All-time best iOS games

Gaming used to be sharply divided. The most advanced titles were on PCs and home consoles, while portable systems were limited to scaled-down light versions. That line has been blurred. Apple's iPhone and iPad have led this transition, offering a library of games that compete with both home and portable consoles. Which of these games stand out? Read on, as we break down the all-time best iOS games.

Infinity Blade II

Infinity Blade II is iOS' premiere showcase game. With visuals and gameplay that are among the best on the platform, this sequel built on its predecessor's successful formula. If you only buy one game for your iPhone or iPad, consider this slash-and-dodge classic.
iPhone/iPad (US$6.99)

Grand Theft Auto 3

Grand Theft Auto 3 transformed console gaming, single-handedly creating the sandbox and open world crime genres. In 2011, Rockstar ported the classic to iOS, adding enhanced HD graphics and as-good-as-possible virtual controls.
iPhone/iPad ($4.99)

The World Ends With You: Solo Remix

A cult classic on the Nintendo DS, the iOS port of The World Ends With You may be iOS' best role playing game. It oozes style (of the urban Japanese ilk), with much deeper gameplay than most iOS titles.
iPhone ($17.99), iPad ($19.99)

Bastion

Another terrific port, Bastion first showed up in 2011 on Xbox Live. The iOS version has intuitive touch controls, one of the best soundtracks in the App Store, and a reactive narrator who would be right at home in a Sam Shepard play.
iPhone/iPad ($4.99)

Angry Birds

Take your pick: Rovio now has five Angry Birds games in the App Store. Each offers something a little different, but they're all built on the same foundation. If you like physics-based, bird-flinging destruction, they all supply hours of entertainment.
iPhone ($0.99), iPad ($2.99)

Rayman Jungle Run

The App Store is saturated with running platformers. Most are freemium affairs, requiring countless in-app purchases to get anywhere.
Not only is Rayman Jungle Run sold at a refreshing fixed price, it's also one of the best casual games on iOS. The mobile cousin of the excellent Rayman console games, Jungle Run has simple controls, sharp visuals, and plenty of cartoon charm.
iPhone/iPad ($2.99)

Tiny Wings

One of the simplest games in the App Store is also one of the best. Tiny Wings only has one control: touch the screen to send your bird into a dive. The fun is in timing those dives to catch maximum air. It's simple, addictive fun.
iPhone ($0.99), iPad ($2.99)

Fruit Ninja

It's hard to find a game more perfectly suited to the touchscreen than Fruit Ninja. It's fruit-slicing fun is simple enough for anyone to pick up, while it's addictiveness makes it hard to put down. Time and score-based modes coupled with online multiplayer (and local split screen on an iPad) have made this game from Halfbrick Studios a must have for iOS devices and seen it expand onto various other platforms.
iPhone ($0.99), iPad ($2.99)

Jetpack Joyride

Jetpack Joyride showed Halfbrick wasn't just a one-trick pony. It's another great arcade-style game whose graphics, soundtrack, and unapologetically badass attitude harken back to games from the mid 90s. Halfbrick gave Jetpack Joyride just enough variety and challenge to keep you coming back for more.
iPhone/iPad (free)

Scribblenauts Remix

If you've never played Scribblenauts, you're in for an "Oh S$%#!" moment. Type the name of any object, and it will appear on the screen, ready for use. The puzzles are simple and easy. The fun is in the creative – often wacky – ways that you solve them.
iPhone/iPad ($0.99)

Max Payne Mobile

Another great Rockstar port, Max Payne Mobile is the same PC and console classic from 2001. Like GTA 3, the gritty epic sports an HD touchup and a surprisingly usable virtual control scheme.
iPhone/iPad ($2.99)

Plants vs. Zombies

If you haven't played Popcap's quirky tower defense game, you're missing out. Create an army of plants to defend wave-after-wave of the undead. With striking visuals, balanced gameplay, and light-hearted whimsy, PvZ is an all-time great.
iPhone ($2.99), iPad ($6.99)

Chaos Rings II

Square Enix sells several RPGs in the App Store, but unlike The World Ends With You and its Final Fantasy ports, Chaos Rings is an iOS original. The other two (Chaos Rings, Chaos Rings Ω) are worth checking out, but Chaos Rings II has a better story and more variety.
iPhone ($17.99), iPad ($19.99)

GTA: Chinatown Wars

Don't be fooled by the retro birds-eye view: Chinatown Wars is a fully-fledged Grand Theft Auto game. With hours of gameplay, an intentionally campy story, and addictive drug-dealing side missions, Chinatown Wars is an often-overlooked masterpiece.
iPhone ($9.99), iPad ($9.99)

N.O.V.A. 3

Nobody ever accused Gameloft of being original. The company thrives at ripping off popular console franchises for mobile devices. One of its crowning efforts is N.O.V.A. 3, a clone of H.A.L.O.
Like with most Gameloft games, the dialogue and voice acting are grating. But the excellent graphics and entertaining gameplay make up for it.
iPhone/iPad ($6.99)

Tiny Tower

Tiny Tower proves that the simplest games can also be the best. With graphics that would have looked dated 15 years ago, this sim shines with addictive gameplay, a jazzy soundtrack, and progress that continues when you aren't playing.
The freemium title gets bonus points for being insanely fun even if you don't make a single in-app purchase.
iPhone/iPad (free)

Honorable Mentions

No "best of" list is definitive, and any of these titles could easily make their way onto your iOS device:

• World of Goo
• Superbrothers: Swords and Sworcery EP
• Air Mail
• Dead Space
• Modern Combat 3
• Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders
• Cut the Rope

Any big games that we left out? Drop us a line in the comments.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition revealed in LA

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition

Image Gallery (23 images) 

 

To call the Jeep Wrangler “iconic” would be something of an understatement. With a body shape that traces all the way back to that World War II workhorse, the Willis, the Jeep is an enduring symbol of Americana. Ten years ago, to counter accusations of the brand having gone "a bit soft," Jeep introduced the hard-core Rubicon Wrangler variant, named for one of America’s toughest mountain trails. Now comes the Anniversary Edition, packed with even more off-road ruggedness and ability – and a nice bit of red leather.

 The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is available as a two-door Wrangler or four-door Wrangler Unlimited, with a choice of standard six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission mated to a 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 ft.-lbs. of torque. The Jeep part-time four-wheel-drive system has electronic-locking front and rear axles that receive power through a transfer case with a “4-Low” ratio of 4:1. A 4.10 axle ratio front and rear is also standard, as are locking diff. With a six-speed manual transmission, the vehicle has a crawl ratio of 73:1.

A one-half inch increase in ride height versus the standard Rubicon model provides the Goodrich KM2 265/70R17 tires more room to claw at the scenery. The tires are mounted on 17-inch aluminum wheels painted satin black with polished faces and a red Jeep Wrangler “icon” logo on the outside lip.
Black front and rear steel off-road bumpers toughen up the exterior, with the front bumper featuring removable end caps and a winch-capable design. These removable end caps are designed to help the Wrangler climb obstacles without hindrance, and reduce the damage potential to the bumper system. A dual-intake domed hood helps aid in engine cooling and gives a more aggressive appearance. Red tow hooks adorn the front and rear, and rock rails give added protection from trail damage. “10th Anniversary” badging on the fenders and a red-silhouette “Rubicon” decal on the sides of the hood add the finishing, somewhat loud touches on the exterior.
The Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition comes standard with a soft top and is available with a black three-piece hard top or body-color hard top. Available exterior colors are Billet Silver, White and 10th Anniversary Edition-exclusive Anvil – a kind of steely blue.

The interior has a few custom touches as well, such as red leather seats with “Rubicon 10th Anniversary” embroidered into the front seat backs just to remind you what you’re sitting in. Red stitching adorns the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the center console, while a unique gauge cluster features the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with various read-outs such as oil pressure, oil temperature and tire pressure. The passenger grab handle includes a “Rubicon 10th Anniversary” badge and features silver accents that are also found on the vent rings, steering wheel spokes and door pulls.
Final design touches include slush mats, and axle locker and sway-bar disconnect switches for the really rough stuff.
Limited production (limited to what we don’t know) starts in the Spring of 2013. Price will be around the US$35,000 mark.
Source: Jeep

Images

Best iPhone apps of 2012

Five years ago, the iPhone didn't support third-party apps. Today, it's a fully-fledged computer that fits in your pocket. There are now apps for editing photos and videos, playing recent console games, and composing electronic soundtracks. Which of those stood out from the crowd this year? Let's take a look at the best iPhone apps of 2012.

Sparrow

Possibly Mac OS X's best email app came to the iPhone this year, and it's a gem. Sparrow has an attractive interface, and a feature set designed to please volume emailers.
There is, however, one big problem with Sparrow. It lacks push notifications. Google's purchase of Sparrow also means that future support for the iOS app will likely be minimal.
Even with those huge caveats, though, Sparrow is the iPhone's first third-party email client worth having.
App Store: Sparrow (US$2.99)

iPhoto

This year, Apple completed the conversion of its iLife suite to iOS. But iPhoto is nothing like its desktop counterpart. This version is a gesture-based editing suite designed specifically for touch screens. Its controls take some getting used to, but it's easily one of the best apps for enhancing pics on the go.

App Store: iPhoto ($4.99)

Chrome

In 2012, Google released a version of its popular Chrome browser for iOS. Its interface and syncing get top marks, but it can't boast any performance improvements over Safari. Through no fault of Google's, it's powered by the same engine (iOS WebKit) as Apple's default browser.

App Store: Chrome (free)

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