iTunes app store surpasses 6,000 game mark
by Randy Nelson 
{ Mar 7th 2009 at 1:20AM }
Each week, Joystiq's newest feature, iPhone It In, takes a look at one prominent iPhone game. If you're looking for something new to play on your phone this weekend, you absolutely can't go wrong with Edge, Rolando, Zen Bound, Sway or Fieldrunners. They're swell.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cloud858rk @ Mar 7th 2009 1:27AM
Well quality over quantity, IMO.
Ridgecity @ Mar 7th 2009 11:52PM
I own 7 out of 6,000 and regret buying one: Katamari Damacy.
I don't think you can consider about 5,500 actual games, since some are pretty vapid and irrelevant to the point of not being fun at all, calling it "game" doesn't mean it is. The problem is Apple has always been considered a platform without any software, and of course serious lacking of games, so now they are promoting 20,000 apps and 6,000 games, and for a phone, that's pretty amazing, but how much of it stands to common quality levels or even try to reach Apple's own quality-first mentality is another case.
I would be happy to call the iphone a game console if it had 25 good games.
skyzbig @ Mar 7th 2009 1:37AM
You've got think though that developers are looking seriously at this....even though us people with psp's or ds's may hate the concept of touch screens or devs migrating to the iphone.
The fact is that the iphone will sell more than the psp will this year...maybe more than the ds as well...that's a large install base right there for devs.
Hmm.
allislost @ Mar 7th 2009 2:13AM
just because YOU say it's a "fact" it doesn't mean it's an actual fact. moron.
btw the iphone won't sell more units than the psp or ds this year or any year. The number of units sold is proof enough.
Follisimo @ Mar 7th 2009 3:55AM
Who is the say the games are even of semi-decent quality. It's probably mostly a bunch of card, dice, and other stupid board games that are pumped out everywhere. Also the price of these items is probably much less than what some of these developers might like. We will find out when the Metal Gear game comes out what the price will be.
Bowser Rogozhin @ Mar 7th 2009 6:53AM
I agree with the original poster. Convergence, no matter how much people may dislike it, is the way of the future, and the iPhone is the ultimate convergence toy at the moment. More powerful than the DS and PSP, more useful, more features, more wieldy, price is the only factor stopping the device from becoming the number one handheld. As can be seen with the Mega Drive, PS1, PS2, DS...once the install base is there, then come the games, not vice versa. Of course, the Wii seems to be the exception to that rule.
umm....hello??? @ Mar 7th 2009 9:00AM
actually, I think that the cellular network (AT&T) is more of a stopping factor than the price...
NaeemTHM @ Mar 7th 2009 9:06AM
"btw the iphone won't sell more units than the psp or ds this year or any year. The number of units sold is proof enough."
Definitely not, but the iPod Touch just might someday. Lord knows there are a 100 million iPods already in homes all over the earth. It's only a matter of time before the Touch reaches those numbers.
The Baron @ Mar 7th 2009 10:43AM
I was pretty sure the iPhone was less powerful than the PSP?
Bowser Rogozhin @ Mar 7th 2009 11:13AM
I was under the impression it was slightly stronger. I could be wrong, though (that's very unlikely).
rokobungi @ Mar 7th 2009 12:20PM
I think the Iphones main processor is more powerful than the PSP's but the PSP has a processor much more suited to 3d and graphics. kinda like the difference between trying to play half life 2 on a current dual core computer with a motherboard based graphics card and graphics pad as your only input compared to an athlon 64 2.0ghz but with a mid grade card and keyboard and mouse.
allislost @ Mar 7th 2009 6:41PM
if they add buttons and get some decent developers then things might change... it's too bad the PSP2 is coming.
Noshino @ Mar 8th 2009 1:30PM
"You've got think though that developers are looking seriously at this"
Uh, they are not looking at the total number of releases, one has to look at what is it that sells on the platform, and you can guess which titles are making the most money (HINT: not the quality ones)
"....even though us people with psp's or ds's may hate the concept of touch screens or devs migrating to the iphone."
huh? You do realize that the DS has a touchscreen right?...
And no, for example, what I hate is that many are claiming that the iPhone has what it takes to be the dominant gaming handheld, which as a matter of fact, isn't true.
"The fact is that the iphone will sell more than the psp will this year...maybe more than the ds as well..."
You really are comparing the iPhone, a cellphone with multimedia features that isn't even 2 years old, to the PSP/DS which are gaming devices at their core and that are already going for their 5th year?...
"that's a large install base right there for devs."
But is not as large as the PSP/DS's, it will take time to do so. And that's its main problem, within the amount of time that the App store has been out, its the cheap games that are making the most money, so what is there to motivate big publishers into putting that many efforts into iPhone development?...
TwistedBishop @ Mar 7th 2009 1:41AM
Is Baiden Baiden: You're The Light one of those 6,000?
Autopsy15 @ Mar 8th 2009 2:13PM
@Franko
And I hate you! See, it rhymes!
Sora @ Mar 7th 2009 1:42AM
Is this counting the paid version and "lite" version of an app as two apps or one?
required @ Mar 7th 2009 12:34PM
well the PSP has a lot of freeware, for example here are few: http://www.psponme.com/list_psp.asp?cat=Arcade
Anticrawl @ Mar 7th 2009 1:56AM
When people say the word "app" instead of "application" I want to stab them in the stomach with a serving fork and twirl their intestine like angel hair pasta. Yes I have issues.
Negativecool @ Mar 7th 2009 2:13AM
Well recognized short hand sends you into a murderous rage utilizing a kitchen utensil?
Yes, you do indeed have issues.
Noshino @ Mar 7th 2009 2:15AM
You just described my reaction when people read some acronyms as words instead of spelling them letter by letter, acronyms that are 4 or more letters Im ok, but 3 or less? cmon, they are short enough! its A I M, not aim!
Anticrawl @ Mar 7th 2009 2:15AM
I did use the word "say" not "write/type." Short hand is fine written, but in spoken language it is lazy.
Anticrawl @ Mar 7th 2009 2:17AM
It is mostly those Apple commercials, "There is an app for you, because you're a dumbass and can't function otherwise."
Markez @ Mar 7th 2009 12:27PM
I considered putting a yo dawg meme in here about apps but decided not to because I figured it could potentially throw you into a murderous rage that would reach through the interwebz.
Edog Lost @ Mar 7th 2009 2:22AM
Apple almost beat out Nintendo's summer line up.
Ridgecity @ Mar 7th 2009 11:57PM
all consoles are the same, most licensed crap comes out on all 3 consoles, not just's Nintendo, the only difference is HD console owners decide to look away and tell themselves that the same crap isn't released on all consoles...
Will @ Mar 7th 2009 2:33AM
So, I'm not trying to be anti-Apple, but is anyone else finally getting tired of the iPhone? I just haven't recognized it as a legitimate gaming platform and still don't think it's quite there. I sort of just scratch my head at it. I've never liked it as a phone but never even considered it as any sort of serious gaming device.
It's just these days it seems like I'm the only one around here who doesn't think of it as a viable alternative to the PSP or DS.
Lee @ Mar 7th 2009 9:43AM
"I've never liked it as a phone but never even considered it as any sort of serious gaming device."
That should have been your first line so we could have stopped reading there.
Yea it's not a brilliant gaming device, but it's something new and different. Every other outlet seems interested in it. Deal?
ill trooper @ Mar 7th 2009 4:22PM
Will: No.
skyzbig @ Mar 7th 2009 3:12AM
"The number of units sold is proof enough."
Er...you do know that the PSP has been out over 2 1/2 years longer than the iphone don't you.
In Q4 2008 Sony sold 5 million psp's; in Apple's Q4 they sold 7 million iphones...and that's not even factoring in ipod touch sales which can also play games.
Dude, go and get a clue.
Ryoga Vee @ Mar 7th 2009 4:38AM
amen brother.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Mar 7th 2009 5:28AM
Nice shameless advertising of one of your features. I KNEW THE NEW JOYSTIQ WOULD BE A SELL OUT!! YOU AND IGN CAN GO MAKE BABIES AND SELL THEM TO WAL-MART!
*runs away crying*
brain @ Mar 7th 2009 7:14AM
Doesn't matter if 99.999% of the apps are pointless pieces of crap
J-Link @ Mar 7th 2009 7:27AM
I wonder what percentage of them are actually good...
F TANK @ Mar 7th 2009 8:09AM
And 99.8% of those are driving games that are all played exactly the same way
754Boy @ Mar 7th 2009 9:22AM
6000 games? Too bad 95% of the games are either clones of other games or just not worth playing........
Dr Awesomestein @ Mar 7th 2009 10:12AM
The App Store has only been kicking around for about 8 months, as is always the case the first batch of games have been relatively weak, but please remember that there is practicaly no barrier to entry thus the world and his dog are able to submit iPhone games of varying quality. Only now are you starting to see a micro industry form around this market with quality iPhone publishers rising to the top (Chillingo, ngmoco etc).
Mark my words, in the coming months you will see some extremely quality product hitting the app store and with big players like EA, Gameloft and Hudson already on the scene it's only going to get bigger. I'm not saying the iPhone will "beat" the DS or PSP, it doesn't have to, it has it's own customers, it's own market place and a digital distribution platform that is reachable anywhere on earth that gets a 3G connection. You don't have to care about iPhone games, but while you're ignoring the app store others will be enjoying some of the most unique and enjoyable games to come out in a very long time (Crayon Physics Deluxe, Sway, Dropship, iDracula and Zen Bound to name a few).
Noshino @ Mar 7th 2009 11:41AM
Well, you are both overrating the iPhone and underrating the PSP/DS.
"Mark my words, in the coming months you will see some extremely quality product hitting the app store and with big players like EA, Gameloft and Hudson already on the scene it's only going to get bigger."
Nintendo is releasing the DSi, Sony is releasing the next PSP, what makes you think that big publishers would spend that many resources developing quality games for the iPhone instead of those 2 new handhelds?
As a matter of fact, the reality is that crappy games are what usually sell the most on the system, so yah, they would spend resources developing for the iphone, but the likeness of said titles not being shovelware is kind of low.
"I'm not saying the iPhone will "beat" the DS or PSP, it doesn't have to, it has it's own customers"
Everything that is available on the iPhone CAN be developed for the DS or the PSP as well, but it doesn't work the other way around. That is a huge disadvantage.
"it's own market place and a digital distribution platform that is reachable anywhere on earth that gets a 3G connection. "
well, the same applies to the PSN Store, you can buy games for your PSP anywhere there is a wireless internet connection.
Crayon Physics Deluxe: Available on PC as well as, although very limited, on the DS
Sway: Fun game, but having to use your fingers for such movements on a screen that isn't that big to begin with can get very obtrusive and annoying.
iDracula: Same game controls as Dropship, but very simplistic, after the 3rd time it got boring.
Zen Bound: I didn't get it, but just like I feel in love with Noby Noby Boy, some people might find this one fun as well.
Now, Dropship is the only game that I found outstanding, the controls, camera, and overall accessible yet somewhat deep gameplay was just great. My only problem with it was that it was short ;(
Now, all of those games could be made on the iphone, but can games like God of War, Crisis Core, or even Space Invaders Extreme be develop for the iPhone? uh, unlikely, unless you want to butcher the controls.
chefgon_ign @ Mar 7th 2009 12:56PM
Practically no barrier to entry?
How about YOU HAVE TO BUY A MAC.
Sorry, I'm just bitter about it. I would happily write a few games if I didn't have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a development machine. I can develop for pretty much any other mobile OS in the world using any run-of-the-mill computer, why should I have to buy a whole separate machine just for iPhone development?
Lee @ Mar 7th 2009 1:21PM
You...
Don't have a mac? pardon?
ill trooper @ Mar 7th 2009 4:33PM
"I would happily write a few games if I didn't have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a development machine." - chefgon
Well, you should have more faith in what you'd be able to write. If you compare the dev kit cost of a PSP (over $4000) you might start to rethink your drink (Kool-aid?). You can get a MacMini for $599 and the dev kit for free, although you do have to pay $99 a year to participate and sell things in the AppStore.
If you come up with something good, you could cover those costs in the first week of sales. I'd say get over your Apple hate and go for it.
Tha0racle @ Mar 7th 2009 11:35AM
Almost all the games stink and the decent ones are barely decent. The new Metal Gear will suck as did the Silent Hill game.
Tha0racle @ Mar 7th 2009 12:06PM
I have a touch so I know how these games play..there are a scant few that are even worth your time..
Joeshie @ Mar 7th 2009 12:17PM
iPhone games are too overly simplistic to catch my attention. Until it can get something somewhat complex on it, which i doubt due to the limitations of the controls, it won't ever see a game purchased from me.
Bowser Rogozhin @ Mar 7th 2009 12:34PM
You need to define what simplicity actually is?
Regarding controls, I find the tilt mechanics of the Locoroco rip-off far more complex and engaging than the original version. Where some see limitations, others see new opportunities, and the closer we can get to one button/purely motion centred gaming, the better.
Joeshie @ Mar 7th 2009 3:34PM
How is less buttons possibly better? It allows for less control which in turns lowers the amount of control you have over the game. Some types of games would be completely impossible to play with only motion controls and one button. Are you suggesting that these different types of games should go the way of the dodo?
Bowser Rogozhin @ Mar 8th 2009 7:40AM
The optimum should be one or, two buttons, but any game that requires more than two buttons and two triggers, so four buttons in total, is a legacy of the overly complicated 90s and should be consigned to that era. If a game forces you to use every button on a regular Xbox/Playstation pad then that's simply lazy game design. Post-2000 there are codified rules to modern life; there isn't enough time, so everything must be more accessible. Why should I have to learn how to use 10+ new button combinations on every new game when I only have three hours a week to actually play? The time to learn doesn't fit into mine, or most other people's, lifestyle.
Joeshie @ Mar 8th 2009 2:26PM
So your saying that because certain complicated games that use many buttons don't fit into your lifestyle, then they shouldn't even exist.
How incredibly self-centered.
chefgon_ign @ Mar 7th 2009 12:52PM
I think it's a bummer that you absolutely have to use AT&T to get this phone. My wife really wants one, and I'd like to play with it if she did, but I'm just not willing to dump my T-Mobile Android phone.
I hate that the coolest phones are all specific to separate carriers, so there's no way for everyone in the family to get what they want on the same family plan.
required @ Mar 7th 2009 3:40PM
I think it's lame that you have to pay a monthly fee to even use the thing. And from what I've heard, that fee is mighty high.
bauermill @ Mar 7th 2009 1:46PM
You mean, iTunes app store surpasses 6,000 "game" mark.