Mobile games don't have to be played on mobile phones.  Now, don't confuse this with handhelds, the PSP, the Nintendo DS and all their ancestors.  The platform I speak of is somewhat new to the gaming market, but is familiar to all of you.  Welcome to iPod gaming.

Gameloft has produced a number of quality games for mobile phones, PCs, and most recently the Xbox 360.  They have now ventured where very few other third party developers have ventured: into the world of the Apple iPod.

Bubble Bash is the title I reviewed this week, and everything about this game is beautiful.  Yes, much of the games beauty has to do with the platform for which it was developed and the capable hardware contained within, but kudos certainly musft go to Gameloft for taking advantage of this. Even Gameloft's full video splash screen was pretty damn cool.

The game itself plays like something of an amalgamation of Zuma, Missle Command, and Space Invaders.  I know this probably sounds ludicrous, but the premise is simple.  In Arcade mode, the player uses a stationary turret at the bottom-center of the screen, and must shoot colored bubbles at a series of balloons, carrying bubbles, that float by.  The idea is to match up bubble colors.  If you position three or more together, the bubbles disappear which lightens the load on the balloon.  If a balloon collects too many bubbles, it will sink.  Sink too low, and the round will end.  Eliminate all the bubbles attached to a balloon, and win the round.

Like I said, simple, right?  Wrong.  There are a number of other factors which come into play, including special bubble, bank shots, and an annoying bird that is out to ruin your day.  Don't miss all the bubbles either; do that and you will be unable to decipher colors on any of them until you shoot your next bubble.

Bored with arcade mode?  There are a number of other game modes to choose from, including Crab Fever Mode which reminds me of inverted Tetris.  Lines are periodically added over time, and you must pop the bubbles before you are overcome by them.  There are a host of other games as well, but my favorite involves shooting at that annoying bird from Arcade mode.

All in all the game is great.  The controls can take some getting used to, but that is simply the nature of playing on an iPod.  The graphics are great, the audio is solid, and the gameplay is enjoyable with a great amount of variety.  I was quite impressed with Bubble Bash, and therefore have to recommend this one.  Enjoy!

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