2. Super Hexagon: itunes.apple.com/app/super-hexa… < Hypnotic avoid ’em up, set in a kaleidoscopic, intoxicating, minimalist reality. Brutal. Brilliant
Need for Speed: Most Wanted: itunes.apple.com/app/need-for-s… < Console-like arcade racer with faultless handling. The closest thing to OutRun 2 on iOS
4. Pinball Arcade: itunes.apple.com/app/pinball-ar… < Pinball heaven, with over a dozen classic tables lovingly recreated for your device.
5. The Room: itunes.apple.com/app/the-room/i… < Hugely atmospheric old-school exploratory puzzler. Play in the dark and avoid the tips for best results
6. Splice: itunes.apple.com/app/splice-tre… < Initially baffling but subsequently utterly compelling puzzler. Tactile, challenging and beautiful.
7. Gridrunner: itunes.apple.com/app/gridrunner… < Minter’s finest on iOS—a bullet-hell shooter in a shoebox. Sublime with an iCade; glorious anyway.
8. Hero Academy: itunes.apple.com/app/hero-acade… < Engaging async two-player fantasy chess (ish), now including a bunch of single-player puzzles.
9. Beat Sneak Bandit: itunes.apple.com/app/beat-sneak… < Oddball rhythm action/stealth/platformer mash-up. Like a modern Game & Watch with groove..
10. Slydris: itunes.apple.com/app/slydris/id… < New and tactical take on block-dropping action puzzlers. Among the best in the genre.
And now, it’s time for the @iphonetiny top-ten games list for 2012…