Turns out that assembling an iCade takes less time than finding good games for it. As I put the finishing touches on the monstrosity, I finally began thinking about what I would do with it once it was together. I had no clue. This is probably why my girlfriend hates me so much, but I suppose that's neither here nor there.

If you're familiar with our message board, then finding games that support the device is as simple as throwing in a search term. Sadly, the list our community is putting together isn't showing up in a simple Google search. With this lone write-up, I'm hoping to kill two birds: I want to give everyone a solid starting point with their new machines, while also pointing out that our dudes in the trenches are doing a great job listing and evaluating the titles.

So, yeah, you've got an iCade and need some games. Here's a handy list of a few, drawn from our iCade support thread.

• No Gravity [$4.99]
• Warblade HD [$2.99]
• Sideways Racing [$.99]
• Silverfish MAX [$2.99]
• Match Panic [$.99]
• Mos Speedrun [$1.99 / Lite]
• Velocispider [$.99 / Lite]
• Super Mega Worm [$.99]
• Super Mega Worm Vs. Santa [Free]
• Compression HD [Free]
• IronStar Arena [$.99 / Lite]
• Emerald Mine [Free]
• Space Inversion [Free]
• Space Inversion 2 [$1.99]
• Space Inversion Puzzle [Free]
• Freeesh [Free]

Just real quick, I want to spotlight Velocispider, Match Panic, and Super Mega Worm � all three of these games are greatly enhanced by the joystick and buttons that the iCade provides. Super Mega Worm in particular feels much more visceral, precise, and becomes much more entertaining as a result. Seriously, I've spent more hours with it today than I have since its original release in 2010.

Compared to the amount of games on the App Store, the game release line-up is still pretty thin, as you've probably observed from the above list. Our collective brains sincerely hope more studios get into the iCade support it where it makes sense, as it really does add a previously unexplored layer of play in new and especially or older titles. Fingers crossed for a The Blocks Cometh [$.99]update. You know it makes sense, Halfbot!

Yesterday we were blown away by Griffin's upcoming $49.99 HELO TC iOS-controlled helicopter, for a number of good reasons. First off, it's a sixth cheaper than the Parrot AR.Drone and the announcement was accompanied by an awesome video which I'll embed again just for fun:

Initially, I was under the incorrect assumption that this was going to be a two horse race between Parrot and Griffin for iOS real-world aerial superiority, but boy was I wrong. As it turns out, there's quite a few options already in existence that you can order today in a variety of different sizes and price points.

Almost immediately after posting the HELO TC article, I was emailed by Gerard Nieuwenhuis who runs iHelicopters.net who told me about his variety of ready to ship helicopters that use a similar free app to control them. The main difference being, instead of requiring AA batteries to power the IR transmitter, the iHelicopter transmitter is powered by rechargeable batteries.

There's even a Kickstarter-funded option, iRemoco which similarly uses its own app. Crazier yet, infamous Chinese-knockoff seller DealExtreme even has a whole array of their own iOS-choppers.

There's not much variance in the pricing between iHelicopters, iRemoco, Griffin, and DealExtreme, so I think we're going to need to do an (entirely unexpected) iOS-controlled helicopter shootout to really determine who is the king of the App Store air space. Who knew such a seemingly specific product would have such a crowded marketplace?

Despite both noble and ignoble efforts, the real time strategy genre has never managed to find much traction outside of PC/Mac gaming. The micromanagement required to succeed in these games just screams for the speed and precision of a mouse. This hasn't stopped developers from trying to awkwardly force RTS gameplay into console controller or touch inputs, however. While they struggle bravely on, it may ironically be a game that never attempted to tackle the problem at all that actually provides a vital clue to answering the riddle.

When Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim [$2.99] first released back in 2000 for PC and Mac, the game was praised for its unique take on the genre. The game featured all the base building, resource gathering, and upgrade grinding that a fan of RTSs at the time could hope for, while streamlining unit management by making all heroes and henchmen autonomous. As it turns out, the iOS port of Majesty demonstrates that it may make far more sense to tailor RTS gameplay to fit the unique inputs of a platform than the other way around.

So, you're the heir to a monarch who went insane and let the kingdom go to hell in an archaic handbasket. As the new king, it's up to you to set things right; the realm is overrun with goblins and undead and, of course, rats. While they never say it to your face, the gameplay implies that the heroes and citizens of your demesne are less than confident in your leadership qualities due to your shaky genetic background. Instead of taking direct orders from you regarding specific objectives, they act independently and must be bribed and persuaded to take action on your behalf.

What's a king without obedient vassals to do? Spend money, of course. Each level begins with your castle and a set amount of gold coin to pay for buildings. Pay for a warrior or mage guild, and you'll be able to recruit heroes. Blacksmiths, libraries, and the like provide access to upgrades that your heroes will take advantage of as they wander by. Marketplaces speed up your gold intake while opening up magic items like healing potions and rings of protection to be bought by units. A respectable variety of different building types, upgrade trees, and prerequisites gives a great deal of room for experimentation and tweaking for optimal performance.

You may have control over the type and placement of buildings, but when it comes to the heroes, they have their own set of priorities. If their guild or a nearby building in the town is attacked by enemies, they will reluctantly emerge to do battle. Barring an attack, their next course of action is to make the rounds and pick up any items or upgrades from buildings that weren't available the last time they donned their slippers and swords. These lazy bastards simply don't get out of bed unless they are under siege or they hear the clinks of a brimming gold pouch.

While heroes will occasionally get a wild hair up their breeches and decide to explore or attack enemies on their own, the fastest way to get things done is to dangle the cash carrot. You can place a waypoint over an enemy structure or unexplored area of the map and attach a bounty to it. The larger the reward, the more likely it is that heroes will wander away from the comforts of home to get rich or die trying. For those who have never played the original, this lack of direct control will drive some gamers crazy. As for myself, I occasionally muttered about how it was hard to find good help these days, but for the most part I found it extremely liberating.

While the game's core conceit survives the transition to iPhone/iPad famously, that's not to say that this port handles all things touchscreen with equal grace. Positioning of buildings and waypoints is occasionally troublesome, as is the targeting of your spells. The user interface is also unfriendly. Spells are denoted by icon only, so determining the function and efficacy of your arcane arsenal is problematic. The fact that the game is universal is nice, but ye olde ugly font that is readable on my iPad is much trickier to decipher on an iPhone screen. Playing with the larger device is recommended for those with the option.

Majesty's focus on building and bounties as primary game mechanics eliminates the clicks-per-minute pressure of most RTS titles that simply doesn't translate to a touch screen. The result is more fun and less frustration. If this had been a new title built specifically for iOS, I would have called it a stroke of genius. As it is, I'll have to call it a pleasant serendipity. Not too frantic and not too dumbed down, the port just seems to fit. I'd love to see other developers look at this game and make the mechanic a deliberate iOS design choice.

One of our very favorite not-a-game-itself-but-is-still-gaming-related apps in the App Store is Zell Application's Joypad Game Controller [Free]. We reviewed the Joypad this past February, and in short it turns your iOS device into a customizable virtual control pad for playing games on your computer. You just run the app on your device and then it very easily connects to a desktop client on your computer over Bluetooth or a local WiFi network. You're then free to map the virtual buttons of the Joypad to the keyboard controls of whatever game you're playing, or choose from the many preset configurations, and just like that you've got yourself a competent little game controller.

Naturally, it's not quite the same as having a physical controller, but if you like to travel light or find yourself needing to get your game on in a pinch it more than does the trick. Heck, I use the Joypad exclusively to play old emulators on my laptop simply because it works really well and I'm too lazy to bust out my USB controller. Ah, technology, always facilitating my laziness.

Anyway, back at WWDC this year I sat down with Zell Applications who explained how they had just released a Joypad SDK, which anyone can use to add native Joypad support in games on both desktop computers and iOS devices. We first saw this officially in action with the platformer Lars [$1.99/Lite], and recently the Mac App Store version of Mos Speedrun [$2.99] was updated with Joypad support, too. No need to pair the Joypad app with desktop software with these, rather just fire up either game along with the Joypad app on your device and everything just works, and it rocks.

During that WWDC meeting, Zell also revealed that the Joypad would be getting some retro skins packs in the near future, and that update has just hit the App Store. As you may know, Joypad was originally a paid app when it launched in March of last year, but in order to entice more people to use it the developers launched a separate free version back in January. As a way to support their efforts and put food in their bellies, the new retro skins are being sold for 99� each, or you can grab all 8 of them in a pack for $5.99 and save a couple of bucks.

Both versions of Joypad are functionally identical, but if you already owned the original paid version, which is now called Joypad Elite, then you'll get the entire 8 pack of retro skins included for free with the update. The skins are beautiful and feature 8 of the most classic console controllers ever, and are perfect for getting the full effect when playing with emulators. Also, inside of the in-app shop there is now a list of Joypad compatible games. So far there is built in support for Lars, Super Mega Worm [99�/Lite], Emerald Mine [Free], and Mos Speedrun for Mac. Upcoming supported games will include Meganoid [$1.99], Arcade Jumper, 8-bit Rally [99�], and Marathon [Free].

Finally, inside the store there is a link to order the Fling Mini, another cool control peripheral that we took a look at during WWDC and works really well in conjunction with the Joypad app. As a bonus, if you use the in-app link to order the Fling Mini then you'll get 10% off the regular price. Not a bad little deal at all.

In case you couldn't tell, I get pretty stoked talking about the Joypad. I just can't help it. It's clever, it works surprisingly well, and it's completely free to use. I actually game way more on my laptop since discovering the Joypad than I ever did before. It's just really convenient. If you haven't yet tried out Joypad for yourself, give it a download, you've got nothing to lose except your dependence on a dedicated physical gamepad.

We originally planned to describe Roping Rob [99c] as a "hook-throwing platform game", because modern gamers are familiar with that genre, thanks to popular titles like Super Quick Hook [$2.99 / Review]. However, according to the game description from developers, Wehaveapp, you're actually carrying a harpoon, so let's call it a "harpooning-platform game", which is technically accurate, but not quite as catchy.

The game opens with a background story, which does a great job of setting the context for the game-play. The 'Robs' are little creatures who work at the center of the Earth, where they ensure the core is constantly stable, hot and fluid. However, one of the Robs is defiant and wants to travel, to check out the Earth's surface. This game follows his journey through the Earth, with levels starting at the inner core and moving through the molten outer core, the lower and upper mantle and eventually to the crust, as he ventures to the Earth's surface.

I've always enjoyed games which take you on a journey, like the classic Gyruss (1983) where you progress through the planets in our solar system. Roping Rob uses this approach well, with each chapter being graphically depicted as a different environment, based on the Earth's layered geological structure. As you play, you're always very aware of your proximity to the surface, which encourages you to keep playing.

There's over thirty levels to complete, which is accomplished by locating and entering the glowing exit in each one.� As always, there's a range of obstacles along the way, including rotating platforms, spring-boards, barriers and buttons. You'll need to harpoon through small gaps and even use a massive drill to dig through the Earth. You'll have to dodge spikes, rolling boulders and poisonous fumes, to be successful in this platform game.

The gameplay controls are minimalistic, with no buttons or virtual pad. You simply tap the screen to throw your harpoon in that direction, and tap again to release it. Once your harpoon is impaled in a roof or wall, it automatically retracts, pulling you towards it.� You can either let yourself be pulled right up to the harpoon, or else let go to throw yourself in that direction while you have momentum.� There's no left or right walking, just harpooning.

This game is made using GameSalad, which often leads to a couple of knee-jerk negative comments, but it's best to judge a game based on it's own merits, regardless of which tools are used to develop it. Who cares how a game is made, providing it's challenging and fun. And this game is both of those things.� Although, there are a couple of minor gripes. Some loading delays occur at the start of levels, the screen sometimes changes orientation unexpectedly, or won't change orientation at all, and the sound effects can become annoying, such as the constant metallic *clang* of the harpoon. And Level 16 is actually impossible to complete, but the developers already have a fix for this, which was just released in an update, so the Rob CAN reach the surface!

High scores are stored (in-game) for each level, including time, number of harpoons used and number of tries.� However, the number of tries is showing as "1" for each level, despite attempting one nasty level many, many times. Also, there's a space for the total stats to be displayed, but that area is blank, presumably mistakenly. These issues have also been ironed out in the just-released update.

Roping Rob is a simple game, with basic yet strangely appealing graphics. There's a fair amount of entertainment provided, with replay value if you choose to better your own level completion times.� The big question is � what happens when the Rob finally reaches the surface?

In early June, Capcom did what many gamers had been clamoring for ever since the App Store opened and released a Monster Hunter game for iOS called Monster Hunter Dynamic Hunting [$1.99]. Unfortunately, this was not a proper Monster Hunter title like the others in the ridiculously popular series, but rather a collection of single battles against many of the monsters from previous iterations of the game.

However, if you were cool with it not being your typical Monster Hunter game, there was actually a lot to like about Monster Hunter Dynamic Hunting. It used a gesture-based combat system similar to Infinity Blade [$5.99], though much more mechanical and less organic, and featured a respectable amount of armor and weapon upgrading that kept you engaged throughout the many battles. The game was even improved further by an update in early July that added a "Real Hunt" mode which basically let you play through the game over again with a highly increased difficulty after beating it the first time.

Today, Capcom has once again pushed out an update for Monster Hunter Dynamic Hunting which adds a new weapon, the hammer, into the mix. It also adds 4 new monsters to take on, which is always a welcome addition. Finally, there are some new customizable weapon and armor pieces to suit up your character with. Perhaps best of all is that to celebrate this update the price has dropped more than half to $1.99.

I've had more fun with Monster Hunter Dynamic Fighting than I ever expected, and members in our forums are pretty fond of it as well. It's actually a really solid little title as long as your expectations aren't for a full-fledged Monster Hunter game, and if you've been on the fence about it I'd recommend checking it out for the sale price and with the bonus goodies that have come from the past two updates.

In the great scheme of iOS gaming, Darkness Escape Deluxe [$0.99 / HD ] isn't a horrible game. In fact, Darkness Escape does an adequate job representing the platform runner genre that has become more prevalent on the App Store in recent years. Unfortunately, adequate isn't enough, especially when compared to some of the other heavy hitters in the genre. There are simply too many missteps, mainly a lack of content and questionable asset design, that prevent this game from rising above the rest of the competition and actually earning your play time.

For those unfamiliar with platform runners in general, the gameplay in Darkness Escape Deluxe is simple: your character starts off at the left side of the screen and continually runs to the right until you reach the end of the level. In addition, you start off with 100 coins on each level and must avoid hazards that reduce your coin total (end up with less than 80 and you fail and must repeat the level). �There are some barriers that can stun or stop your movement, but otherwise, you have no control over your speed. In fact, the only control mechanism you have is a jump button which you use to avoid said barriers as well as chasms that lead to death. Several different kinds of power-ups (ranging from increased speed to invulnerability) are littered throughout each level, but most of them seem to do more harm than good in most situations.

Overall, Darkness Escape Deluxe satisfies most of the prerequisites for a platform runner, but there's just nothing gripping about the gameplay. There is very little story (you're a female thief that steals from the rich and gives to the poor, that's it), and little incentive to continue playing other than to unlock another monotonous level. Even that incentive doesn't last very long as there's only twenty levels in the entire game, with no additional difficulties. If you're not particularly good at platform runners (like me), you should still manage to play through all the content in about two hours, which is a very low amount of content for games like this.

Besides content, there are a few annoying design decisions that make Darkness Escape even less of an enjoyable experience. For example, some of the obstacles are colored very similarly to the ground tile set, making them hard to distinguish while running at full speed. Some may argue that's just part of the difficulty, but I think it's just poor game design. Also, the music that plays when you die just seems completely annoying and out of place. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but considering that death happens a lot in this game (as with most platform runners) it eventually becomes maddening.

If you're looking to try out a platform runner, there are far better alternatives out in the App Store. In fact, the only folks that I think would bother checking out�Darkness Escape Deluxe are the genre obsessives that would probably enjoy any playable platform runner. If you're not one of those gamers, Darkness Escapes offers very little to distinguish itself, and should probably be avoided.