The free iPhone game Trawler Report: Globall, Phaze and Zenonia head up the revenge of the Lite brigade

Signs that the iPhone gaming world is on the verge of stepping up another gear are all around us at the moment. Microtransactions are in, rumours are circulating that the new iPod touch could see even more games making use of the 3GS’s fancy graphics chip and there’s not a weekend that goes by without someone peggling.

One thing you can rely on, though, is that there will always be freebies. They may steal our charge cables and decalibrate out accelerometers, but Lite bites are here to stay.

It’s a Lite version fest once more this week aboard the Trawler, but more than one’s a pretty meaty fillet. We’ve got RPG action with Zenonia, music fun with DJ Mix Tour, racing with Phaze and arcadey puzzling with Globall.

The best free iPhone games on the App Store

DJ Mix Tour Free
By Gameloft
What is it? It’s a rhythm game that trades frets for phat beats
Type Demo

It may seem like Tap Tap Revenge has the iPhone rhythm genre sewn up, and we’re fans here, but that doesn’t meant there aren’t alternatives. DJ Mix Tour offers something slightly different, giving you a dance music-themed rhythm experience.

We’re not just talking the songs it features, either. You’re actually tapping on decks, and there’s a foam party going on in the background. Wild.

This free version gives you a single song to play, but if you’re after big beats, it’s very much worth a scratch.

Phaze Lite
By Handmark
What is it? It’s a futuristic accelerometer racer
Type Demo

Normal racing games have had a good time on iPhone over the last six months. Titles like Real Racing and Need for Speed have spoilt us with their four-wheeled fun. We don’t deserve them, we really don’t.

Things haven’t been quite so rosy on the hover racing, or WipEout-apeing if you prefer, front. Early contenders like Low Grav Racer are yet to be pipped, but that may change with the arrival of Phaze.

In it, you control a sleek hovering racing vehicle using the accelerometer, tilting forwards to gain more speed. The Lite version lets you racer a single full track. Better than Low Grav Racer? The jury’s out.

Star Hogs Lite
By IUGO
What is it? It’s worms in space
Type Demo

We’ve covered the latest Worms game quite a lot recently, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best Worms-like game when it finally comes out, not if Star Hogs has anything to say on the matter.

Set in space, it sees you floating about on thrusters rather than jumping around platforms, but there’s something satisfying about careening about in the black while trying to pulverise your opponent with missiles. The Lite version comes with a hefty chunk of the game, too, with eight out of the full 32 levels and a tutorial to help you get in the space groove.

Globall Lite
By Super Robot Brain
What is it? It’s a brick-bashing bestseller
Type Demo

It’s hit the number one spot on the App Store chart in the UK, but what’s Globall about, eh?

Well, you control a ball using the accelerometer, much like the many ‘ball in maze’ games we’ve seen on iPhone. However, Globall jazzes things up with lots of colours, power-ups and coins.

The Lite version gives you a handful of levels to check out its charms. Apparently, everyone’s playing it, so why not jump on the bandwagon and check Globall out.

Pick of the Week

Zenonia Lite
By Gamevil
What is it? It’s possibly the iPhone’s best RPG
Type Demo

Before Zenonia came out, we were still waiting for the iPhone’s first must-have RPG. Sure, there were role-playing titles out already but they were generally either a bit too beardy for your average console fan, like The Quest, or just not that good.

Zenonia changed that though. It’s cute, colourful and still has enough stats and hit points to keep those with beardy inclinations happy. The free version includes eight missions, and lets you wander about the starter village Alyes.

It’s got more content that we generally expect from a Lite version, but then Zenonia is beefier than your average iPhone game.

Crap Apps box of shame award

Evilfhone
By SLAMattina
What is it? It’s the king of turd city
Type Full

Some apps are bad. It’s the way of the App Store. However, some are so bad, in such a bizarre way, that it starts to make you worry about the mental state of some of these iPhone developers. Evilfhone is one of these apps.

Tap on the screen and you’ll get a few phrases, meant to be your ‘evil’ phone being vaguely grumpy or, and this is the weird bit, a blast of music that sounds like Mariah Carey’s 'Heartbreaker.' Very odd.

Shake your iPhone and you’re presented with a picture of a bloke in a car, while ‘don’t shake the evil phone’ pipes out of the speakers. It’s not funny. It’s not good. It’s barely amusing. It’s just plain weird.