The iPhone 4S was recently announced during Apple's press event. While the new iDevice may not have caught everyone's eye (Editor's note: Who are you kidding?), the new A5 processor chip makes the new iPhone a worthy adversary to the other smart phones in today’s market. Having the same processing power as Apple's other product, the iPad 2, the iPhone 4S can handle the latest iOS games. Gameranx has compiled the top ten best games for the iPhone 4S.
#10. Street Fighter IV
We're going to start this list off with a bang with Street Fighter IV! Capcom has (arguably) made what fighting game fans regard as the number one fighting game. The Street Fighter series has been on everything from arcade machines to standalone consoles, and mobile phones seem like the next obvious platform. Street Fighter IV on the iPhone 4S will give you the impression that you're playing a full release game and not some half-baked mobile spinoff.
You're given a roster of fourteen playable characters and up to eleven environments to fight in. Staying true to the series, fighters will have their own unique and special attacks. Not only are you given the tournament option but you can even start up a Bluetooth connection and go head-to-head with a friend. This very well may be the best fighter on the iOS right now.
Price: $4.99
#9. Spider-Man: Total Mayhem
Developed by Gameloft, Spider-Man Total Mayhem lets you experience a day in the life of Peter Parker. Take on some of the daily tasks and errands that pop up in the city as you swing from building to building. While this game may not have much of a storyline (or character development, for that matter), the web action and boss fights make up for it.
Regardless, the game offers a few extras to keep you hooked. For instance, throughout the game you will unlock a vast array of concept art made for the game. Several of Spider-Man's nemeses show up in the game as well; Electro, Green Goblin, Rhino, Venom and the Sandman are a few of the enemies that will have their hand in taking over New York City. Gamers are left with making quick actions and saving innocent citizens from what looks like impending doom!
Price: $6.99
#8. N.O.V.A 2
The N.O.V.A series has been called the Halo for the iOS. While the game does bear a resemblance to being a Halo clone, N.O.V.A 2 is a great game for hardcore gamers. Created by Gameloft, N.O.V.A 2 is the second installment of the series. This time around we get a new selection of weapons and drivable vehicles.
The game starts right after the events of the first game, as Captain Kal fights off the last of the Voltarites in his spaceship, when Kal realizes that the only way to bail out is to head for the nearest emergency exit. While escaping the spaceship, he is alerted to the presence of a new a new threat against Earth. As Kal, your job is now to take on this "Alliance" and stop the assault and save and alert nearby N.O.V.A troops.
Price: $6.99
#7. Hero of Sparta II
Hero of Sparta II is also a game developed by Gameloft—one that obviously riffs God of War. This titles picks right up from where Hero of Sparta left off. You play an ancient Greek king named Argos who is sailing away from the underworld to escape Hades' dominion. Argos is trying desperately to return to his land of Sparta, but before he steps foot on land he is warned of all the dangers Hades has planned for him if he refuses to return to the underworld. Argos ultimately refuses to listen and continues on his way.
Throughout the game you will hack-and-slash your enemies while you taking on the Greek gods. While you level up, you will gain new weapons and abilities, making Argos feel godlike when approached by what seems to be overpowering creatures.
Price: $6.99
#6. Asphalt 6: Adrenaline
Asphalt 6: Adrenaline is a racing game. While I'm unable to expand too much on what the game is about, I'll say simply that it's a great game for what it offers.
Asphalt 6: Adrenaline features twelve tracks with a few game modes including drift, normal race and time trial. You will first start out with cars like the Mini Cooper and must win races in order to unlock other tracks and several feature vehicles. You will also get the chance to race through some major cities in the world.
Price: 0.99
#5. Rage HD
While Rage has just launched to consoles, Rage HD has been out for awhile to offer players a small teaser of the full title. Even though the game has already been released, Rage HD is still a great game to pick up and play for the iPhone 4S.
That said, the game is very short—three levels short to be exact, or thirty minutes of gameplay. Each level only rakes in around ten to fifteen minutes of gameplay. Unlike the full game, Rage HD is an FPS on rails, meaning that you won't necessarily be able to take control of the character, aside from deciding where to shoot. Regardless of its length, the game is a steal for less than a dollar.
Price: $0.99
#4. Galaxy on Fire II
The Galaxy on Fire series was first popularized by the success of the first game. No less enjoyable, its sequel Galaxy on Fire 2 received an award at a German gaming awards show, earning the “Best Mobile Game” in 2011. Galaxy on Fire 2 takes place thirty-five years after the events of Galaxy on Fire during what is called the 'Void Threat'.
You play Keith T. Maxwell where you end up in the future by a glitch caused during a pirate ambush. Gamers are left to fight off pirates along with the main void threat. This new title hosts a few improvements including, new weapons, equipment, missions and even a new trading system. Galaxy on Fire offers a campaign that should last any player dozens of hours.
Price: $9.99
#3. Dead Space
Dead Space should be a household name to any hardcore gamer. The series offers such a compelling horror feel and story that the iOS game is a strong companion to the console versions of the game. Dead Space on the iOS was made to promote and hype up the launch for Dead Space 2 but managed to stand out on its own as a great horror title, with crisp graphics and dropping onscreen buttons for a full view of the game.
Set only three years after the first Dead Space, you're left trapped on alien infested spaceship. You play as Vandal and much like the console games, you must try to stay alive and escape the Necromorphs. The entire game gives you anywhere from three to five hours of spine-tingling action.
Price: $6.99
#2. Machinarium
Machinarium is a rare game that stands out in a sea of clones and sequels. First making its release on the PC back in 2009, Machinarium has finally made it's way to the iOS. It plays very much like an old school point-and-click adventure. Needless to say, it fits right at home on the iOS.
You control a little robot with the ability to morph the size of his body, which helps you to solve various puzzles and overcome a myriad of obstacles. With stunning visuals and a great sound track, you won't mind taking your time when trying to solve the puzzles you encounter while exploring the game's gorgeous surroundings.
Price: $4.99
#1. Infinity Blade 2
Epic Games should be proud of what they brought to the iOS. I tried very hard not to have multiple games from a series on this list, but I want to take the time right now and tell you that if you have not played Infinity Blade then you're missing out! However, we are not focusing on Infinity Blade but its successor. Epic Games recently announced Infinity Blade 2 at Apple's iPhone 4s Presentation Keynote, stating that the game will run quite smoothly with the new A5 processor.
Not only has the graphics surpass anything we have seen on the marketplace thus far, but the game itself will magnify everything we've come to enjoy in the original game, bringing in over 100 new weapons and items, a much larger scaled world with compelling environments and even choices. Likewise, the new game will be far less linear, with side paths allowing you to explore the land.
Price: TBA
