Battle Blasters is one of the more unique, as well as ambitious games for the iPhone/iPod touch platform.
Basically, you are in a fighting match against the opponent, either AI or a friend on the same device ( there is talk of online multiplayer to come...). But you and the opponent are across the screen from eachother and can only move sideways. The only way to attack the opponent is by firing shots. So in this way, it's a shooter. But the game plays out in rounds and matches, with characters and health meters, specials, blocks, etc. So in this way it is like a fighter. There are 6 playable characters (4 are locked from the onset, but can be un-locked). Each character has their own attributes ie speed/stamina/power etc. as well as their own special attack, which vary widely from Character to Character. In fact the way the characters handle and perform vary drastically, but the game manages to keep a good balance. Certainly, players will likely identify with a certain character and excel with them, not unlike streetfighter.
Graphics are great! Classic retro-style pixel art characters and fun backgrounds for the battle stages. Interesting approach they took, rather than vector/3d/flash graphics, and it suits the play and setting just fine.
Controls deserve a mention. Although they take some getting used to, they are quite intuitive once you get the hang of it. Basically, move your character side to side by dragging/tapping/swiping, fire a shot by flicking down screen towards your opponent. You have to aim your shots in order to score a hit, which is part of the challenge. The other good thing is that they avoid the use of on-screen buttons and d-pads, something which other games rely on waaaay too much (I hate using those kinds of controls).
Hmm if I'd have to name any cons I'd say that it is a bit difficult when you first pick it up. And I would like to see some more characters/stages, but maybe they will offer continued support.
This game does offer great action and intense battles. Fighter fans will definitely like it, shooter fans most likely, and anyone looking for a new type of game should definitely give this a look.