First iPhone games priced, dated

$9.99 Super Monkey Ball to launch next month as part of iPhone's App Store; Kroll also in the works.

While gaming isn't the primary selling point of the iPod or its iPhone sister product, Apple has made no secret of its intention to carve out room for interactive entertainment in its line of portable media players. The latest news on that front came during a Worldwide Developer Conference presentation today hosted by Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Sega shows off Monkey Ball, photo by News.com's James Martin.

According to a News.com live blog of the event, games will be among the first offerings when Apple launches its App Store for third-party iPhone software early next month. The previously announced Super Monkey Ball from Sega will be available day one for $9.99. The game takes advantage of the iPhone's tilt-sensing capabilities to let players guide one of four ball-encased primates through more than 100 levels.

Super Monkey Ball wasn't the only game on show. Pangea Software showed off a pair of Mac ports for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Cro-Mag Rally is a prehistoric kart racer with players getting behind the (newly invented) wheels of 11 different vehicles on nine separate tracks. Cro-Mag also lets users tilt the iPhone to steer their contraptions.

Pangea's other game on display was the 3D puzzler Enigmo, which sees gamers moving obstacles around a playfield in order to get falling water, oil, and lava from a basin at the top of the screen to their intended targets. Both games will sell for $9.99 on the App Store.

Finally, Digital Legends Entertainment took the stage to announce Kroll, a fantasy-themed 3D action-adventure game unrelated to the 1983 film Krull. The demo showed off some action sequences and puzzles, with September given as the expected launch window. Digital Legends previously developed the fighting game One for the ill-fated Nokia N-Gage.

While games were a very visible part of Apple's conference, the biggest news to come from the presentation was the introduction of a new 3G- and GPS-enabled iPhone. That product will be available July 11 in 8GB and 16GB models, priced at $199 and $299, respectively.

Sega and Electronic Arts confirmed their iPhone support in March with the announcements of Super Monkey Ball and Spore for the handheld. Other publishers appear to be getting in on the act as well, with a Ubisoft producer spilling the news about her company's iPhone plans last week. When contacted by GameSpot, the publisher refused to confirm the producer's claim.

69 Comments

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 4:08 pm PT

    so apple is trying to impress us gamers? impressive, but its nowhere near good enough to compete with the ds and psp.

  • cccp1988

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 8:16 am PT

    this is good mobli phone but i got psp. who had better graphitch this or psp ?

  • GrandTheftANL

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 11:11 am PT

    Im looking forward to the games, another plus for the iphone, I send in mine for repair because i jamed the volume button when i dropped on its side, and didnt realize how much the iphone comes in handy for everday things like emails, phone numbers which back up to your computer etc, would love to game on it especially Spore bring it on

  • MightyJosh

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 6:08 am PT

    www.mightyjosh.com on info on the Australian release and info on the software.

  • Skyline405

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 11:55 am PT

    Why is everyone hating so much?! Apple isn't trying to beat the DS. I mean seriously, the games are only $9.99! You can't expect too terribly much at that price. IMO the games look pretty fun, although I wouldn't buy an iPhone strictly for them. But, I would buy an iPhone for the 3G internet browsing (with Safari), the iPod built in, the GPS (especially with loopt), and the ability to do many everyday computer related tasks from a mobile device. Look, it's not that their aren't other devices out there that do what the iPhone does. It's just that the iPhone does them so much better!

  • BigMace23

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 10:08 am PT

    I want an iPhone!!!!!

  • Ahiru-San

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 4:31 am PT

    @hvac0120

    lol, sprint? i don't live in the us... i live in brazil, and the iphone here hasn't been officially released so everyone who owns it has it unlocked any way they like...

    anyways, people just envy those who own it (i don't have one in case you call me a fanboy) cause it is indeed a good gadget... and yes, i play on my ipod touch while traveling, waiting for someone, etc, and yes, it is better than playing on a cell phone, and yes, better than playing on a gba or ds or psp (for a casual game while waiting, riding a bus...)

  • starfoxmcleoud

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 3:14 pm PT

    What's the point of having all this extra crap on a cell phone anyway! Don't people already have a mp3 player and handheld game console already anyway? Yes, it's nice to have all that in one device....but how often are you gonna use all the extra stuff except for the digital planner anyway?

  • ronniepage588

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 8:50 am PT

    damn i bet the thing has awesome graphics. i mean, theyre releasing Spore on it?! thats craz¥

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 8:32 am PT

    I hope this fails big time. Really, games on a cell phone were amazing the first phone you got... cool little diversion to mess around with in meetings and what not, but since that first phone has anyone really cared about less than GBA equivalent games on their cell phone? If you do, I pity you.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 8:17 am PT

    @Ahiru-San

    If you prefer Sprint you're out of luck since they don't use SIM cards.

    Developers should also be putting some Nintendo DS ports onto the machine to utilize the touch-screen. This is definitely a better device for gaming then the Nokia N-Gage.

  • Ahiru-San

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 4:24 am PT

    cool, i love monkey ball, i might give this a try!

    edit: and this should work on ipod touch too...
    and for those iphone haters cause of at&t, you know it's unlockable right? you don't have to stick with at&t...

  • Ranteal

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 12:38 am PT

    Me giving a hoot about iPhone games=EPIC FAIL

  • gutastef

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 12:16 am PT

    Check out this little experimet with mobile phones, then think what is happening to your brains every day you use one:

    http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/08060901.html

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 10:42 pm PT

    Why bother with a phone that requires an expensive contract monopolised by one single service provider? For a company with such little market share, Apple has very dirty business tactics. Its funny when Apple fans criticise Microsoft's business decisions. For a company with 94% market share, Microsoft really isn't that evil, especially when compared to how other companies would be if they had the same industry power. Apple has tiny market share, and yet look how restricted their iPhone is. Pure stupidity if you ask me.

  • grigjd3

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 10:36 pm PT

    They're having to drop the price of the iPhone because everything else is cheaper. I've never appreciated Apple's over-advertised and over-priced theory to business. About the only thing they're computers have going for them is a better built operating system - and I put linux on any computer I own anyways.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 8:48 pm PT

    i have been doing a bit of research on this and the news and even g4tv's attack of the show are totally destroying this product. either way they are saying that this is already outdated and its just coming out. this getting to be a little insane. I will just stick to my normal phone. hello, how are you and thats it. I dont need all this extra stuff cause as soon as you buy it there is already something better coming out.

  • finaleve

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 8:47 pm PT

    @juno_22 > Not really. I only saw one IPhone since its been release. Seriously. I'm surprised that i don't see any more.

    So basically the IPhone is catching up to every other phone? I still don't like touch screen idea. It is cool and all, but it really is annoying.
    ...plus the keyboard isn't too great.

  • joltmajor

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 8:22 pm PT

    I've played a ball/woodworks game on one my friend's iPhone and it was quite fun, as an idle time passer. I don't think that by any means the I phone will do anything to real handheld consoles, like the DS or PSP, because thats NOT what they are trying to do with it. The games are simply tacked on just like all the other 3rd party apps. Also I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Super Monkey Ball will work on the iPod Touch as well (don't know about other games, but I don't see why they wouldn't).

  • mjc0961

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 7:29 pm PT

    What, so it's a portable Wii now? Wait wait, it also has a touch screen! It can rip off the DS too, all the while ignoring that it's supposed to be a ****ing cell phone (and therefore fail miserably at being one).

  • rasterror

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 7:10 pm PT

    Hey, can you offer features that should be on a cell phone like picture messaging? my mom's bottom off the line free cphone offers picture messaging.

  • nickythenewt21

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 6:39 pm PT

    Super Monkey Ball and Spore...on the iPhone? Sweet! Hopefully they'll also be on the iPod Touch, because AT&T isn't the best of cell phone companies...

  • hawaiiinsomniac

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 6:24 pm PT

    I can't wait for the new iPhone. Hmmm.. I guess I should list the one I have now on eBay...

    Keep the games coming!

  • OmegaBob

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 5:21 pm PT

    Can the battery be removed?

    Nope..

    Keeps walking.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 5:21 pm PT

    With Helio Ocean, I have been 3G for quite some time now thanks. The games are fantastic and the service is much cheaper. I have no complaints.

  • akiwak

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 5:10 pm PT

    I loved Krull as a Kid because of the glaive that is now being used in Dark Sector. I would love to see other games use this weapon. i was really hoping for something good in Dark Sector and the Glaive was good but the rest of the gameplay........

  • osxgp

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 5:02 pm PT

    I'll wait till the iPhone is off AT&T. The dropped calls and poor services are not worth it just to say that you have a cool phone.

  • Jshaw71

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 4:51 pm PT

    i think i will wait til they come down a lil' more, the ipod touch is a cool device, and hopefully, will, sell much better at this price, meaning more people of all demographics can afford them good news for apple

  • Feniks9174

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 4:22 pm PT

    3G iPhones with downloadable games and a price drop? I think it's time for me to finally get one.

    @Combatsoldier - I occassionally play games on my cell phone, but I don't "game" on it. Most of the time they're, exactly as you said, "something to do while I'm waiting/bored". I don't always have my DS with me, but I do always have my phone with me. Even if I do download a game for my phone, it's usually along the lines of something like Monopoly, Collapse, Tetris . . .

  • musicaz70

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 4:17 pm PT

    *yawn*... Who cares? The most exciting thing about this article was that the 8GB model is going to be $199. Also, even if these game's flop, who cares? I really doubt these even cost that much to make, and considering Apple's die-hard fanbase they will just eat this stuff up regardless of whether or not it sucks.

  • juno_22

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 4:16 pm PT

    hey spartanlaser, the difference here is that the Ngage sucked as a phone too, the iphone doesn't. and to anyone who thinks its a crappy phone the majority of the US cell phone market says you are wrong.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:55 pm PT

    i also have another question for you guys. this is not my usual smart ellic self as you may know me as. Do people really play games on there cell phone. I remember doing that once while my kid was waiting for the doctor and it was absolutely horrible. Are these games actual games or are they cheesy ports. anyways this is just a question and not meant to offend anyone.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:52 pm PT

    you know what. I think this will do somewhat well, however there is so much more competition coming out this year and in a couple of months this will be outdated. im still a little sketchy about this one and i do hope it does well. On the other hand I have read about other phones that are far more advanced then this one. With so much on the market and the limitless frenzy for the most recent technological advances, what are we as a consumer supposed to do. Also i always wondered whatever happened to the ngage. do they still sell those and why didnt those go so mainstream. I thought they would have done very well and be the wave of the future. Please message me to let me know the status of the ngage as i have no idea what happened to it. thanks guys for your time.

  • djtriple_r_r_r

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:52 pm PT

    Almost definitely games on the iPhone will do well... Especially if they make them easily available.

  • Niffirg6

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:50 pm PT

    i hate my ipohne. its a gimic

  • kos1085

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:46 pm PT

    I am definitely getting the new low priced iphone but not for these games.

  • bet011

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:44 pm PT

    I never thought I would see anyone compare the iPhone to the N-Gage. Aside from the fact that they both can play games, there is no similarity. I feel dumber having read all your posts saying the N-Gage is a harbinger for the failure of the iphone. Sega Saturn failed, Sony Playstation didn't, they both played games what the hell happened there. Besides, no one intelligent said the iPhone was going to take out the Nintendo DS, and certainly no one from apple said that. Go back to your Motorola Razrs where 5 dollars gets you poorly written java texas hold em games.

  • vatterott

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:38 pm PT

    Probably will sell.

  • habstown

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:36 pm PT

    Just jailbreak the iphone and get games for free...

  • ADJ209

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:31 pm PT

    Potential fail like Ngage

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:28 pm PT

    Interesting Im still wondering how good these games look. Im not at all impressed with that image of Super Monkey Ball. Price seems kind of high for cell phone games (which that $5 price for pac-man has always made me cringe), and very low for a hand held, but at the moment I would need to see more to be the impressed. Also tilt sensor tech is fun, but with such a small device with the LCD screen on it I don't think tilting it is going to make it easy to view?? Kind of odd when thinking about a car game.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:26 pm PT

    super monkey ball is wicked!

  • ctg867

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:25 pm PT

    *Snore*

    Huh? What? Apple is trying to do gaming again? Nope wait I really DON'T care. Silly me.

  • IKKF

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:24 pm PT

    I guess this could be cool. Super Monkey Ball is a good fit for the tilt function and the graphics look nice. Might try getting it for my iPod Touch.

  • Bloodbath_87

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 3:21 pm PT

    I can't imagine myself ever being bored enough to play a game on my phone.

  • projectpat2280

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 2:57 pm PT

    Its about time. The iPhone is the greatest mobile device ever put on the market,so its surprising that its taken this long to get games to it.

  • FrontLinePlaya

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 2:42 pm PT

    I am really excited about the new iphone it looks awesome it's faster and a whole lot cheaper so can't really go wrong here

  • FireboltX

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 2:36 pm PT

    dunno why apple bothers with games, they always market themselves as "too cool" for anything, bah PCs you're boring,we are into pictures on our myfaceroombooks and music wearing the same jeans which haven't left your legs for some time now

  • timpysan

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 2:35 pm PT

    spartanlaser - They're not trying to compete with game consoles. They're simply tapping into another revenue stream.

  • onuruca

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 2:34 pm PT

    it seems sega has nothing to do as they are doing games for iphone!?

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