iPhone It In: Word Scramble
by Justin McElroy 
{ Apr 14th 2009 at 12:34PM } 
Just like in Word Fu, you're given a selection of letters (this time a standard grid rather than cubes) and you have to make as many words out of them as you can in a few minutes. It lacks the power-ups of Word Fu, which robs a little bit of excitement, but it also makes you feel like you only have yourself to blame for low scores.
The big selling point of Word Scramble is its multiplayer. If you choose, you can play at the same time as 100+ strangers, everyone working with the same letter set. As the game progresses, the names and faces (or occasionally cats) of the top three scorers appear at the bottom of the screen.
I'm not quite sure why this makes the game so addictive, but it's undeniable that there's something about seeing the same grinning, cat-holding doofus at the bottom of the screen that makes you want to learn every word ever just to knock them off.
It's odd, but I think the reason I'm so drawn to Word Scramble is its ability to show me that, despite how I make my living, I'm right in the middle of the pack intellectually. How often can you get a reality check like that for free?
Scramble (Free, Zynga):
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
copa @ Apr 14th 2009 11:14AM
With the sheer developer output onto the iPhone platform, I'm disappointed that we're still struggling to find fresh new games for this feature.
90% of all iPhone games are now a Tower Defense game, a Word Jumble game, or an awkward port of a console game that does not work well on the iPhone.
Hopefully, the Renaissance is coming...
andrew @ Apr 14th 2009 12:56PM
As apposed to the constant stream of FPS games on consoles?
Rax Dakkar @ Apr 14th 2009 3:40PM
Try Eliss.
ill trooper @ Apr 14th 2009 5:53PM
But really, Copa, it seems like it's only 'iPhone It In" here on Joystiq that "struggles" (please don't take offense, Joystiq guys). There's actually a lot going on out there! I know there's more exciting stuff happening because I read about it on 'toucharcade.com' and I'm mildly let down by the column here, although I do respect the effort and I believe it can develop into a more informative column. Maybe it's just not a good area for Joystiq to expend resources on yet, which I can also understand. Or maybe the joke's on me when they named it "Phone it in" because it seems very casual and hands-off.
Aside from my 360, the iPhone is really my main gaming platform right now, ahead of my PS3 and certainly ahead of - no dis to these following platforms, they're all very good - my Wii, PSP, and DS, which are sort of dead to me now.
butaneko @ Apr 14th 2009 12:40PM
I'm a little burnt out on Word games at the moment.
My current fave is Baseball Stars 2009
Nathan C. @ Apr 14th 2009 4:27PM
Has been my favorite since the day I got my phone. The new update didn't set too well with me though. You're too far away.
Evan Brown @ Apr 14th 2009 1:24PM
nice screenshot
umm....hello??? @ Apr 14th 2009 1:32PM
umm....with the exception of online multiplayer this is a remake of Big Boggle (aka Boggle or Boggle Jr depending on the age group) by Parker Bros(?). I used to play it all the time with my grandmother.
if I had an iPhone I definitely would get this game.
D_Average @ Apr 14th 2009 2:19PM
Just downloaded it and got 1st place out of 109 peeps on my second game. I rule.
Jakkers @ Apr 14th 2009 4:18PM
Not bad, but it doesn't have anything on Word Fu aside from multiplayer. It also seems pretty easy online - I won two of my first three games. No penalty for guesses makes it a tad too easy to just spam combinations of letters that could be unusual words. If Word Fu could integrate internet multiplayer (as opposed to just local wi-fi), it would be far better in every way.
last.pro.tender @ Apr 17th 2009 8:42PM
A game I found that seems to be just out (?) - Primate Plunge. Really nice platform game, cute graphics etc. See it here:
http://www.aelius.com/primateplunge/iphone/
It's a pretty simple concept, but it works really nicely.
illscience @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:28PM
Have you checked out Shake & Spell? That game has been around since December and it does everything that Scramble does and more. I like the multiplayer better because you can challenge individuals, friend them, etc. instead of always playing the "world".
Clint @ May 4th 2009 6:27PM
Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but it looks to me like you aren't actually competing against people with the same letter board. In fact, you seem to be competing with other people in real-time on completely different letter boards.
To see for yourself...just return to the main menu mid-game and then rejoin by playing on live again. You will now have the remaining time but on a fresh randomly generated board. I'm guessing that all it dies is synchronize the start and end times, but you are all playing different boards. Makes it all a bit pointless really, if I'm right.