I’m pretty sure going free contributed a significant number to Jetpack Joyride‘s downloads numbers, but hey, there’s no point denying a good game when you see one. Halfbrick today announced at D.I.C.E Summit that their smash-hit iOS title, Jetpack Joyride, has reached the 13 million downloads milestone since going free-to-play (see, I was right).

Winner of TUAW’s “2011 Best App Ever” award and USA Today’s “Top 10 Video Game of 2011,” Jetpack Joyride skyrockets players into the latest adventure featuring the lovable and mischievous hero Barry Steakfries, who captured hearts in previous Halfbrick mobile games, Age of Zombies and Monster Dash.

Additionally, Steakfries’ fans are in for a special treat next month as Halfbrick will release the biggest content update for Jetpack Joyride to date.  Jetpack Joyride is currently a free on via the iTunes App Store. To download the game visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jetpack-joyride/id457446957?mt=8

I’ve got to congratulate those guys at Nevosoft. They are the only studio that I know who really love to cram games that would be more at home in bigger screens into the iPhone, and even though it would seem that the games would have too much going for them on a 3.5 inch screen, they actually turn out well!

It’s mind boggling really, but take for example Nevosoft’s latest iOS title, 10 Talismans. It’s like one of those mahjong games that use to be popular on Windows machines, but instead of matching two tiles together, 10 Talismans is a match-3 game that requires you to swap tiles around. While most people including me would comment that the tiles look really small, they don’t seem to affect the level of control that the game provides.

Also, this oriental-inspired game looks really beautiful with its in-game 2D graphics, not to mention the scenery screens in between levels. I don’t need to explain much about the gameplay (match-3 games are pretty self-explanatory these days), but I’ll need to point out that this game is particularly addictive. The explosions from the power-ups tend to be awe-inspiring, and often take up the entire board.

Nine Over Ten 9/10 rates 10 Talismans at a 4.5 out of 5. The game is available on the iTunes App Store for USD 1.99, check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/10-talismans-oriental-match/id480942642. A review code was provided to Nine Over Ten 9/10 for the purpose of this review.

The first time I read the press release for Spot Kick Hero, I was asking myself, how do you feature Johnny Wilkinson and David Beckham within the same subject line. Turns out the game is a unique iOS title where players can test their mettle delivering spot kicks in football, rugby and American football! Check out the press release below for further details:

Celebrate the return of the 6 Nations, and get your fix in-between games as Rugby joins Football and American Football in a new iPhone and iPad game from Wired Productions.

Sport Kick Hero is the all new game, that puts you into the shoes of your sporting heroes as you step up the spot, ignore the pounding of your heart and the pressure from the crowd to score that all important penalty, conversion or field goal.

Spot Kick Hero is the first penalty shoot out game to include up to eight players in Tournament mode. Feel the tension; excitement and drama of a penalty shoot out with intuitive, easy-to-play game play in 3 different playable modes – Exhibition, Tournament and Mini Games.

Can you kick your way to glory and take on all-comers on the road to the final? You’ll need to judge wind-speed and direction carefully and hold your nerve when the pressure’s on in your bid to win. Do you have the skills to beat the goal keeper in Football? Or make a heroic save to clinch victory? Spot Kick Hero puts you on the spot.

Spot Kick Hero comes with Facebook, Twitter and Game Center integration allowing players to challenge anyone in the world – and then brag about beating them. A host of new achievements offers a competitive single-player experience, whilst bespoke tournaments ensure that the nerve-shredding excitement of a penalty shoot-out can be enjoyed by all.

Check out the game over here: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/spot-kick-hero/id487178677?mt=8

iOS racing fans rejoice as Nemesys Games’ hit arcade racer Ignite, which was previously available on Steam will now soon make its debut on iOS devices! Work was started three weeks ago to port Ignite over to the iOS platform and from the screenshots below, it’s safe to say that it’s looking great!

According to our source at Nemesys, this took just 1 engineer to get the game running, but even so, it’s still in the early stages of development. For those not in the know,Ignite is an edge-of-your-seat racer, which pits you against your opponents in a unique way. Players must collect points while racing, by performing maneuvers, stunts and destruction to add to their overall score.

Once past 1000 points, players can burn away their score to get ahead or save it for a time bonus at the end of the race. Ignite sports 3 racing modes, 35 circuits to run, and a multitude of cars and configurations to speed through 7 different locations in single player or with up to 5 friends, via multiplayer.

KA9 Media, an independent mobile games developer, announced the release of its new title, Memory Lanez, for iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Memory Lanez is an addictive memory game that blends classic game play elements to create an experience that entertains and stimulates the brain! Users Memorize the patterns as they fly down and then try to duplicate the pattern as quickly as possible. As the game progresses, the trail gets longer and faster, making it more challenging.

A key feature of Memory Lanez is the multi-player option and user generated content. Players can create their own boards and challenge a friend or another player over the network, and watch as their opponent tries to match their creation. There’s also a pass and play option for players to take turns using the same device.

“User generated content has always been a big thing for me to try to incorporate into mobile games,” said Joe Ariganello, founder of KA9 Media. “Social games are fun, but getting the player involved inside the game itself is where I see a big opportunity and chance for fun. Users can create a new game or new experience every time they play. The game never gets old.”

The free version, Memory Lanez Challenge 1.0, allows players to get as far as they can in 30 seconds, check it out here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/memory-lanez-challenge-free/id457537348. The Pro version (http://itunes.apple.com/app/memory-lanez-pro/id476921803), available for only $0.99 (USD), includes timed and unlimited levels, as well as the multiplayer options.

Barcelona based developer, Tiktak Games today introduces Bubble Planets 1.0, their new arcade gaming title for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. In Bubble Planets, players collect planets of the same color by using the acellerometer or your second finger to rebound the planets.

Players will gain power and fun with the power boost combinations. Addictive and simple to play, Bubble Planets features two modes with more than 70 levels in 7 different worlds, as well as awesome power-boosts. Players can compete against their Facebook and Game Center friends at the same time in TikTak Games’ scoring system.

Bubble Planets 1.0 is available for free on the iTunes App Store. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/bubble-planets/id490593893

I can’t believe that I’ve been playing two fixed-position first person shooters in a single week, but it’s all good. The first one was Gun Strike (checkout the review here), and the second one, which is the subject of this review, is a cowboy-western-inspired game called Death Call (it even sound like the title of one of those cowboy-western books at the bookstore).

In Death Call, players take on the role of Federal Marshall Jedediah Wolfe, out to give weapons smuggler Saul Ramone, a whole lot of grief. Given the time period, you get to handle plenty of old-school pistols and shotguns, with each of them featuring difference characteristics. Where I am now, the gun that I’m using puts out a lot of damage, but is notoriously inaccurate.

Being a freemium title, Death Call’s developers earn their keep by selling you weapon permits which can be also earned (albeit slowly) while playing the game. These WPs along with the credits you earn from killing enemies allow you to purchase better guns and more ammo.

The game’s pace can be really frantic, but thankfully, enemies that pop-out come with a meter indicating when they are about to fire. Some of these folks are more dangerous than others, capable of bringing your health down to 0 with two or three shots. So yeah, remember to deal with those threats as soon as you can.

Death Call’s a pretty badass-ed shooter, Nine Over Ten 9/10 rates it at a 4.5 out of 5. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/death-call/id466584039?mt=8.

I recall a friend of mine getting a copy of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective for Christmas. Well, that Capcom title for the Nintendo DS is taking a leap onto the iOS platform and is now available on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in North America and Europe.

Previously released on Nintendo DS to critical acclaim, the beloved mystery adventure game jumps to iOS. The game features intuitive touch screen controls for easy play and enhanced graphics in a wider viewing area for more immersive puzzle solving and is fully localized in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Created by Shu Takumi, the father of the critically acclaimed Ace Attorney series, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective combines his signature style of quirky humor, logic puzzles and an intriguing story wrapped in a unique art style. Players take on the role of Sissel, the ghost of a murder victim who has lost his memory and must solve the mystery of his suspicious demise.

Gamers guide his blue-flamed soul through dynamic environments, possessing and manipulating inanimate objects found in the world to solve the captivating puzzles he encounters.

The Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The first two chapters are free with the download of the game. Subsequent chapters will be available in three different packs for $4.99/£2.99/€3.99 each or $9.99/£6.99/€7.99 for all chapters through In-App Purchase. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/ghost-trick-phantom-detective/id489113377?mt=8

Canadian indie game developer, Big Blue Bubble Inc. is excited to announce the newest version of the epic side-scroller, Dark Incursion, now with iCade and Joypad support! The new update is now live on iTunes, and along with that, a price drop to 99 cents!

Dark Incursion is a side scrolling “Metroidvania” style game with a vivid steam punk art style using eye-popping pixel art combined with the stereoscopic 3D that will literally make the action jump off the screen. It takes place in an alternate reality in the late 1800′s, amidst an industrial revolution and a world war. Play as Anya, one of the few who knows about a secret bunker where scientists have been attempting to bioengineer their own soldiers, hoping to turn the tide in war!

In Dark Incursion, players have a multitude of bio-engineered weapons at their disposal with which to eradicate the abominations from the city. Weapon and ability upgrades will get more powerful the deeper players get and the more advanced the monsters become.

Can Anya complete her mission before the allied forces enter the city and mistakenly allow these creatures to escape? Check out the game right over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dark-incursion/id468067324

I wouldn’t be surprised if people were to call Bulky Pix’s latest iOS title, JAZZ: Trump’s Journey as the smartphone gaming’s answer to Prince of Persia. This here is platforming at its hardest and most beautiful. JAZZ: Trump’s Journey is a 2D platformer set in New Orleans when jazz was just taking root as a music genre.

Players take the role of Trump, who is retelling his story on how he became a famous jazzman and it’s during this adventure he recruits band members to form a jazz band. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, the game is beautiful, featuring stylized art inspired by 1920s New Orleans but the star of this game is the amazing soundtrack.

The accompanying music is just awesome and it just gets better and better as players progress through the levels and recruit more bandmates. The game is a platform puzzler at heart and actually features some of the most hardest platforming I’ve ever done on an iOS game…and it nearly made me renew my vow that I made years ago to stay away from platformers.

JAZZ: Trump’s Journey is an ode to the music genre and a well-crafted platformer so much so that limiting this game to a single platform would be a shame (do you hear me Bulky Pix!?). Nine Over Ten 9/10 rates JAZZ: Trump’s Journey at a 5 out of 5 for being simply amazing. The game is available on the iTunes App Store for USD 2.99: http://itunes.apple.com/app/id478314434

A review code was provided to Nine Over Ten 9/10 for the purpose of this review.