Relive The Classics Through Arcading
Arcading (Free) by Photics resurrects classic arcade games in a new format.
Four numbered balls bounce against each other with a moving space background. No labels, no instructions, just numbers. Pick a number and it will launch you into its respective arcade game. I guess the lack of naming represents the fact that it doesn’t really matter which game you select, they’re all just something to play.
Luckily for you, I’ve done your homework. Here’s the break down:
1: This “Breakout” type game features a fireball instead of the usual ball. Touch the sled and slide back and forth to keep the fireball hitting the bricks. Ideally, you’ll want to hold your finger just below the sled so that you can actually see where it is. My finger kept moving on top of it, providing quite a distraction.
2: “Asteroids” gets an update by taking place in a 3D environment. Your ship circles around the screen as asteroids approach from a distance. Fire your lasers to destroy them before they destroy you. This game had me guessing the most with how to control it. I finally learned that the ship will move opposite of where you touch and tapping will fire your lasers.
3: Detonate falling meteors in this “Missile Strike” game. Touch anywhere above your cannon to send a missile to that spot. Once the missile detonates, it blows up any surrounding meteors. Not acting quickly results in your city being razed.
4: This take on “Tank” is perhaps the most disappointing game. Touch where you want your tank to go, spin around it to aim the cannon, and tap to fire. You’ll need to destroy spinning star-things to get an apple. Running over the apples scores you points.
5: This game will unlock after some point. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what it is, or how to get it. I can only guess it involves scoring all of the achievements in Game Center.
For free, this app is decent. Aside from the initial frustration, there’s really no penalty for dying a couple of times before figuring out the controls. Any sort of help menu would be appreciated, though.
Could you do better in terms of finding classic arcade apps? Sure. Could you do worse? Yup. But at least you won’t have to waste any quarters to play it.
