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I’m always on the lookout for a great iPhone game that kills the boredom for a while. But with so many games in the App Store, and with new titles being added almost every day, picking out the best can be difficult. Hopefully you’ll find at least one game from the five reviewed below that you feel is worth a download, so let’s not waste any more time!

The Games

Azkend - $2.99

This game takes its origins from the mobile classic Bejeweled, which certainly isn’t a bad place to start. The story line follows archaeologists trying to return a relic to the “Temple of Time” to lift a curse that was placed on them. To get there, they need to find eight talismans, and this is your task. Parts of the talismans are found on each puzzle board you play. By connecting three or more of the same object, the talisman drops each time until it reaches the bottom. You’re against the clock, though, so you’ll need to move quickly.

The graphics are crisp, and the jewels sparkle. Even when there’s a lot happening on screen, there’s no freezing and pixelation. Everything about this game is how you’d expect it to be. The gameplay is simple, but very fun. It’s the kind of puzzle game that keeps you coming back—slowly working towards the finish line. The price is also at a good level, but it’s only an introductory offer, so grab it cheap while you can!

Balls Up - $0.99

Have you ever watched a soccer player keep the ball in the air for so long you felt a little envious of his talent? What if you had the option to match his keepy-uppy skills without even leaving your seat? The brilliantly named Balls Up allows you to do just that, in an attempt to become the best in the world. You would think tapping the screen over and over again on a little ball would be incredibly boring after a while, but, for some reason, you keep at it. You see a new high score fast approaching and feel an urge to keep going. That’s what its like playing Balls Up.

The graphics are perfectly fine for the game. There’s not a lot going on; only the ball moves. The sound effect for the ball is a nice touch too. It’s realistic and, surprisingly, not that annoying. Playing Balls Up probably won’t help your fitness improve, but it’ll certainly keep you entertained for a short while, and give you something to brag about to your friends if you’re successful.

Primate Plunge - $2.99

Try to imagine for a moment that you’re a monkey wearing a top hat (stay with me on this one). You’ve become lost in the jungle, and need some help to get out. The only way out, though, is to jump through the branches to safety. Life is made more difficult, as the branches move upwards towards sharp spikes. As you progress through the jungle, the branches become quicker.

Now, don’t you feel as though you want to help that monkey? If you played Primate Plunge, you could! Using the accelerometer, you control his left and right movements, while a tap on the screen lets him fall to a branch below. The graphics remind me of Tarzan on the Gameboy Advanced. They’re not very realistic, but then again, neither is the situation of the gameplay. It gets a little repetitive after a while, and even with multiple levels, there’s not a lot that changes between them. Still, it’s a fun game to play in the spare time, and surely a winner with those of you with soft spots for monkeys.

Sally’s Spa - $4.99

Some of you have no doubt been to spas for a range of different treatments, and have left feeling totally relaxed. But did you ever think of the hard work that goes in to keeping everything moving there? Sally’s Spa puts you in the driver’s seat as you aim to keep your customers happy and satisfied. You’ll need to manage your resources well, so no one is left waiting for too long, and to ensure everyone gets what they came in for. As you progress through the game, you’ll be able to purchase upgrades to your spa, and even employ a few people to help you out. The gameplay follows similar lines through out the game, but there’s enough variation to keep you entertained.

The graphics are what we’ve come to expect from an iPhone game, and could be compared with most of the top games. There’s no freezing, even when 10 customers are all moving around, and it stays responsive however many instructions you provide. I hate to admit how much I enjoy playing this game, but it seems I’m not alone. Around 50% of Sally’s Spa players are also men, although maybe you shouldn’t make this one a topic of conversation when you’re sharing a few beers and a pizza.

Sea Rascals - $0.99

This collection of games began with a variation on Bejeweled, and so it only seemed fitting to end with another puzzle-type game that borrows a similar idea. Sea Rascals is underwater Bejeweled with a twist. For a start, the game is made simpler with the ability to move the fish around. This way, it doesn’t take long to get three or more in a row to get rid of. Because it is so simple, it soon becomes repetitive and leaves you looking for something more. The graphics are, once again, smooth and crisp, with animated cartoon-like fish slowly filling the screen. This isn’t my favorite from the five, but it kept me entertained for a short while as I built up a strong motivation not to be defeated on the first level.

The Verdict

Picking out the great games from the thousands available can sometimes be a challenge. But here, I think there’s some brilliant titles to pick up and play. None of them require any real skill, or an hour to complete a level. They’re all simple, yet incredibly fun. Yet I feel I must select a favorite from the five: Sally’s Spa. It’s surprising how addictive this game can become, and its original gameplay makes it a winner for me. Although close behind are Balls Up and Azkend for their simplicity and motivation you feel to improve and win.