iCopter

It's been said many times before that simple little time-wasters are the perfect type of game for the iPhone, and I totally agree. Sure, large-scale games like Spore are great, but if you only have two minutes of time to kill, you don't want to get emotionally invested in a game. That's where iCopter comes in. iCopter is one of those games that's been around since the jailbreak era of iPhone apps, and its ability to keep me entertained and engaged hasn't changed since.

iCopter is modeled after the classic "helicopter" game which sends you through treacherously laid out tunnels of green pixelated barriers that must be avoided. The object of the game is to get as far as you possibly can before you (inevitably) crash into one of the walls.

Controls are simple, tap and hold any part of the screen to move up and let go to descend. When you crash, you're taken to the main screen where you can view high scores and instructions. Tapping any other portion of the screen will bring you to a new game. That's it!

The good: iCopter is an extremely simple game. Tap and hold anywhere on the screen to ascend and avoid crashing into the ground. Let go of the screen before you hit the ceiling. You'll also use this combination of ascending and descending to avoid walls of varied size. The longer you can last, the more points you'll get.

The game also comes with a high score tracking system. If you choose to, you can submit your high scores to the site so you can compete with the rest of the iCopter community.

The bad: The only thing I don't like about this version of iCopter is that it moves faster than the jailbreak version. This shouldn't affect anyone who hasn't played that version, but it is worth noting how quickly it moves. I was also discouraged by how long it took to transition from crashing into a wall to the main screen. Thankfully the "Fade Out Time" can be changed in iCopter preferences so you can quickly get back to dodging walls in what seems to be an increasingly awkward place for a helicopter to be.

My only request: Add a feature called "Addict Mode" which keeps you continuously playing, without interrupting after a failed game, until you either pass out or your thumb falls off. You'll understand this request once you start playing. It's that addicting.

Bottom line: iCopter rocks! It's simple, addictive, and way too much fun. At $0.99, there's no reason everyone shouldn't have this game.