The Trawler Report: Bobby Carrot 1, Balloon Headed Boy and iGamePack lead a mobile nostalgia fest

We've pulled in a few retro classic conversions this week on the Trawler Report. They're not arcade classics, but rather a few of our old mobile favourites that we've enjoyed over the past few years.

There were actually a couple more of these released too, like EA's Lemonade Tycoon, but that casual money-spinner slipped out of our nets and off the App Store completely.

Exactly where the games that disappear off the App Store end up is anyone's guess, but we'll be sure to give you a shout if they end up seeing the light of day again.

Thankfully, more than enough decent games have managed to avoid getting flushed through the App Store's drains, so get your password-entering finger ready for this week's selection of freebies.

The best free iPhone games on the App Store

Bobby Carrot 1 Lite
By FDG Software
What is it? It's a retro episode from the Bobby Carrot saga
Type Demo

We've had a soft spot for Bobby Carrot for years now. He hasn't changed much over the years, but he always came up with a satisfying puzzler that suited mobile phone gaming perfectly.

To celebrate the series, FDG is releasing the original four Bobby Carrot mobile games on the App Store. This first one was originally released way back in 2004, and it has aged well, especially considering how primitive mobile phones were back then compared to the iPhone.

You get to play 16 levels from the full game in this Lite version, with there being more than 50 in the full version. It's enough to make mobile gamers well up with nostalgia, but it stands up on its own merits too

Balloon Headed Boy Lite
By Gimme5Games
What is it? It's a cute platformer with an inflatable hero
Type Demo

Another old school mobile star, Balloon Headed Boy hit the gaming scene years ago, and he's floated back the iPhone in an almost identical outing. The levels are the same, the visuals are the same, but it's just as cute as ever too. The Balloon Headed Boy is one character you can't help but smile at.

There are seven levels in this Lite version. The controls could do with a little tweak, but otherwise Balloon Headed Boy has made the transition to the iPhone fairly comfortably. If you're an old BHB fan, seeing this old flame's sure to press your nostalgia button.

iGamePack Lite
By Com2Us
What is it? It's a 7 in 1 casual pack
Type Demo

It may not be called it any more, but this is actually a port of Com2Us's Mini Game Pack, an ultra cute pack of casual puzzle and arcade games. They're all simple but range from block-busting retro style games to a trampolining one-thumb challenge.

There are seven games in total, and you get to play all of them even though this is a Lite version of a paid-for game. There are features missing, granted, but this version is a generous bargain. If you can call something that's free a bargain, that is.

Soldier Ants Lite
By Tiger Shark Games
What is it? It's Worms, but with ants
Type Demo

We recently found out that Worms is coming to the iPhone pretty soon. We weren't that surprised. It's been a big name in mobile gaming over the past few years so it's a bit of an iPhone no brainer.

It's not here yet, though, and if you're hankering after some turn-based blasting, Soldier Ants is about as close as Worms as you can get without actually breaking any copyright laws.

The Lite version contains one map from the five featured in the full version. The levels are randomly generated though so it's worth more than just a single blast through.

iBloom
By NBC
What is it? It's a green-conscious gardening game
Type Full

Okay, so iBloom's perhaps more interesting as an idea than it is actual fun as a game, but it's worth a download for green types. The idea seems to be to raise awareness of environmental issues with this virtual pet style plant growing simulator.

You need to manage the plant's access to water, food and air - a bit odd when real-life feeding of plants generally involves water rather than the white pellets seen here.

You can grow three different types of plant, each one taking a different length of time to grow.

Pick of the Week

Air Master 3D
By Alex Nankervis
What is it? It's a 3D shooter
Type Full

Air Master's a fairly simple game, involving blasting air and land targets while flying around using the accelerometer to control your plane.

Each level is an island, and you need to get rid of all the enemies on it to make progress. It's a good looking game that mixes casual gameplay with visuals you might normally associate with a less accessible hardcore game.

It's not going to be free forever, though - just until the next update is out, so be sure to get downloading soon or you'll miss out.

Crap Apps Box of Shame Award

Friday?
By Bogdan Covaci
What is it? An app that tells you whether it's friday or not. Yes, really
Type Full

If you have trouble remembering what day of the week it is, you might find Friday? A worthwhile download, but we'd suggest using your iPhone or iPod touch's built-in calendar instead. It's an oddly minimalistic looking app that tells you that it's not friday. Unless it is friday of course, in which case it, err, tells you it's Friday.

No one likes people that insist on attributing days of the week to certain moods - telling you you're in a bad mood because it's a Monday, not because your dog just got run over by your soon-to-be ex wife who just left you - so why we need an app that does the same thing is anyone's guess.