Here's one that will make a select few of our readers stand up and shout, while merely drawing a faint "hmm" from the rest. But, as Arnold and myself are among the standers and the shouters... Last night, in honor of the 20th anniversary of their founding, the Free Tools Association (or FTA) released a free bundle of their classic demoscene productions and games wrapped in their ActiveGS Apple IIgs emulator as the Universal application ActiveGS - Best of FTA [App Store].

FTA and the associated groups Apple Chemical Software (ACS) and Second Sight Software were well known in the pre-web online Apple II communities for their to-the-metal, assembly-coded demos, games, and utilities that pushed the Apple II to its limits. Among the included productions are Nucleus and Modulae, probably the most well loved and beautifully executed demos to be found on the IIgs, as well as the playable demo of the group's take on the pseudo-3D shooter Space Harrier. Those checking out this collection who have no Apple II in their past should note that the Apple IIgs, which was released in 1986, is an 8/16-bit computer that runs at 2.8MHz -- and that's in "fast" mode.

The Modulae demo, running under emulation on a Windows machine:

The group's ActiveGS emulator used in this application is a front-end for the multiplatform KEGS, which emulates the Apple IIgs and, by extension, the Apple IIe. It's available in both stand-alone applications and as a browser plug-in and is the primary emulation system behind the Virtual Apple ][ website where hundreds of Apple II programs can be run online.

In this iOS version, the emulator simply provides hard coded execution of FTA's demos, so it won't work as a general emulator.

UPDATE: Developer Olivier Goguel has chimed in on the comments thread and provided a link to a video of a version of ActiveGS running on the iPad, loaded with many more Apple II demos and games than are featured in the App Store release. But don't get too excited...

For approval reason, this version contains only FTA product! For a sneak preview of the full version, have a look at this video, but don't expect it to be live soon...

Armado Lite

This impressive 3D platformer offers the first three levels to try before buying the full version:

We hope you enjoy this free "lite" edition. It's a fully featured game with three levels to begin your journey. Get a feel for the controls, visuals, sound, and if you're good enough you may earn a spot on the leader-board!

App Store Link: Armado Lite, Free

Paradox Lite

We previously highlighted the full version of this game and found it to be a high quality variant of Pipe Dreams in which you rotate individual pieces to connect the entire board together.

In Parardox Lite there is one available mode of play aptly named "Puzzle Mode". Set to a chilled-out groove, "Puzzle Mode" is relaxed and methodical while offering challenging puzzles to excercise your brain muscle. Paradox Lite is a fun, inventive, and an entertaining version of its big brother "Paradox 3000".

App Store Link: Paradox Lite, Free

Powerboat Challenge Lite

A reasonably well implemented powerboat racing game.

The lite version takes you immediately to the action: Manoeuver your tuned powerboat around the buoys against your rivals and fill up your boost bar to power ride on the water with insane speed!

Powerboat Challenge Lite, Free

We previously reviewed Funky Punch [$7.99, App Store] and found the game to be very enjoyable. The main criticism heard of the early version, however, was that the game was too easy.

Fortunately, the full version has since seen an upgrade which adds difficulty levels as well as skill belt accomplishments to earn. Difficulty can now range from Normal, Hard, Crazy Hard and Ultra Hard.

The demo provides both training as well as the ability to play two of the 12 characters. Overall, it gives a very good taste of the full game.

The developer's gameplay video is provided here:

Controls are simple: the arrow keys control the tilt of the iPhone along both axes, the space-bar fires the cannon, and the 'd' key drops bombs.

As this is just a demo, it features only the first eight levels of the game locked at the easiest difficulty setting.  Also, saving and high scores are not available.  The Chopper demo requires Mac OS X 10.5 and can, for a limited time, be downloaded from Majic Jungle's iPhone page.

Chopper for the iPhone and iPod touch will retail for $7.99 through the iTunes App Store.