Cheap, numerous, and quickly accessible apps are the differentiator for the iPhone. The problem with a glut of apps is weeding through the junk. It's like rummaging the sales rack; a golden find is usually surrounded by trendy debris in the wrong size or wrong color. I rely on word-of-mouth for the must-have apps. Ragdoll Blaster from Backflip Studios is one I picked up from the recommendation of a co-worker. It has replaced my DS this month - sorry Nintendo.
The game is uber-simple. Shoot ragdolls out of a cannon to hit targets. Speed and trajectory are controlled by your touch on the screen relative to the cannon. You'll move through levels of different puzzles set to orchestral music and spartan graphics. You can download 20 levels for free, or purchase over one hundred levels for just $2.
The tech-blogs tell me the iPhone wants to be a serious contender in the videogames market. I don't know how I feel about that in the long run, but for two bucks, I'll happily pass the time at the bus stop with this physics puzzler. It's one of the best, simple games out there.
