Playing up-rezzed iPhone games on the iPad will keep us satisfied for only so long. iPad-only titles, optimized for the device, are what everyone really wants. Here's a short list of the hypothetical games I'd really like to see. I don't know if any of these are in development, but if they're not, my question to the respective rights holders of these properties is: what are you waiting for?!
1) SCRIBBLENAUTS
It's already an excellent, innovative game on the Nintendo DS. It can be even better on the iPad by taking advantage of the larger and brighter touchscreen, not to mention the accelerometer.
2) BOOM BLOX
Here's an underappreciated Wii game that could reach new levels of popularity on the iPad. EA's Need for Speed Shift looked promising at today's event, but an iPad version of BB could be their real killer app.
(More on Techland: iPad's Gaming Prospects: EA and Gameloft React)
3) A REAL REAL-TIME STRATEGY GAME
A full-on RTS is impractical on the iPhone but should be no problem on the iPad. The race is on to see which heavyweight (Starcraft? Command and Conquer? Supreme Commander? Civilization?) gets there first.
4) BIZARRE CREATIONS GAMES
While there's no short supply of Geometry Wars clones on the App Store, the real McCoy is still M.I.A. The iPad could be what Bizarre Creations has been waiting for all this time. Another game of theirs, Boom Boom Rocket, would also be a perfect fit for the device.
(More on Techland: Hands-on With the Apple iPad)
5) HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS
There are 9.7 reasons why you want to play this classic on the iPad. The size of the iPad's touchscreen leaves plenty of real estate for 4-players to play simultaneously. It could happen. It should happen.
More on Techland:
Hungry Hungry Hippos is brilliant. Actually, there are tons of semi-boardgames that would port seamlessly. I want Rock'em Sock'em Robots.
Church
Jan. 27, 2010 19:48pm
^
Just get them to do a "Family Game Night" (ala Xbox Live Arcade) type thing and sell the games from within the app.
kabong30
Jan. 28, 2010 17:10pm
As an avid gamer, I think games will be an afterthought and likely overpriced for the Ipad. Am I gonna bust this out on the bus and start playing it with its SUPER HAWT 9.7 screen? doubtful...
dcfmike
Jan. 28, 2010 20:30pm
Exactly. Where are you even gonna store it while you wait for the bus? It's not like you've got 9.7 inch pockets on the inside of your jacket.
tereglith
Jan. 28, 2010 21:30pm
Judging by how much the iPad costs, I think we should stay away from Hungry Hungry Hippos. That game can get pretty intense. Four people poking and jabbing at a 9.7 inch screen on a .5 inch thick lightweight device can do a lot of damage.
explosionhead
Jan. 29, 2010 13:07pm