'PapiJump' is Simple, Fun, and Free

posted August 8th, 2008 2:18 AM EST by arn in Free, Reviews

There's really no rational reason why I just played PapiJump [App Store] twenty times in a row at 2 a.m. It's a stupid game with a stupid name... or so I thought.

The game is quite simple. Mr. Papi bounces and wants to bounce higher and higher. You just tilt your iPhone to "catch" Mr. Papi on the endless stream of platforms to keep him going. If you miss the platforms, then Mr. Papi falls to his demise.

The game is deceptively simple, but surprisingly addictive, especially once you start submitting your high scores. My 20 game run was actually an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Chris at 47,024, but I only made it to 11,641 (see attached image). Tip: if you go off of one side of the screen, it wraps around.

Give it a try [App Store], it's free. The developers provided this video demo:

[via TheApper]

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arn

Got to 12k but screen dimmed and I got distracted.
arn

Got to 12k but screen dimmed and I got distracted.
arn

Ok 16k. I'm done for now.
arn

Ok 16k. I'm done for now.
http://www.blakespot.com blakespot

I love this game! We shall soon see who is the bore nimble papijumper, Arn...
http://www.blakespot.com blakespot

I love this game! We shall soon see who is the bore nimble papijumper, Arn...
Nori

18951! Great game.
Nori

18951! Great game.
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

17403
Yeaa im 18th!
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

17403
Yeaa im 18th!
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

Mmmm rrrhaaaaa! one advice:
Play while using "fly mode" option...
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

Mmmm rrrhaaaaa! one advice:
Play while using "fly mode" option...
http://www.blakespot.com blakespot

12th.
http://www.blakespot.com blakespot

12th.
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

Are we talinkg about 100 last or 100 highscores of the week?
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

Are we talinkg about 100 last or 100 highscores of the week?
http://www.mavisxp.com mavis

arn, you're an amateur!!

I just got to 19K on my third attempt (I'm currently in 10th place!) but my shoulders are feeling really tense - I need a massage!
http://www.mavisxp.com mavis

arn, you're an amateur!!

I just got to 19K on my third attempt (I'm currently in 10th place!) but my shoulders are feeling really tense - I need a massage!
arn

hah. that's the last time I post my score in a news story. It was late. I was about to go to bed...
arn

hah. that's the last time I post my score in a news story. It was late. I was about to go to bed...
Adisah

This is game is amazing. I'm glad that you posted on here. I would have missed it.
Adisah

This is game is amazing. I'm glad that you posted on here. I would have missed it.
Tyler

This game is the best. Who knew you could have so much fun with such a simple game!! I think its the highscores that keep me coming back for more!
Tyler

This game is the best. Who knew you could have so much fun with such a simple game!! I think its the highscores that keep me coming back for more!
http://fingergaming.com/ Matt Burris

Wow, you weren't kidding, this is simple and very fun. I played this while waiting at the doc's office today and got a few people behind me laughing while watching me play. Good stuff.
http://fingergaming.com/ Matt Burris

Wow, you weren't kidding, this is simple and very fun. I played this while waiting at the doc's office today and got a few people behind me laughing while watching me play. Good stuff.
http://www.blakespot.com blakespot

23,654
http://www.blakespot.com blakespot

23,654
fuzzymath

What I find interesting is that the high scores are on a web page with google ads. Is this the first game that is serving "in game" ads?
fuzzymath

What I find interesting is that the high scores are on a web page with google ads. Is this the first game that is serving "in game" ads?
http://rcptones.com rcp-brendan

totally addicted. thanks for mentioning this one, never would have found it. i agree the "screen dim level" is the tricky part.
http://rcptones.com rcp-brendan

totally addicted. thanks for mentioning this one, never would have found it. i agree the "screen dim level" is the tricky part.
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

fuzzymath:

The interesting thing is that they dont have to pay something to Apple since the game is free. That's a good idea, really.
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

fuzzymath:

The interesting thing is that they dont have to pay something to Apple since the game is free. That's a good idea, really.
Constable Odo

I think these simple sort of games are best for the current iPhone since it probably doesn't tax the battery very much. It seems to be perfect for using accelerometer play. High score posting is greatly competitive to keep you playing over and over again. The only problem is that you don't want to give this to a businessman using an iPhone, since he might waste too much time playing games. You give him a BlackBerry instead.
Constable Odo

I think these simple sort of games are best for the current iPhone since it probably doesn't tax the battery very much. It seems to be perfect for using accelerometer play. High score posting is greatly competitive to keep you playing over and over again. The only problem is that you don't want to give this to a businessman using an iPhone, since he might waste too much time playing games. You give him a BlackBerry instead.
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

30k for me.
http://www.iphonetests.com Q.

30k for me.
http://rcptones.com rcp-brendan

@ constable lol
Yes! bring back the thrill of the high score battle. Arcade classics like Invaders and Asteroids are fun and all, but 20X better when you're trying to beat your buddy's score.

Dear iPhone game developers. LET US BATTLE FOR HI SCORE! thxculater
http://rcptones.com rcp-brendan

@ constable lol
Yes! bring back the thrill of the high score battle. Arcade classics like Invaders and Asteroids are fun and all, but 20X better when you're trying to beat your buddy's score.

Dear iPhone game developers. LET US BATTLE FOR HI SCORE! thxculater
http://www.iphoneclub.nl/10764/slodos-app-tips-sol-free-solitaire-path-tracker-allradio-iblackout-touch-reflex-binary-clock-papijump/ Slodo’s app-tips: Sol Free Solitaire, Path Tracker, allRadio, iBlackout, Touch Reflex, Binary Clock, PapiJump > Nieuws > iPhoneclub.nl

[...] (gratis) is een gratis spelletje waar Touch Arcade al verslaafd aan is geraakt. In het spel moet je een rood balletje (Mr. Papi) omhoog laten stuiteren via groene [...]
jesse

im 8th with 19732
jesse

im 8th with 19732
http://iphonefocus.net/games/iphone-games-roundup-best-of-and-upcoming-titles iPhone Games Roundup: Best Of and Upcoming Titles | Iphone focus | Latest Apple iPhone News

[...] PapiJump [Free] - deceptively simple, but surprisingly addictive. Bounce “Mr. Papi” higher and [...]
http://duckyluvfish.com/?p=219 Ducky Luv Fish > » Blog Archive » Mr. Papi to Return in Series of Games Including ‘PapiJump Plus’

[...] Mr. Papi to Return in Series of Games Including ‘PapiJump Plus’ Powered by Max Banner Ads Sunflat has posted a list of upcoming games, many of which include the lovable Mr. Papi character from curiously addictive PapiJump. [...]
marty

got to 43, 000, then started to get gramp in my finger..he fell hard poor little guy.
marty

got to 43, 000, then started to get gramp in my finger..he fell hard poor little guy.
faab

i had a score 29923 thats the highist
faab

i had a score 29923 thats the highist
pupsDaddy

I just broke 50K and got 3rd place.
pupsDaddy

I just broke 50K and got 3rd place.
http://www.radnoise.com Andrew

I made it to 29000 but it wouldn't let me submit. Awesome game though.
http://www.radnoise.com Andrew

I made it to 29000 but it wouldn't let me submit. Awesome game though.
scott

i'm just shy of 25k.... and going to beat that soon!!!!! it is addictive!
scott

i'm just shy of 25k.... and going to beat that soon!!!!! it is addictive!
http://www.meshmash.de/physics-based-springfling-bounces-into-the-app-store/ MeshMash » Physics-Based ‘SpringFling’ Bounces into the App Store

[...] of the first must-have iPhone games to appear in the App Store was PapiJump. Not long after, Doodle Jump took the simple, accelerometer-controlled concept of ascending a [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
http://www.mobilepress.co.uk/papijump-and-james-camerons-avatar-arrive-on-ipad-13025/ ‘PapiJump’ and ‘James Cameron’s Avatar’ Arrive on iPad | Mobile Press

[...] of the early classic iPhone games PapiJump is now available for the iPad. We first discovered PapiJump back in August, 2008 and found it to be a surprisingly fun experience. The game later [...]
http://www.gopda.info/archives/4470.html So You Just Got an iPhone 4 – An App Store Gaming Guide | GoPDA Windows Mobile(Windows Phone) Blog

[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]
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[...] Jump – While we have to give props to PapiJump as the clear inspiration for Doodle Jump, Lima Sky has managed to take the game to a whole new [...]