Lets Twist Again

Product: Bejeweled Twist
Developer: PopCap Games
Publisher: PopCap Games
Format: Mobile
Genre: Strategy
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size:683Kb
Reviewed on: Nokia 5230
Version: Europe

Welcome to a brilliant new way to play Bejeweled! Get set for a vivid sensory rush as you spin and match explosive gems for shockwaves of fun. Rotate jewels freely to set up electrifying combos, outwit obstacles, and blast high voltage gems. Rev up with a strategic challenge or just relax in the gem spinning zone. Any way you play, you will find endless ways to win!

There is nothing like a new updated release of a classic title to ignite the juices of the avid gamer. Then again there is nothing to dim the enthusiasm that a new game release may bring by re-churning an old game and making it a poor copy of its superior self. It’s a fine line to get a classic revamped without ruining it’s history. Happily Bejeweled Twist fits this latter category.

The title suggests that this follow up brings a twist to the Bejeweled gameplay, so what is there to lose? Well quite a lot if the redesign does not up the ante – which Bejeweled Twist certainly does. The twist essentially comprises a single tweak, but it makes a pretty significant difference to how the game is played.

Presented with a very recognisable game board with rows and columns of jewels, you again have to match three. The difference lies in how those gems are rearranged from the original Bejeweled.

Your cursor now surrounds a two up two down square of four jewels, and pressing the ‘5’ button rotates these four jewels in a clockwise direction. This is a bit tricky at first as it is not clear where an easily aligned collection of jewels can be had. You can rotate any four gems – they don’t have to complete an alignment of icons in order for you to be able to move them, and the game rewards you if you can match up the jewels with a single movement instead of continually rotating them.

All the favourite gameplay is still included in this new title – exploding and lightning gems that vaporise everything in the same row and column, and spanking brand new bomb gems, lumps of coal and locked gems all of which need to be removed in some capacity before you can progress through the game.

Bejeweled Twist won’t be as mind blowing as the original, as is the same with most things, but this update stays faithful to Bejewled with just enough tweaks to not make you think it is just another rehash, but a brand new version of what was a fantastic ground breaking game.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 9/10.

Download this gem of a game from Ringtones-Direct today. It’s a diamond!

Hole Lot Of Fun

Product: 3D Mini Golf World Tour
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Digital Chocolate
Format: Mobile
Genre: Sports, 3D
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 801Kb
Reviewed on: Nokia N97
Version: Europe

Fore! Get ready to test your mini golf skills around the world to see just how many hole-in-ones, pars, or birdies you can get. Play the best casual sports game now with amazing 3D graphics. Test yourself in 5 courses and 45 interesting tracks with amazing replay value. Mini golf has gone where no one has gone before with amazing terrains like City, Beach, Forest, Desert and Iceland.

Remember the days when you played crazy golf on a freezing rain sodden sea front on your Summer hols with your family? You would eventually putt the ball after smacking the damn thing off every crumbling concrete wall on the course with a brass headed dead weighted putter only to find that someone had put dog do in the hole. Nice.

Well those days are now no more – 3D Mini Golf World Tour is here!

Starting the game with your choice of player type (Only male or female I’m afraid) you can then tackle no fewer than 45 holes spread over five different themes that resemble parts of the world that are a far cry from Skegness. (No offence to Skeggy intended here).

This game is just a non stop putt fest – no drivers, stats or clubhouse rules to worry about, you just have to get around the crazy course in the lowest number of shots. This makes the playing experience very easy to get into, but having said that you sometimes feel that a little more intended difficulty could spice the game up. And by intended difficulty we mean skill levels, not the fact that sometimes your avatar can obscure straight putting views on certain angles, but hey, there are loads of other camera angles to chose from to get around this.

The holes are very well designed, with a number of interesting obstacles and features including springboards, magnets, and magic teleportation holes which do eventually test the very simple key action of holding and pressing the 5 key.

If you’re looking for an easy, good looking golf game with no bells or whistles that simply passes the time away, then this is the game for you. Ryder Cup it ain’t but then you won’t get as wet playing 3D Mini Golf World Tour as the teams from Europe and USA did during their battle in Wales. Or have to keep wiping Fido’s last meal off your ball.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 7/10.

Putt yourself first for a change and treat yourself to 3D Mini Golf World Tour from Ringtones-Direct today.

Gorilla Thriller

Product: Gorilla Rampage
Developer: Digital Chocolate
Publisher: Digital Chocolate
Format: Mobile
Genre: Adventure, Action
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 1996Kb
Reviewed on: Nokia N97
Version: Europe

Climb up skyscrapers around the world as you fight off waves of enemies! Play as King Gorilla in up to 36 levels of wacky action! Repel Firemen, Helicopters and more without being captured to rescue kidnapped girls! Earn power ups like Burps, Fire Rocks and more to unleash your full Gorilla Rage! Battle hilarious Bosses in up to 6 cities in this fresh game full of hard to put down fun!

Looking after a damsel in distress is what big gorillas do, right? Well here’s no exception as you chuck pieces of masonry at the bods below as they try and grab your girl. Marching backwards and forward across balconies whilst throwing bricks, if you escape the clutches of the pursuers long enough,you get to make your getaway with your girl (who acts as a timer) in tow.

As this latest Digital Chocolate release is all about one button gameplay, the premise is easy at first – press the button, throw the rock – however your primate pivots at this point and goes in the opposite direction. This makes the aiming of the rock to hit your foes very tricky and really compulsive trying to get it right. Choosing power ups at the right time also adds to the challenge. Your enemies can determine where your gorilla goes too – a stray bullet can get him moving to and fro at high speed.

This is where Gorilla Rampage can get a little frustrating at times as the one touch play restricts your control over the movement of the gorilla against some of the climbing rescuers. That though is the only slight flaw in an otherwise excellent update on an old fashioned adventure/arcade style game.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 9/10.

Fancy a bit of Gorilla warfare? Download Gorilla Rampage from Ringtones-Direct today. You’d be bananas not to.

Hotel High Life

Product: Hotel Tycoon Resort
Publisher: eFusion X
Format: Mobile
Genre: Fun And Lifestyle
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 499kb
Reviewed on: Nokia N95-8GB
Version: Europe

Hotel Tycoon Resort is an amazing simulation game – whether you want to be the boss of a huge mass tourist resort or a high class elite hotel – its up to you. Finish 8 challenging missions or prove your management skills in the endless mode. Hotel Tycoon keeps you busy, use your resources wisely and build a living holiday resort with pools, bars and all kinds of entertainment objects that live up even to the highest expectations of your guests. Are you worthy to be the next Hotel Tycoon.

Working initially for your girlfriend’s disapproving hotel owner father, you have to build both his confidence in you and also the hotels that he requires through a series of targets such as building a certain number of hotels, attracting a certain number of customers to them and then of course creaming in the cash.

The only way to achieve each of these goals is by building, maintaining and upgrading the restaurants and leisure facilities that will attract people in to your new hotels. You will also have to look after the road structures and environment directly situated around your structure – cleaning litter, filling in pot holes etc.

Hotel Tycoon Resort is a very good release in the Sim genre, however it can become a little repetitive when you find you have to build yet another hotel using the same methods to achieve differing goals. The screen can also become a little frustrating and cluttered at times when random messages appear that don’t really give you any advice, however these things aside if you like Sim type games, this game can give you a hell of a lot of gameplay where other titles can be completed in a lot quicker timescale.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 7/10.

If you fancy being an Hotel Tycoon and making pots of cash in property, then this is the game for you. Checkout Hotel Tycoon Resort at Ringtones-Direct now!

Viva Las Vegas

Product: Vegas Casino 12 Pack
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Digital Chocolate
Format: Mobile
Genre: Board And Card, Casino
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 720kb
Reviewed on: Nokia N97
Version: Europe

Casino gaming as it should be, Vegas style! Head to Vegas in this premium collection of up to 12 authentic casino games including Video Poker, Baccarat, Blackjack, Slots and more! Play against rockstars, heiresses and tycoons as you test your skills head to head with the best of Vegas in the ultimate Vegas challenge, The Tournament! Or perfect your skills in Free Play!

With simple controls and an equally straightforward structure, this is a one stop shop for those after a Vegas experience on the go.

Once again Digital Chocolate has come up trumps with their latest Casino based offering, Vegas Casino 12 Pack in that they make a fairly standard line of gaming release look and feel great.

As a millionaire with your sights set on making yet more cash, you play against some of the best gambling experts around in the shape of celebs, oil barons and other wealthy types across a selection of gambling genres. Each opponent that you beat unlocks another player – with the difficulty increasing as each opponent you unlock is more expert then the previous one you faced. With every win you gain a possession from the opponent you met, be it jewellery or even a car or two.

As with all trips to the casino, there is a lot of lady luck involved in the winning of games, but you’ll also gain the knowledge and skill of each game and opponent as you battle with some of the best hustlers around.

Vegas Casino 12 Pack is an easy to play yet absorbing title that, as it includes 12 different gambling games, is great value for money and gives you a real taste of the casino without worrying about risking your house if you lose!.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 9/10.

Put your cards on the table and download Vegas Casino 12 Pack from Ringtones-Direct today. Bet you won’t be able to put it down if you do!

Grand National Gaming

Product: Grand National Aintree Ultimate
Developer: Typhon Mobile
Publisher: Player One
Format: Mobile
Genre: Sports, Racing
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 697kb
Reviewed on: Nokia N95
Version: Europe

Enter the Worlds most famous Horse Race and see if you can win The Aintree Grand National.
Compete in 12 races across France, Germany, USA, Australia, Britain and Spain to earn your place in the greatest race of them all – The Aintree Grand National.

With the 2010 Grand National being ran this Saturday we thought we’d revisit one of our favourite racing games, Grand National Aintree Ultimate.

First published in 2007 and now updated for all new handsets, this horse racing game incorporates great graphics and fluent action as you race your horses in different continents and conditions around the world.

The skill is literally defining horses for courses, i.e which nag is best suited for a particular race. After choosing your steed, the ‘easy’ bit is racing against your opponents, combining accuracy of jumping with speed and know how of the course. Sounds easy? Try it!

Although now celebrating it’s 3rd birthday, Grand National Aintree Ultimate still cannot be beaten for horsing around – and with no knowledge of betting and the worry of losing money to trouble you, this is the perfect way of enjoying the Grand National when you want and not just once a year in April.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 8/10.

The bests are off, trot over to Grand National Aintree Ultimate and download this great game at Ringtones-Direct now!

Happy Easter to all our readers and bloggers from all of us at Ringtones-Direct!

Non Stop Primate Popping

Product: Bloons
Developer: Jump Games
Publisher: I-Play
Format: Mobile
Genre: Kids, Strategy, Adventure
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 222kb
Reviewed on: Nokia N95
Version: Europe

Get addicted to the balloon popping action! Bloons is based on the very simple fact that popping balloons is fun. Pop your way through all 50 puzzling levels in this exceptionally fun new puzzle adventure!

Master your shots and take out as many balloons as possible. No fail! Keep trying until you pass the level. Then, go back and play them all again! Pop special balloons for special effects

Bloons goes right back to where it all started – no flashy graphics or difficult key combinations, no need for touch screen dynamics or even Bluetooth – this is a one thumb fun strategy/adventure game that harks back to the original releases on mobile phones.

Another of the string of new games now being released on the mobile platform that were originally developed for the iPhone app market, Bloons could so easily have been made to measure for the mobile phone market alone.

The premise is simple – you’re a monkey with darts amidst a sea of differing bunches of balloons and, as all self respecting monkeys tooled up with tungsten with a lot of coloured spheres knocking around should know, you’ve just got to burst them.

Accuracy and power are the name of the game as you blast your way through the combos of balloons, being careful not to leave any stragglers. Throw too hard and you lose the dart to the atmosphere, likewise throw without any gusto and its down all the way. Some balloons have exploding devices to enable multi pops, whilst some are hidden behind clouds and scenery which has to be blasted to pop the balloons and qualify for the next level.

This is a brilliantly simple game that is so addictive that once you pop you just won’t stop!

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 9/10.

Don’t hang around, download Bloons by darting over to Ringtones-Direct now!

Sean Saboteur

Product: The Saboteur
Publisher: Hands-On Mobile
Format: Mobile
Genre: Shoot Em Up,  Action,  Adventure
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 698kb
Reviewed on: Nokia 6700-Classic
Version: Europe

Saboteur is a dark tale of revenge set in the seedy underground of 1940s occupied France. During World War II, Sean Devlin, an Irishman with a heart of gold and fists of steel, sets out on a path of vengeance against the Nazis who destroyed everything he cared about. Sean wages a personal war against the Nazis and plays by his own rules.

Whilst the premise for this game is very good, it could have been a little better. The graphics are cool enough as is most of the gameplay to satisfy the needs of the most ardent of adventure gamers, but somehow it’s really difficult to get killed, which whilst not such a bad thing normally, in the case of The Saboteur, makes the game slightly easier to play than perhaps it should be.

Your main weapon is your stealth like moves – hitting the 5 button makes Sean conduct a fatal hay maker, which he also does when you move close to your enemy whether you want him to or not. Again great if you want to steam through the game, but much like a poor Premiership football team, there’s no defence from your foe. There is also a handy wall clinging option if you wish to stalk the Nazi enemy, however this can be slightly difficult to employ.

In our verdict this is a good Action/Adventure game that is worth a look at if you like to be invincible!

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 7/10.

Become a saboteur extraordinaire, and download this great game The Saboteur now at Ringtones-Direct.

Jack is Back

Product: 24 Jack Bauer
Developer: Digital Chocolate
Publisher: Digital Chocolate
Format: Mobile
Genre: Shoot Em Up, TV And Movies, Action
Players: 1
Format: J2ME
File size: 1.02MB
Reviewed on: Nokia N95
Version: Europe

Jack’s back to tackle an all-new threat! Step into Jack Bauer’s shoes in 24 suspense packed episodes of 24 action. Confront attackers, fight helicopters, drive vehicles and much more in an intense day full of authentic adrenaline-packed 24 adventure. Go to the edge of disaster as you defuse bombs, break codes and chase cars in the ultimate 24 experience!

The action begins right from the off and there really is no let up, right through the 24 hour virtual time frame – much like the TV series. Except this is where the game differs, after 7 or 8 series of 24, the formulaic episodes can be left well alone, but not with this game – it’s hard to put down. Having said that, the game does incorporate the espionage and lateral thinking of the TV hit as well as the shoot em up fun also.

The gameplay is fluent if a little hampered by the depth or angle of the overhead style which sometimes makes controlling Jack a bit of a challenge, but even that makes this game more interesting especially when you have to choose between all out attack or controlled approaches to situations.

If you have already played Special Ops then this new 24 Jack Bauer title will hold no real mind blowing changes for you, but having said that Digital Chocolate have done the one major thing to improve on the Special Ops title. The game story is so much better this time around with Jack battling it with Russians who are attempting to overthrow a PM from an unamed European country.

In summary, this is a TV franchise game that unlike many others that are tied or tired, is a must play.

Ringtones-Direct marks out of 10 – 9/10.

Download 24 Jack Bauer now at Ringtones-Direct .