Google Android Gaming Round Up

The new range of Google Android smart phones, such as the T Mobile G1 and the HTC Magic, feature a number of novel controllers, such as an accelerometer, a trackball, and a touch sensitive screen. Understandably, some games work better with these control devices than others. Here are a few of the games that are out there at the minute that demonstrate the possibilities - and the limitations - of the new generation of mobile phone controls.

Slide Puzzle - A touch screen adaptation of the age old 15-piece sliding puzzle game. This uses the touch screen interface very well, and has some nice graphics to boot.

Snake - If you are fed up of all the recent sluggish and discombobulating 3D versions of Snake, then you will be delighted to learn that a version of the original 2D mobile gaming masterpiece, based on the arcade classic Centipede, has been made for the Android. This version uses the trackball, which is not as good as a joypad for this type of game but it is still great fun to play.

Sokodroid - The aim of this top-down 2D puzzle game is to push blue squares into holes with your square. Although this game can be played with the trackball or the touchscreen, the latter is almost impossible as you cannot place your square accurately if you cannot see it.

Solitaire - This version of the classic game of Solitaire is serviceable enough, but the fact that you have to drag and drop using only the touchscreen can make it a fiddly affair.

Speed - This vertically oriented version of the classic Atari game Pong is enjoyable enough, but the touch screen is a poor substitute for the paddles used with the original TV game.

Sudoku - A couple of years ago it looked like SuDoku was going to eclipse the crossword as the number one newspaper puzzle, but things have cooled off a little since the heady days of Carol Vordemans SuDoku challenge. It can still be fun though, but not in this touch screen adaptation, as the squares are so small that you will frequently find yourself pressing the wrong areas.

Tap Tick - In this diverting but ultimately boring reaction game, the aim is to stop an advancing counter when it reaches a certain number. Handy for checking if you are still alive, but there are better games out there.

Tetroid - This version of the classic puzzle game uses the accelerometer to allow you to tilt the various pieces into place. The controls can take a little getting used to, but once you do it is as gently addictive as ever.

Trap! - In Trap, you need to block off a certain percentage of the screen from the bouncy attentions of one or more balls by using your finger to draw lines between points. Although this type of game would have been easier to play with a joypad, after a while you do get used to the touch screen interface.

By: Neo Nashville

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