little poor), and so after hearing that Scene It? Movies 2 was available as a free download on the iPod App store, I decided to give it a go.

Scene It? Movies 2 successfully manages to incorporate all of the typical features of the Scene It games in a smaller form. A few changes were made in order to make this fit onto the iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone. The first was that video clips are still included, but there is only a limited amount on offer. The most welcome change is that Scene It? Movies 2 is devoid of a voice-over. For anyone who has played the console versions, you may remember how horribly irritating the voice-over guy gets. Apart from that, what you see here will be pretty much the same as in the other versions, which is great.

The gameplay is simple enough. Players will have to answer a number of questions as quickly and accurately as possible, in order to achieve a high score. Sometimes though, this gameplay is a little too simple. Film buffs will probably find the majority of questions on offer here way too easy. A harder difficulty curve should have been included, in order to give these film experts a tougher challenge.

Players can choose to play this with a bunch of friends by selecting the Pass n' Play mode. This allows you to pass the iPod Touch/iPad/iPhone around a bunch of friends as you take it in turns to answer film related questions. The multiplayer mode can be played via Bluetooth, and allows two players to complete through the same mode which can be enjoyed in single player. 

The re playability factor comes in the form of unlockables. When a game is completed, there is a chance that you will unlock a cute cartoon of a famous scene from a recognisable movie. There are plenty to unlock, and it is a joy to look through them all. I definitely kept coming back until I had unlocked the entire bunch, just because I enjoyed the cute child-like drawings. 

Unfortunately though, play it a few times and the questions begin to cycle. It becomes a little boring after you have realised you've answered all the questions and have memorised the answers. Also, once all the unlockables have been acquired, apart from striving to unlock the in-game achievements, there is not really much of a challenge left anymore. However, question cycling can be avoided by purchasing a few of the additional question packs. These will add questions from a multitude of genres, or focus on a particular actor (I purchased the "Jack Black & the Frat Pack" question set, as I think Jack  Black, Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell and the rest are hilarious). 

Overall, Scene It? Movies 2 is an excellent iPod game that provides a few hours replay before the formula gets a little tired. The ability to unlock achievements and bonus extras, such as the cute cartoon film stills adds in an extra challenge, and helps you to keep coming back for more. Film buffs will love the trivia, and the variety of film clips on offer, but I fear that many of them will find this game far too simple for the most part. The challenge is slightly upped by downloading additional question packs, but even then, this is only bumped up ever so slightly. Scene It? Movies 2 is a faithful adaptation of an already hugely successful film trivia series, and I definitely recommend downloading this for your iPod. The huge bonus is that it's free!