Feature Articles

App Attack #013: One Button Games

By James Lu - 11 Sep 2011

App Attack #013 – One Button Games

App Attack #013: One Button Games

Games can turn even the longest, slowest bus/train ride into an enjoyable experience. But if you’ve given up your seat - as you should have - to let the older folks sit down, holding on to the hand rails while you try to serve up delicious virtual burgers and evict unruly bitizens can be a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, there are some awesome tap-the-screen, one-button games out there, freeing up your other hand for all the holding you need.


Canabalt

Price: US$2.99
Category: Games
Platforms: Apple iOS / Google Android
Probably the most famous one button game around, Canabalt has you controlling an unnamed guy (some say he’s Michael Jackson from the Black and White video) as he endlessly escapes some dystopian mega apocalypse. Tapping the screen makes him jump and soar through the air, leaping from rooftop to rooftop until he inevitably hits a wall and plummets to his death.  

  


Jetpack Joyride

Price: US$0.99
Category: Games
Platforms: Apple iOS / Google Android / BlackBerry

If the prospect of flying around with a twin mini-gun powered jetpack strapped to your back doesn't sound exciting, there might be something wrong with you! This recently released game from the creators of Fruit Ninja lets you control Barry Steakfries in a conveyor belt style side scroller. Tapping the screen will fire the mini-gun jetpack, sending you soaring over obstacles and incoming missiles.

 


Mr. AahH!!

Price: US$0.99
Category: Games
Platforms: Apple iOS / Google Android

Like a melon headed Spiderman, Mr. AahH!! swings from platform to platform, as gracefully as only a melon headed Spiderman can. Tap the screen to launch a rope, and tap again to release it. As you progress, gravity, wind and ridiculously tiny platforms up the difficulty level. Miss a platform and you’ll find out why Mr. AahH!! is called Mr. AahH!!

 


Orbital

Price: US$2.99
Category: Games
Platforms: Apple iOS / Google Android / BlackBerry / Windows Phone 7

Orbital has you controlling a cannon that automatically swings from side to side across the playing field. Tapping the screen will fire an orb. When the orb loses momentum it will stop and expand until it hits a wall or another orb. Each orb starts with a three on it, but every time it’s involved in a collision its number will reduce by one. When the orb reaches zero, it disappears and you score a point. Keep firing orbs and make sure none of them cross the wonderfully named ‘Death Line’ or it’s game over.

 


Tiny Wings

Price: US$0.99
Category: Games
Platforms: Apple iOS

Starring a bird that bears more than a passing resemblance to one of the Angry Birds, Tiny Wings has you taking to the air, despite your diminutive airfoils, with the help of hilly terrain and a lot of speed. Tapping (and holding) the screen will cease your constant flapping, as you gain speed by sliding headfirst down a steep incline. Hit the upslope at the bottom and release, watching as your avian goes airborne, flapping with all his might. Each level starts at sunrise, with the general goal being to go as far as you can before nightfall, but specific tasks are also included that need to be completed before you can unlock the next level.

Android users beware - there are many Android versions of Tiny Wings available, but they are all poorly optimized, non-licensed ports. For an alternative on Android, try Dillo Hills.

 

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