One of my most anticipated games of this year is the rerelease of the Sega classic Sonic CD. Yeah, yeah, I know the poorly emulated previous versions of Sonic on the App Store were nothing to write home about, but Sonic CD stands to be different. It's been recreated from the ground up using a proprietary development kit that started off as an impressive fan project over two years ago, and takes into account the temperamental nature of touch screen controls. It remains to be seen how the final product will work out, but one thing I know for sure is that it will be a huge step up from the normal emulator that has housed all of Sega's previous Genesis iOS releases.

Anyway, stoking the flames of my already hot excitement for Sonic CD is a post on Sega's blog that reveals the addition of a special unlockable character in the rereleased game, Sonic's long-time sidekick Tails. According to Sega, Tails will become available after finishing the game once, though it's unclear whether or not there will be any sort of bonus story elements or other changes to accompany his appearance. At the very least, this shows the kind of versatility that is possible by remaking the game using their special retro engine, which will also allow for several other features and options beyond what was in the original Sega CD game.

In another interesting bit of Sonic CD news, the blog also goes on to reveal that the game is actually available right now, as long as you're willing to buy a tablet from one of your local participating GameStop stores or from the GameStop online store. Sonic CD will come preloaded on a selection of tablets that the gaming retail giant began recently selling, and will even be compatible with a special Bluetooth controller that GameStop is selling specifically for tablet gaming.

As for iOS device gamers like myself, we'll need to wait for the official Sonic CD release sometime next month. If you were already in the market for a non-Apple tablet, and you have a hankering for Sonic CD, it might be worth investigating the GameStop promotion to score a free copy a month ahead of everybody else. Buying a several hundred dollar tablet just to get a game that will likely cost between $10 and $20 might not seem like the most financially responsible idea, but at the very least you can wave the game in my face and mock the fact that you have it while I don't, which is something you really can't put a price on.

Our ratings for games we reviewed in October are now in place, and we now present to you the ones that are on the top of the heap. Each game reviewed receives a 1-5 star rating relative to the other games from that month. Generally, a 3 or higher is considered a "good" rating.

Our final scores are not the product of any traditionally objective measures such as graphics or sound, but simply reflect the games we would most recommend to others. Keep in mind, this listing is comprised of games we reviewed in October, and not necessarily games that were specifically released in October.

5 Stars

Bring Me Sandwiches!!, $0.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Adult Swim is batting 1000 lately with fabulous iOS games, and Bring Me Sandwiches!! keeps that tradition going strong. It's a cross between the collect-everything-you-see gameplay of Katamari Damacy with a platformer game. Additionally, tons of control schemes make the game great to play no matter what your control preference might be.

Mage Gauntlet, $2.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Almost too many games lean on pixel art and chip tunes just because it's in style, but Mage Gauntlet draws inspiration from that era and allows it to permeate every aspect of the game. If you have any fond memories of Super Nintendo-era action RPGs, don't miss this game.

Scribblenauts Remix, $4.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Originally released on the Nintendo DS, Scribblenauts is a game that's so unique that you simply must play it. Remix combines the best elements from both of the DS games along with 10 iOS-exclusive levels. In addition, it's even universal and boasts complete iCloud save syncing support.

4.5 Stars

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation, $6.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Gameloft has had two solid entries in the Modern Combat series so far, and the third is somewhat expectedly the best one yet. A heavily scripted single player campaign is supplemented by online multiplayer with oodles of maps and game modes.

Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots, $0.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Movie games are almost universally terrible, but I don't have a problem getting behind this trend of taking a great existing game and adding a layer of movie tie-in on top. It worked for Angry Birds Rio, and works just as well here. Bandito mode is a ton of fun, and would be fun regardless of the Puss in Boots tie-in.

Whale Trail, $0.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Most games you can plot along a line graph with "gameplay" on one end and "presentation" on the other. The best games wind up somewhere in the middle, and Whale Trail definitely sits deep into the "presentation" side of things. Still, the game looks fantastic, and the incredibly vibrant graphics almost make you forget the gameplay is so simple.

Forever Drive, Free - [Review - Forum Thread] - This clever racing game, as the title suggests, allows you to drive forever in community-created tracks. It has a cool atmosphere, and a great spin on the freemium model where paying truly feels optional, something I wish we'd see a little bit more.

Dark Meadow, $5.99 - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - Atmospheric horror is a game genre that never really seems to translates to portable devices very well, but Phosphor Games did a great job of it with Dark Meadow. Set in a creepy hospital, and utilizing the Unreal Engine, the game looks and sounds great. A repetitive combat system drags down this otherwise fantastic title.

Slam Dunk King, Free - [Review] - [Forum Thread] - The best part of NBA Jam was always the ridiculous dunks, and Slam Dunk King distills that formula even further to a ultra-casual sports game that focuses solely on wicked dunks. It's even free, and similar to Forever Drive, paying feels very optional.

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The rest of the game ratings can be seen in their respective rating categories (also found in the sidebar navigation): 5 Stars, 4.5 Stars, 4 Stars, 3.5 Stars, 3 Stars, and 2 Stars.

As always, we expect there will be some debate about relative scores, but keep in mind that everyone's personal ratings may vary based on individual tastes.

For more of our favorite iOS games, check out our "Best iPhone Games" category which includes all of these monthly posts as well as other special compilations of the greatest games the App Store has to offer:

• So You Just Got an iPhone 4S… Here's What You Need to Know!
• So You Just Got a Verizon iPhone… Let's Get You Up To Speed!
• So You Just Got an iPhone 4 � An App Store Gaming Guide
• Best iPod Touch and iPhone Games: 2010 Buyer's Guide
• 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites � Eli
• 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites � Blake
• 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites � Brad
• 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites � Jared
• Best iPod Touch and iPhone Games: 2009 Buyer's Guide

Early this year we got a quick look at the upcoming Sphero iOS controlled ball by Orbotix. Well, nearly a year later and the Sphero is available for preorder at the price of $129.99. In addition, demand has even been so high in the initial preorder rush that orders placed now won't even be fulfilled until 2012.

Check out our video of the device from CES:

Initially, the Sphero will launch with six apps to be used in conjunction with the device. The Sphero app tracks leader boards and achievements, Sphero Golf allows you to play a game of golf in your home or office, and SpheroCam sounds like it'll be the perfect photo companion for people who will be using the Sphero exclusively for harassing their pets. Sphero Draw N' Drive, Sphero Blox, and Sphero Drive all offer different variations on moving he ball around.

It sounds awesome, and I can't wait to get my hands on one.

We've covered the various gamebooks on the App Store quite a bit in the past, and we're overdue for a refresher on all the offerings of Tin Man Games-- Especially with the release of their latest gamebook, Temple of the Spider God [$2.99]. If you're new to the whole gamebook thing, here's the gist- Remember Choose Your Own Adventure books back in the day? Well, imagine those, with greater levels of interactivity via dice rolling, character skills, battles, and more. If this even vaguely sounds interesting to you, you should snag the free version of their first gamebook to give it a try. I've had an absolutely fabulous time playing through them, and highly encourage anyone interested in fantasy novels to check 'em out.

Tin Man Games' series of Gamebook Adventures all are set in the same universe, and even though they were released as a continuing series of sorts, you really don't need to read them in order at all. If the premise of a particular gamebook jumps out at you, you can dive right in without feeling like you're missing much of anything by not reading previous installments.

Here's the current lineup, which are all universal apps:

Gamebook Adventures: Temple of the Spider God, $2.99 - "Cesaro Cortez, a famed explorer-conquistador, set out three years ago on his last great expedition. His ships never returned to an Orlandrian port and he was feared lost until a mysterious cargo appeared recently in Miramar. The nature of this cargo will put Orlandes in jeopardy, sending you on an epic journey to find Cortez, save the country and face your darkest fear!"

Gamebook Adventures 1: An Assassin in Orlandes, $2.99 - "Set within Orlandes City, nobles are being systematically murdered by a ruthless assassin no-one seems able to catch. Finding yourself thrust in the middle of a large conspiracy, you must make decisions that may put yourself and one other most precious to you in great danger. Can you locate the Assassin in Orlandes before it is too late?"

Gamebook Adventures 2: The Siege of the Necromancer, $1.99 - "Set in the coastal town of Myr, you have returned home after a long Summer in the mines of Durath Tor to find your hometown besieged by strange creatures. A dark presence has taken over the town and you are the only one who can rid the stronghold of Erid Buul, the mysterious new Lord and his ghastly cohorts."

Gamebook Adventures 3: Slaves of Rema, $1.99 - "Cruelly taken from your homeland of Orlandes, you find yourself in a far off land at the mercy of a gladiatorial arena. Somehow trying to find a way to escape overseas, can you also unravel a potentially dangerous mystery that puts two nations on the brink of war?"

Gamebook Adventures 4: Revenant Rising, $1.99 - "The mighty city of Falavia, the military backbone of Orlandes, is under attack from an army lead by a man claiming to be a God. How did this come to pass you ask yourself? You're sure it all started as some innocent adventure in search of treasure but somehow it turned into a nightmare. Also, why are people staring at you strangely? It's not as if you look like you've recently been brought back from the dead or something. Oh yes, that's right. You remember now... "

Gamebook Adventures 5: Catacombs of the Undercity, $1.99 - "Captured by one of Orlandes City's most infamous brotherhoods, the Red Hand Guild, you are thrown to the mercy of the subterranean world deep beneath the streets of the great capital. Wading through the sewers and other dark menacing places, your goal is to reach Undercity, the City beneath the City! Only there can you find the help you need to escape this underground horror and bring down the dark brotherhood from within."

Gamebook Adventures 6: The Wizard from Tarnath Tor, $1.99 - "Two hundred years ago, the legendary City of Tarnath Tor was destroyed as it's defenders, the mighty wizards valiantly tried to repel an orcun horde. Now just a place set within stories and myths, it has been lost to the outside world. A chance encounter with one who claims to be a time traveller sends you on a mission to recover some magical artifacts. This search will lead you to great ruins and the dark forces who have made it their home. Who is this wizard from Tarnath Tor and how can you trust him?"