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Apple Picks Best Games of 2009 on iTunes

posted December 8th, 2009 4:22 AM EST by arn in iPhone games, iPod touch games, News

bestofApple has compiled a list of what they consider the best iPhone games of 2009. The list is part of their iTunes Rewind 2009 where they are highlighting the best content across 2009 in music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, podcasts, and apps.

Apps are broken down into games and more traditional applications. Anyone who follows TouchArcade regularly should be familiar with most of the games on this list. While we've only recently given out star ratings, our currently rated 5 star games are well represented in the list.

The game names are linked to iTunes alongside links to our own reviews of the games.

Congratulations to the developers who made the list. We'll be compiling our own "best of" list for 2009 in the coming weeks.

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  • Billy

    WTH, not even ONE game from EA?? Seriously there are some games in this list I would not download even for free! Fail, Apple.

  • Billy

    WTH, not even ONE game from EA?? Seriously there are some games in this list I would not download even for free! Fail, Apple.

  • http://www.secretexit.com Frand

    For anyone interested in purchasing Zen Bound, please hold until our price change comes into effect. The new price of Zen Bound is $1.99.

  • http://www.secretexit.com Frand

    For anyone interested in purchasing Zen Bound, please hold until our price change comes into effect. The new price of Zen Bound is $1.99.

  • HistorySchol

    No Toki Tori? iDracula? Soosiz? Dungeon Hunter?

  • HistorySchol

    No Toki Tori? iDracula? Soosiz? Dungeon Hunter?

  • EatKodosDaily

    Where is Soosiz!?

  • EatKodosDaily

    Where is Soosiz!?

  • http://spencereholtaway.wordpress.com Spencer

    Congrats to Jet Car Stunts - great game and relatively new to make this list, no?

  • http://spencereholtaway.wordpress.com Spencer

    Congrats to Jet Car Stunts - great game and relatively new to make this list, no?

  • EatKodosDaily

    t.t

    At least Apple realizes EA represents their polar opposite: huge amounts of products with little to no depth or quality.

  • EatKodosDaily

    t.t

    At least Apple realizes EA represents their polar opposite: huge amounts of products with little to no depth or quality.

  • S_Bruv

    Er... Civ? Does ANYONE at Apple actually know/feel anything about games..?

  • S_Bruv

    Er... Civ? Does ANYONE at Apple actually know/feel anything about games..?

  • Colorsound

    Thought Peggle would be on there

  • Colorsound

    Thought Peggle would be on there

  • Spats

    So all the sports games they put out have absolutely no depth or quality what so all? Yet Nazi Zombies (although a quality app) is up there after a few weeks?

  • Spats

    So all the sports games they put out have absolutely no depth or quality what so all? Yet Nazi Zombies (although a quality app) is up there after a few weeks?

  • Kugi_igi

    Blade of fury is there?! no MC or other games from Gameloft?
    and where's EA?
    Rock Band or FIFA 10 could be there

  • Kugi_igi

    Blade of fury is there?! no MC or other games from Gameloft?
    and where's EA?
    Rock Band or FIFA 10 could be there

  • Deluxe

    Edge?
    Thanks for the fuss, Langdell =/

  • Deluxe

    Edge?
    Thanks for the fuss, Langdell =/

  • ichi

    Too bad my fave Orbital didn't make it...

  • ichi

    Too bad my fave Orbital didn't make it...

  • http://www.stormchild.net Stormchild

    I'm pretty sure these lists aren't hand-picked, and I believe they differ from country to country. Surely Hockey Night in Canada isn't one of the top apps of 2009 in the US store…and it's a pretty lousy app, so I really doubt it was chosen by a person.

    From what I can tell these lists are just the top downloads of the year.

  • http://www.stormchild.net Stormchild

    I'm pretty sure these lists aren't hand-picked, and I believe they differ from country to country. Surely Hockey Night in Canada isn't one of the top apps of 2009 in the US store…and it's a pretty lousy app, so I really doubt it was chosen by a person.

    From what I can tell these lists are just the top downloads of the year.

  • http://www.stormchild.net Stormchild

    …In other words, there's no point in discussing the lists as if there was any thought put into them. Seems pretty clear they're automatically generated.

  • http://www.stormchild.net Stormchild

    …In other words, there's no point in discussing the lists as if there was any thought put into them. Seems pretty clear they're automatically generated.

  • arn

    no, there's a separate list for top downloads

    arn

  • arn

    no, there's a separate list for top downloads

    arn

  • GJD

    The Settlers is hands down the most engrossing iPhone game out there - admittedly I was a big fan of the Amiga original, but after paying GBP£30 for the DualScreen version, I am astonished at how much better the GBP£4 version on the iPhone is.

  • GJD

    The Settlers is hands down the most engrossing iPhone game out there - admittedly I was a big fan of the Amiga original, but after paying GBP£30 for the DualScreen version, I am astonished at how much better the GBP£4 version on the iPhone is.

  • blackHorse

    Stick Wars? The rest must be pretty good, too... Or they just sold a lot.

  • blackHorse

    Stick Wars? The rest must be pretty good, too... Or they just sold a lot.

  • jase23

    I'm glad to see Earth vs. Moon make the list. What a superb, polished, challenging, and amusing game. It never seemed to get the attention it deserved, IMHO. It's the best missile command style game ever. But there are also levels that recall other classic games such as Pong and Space Invaders.

  • jase23

    I'm glad to see Earth vs. Moon make the list. What a superb, polished, challenging, and amusing game. It never seemed to get the attention it deserved, IMHO. It's the best missile command style game ever. But there are also levels that recall other classic games such as Pong and Space Invaders.

  • http://www.taptoplay.de Lakeshore | taptoplay.de

    The lists are different for each country. The german list has Modern Combat and some EA and Team 17 stuff. Also you can see that the lists are created automatically: One of the _audio_ classics of podcasts is the _video_ podcast for Happy Tree Friends...

  • http://www.taptoplay.de Lakeshore | taptoplay.de

    The lists are different for each country. The german list has Modern Combat and some EA and Team 17 stuff. Also you can see that the lists are created automatically: One of the _audio_ classics of podcasts is the _video_ podcast for Happy Tree Friends...

  • araczynski

    too bad a price wasn't tied to each one of them. some of us do care about that you know :)

  • araczynski

    too bad a price wasn't tied to each one of them. some of us do care about that you know :)

  • http://www.yourpersonalrobot.com your personal robot

    Very cool, that Jet Car Stunts made it onto the list!
    Many, many great choices, even if automatic ones.

  • http://www.yourpersonalrobot.com your personal robot

    Very cool, that Jet Car Stunts made it onto the list!
    Many, many great choices, even if automatic ones.

  • arn

    I don't see how this is an automated list. No offense to Boost 3D, but it's not going to make an automated list.

    arn

  • arn

    I don't see how this is an automated list. No offense to Boost 3D, but it's not going to make an automated list.

    arn

  • Oliath

    Great list.
    Thanks for linking alongside reviews.
    I'll be passing this around toy iPhone buddies always asking me what game I would reccomend to them.

  • Oliath

    Great list.
    Thanks for linking alongside reviews.
    I'll be passing this around toy iPhone buddies always asking me what game I would reccomend to them.

  • Corbier

    Where is the wonderful platformer Nicky Boom ?

  • Corbier

    Where is the wonderful platformer Nicky Boom ?

  • http://ifonekit.com bomber

    There is nothing automatic, even the best-seller list is hand picked (at least in european countries)

  • http://ifonekit.com bomber

    There is nothing automatic, even the best-seller list is hand picked (at least in european countries)

  • Champagne01

    Yeah to see some of those and not Soosiz, Labyrinth 2 (probably out too late..) etc. is a shame. Still, glad to see Illusion Labs have a game up there. I guess Skater Nation made it simply because it's the first of its type!?

  • Champagne01

    Yeah to see some of those and not Soosiz, Labyrinth 2 (probably out too late..) etc. is a shame. Still, glad to see Illusion Labs have a game up there. I guess Skater Nation made it simply because it's the first of its type!?

  • Champagne01

    Caveat - Skater Nation was on the UK list - doesn't seem to be on the US one.

  • Champagne01

    Caveat - Skater Nation was on the UK list - doesn't seem to be on the US one.

  • http://www.madfingergames.com Mad Finger Games

    Yup, IMHO is not automatic... We didnt have really big sales, we were not in top 100 apps in US ... I think, that best place was around 50 in top game in US, but we were 5th in Japan, 2nd best game in Honkong, 1st in Taiwan, 1st in Poland, 1st in Czech...

    Still dont know, why they choose us, because they dont promote us too much..

    Anyway, Samurai is on best game without selling success ;)

  • http://www.madfingergames.com Mad Finger Games

    Yup, IMHO is not automatic... We didnt have really big sales, we were not in top 100 apps in US ... I think, that best place was around 50 in top game in US, but we were 5th in Japan, 2nd best game in Honkong, 1st in Taiwan, 1st in Poland, 1st in Czech...

    Still dont know, why they choose us, because they dont promote us too much..

    Anyway, Samurai is on best game without selling success ;)

  • http://www.madfingergames.com Mad Finger Games

    Anyway, thank you very much Apple !!!!

  • http://www.madfingergames.com Mad Finger Games

    Anyway, thank you very much Apple !!!!

  • Ape lover

    absolutely right. this list is so biased cannot even tell. but the sheep will run to d/l if they missed one. "HEY, SJ told us it's great!"

  • Ape lover

    absolutely right. this list is so biased cannot even tell. but the sheep will run to d/l if they missed one. "HEY, SJ told us it's great!"

  • areg

    for doing their job?

  • areg

    for doing their job?

  • http://www.scottcolbert.wordpress.com Scott

    What, clicking a link too difficult?

  • http://www.scottcolbert.wordpress.com Scott

    What, clicking a link too difficult?

  • http://www.wolf3dmaps.com thewiirocks

    "Rock Band or FIFA 10 could be there"

    The only award Rock Band deserves is the "polished turd" award. It's not a horrible title, but it's not exactly a well-designed or deep one. For $10 (now $7) you get very little gameplay with absolute crap for expandability. The controls are difficult for anyone with big hands (raises hand) and the different instruments are more gimmick than reality.

    Rock Band feels like a cell phone game, plays like a cell phone game, and is thus recognized as a cell phone game. Until EA gets serious about the iPhone as an independent platform, they're not going to get very far.

  • http://www.wolf3dmaps.com thewiirocks

    "Rock Band or FIFA 10 could be there"

    The only award Rock Band deserves is the "polished turd" award. It's not a horrible title, but it's not exactly a well-designed or deep one. For $10 (now $7) you get very little gameplay with absolute crap for expandability. The controls are difficult for anyone with big hands (raises hand) and the different instruments are more gimmick than reality.

    Rock Band feels like a cell phone game, plays like a cell phone game, and is thus recognized as a cell phone game. Until EA gets serious about the iPhone as an independent platform, they're not going to get very far.

  • http://www.yourpersonalrobot.com your personal robot

    You are joking right?
    It's way beyond "wonderful".
    It's sweet. But there are thousands of sweet games in the store.

  • http://www.yourpersonalrobot.com your personal robot

    You are joking right?
    It's way beyond "wonderful".
    It's sweet. But there are thousands of sweet games in the store.

  • tsharpfilm

    Exactly. Sally's Spa and Canabalt are on the list, but no Soosiz or Dungeon Hunter?? This list is flawed. Sally's Spa is a girly maintenance game that's popularly primarily because Megan Fox mentioned it, and Canabalt is a cheap 1 button game with about a week of gameplay. I demand a recount. :P

  • tsharpfilm

    Exactly. Sally's Spa and Canabalt are on the list, but no Soosiz or Dungeon Hunter?? This list is flawed. Sally's Spa is a girly maintenance game that's popularly primarily because Megan Fox mentioned it, and Canabalt is a cheap 1 button game with about a week of gameplay. I demand a recount. :P

  • Nausicaa

    Of course no list is perfect, but I think this one is pretty good. Plenty of my favorite games on there like Spider, Samurai, Canabalt, and iBomber. Most of the other games on this list that I've played are quite good as well.

  • Nausicaa

    Of course no list is perfect, but I think this one is pretty good. Plenty of my favorite games on there like Spider, Samurai, Canabalt, and iBomber. Most of the other games on this list that I've played are quite good as well.

  • Vedder

    Where's Defender Chronicles. I know you can only have so many on a top (whatever) list, but to not include Defender Chronicles is injustice.

  • Vedder

    Where's Defender Chronicles. I know you can only have so many on a top (whatever) list, but to not include Defender Chronicles is injustice.

  • yo

    backbreaker and jet car stunts deserve it 100%.

  • yo

    backbreaker and jet car stunts deserve it 100%.

  • http://www.wolf3dmaps.com thewiirocks

    That's a good point. Defender Chronicles is one of the best games (quite possibly THE best) on the iPhone today. It's upsetting to see Apple miss it in their list.

    Chillingo and Gimka still get the last laugh, though. All the way to the bank. Much better than any award. ;)

  • http://www.wolf3dmaps.com thewiirocks

    That's a good point. Defender Chronicles is one of the best games (quite possibly THE best) on the iPhone today. It's upsetting to see Apple miss it in their list.

    Chillingo and Gimka still get the last laugh, though. All the way to the bank. Much better than any award. ;)

  • http://www.squarezerostudio.com squarezero

    No, for including the game he developed -- Samurai -- on the Best of 2009 list.

  • http://www.squarezerostudio.com squarezero

    No, for including the game he developed -- Samurai -- on the Best of 2009 list.

  • Bunny[KrUnited]

    Where the hell is minigore????? So apple is saying that minigore don't deserve to be in the top game ha? Lol. Minigore should be the best out of best in there. apple such an epic fail..... If I need choose too tech brand. It would been. Sony,Samsung,Toshiba,Lg, and last Failed apple!!!!!

  • http://Msn Bunny[KrUnited]

    Where the hell is minigore????? So apple is saying that minigore don't deserve to be in the top game ha? Lol. Minigore should be the best out of best in there. apple such an epic fail..... If I need choose too tech brand. It would been. Sony,Samsung,Toshiba,Lg, and last Failed apple!!!!!

  • David Tiger

    Wow, we are blown away by the placement of Spider on that list.

    Thank you, Apple!

  • David Tiger

    Wow, we are blown away by the placement of Spider on that list.

    Thank you, Apple!

  • http://www.squarezerostudio.com squarezero

    And yet you heap such slavish praise on a game that runs only on an Apple product. Ironic, isn't it?

  • http://www.squarezerostudio.com squarezero

    And yet you heap such slavish praise on a game that runs only on an Apple product. Ironic, isn't it?

  • Ed

    A reasonable list. Computer generated or no they seem to be picking titles
    that aren't on other platforms.

    I think I'd add Peggle and Minigore for their polish and great gameplay.

  • Ed

    A reasonable list. Computer generated or no they seem to be picking titles
    that aren't on other platforms.

    I think I'd add Peggle and Minigore for their polish and great gameplay.

  • yesplease

    Archon, Groundeffect and "i dig it" are my favourites ...

  • yesplease

    Archon, Groundeffect and "i dig it" are my favourites ...

  • http://www.yourpersonalrobot.com your personal robot

    Grow up! This is not even funny anymore!
    What is worse than an Apple fanboy? A Minigore fanboy.

  • http://www.yourpersonalrobot.com your personal robot

    Grow up! This is not even funny anymore!
    What is worse than an Apple fanboy? A Minigore fanboy.

  • Grace @ Low Five Games

    We are completely astounded and amazed that Earth Vs Moon was featured as one of the best of 2009! That is such an amazing honor and we wanted to thank TouchArcade and all of the TA users for the love and support. We're a tiny little operation and can't believe this! Our moms can finally be proud of us.

  • Grace @ Low Five Games

    We are completely astounded and amazed that Earth Vs Moon was featured as one of the best of 2009! That is such an amazing honor and we wanted to thank TouchArcade and all of the TA users for the love and support. We're a tiny little operation and can't believe this! Our moms can finally be proud of us.

  • Gekkota

    Yep...right at the top of the list. Just where it belongs! Congrats!
    Hope to see another game from you guys real soon.

  • Gekkota

    Yep...right at the top of the list. Just where it belongs! Congrats!
    Hope to see another game from you guys real soon.

  • LB

    We've got 2 games on the list...Whoohoo for us!

  • LB

    We've got 2 games on the list...Whoohoo for us!

  • jase23

    To pick the 25 "best" games of 2009, out of the tens of thousands that were released in the app store, is very tough. But this is not a bad list. I think that I would have included "Archibald's Adventure", but most of these games are quite deserving of being in the top 1% of all app store games.

  • jase23

    To pick the 25 "best" games of 2009, out of the tens of thousands that were released in the app store, is very tough. But this is not a bad list. I think that I would have included "Archibald's Adventure", but most of these games are quite deserving of being in the top 1% of all app store games.

  • Bobster

    It could be great.. if you didn't have to do all the grinding, which is a lazy man's way to extend a game.

  • Bobster

    It could be great.. if you didn't have to do all the grinding, which is a lazy man's way to extend a game.

  • http://www.illusionlabs.com Anders

    Yay, Sway!

  • http://www.illusionlabs.com Anders

    Yay, Sway!

  • Jon

    uhhh...space invaders infinity gene??!

  • Jon

    uhhh...space invaders infinity gene??!

  • David Tiger

    Thanks Gekkota!

    We are very, very close to submitting our big Director's Cut update, and then it's on to Game #2. Exciting times :)

  • David Tiger

    Thanks Gekkota!

    We are very, very close to submitting our big Director's Cut update, and then it's on to Game #2. Exciting times :)

  • Grace @ Low Five Games

    Thank you for your support Jase! You've been great.

  • Grace @ Low Five Games

    Thank you for your support Jase! You've been great.

  • MrMuesli

    Strange that Apple give us a best of 2009 when the we still have a little less than 1/12 of it still to go. Some real crackers came along since Apple clearly couldn't help themselve....Sword of Fargoal for example....

  • MrMuesli

    Strange that Apple give us a best of 2009 when the we still have a little less than 1/12 of it still to go. Some real crackers came along since Apple clearly couldn't help themselve....Sword of Fargoal for example....

  • MrMuesli

    I'd take all this with apinch of salt honestly. It's clear that Apple are releasing this early to peek interest for christmas sales.

  • MrMuesli

    I'd take all this with apinch of salt honestly. It's clear that Apple are releasing this early to peek interest for christmas sales.

  • Billy

    Congrats! ;)

  • Billy

    Congrats! ;)

  • Tyk

    Lists like these are good for casual gamers like looking for some starting points. There will always be games left off the list. But by reading these comments I've received more leads on quality games to check out.

  • Tyk

    Lists like these are good for casual gamers like looking for some starting points. There will always be games left off the list. But by reading these comments I've received more leads on quality games to check out.

  • SicMX

    Jet Car Stunts is the only one i really enjoy playing from that list (obviously haven't tried ALL of them though)

  • SicMX

    Jet Car Stunts is the only one i really enjoy playing from that list (obviously haven't tried ALL of them though)

  • http://www.stormchild.net Stormchild

    Regardless of what stats it was generated from, it's obviously not a hand-picked list, since the lists are different in every store.

  • http://www.stormchild.net Stormchild

    Regardless of what stats it was generated from, it's obviously not a hand-picked list, since the lists are different in every store.

  • arn

    I don't see how that means anything. Apple can't have local people hand picking in each store?

    arn

  • arn

    I don't see how that means anything. Apple can't have local people hand picking in each store?

    arn

  • Mike Johnson

    I don't see how Modern Combat is not on the list. It finally made FPS not just look good but play good on the iPhone.

  • Mike Johnson

    I don't see how Modern Combat is not on the list. It finally made FPS not just look good but play good on the iPhone.

  • http://bestairfilterreviews.com/ best air filter

    I like Megan Fox, I think she is really sexy!

  • http://bestairfilterreviews.com/ best air filter

    I like Megan Fox, I think she is really sexy!


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