[ShortcutToMoncton]

Right. So I have a New iPad and may get another or perhaps a Touch. As of right now I have two Awesome Games for the iPad: Fruit Ninja, and Blockwick.

Although I was once a dominating Unreal Tournament sniper, I haven't followed anything remotely game-wise in close to 10 years. I've never played the latest XBox or Playstation, for example. But, I can see the appeal of games on the iPad's new screen, not to mention that the possibility of head-to-head beatdowns of the wife via two iPads is...intriguing.

So. Obviously, any style goes - puzzle, action, you name it. I'd ask "not too geeky please" but, well, considering the audience that might be a little too much to ask.

What are the essential iOS games?

[lpkmckenna]

I don't know if these are the best or essential, but I like these games:

Super Crate Box (but I warn you: extremely addictive)
Epoch (fantastic control scheme for a third person shooter)
Monster Dash (One Epic Game and Jetpack Joyride are in the same vein)
The Incident
Cat Physics
Radiant (the best retro arcade game I think)
SpellTower

And everyone like Plants vs Zombies

[Stogieman]

I would add these to the list.

Osmos
Draw Something
World of Goo
AC/DC Pinball

[Thorzdad]

I recently played Dooors, which is a free multiple-room-escape game. You can burn through it in one sitting, but it's fun and does some cute things with the iPhone's motion detection system.

[P]

Bejeweled and all the Angry Birds games, silly as they may be. Jetpack Joyride.

[andi*pandi]

Most of the games I play on the ipad are short duration time-killers (draw something, angry birds, bejeweled, osmos, words with friends. ).

The games that are attention-holding were:
plants vs zombies (must... get... every... achievement...)
Sword and sworcery (fun 2d adventure-ish game with clever quirks)

[angelmb]

If you end getting the touch: Tiny Wings

[ajprice]

W.E.L.D.E.R. is a good word game.
Bejeweled and Bejeweled Blitz. Actually, most of the Popcap stuff, Peggle, Bookworm, PvZ, Chuzzle...
Diamond Dash is another quick colour matching game.

[Waragainstsleep]

No-one else recommending Infinity Blade?

[lpkmckenna]

I downloaded Infinity Blade (the first one), played it a few times. It just never hooked me in like the stuff on my list did.

I was playing Bejeweled on iPhone last night, and it does something I can't understand: when you run out of moves, your game ends. Previous versions didn't do that, it gave you a new level. It now feels like I'm being punished for something that's not remotely my fault.

[andi*pandi]

that's the way bejeweled has always been. no more moves = end of game.

[P]

There are different game variants. The original Bejeweled ends when you can't play any more, and gives you a new level when you have filled that little meter at the bottom. The trick is to either try to read the blocks dropping from an action so you always have something move, or just keep a backup move down in the corner somewhere for emergencies.

There are various action-oriented versions of it, where you never run out of moves but instead is limited by time. You might prefer one of them.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by angelmb 

If you end getting the touch: Tiny Wings

This!

Also:

iPhone/iPod Touch
- Osmos (already recommended by Stogieman)
- Canabalt
- Field Goal
- Drop 7 (great game for short game sessions, very addictive)
- Puzzlejuice
- Game Dev Story (also good for short game sessions)

iPad
- Kingdom Rush (great tower defense game)
- Fieldrunners (oldie, but a goodie)
- Trenches HD
- Legendary Wars
- Battleheart
- Scribblenauts

[abby]

i like super crate box, fruit ninja, run roo run and triple crown

[Laminar]

The games I've found with the most replay value:
- Bike Baron
- Army of Darkness

Enjoyable the first time though:
- Cut the Rope series
- Coco Loco (like Angry Birds with a couple twists)

The "how far can you travel from the same starting point" games have always annoyed me.

[abby]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

The games I've found with the most replay value:
- Bike Baron
- Army of Darkness

Enjoyable the first time though:
- Cut the Rope series
- Coco Loco (like Angry Birds with a couple twists)

The "how far can you travel from the same starting point" games have always annoyed me.

oh coco loco is great! very addicting

[turtle777]

Strategy Games (turn-based):

Carcassonne
Catan ("Die Sielder")
Samurai
Ticket to Ride

-t