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The top 10 iPad games (so far)

Got a new iPad? Fill her up...

The top 10 iPad games (so far)
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Just got a new iPad and want to know what the best games are?

Then you've come to the right place. Over the past two months, we've been spreading our hands over that 9.7-inch screen in frantic fashion, playing our way through the flood of supersized games that developers have been releasing in celebration of bigger and better graphics.

So here it is, our countdown from 10 to 1 of the iPad games that really matter.

10. Angry Birds HD (Rovio/Chillingo, $4.99) [iTunes link]

A massive hit on iPhone, the million-selling physics game which has you using birds as ammunition to knock down structures in which pigs are hiding might not make sense in terms of the animal kingdom, but its tactile nature as you ping the catapult, iterating to hit just the right place to get a collapse, is both addictive and requires skill.

9. Dominion HD (Dot Matrix, $4.99) [iTunes link]

In the absence (for now) of an official version of ace boardgame Risk, Dominion HD strides the turn-based strategy category on iPad.

Providing the same mixture of might and dice-based luck, it also offers up five maps and enables you customise your game type, as well as play classic winner takes all.

Of course, this being the iPad, on-device and online multiplayer are there too.

8. Amazon: Hidden Expedition (Big Fish, $4.99) [iTunes link]

It goes without saying that the larger the screen, the better missing objects or I-Eye genre of game become.

Big Fish's Amazon: Hidden Expedition was one of the first such games released in iPad, and thanks to its graphical polish and user interface, it's the best, especially when you throw in the same screen multiplayer competitive mode.

7. Real Racing HD (Firemint, $9.99) [iTunes link]

Who'd have thought Firemint could have improved upon its excellent Real Racing iPhone game for iPad? But that's exactly what it's done.

The graphics have been improved, with the sense of speed better. The accelerometer controls handle beautifully despite the increased device size and weight, while the ability to apply your stored photos to vehicles is neat. 6. Scrabble for iPad (EA Mobile, $2.99) [iTunes link]

One of the unique selling points of the iPad is its ability to act as an on-device multiplayer platform - just like a virtual boardgame, in fact.

No game shows this off better than Scrabble, which you can either use in a pass-a-round mode, or cleverly use an iPhone or iPod touch as a secondary rack for your letters (via Bluetooth).

Sure, it's a bit of a gimmick, but even without this, Scrabble is a great party experience.

5. Labyrinth 2 HD (Illusion Lab, $7.99) [iTunes link]

An iPhone game we were really looking forward to on iPad was Labyrinth 2,the extra size of the screen making the ball bearing balancing and obstacle avoidance even more fun.

Illusion Labs further impressed us by including the original 150 levels from the iPhone plus 150 new iPad levels, while the ability to create your own levels online and download them to your iPad is great.

4. Plants vs Zombies HD (PopCap, $9.99) [iTunes link]

PopCap's perfectly weighted and graphically inspiring time and resource management game is beautifully suited to the iPad, with the combination of screen size and direct control proving to be completely intuitive.

The bar's also been raised thanks to the addition of new mini-game and a Survival mode. All-in-all, it's top notch.

3. Flight Control HD (Firemint, $4,99) [iTunes link]

One of iPhone's true originals has landed on iPad, revitalised and as successful as ever. Of course Flight Control HD has better graphics, but it has new maps, and supports same screen co-operative and competitive gameplay too.

And you can play head-to-head battles sharing one version of the game across two iDevices. This favourite just got better.

2. Zen Bound 2 (Secret Exit, $7.99) [iTunes link]

Over a year since we first played it, we still don't really know how to describe Zen Bound other than relaxing and magical, and the experience didn't disappoint when it returned to our screens on iPad.

It's not really a game, but as you twist rope around objects, coating them in paint in the process, we found it much easier to accomplish on iPad. And, of course, it looks even more amazing.

1. Mirror's Edge for iPad (EA Mobile, $12.99) [iTunes link]

As the price suggests, Mirror's Edge is a premium game, but even if it's one of the most expensive iPad games you get great value for money with a version of the console game that's been repurposed for touchscreen controls.

Additions include two competitive multiplayer modes - a sprinting Run mode and a collect the bags Rivals mode. But it's the beautiful stark environments and thrilling action sequences that will really impress.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.