What else have you got going on while you’re “taking the Browns to the Super Bowl”, if you get my meaning? A Newspaper? Popular Mechanics? Why not multitask and play some mobile games! And what better way to start my “Gaming on the Throne” review series than to mention two future mobile football classics for iPhone, brought to you by Skyworks Interactive: QB PASS ATTACK and X’s & O’s FOOTBALL.
Here are the descriptions straight from Skyworks:
QB PASS ATTACK features three sound tracks, state of the art iPhone 3D graphics, and two addictive game modes, Classic and Progressive! In Classic Mode, score as many points as you can within 60 seconds by throwing the football through the scoring holes. Hit the close receiver and score 7 points. Hit the receiver further downfield and score 30 points! In Progressive Mode, score as many touchdowns as you can in four “60-second” quarters. Each pass will be counted as a down and an onscreen display will mark your progress down the field with each throw. If you come up short on fourth and inches, it’s back to your own 20 yard line, but if you can hit the far receiver when the scoring hole is lit, it’s an instant touchdown!
In X’s & O’s Football, fight your way offensively downfield to score as many touchdowns as you can in four “60-second” quarters. Playing as the coach, quarterback, and receiver you’ll have to be at the top of your game to earn every first down. Come up short on fourth down, and you’ll be hitting the showers.
As coach, first select the play from the playbook and set your receivers to run a variety of passing routes such as the curl, deep out, and post. Then as quarterback, set your players in position, hike the ball and choose your receiver. Time your pass carefully to get the ball right into your receiver’s hands, and then control the receiver to run downfield for a touchdown! Once the receiver has the ball, you can tilt your iPhone/iPod touch to control his movement to the goal line! Use the accelerometer to adjust the running direction by tilting up and down, and adjust the speed by tilting right and left
My thoughts?
QB PASS ATTACK was a great “no brainer” game. No strategy, no planning, no experience necessary. Just try to “flick” footballs through one of two holes in a backdrop, as fast as you can. While the skill required is definitely more Greg Brady than Tom Brady, the iPhone touch screen interface makes it really fun and realistic (gravity, tilt-control trajectory). It is reminiscent of many a carnival/bar game you may have played. I found it addictive.
X’s & O’s FOOTBALL is a little different. It’s five-on-five, head to head football against “the computer”. You pick routes, make passes—it’s way better than Coleco Electronic Quarterback. This game is more intense and takes a little longer to get the hang of, but is equally fun and passes the time before you know it.
Both have nice sound design, thoughtful graphic detail and at $1.99 each, are great to have in your iPhone for a moment’s respite… wherever that may be.
The Bottom Line: Recommended.