Favorite Games of the Best Software Awards Judges

http://www.justmobilegames.com

Curse of the Pharaohs

This may be a first effort from a newcomer, but it's a fantastic platform scroller involving huge maps, plenty of levels, and an environment the player can interact with. It doesn't have the best graphics, but it makes up for this shortcoming with engrossing game play.

Allen Gall

Curse of the Pharaohs

Extinction

Extinction is a well-done clone of the popular arcade game Defender. The graphics and music were nice, and the game play was smooth. However, it was difficult to control the game with the Axim's navigation pad. In addition, the game lacked any further options. How do you expect to accommodate different player's tastes if don't give them any functionality?

Rachel Eichen

Pocket Slurpy

This Q*Bert clone is a fantastic game, with smooth graphics and game play. This challenging game is relatively simple to play. You can control it with the d-pad, but the stylus control is usable too. However, either control method can get clumsy at times.

Rachel Eichen

Pocket Slurpy

Resco Guardiansâ€”Unlimited Edition

http://www.resco.net

Guardians went beyond the typical shooter. You have health, inventory, upgrades, character profiles, and money! Your goal is more than simply getting from one side of the level to the otherâ€”you have missions and objectives! The game offered plenty of functionality and smooth stylus control. It was challenging enough to make me want to pick it up and play it again.

Rachel Eichen

Resco Guardians

Zuma

This game will drive you mad! Every level of the course changes and gets progressively harder to solve. (And you'll break out in sweat when you meet the first level with two ball chains!) Zuma is one of the best Pocket PC games available.

Alex Januschewsky

http://www.atlantisredux.com

Adventure Games

Atlantis Redux

This one's an oddball romp with a confusing storyline and a sexy female protagonist. However, the journey is an enjoyable one, and some of the locales you'll see make it worth the trip.

Allen Gall

http://www.polsoftware.com

Dry Gulch

http://www.inebooks.com

This one lacked the visual pizzazz of the other games in this category, and the story was slow moving at first, but there was enough to draw me in and keep me playing until the end of the first puzzle. The graphics fade was well rendered and the interface probably the best of the group. Unfortunately, by the time I got out of the house (the first major puzzle) I had no desire to continue playing.

Eric Pankokel

Gilbert Goodmate PDA

http://www.z-logics.com

Gilbert by far stands out as the best game in this category. The graphics are very well done, the story is humorous, and the puzzles interesting yet solvable

Eric Pankokel

http://www.polsoftware.com

Myst for Pocket PC

http://www.meanhamstersoftware.com

Myst helped define the modern adventure game in the early 90s, and anyone wanting to appreciate what makes an adventure game good should play (or replay it) on their Pocket PC.

Allen Gall

Board Games

Monopoly

Handmark's Monopoly is a one-to-one conversion of the original board game. The graphics are well done and the game play is fast. It follows the original rules and the AI is very good. This game will never leave my Pocket PCâ€”even if I have to go directly to jail!

Alex Januschewsky

Monopoly

Scrabble

You'd be surprised at how well Scrabble plays on your Pocket PC. It's a terrific way of making your downtime a little more enjoyable. Handmark's Scrabble is the official, endorsed version of the game.

Allen Gall

Card Games

Championship Spades Pro

Championship Spades is a feature-rich and very enjoyable version of the game. Characters with personalities, colorful graphics, free online game play, and a tutorial give the game an edge over some of the more stilted Pocket PC card games out there.

Allen Gall

http://www.aidem.com.tw/English/index_english.htm

Championship Spades Pro

This is an intriguing "strip" Majong game where you get to choose to play one of three ladies. Like strip poker, your opponent will remove pieces of clothing as you win. This game seems to require that Chinese fonts to be installed on your device: it would be good to have an English version.

Dan Goh

Omar Sharif Bridge

http://www.zingmagic.com

It's been around a while, but for bridge fans, Omar Sharif Bridge is still a great way to play the game on your handheld.

Allen Gall

http://www.binaryfish.com

Omar Sharif Bridge

Casino Games

All Mobile Casino

This one has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. With over 13 different casino games, there's something for everyone. Old favorites like blackjack and roulette are included, along with different varieties of slots and video poker. My personal favorite is the lesser-known Pai Gow Poker.

All Mobile Casino has a nice assortment of features, including a statistics menu that tracks what you've "won" and "lost"â€”I've won 5,000 in Video Keno and lost 1,000 in Craps! You can compete with different players, with large or small bank rolls. This can add challenge. For example, you can start the game as a high-roller with $10,000 to spend, or come into the Casino with a mere $25 and see if you can work your way up.

Rachel Eichen

Black Jack Pro

http://www.g3studios.com

Black Jack Pro makes the popular card game accessible to novices and creates a very rich and enjoyable playing experience. It is still one of my favorite casino games.

Allen Gall

Although it's been around a while and is getting a little rusty, Full Hand Casino offers the four essentials of casino gaming: poker, black jack, slots, and roulette. Each game is well designed and plays very well.

Allen Gall

Chess Games

Kasparov Chessmate

There isn't much change in this category from last year, but Kasparov Chessmate is such a strong title that I really can't complain.

Joshua Villines

Emulators

Morphgear

http://www.morphgear.com

Morphgear catches some flak for being commercial, but it's the most flexible emulator package currently available, supporting more platforms than you can shake a stick at.

Allen Gall

Morphgear

Pocket Commodore 64

This is the perfect Commodore 64 emulator. You can find some of the old Commodore 64 games on the Web for free. You can even use this emulator to do a little BASIC programming on your Pocket PC. Everything works fineâ€”it's great software!

Alex Januschewsky

http://pocketvcs.emuunlim.com

PocketVCS

This one brings you back to the days of the Atari 2600. I'm an avid retro game fan and already had the ROM images of the old Atari games. All I needed was the emulator to take me back to the days when Atari was the best console out there.

Joel Evans

Game Packs

ChromaGames

ChromaGames provides excellent renditions of the thinking person's triumvirate of board games: chess, checkers, and backgammon. Built-in help will get you back in the game if you haven't played in a while.

Allen Gall

GameBox Classics

http://www.pocketpcvision.com

GameBox Classics reminds me of the games I played as a kid, but with better graphics and in color. Also, I don't have to drag a 30 kg computer and monitor around with me to play them.

Robert Bork

GameBox Classics

GameBox Gems

PDAmill's attention to detail and overall quality allows each one of these "gems" games to shine. If you're a casual gamer, this collection will provide you with all the gem-mining variations you'll ever need.

Allen Gall

http://www.pocketadventures.com

The Travel Collection

The Travel Collection is excellent suite of traditional board games like Chess, Checkers, and Reversi.

Robert Bork

http://www.pocketpcvision.com

Word Challenge

http://www.esoftinteractive.com

This one's a very workable collection of word games. Hang man is a little morbid, but it's a high quality package overall.

Allen Gall

http://www.semperaptus.com

Word Challenge

Poker Games

Multiplayer Championship Poker - Texas Hold'em

http://www.realdice.com

This version of Texas Hold'em dramatically raised the bar on what I expect from a handheld poker game. The game not only provides statistics to track your game play and earnings, it offers three different levels of play (single table, satellite tournament and championship), and includes a multiplayer component using Infrared and Bluetooth communications. (They really should add network and cellular GPRS multiplayer capability.). The multiplayer mode is difficult to set up, but quite rewarding once you've figured it out. In short, this game puts other electronic poker games to shame with high quality graphics, a unique "over the shoulder" interface, and an interesting choice of game variations.

Dan Hanttula

Puzzle Games

Bejeweled 2

This game has been a favorite of mine ever since it was released a few months back. It's one of those puzzle games that's all too simple but horribly addictiveâ€”you'll find yourself playing it for hours! Bejeweled 2 is also the most beautiful puzzle game I've seen. I can't think of a better game to show off your VGA pocket screen.

Rachel Eichen

http://www.ballshooter.com

Chukchi Kerling

This game is a little more laid back than other casual puzzle games in this category (like Brick Slider, a similar game). The clever graphics are a nice touch.

Allen Gall

Cubis

The trick is to slide tiles toward the center of a square, to match colors and clear the board. Cubis adds an extra dimension with vertical stacks. Solid game design and playability make this one a winner.

Allen Gall

http://www.mastersoftmobilesolutions.com

Cubis

Mastersoft SuDoku

Mastersoft SuDoku for Windows Mobile Pocket PC is one of the best versions of SuDoku I've seen. With over a million built-in puzzles and the ability to enter SuDoku puzzles from the daily newspaper, this game can literally keep you enthralled for years! Bored with numbers? You can switch to Picture SuDoku for even more fun.

Steve Sande

http://www.gizmoranch.com

Shape Shifter

This one is definitely the winner in the Puzzle category. The aim is to mix and match the different shapes. There are two different game modes: complete the game before the time runs out, or before the shapes reach the top layer. It's addictiveâ€”my wife often grabs my Pocket PC just to play this game!!

Dan Goh

Shape Shifter

Racing Games

Flux Challenge

If you liked the Anthelion's fast 3D graphics engine, you'll love Flux Challenge! You fly "Wipeout-like" crafts through tunnels against some very challenging competitors. You can control your craft with the hardware button, but even more challenging, with the stylus and/or your fingers. The graphics are so fast and smooth that you'll think that your Pocket PC has an ATI Radeon built in! Flux Challenge is a very addictive and great-looking piece of software.

Alex Januschewsky

http://www.gargagames.com

Flux Challenge

Gangsta Race

I do not "bean count" features. I vote for the most fun and most addictive title, and Gangsta Race made my pole position!

Franz Haslbeck

http://www.pocketpc-muenchen.de

GTS Racing Challenge

This derivative of the great Sega arcade game, Outrun, offers decent arcade physics, great courses, and some good races.

Allen Gall

http://www.pixelogic.co.uk

GTS Racing Challenge

Street Duel: Underground Racing

Street Duel is based on Midnight Club. The graphics are a little "blocky," but the game is very fluid. The varied missions make the game play is good. I also liked the use of on-screen buttons for acceleration and braking.

Russ Terrell

http://www.mozongoware.com

Stuntcar Extreme

http://www.fathammer.com

Stuntcar brings the fun of modern fantasy racing to the Pocket PC. This high-quality title features entertaining characters, a variety of racing modes, and allows you to do stunts. It's a good taste of what we can expect to see in the future: near-console-quality racing games with 3D acceleration.

Allen Gall

Role Playing Games

Arvale: Journey of Illusion

I've never seen an RPG with such awesome graphics and music! Arvale features all the things a good RPG must have: great graphics, over 200 different monsters, a load of things for your inventory (or personal use) and multiple player classes to choose from. There are over 280 maps to explore and about 20 hours of game play. I really can't wait to see the next episode!

Alex Januschewsky

http://www.pocketgear.com

Everquest: Attack On Qeynos

Everquest is an exceptional implementation of the RPG genre. Excellent graphics, intriguing plot line, and a huge map make this game my number one choice.

John Hung

Everquest: Attack On Qeynos

Legacy

http://www.redshift.hu/

Although Legacy doesn't get the same amount of attention as Arvale and Everquest, it's a sincere and mostly successful revival of the old tile-based role playing model. Numerous add-on quests also help keep the game alive.

Allen Gall

http://www.isotope244.com

Shooting Games

Atomic Cannon

This title brings new meaning to the term shooting game. There are tons of weapons to use, each one operating differently with different results. Atomic Cannon has a big learning curve, but it's worth it: the game is lots of fun.

Russ Terrell

http://www.mozongoware.com

Galaxian

http://windowsmobile.namcogames.com

Galaxian is a good old fashioned shooting game with fast action, plenty of explosion, and a chance to be captured by the alien ship. I have a hard time putting this one down!

John Hung

Galaxian

High Noon Drifter

This is arguably one of the best free titles ever released. It's a target shooter, but not a mindless one: HND's constantly-changing screens are littered with obvious and hidden bonuses, (somewhat) intelligent enemies, and civilian targets you'll want to avoid shootingâ€”a very nice effort from ClickGamer.

Allen Gall

SkyForce

http://www.idreams.pl

SkyForce is a really cool vertical shooter with good ships, great weapons, and tons of targets to take out. I wish the game had the ability to save or jump past levels you've already completed, but even as is, it's a blast.

Allen Gall

http://www.mozongoware.com

SkyForce

Simulations

Fish Tycoon

http://www.ldw.com

Although not 100% true to life, it presents a lot of fish-raising concepts in the game. I liked the idea of the simulation running in real time even when the game isn't running.

Russ Terrell

Lemonade Tycoon

This one is still the classic Pocket PC business simulation. It's fun to challenge the elements and build your business as you try to satisfy your ever-fickle customers.

Allen Gall

http://www.pocketgear.com

Lemonade Tycoon

SimCity 2000

It hasn't been updated recently, but SimCity 2000 is still a great concept. ZioInteractive's port is predictably a little clunky in its execution, but it still manages to capture the energy of the game it represents.

Allen Gall

http://www.esoftinteractive.com

SimCity 2000

Tower Mogul

Build a skyscraper full of hotel suites, offices, restaurants and shops. If your planning isn't that good the people working/living there will get angry. Tower Mogul has great gameplay and superb graphics. I loved this game years ago on my PC and I'm very glad that there is a Pocket PC version out there!

Alex Januschewsky

Virtual Pool Mobile

http://www.celeris.com

Highly detailed but still very playable and featuring a variety of tables, locales, and opponents, VPM also offers a fantastic career mode that nicely captures the mystique of being a pool hustler.

Allen Gall

Virtual Pool Mobile

Solitaire Games

GameBox Solitaire II

http://www.rapturetech.com

GameBox Solitaire is a near-perfect solitaire gameâ€”I would love to see a VGA version.

Joshua Villines

King Sol Solitaire 2004

This title is still the king after all these years. King Sol has tons of features and more solitaire variations than most people will need. For hardcore players, it's still the best choice out there.

Allen Gall

Space Games

Anthelion

The 3D engine is state-of-the-art and the game play is great and smooth. Anthelion features 16 missions and five levels. Control your spaceship with the D-pad or your stylus. You'll play this one for hours.

Alex Januschewsky

http://www.dig-concepts.com

RocketElite Gold

I've been playing RocketElite since it first came out, and it's consistently been installed on all of my Pocket PCs.

Robert Bork

http://www.pocketpcvision.com

RocketElite Gold

Sports Games

Baseball Addict

Baseball Addict takes the best parts of baseball: batting, pitching, and scoring, boils them down to their essence, and creates an enjoyable recreation on your Pocket PC.

Allen Gall

http://www.filaomobile.com

Baseball Addict

Billiard Master

http://www.digys.com

The look and sound of the game are perfect. Control of the cue and game options are great. The ability to play against another player with a Bluetooth connection is a nice addition to the game.

Russ Terrell

Madden NFL 06 from EA SPORTS

For sports games, this is the year of "Madden." Other sports games are fun, but with the exception of Links, nothing comes close to Madden.

Scott Logsdon

http://www.pocketnow.com

Madden NFL 06 from EA SPORTS

Links Pocket PC

For those who want a realistic golf simulation or want to have a portable version of the venerable PC game franchise, Links Pocket PC is as real as golf gets. (See review of Golf games for the Pocket PC in this issue.)

Allen Gall

http://www.pocketgear.com

Strategy Games

Age of Empires

AOE for the Pocket PC is simply very addictive. The game is fast paced and real, but the most striking feature of this RTS game is the smooth and detailed graphics and the story-line (if you play the Story Mission). The terrain, buildings, characters and vehicles of the game keep you engrossed. You're not just building an army and destroying your enemy, you have to defend, chase the enemy, do a solo mission, and more. The missions and game narration is good. Some of the missions are quite challenging and require perfect planning. Controls are good and easy to grasp. Warfare Incorporated can keep you occupied for hoursâ€”be prepared to put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door!

Raj Pillai

http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/raj

PocketConquest

http://www.windowsgames.co.uk

This shareware Risk clone is still my all time personal favorite. Thanks to the developer for giving me so many thrilling hours of game play.

Franz Haslbeck

http://www.pocketpc-muenchen.de

PocketConquest

Snails

Snails is my all time favorite strategy game for the Pocket PC. The graphics are great and the fun factor is unbeatable. The three different modes, the realistic physics, the special effects, the music and sound combined with great computer AI make this game a "must have" for your Pocket PC.

Alex Januschewsky

Snails

Warfare Incorporated

http://www.islandlabs.com

Warfare Inc. is fun, fun, fun! It's like a simpler version of Starcraft, but includes multiplayer capability (something Age of Empires doesn't have).

Scott Logsdon

http://www.pocketnow.com

Trivia Games

Urban Myth Triva

Urban Myth is campy, hip, and very fun to play on your Pocket PC. Fortunately, the questions come from a variety of categories and avoid being too obvious.

Allen Gall

Urban Myth Triva

Trivial Pursuit

For those fond of the famous Trivial Pursuit series, this Pocket PC version of the game does a good job of recreating the experience. Invasion Trivia (http://www.clickgamer.com) is a good alternative for those who don't mind a little silliness in their trivia games.

Allen Gall

http://www.cronotech.co.za/6thgear/6thgear.htm

Action / Jump & Run / Simulation Games

6th Gear - Ultimate Challenge

This one takes you back to the days of Pole Position and other arcade racing games. I especially like the use of vibrate when you start your car (also available for the Pocket PC).

Joel Evans

Bowling Master

http://www.mobirate.com

This game delivers a pleasing, graphical experience, but it also includes words digitally displayed at the top of the screen that coincide with events during game play. Once I started playing I couldn't put my Smartphone down (it's also available for the Pocket PC).

Joel Evans

Bowling Master

Lemonade Tycoon

http://www.worldofppc.com

Lemonade Tycoon has managed to entertain me for hours and hours, in situations where I would have been bored and my time would otherwise have been wasted (also available for the Pocket PC).

Andreas Erle

Lemonade Tycoon

Slotcar Racer

http://www.madbeetle.com

Slotcar Racer is fantasticâ€”and fantastically difficult to master! (also available for the Pocket PC.)

Paul O'Brien

http://www.modaco.com

Slotcar Racer

Flux Challenge SP

If you don't already have this one, you seriously need to consider it as your next purchase. With 3D graphics, great sound, and fluid game play, Flux Challenge is up there with the best of them (also available for the Pocket PC).

Marc Pell

http://www.msmobilenews.com

Virtual Pool Mobile

http://www.celeris.com

VPM is probably the best virtual pool game ever madeâ€”as good as the PC version I bought 10 years ago but funnier (also available for the Pocket PC).

Owen Smith

Slotcar Racer

Board Games

Smart4lign and Smartello

http://www.aimproductions.be

Smart4lign and Smartello have great music, rich graphics, and an excellent game play. These titles provide a great and unique gaming experience.

Joel Evans

Smart4lign

Casino and Card Games

Full Hand Casino

From: http://www.jamdat.com

Available at: http://www.pocketgear.com

This suite brings four casino games to your Smartphone: Blackjack, Video Poker, and Slot Machine. The pick of the bunch for me is the Video Poker, which is great fun and easy to play. If you like casino games then give this a go. (The Pocket PC version of this title also has Roulette.)

Marc Pell

http://www.surrealservices.dsl.pipex.com/gnuboy.html

Game Emulators

Gnuboy SP

Whether you're rating emulators based on nostalgia or the "geekfactor," Gnuboy SP wins due to its pickup-and-play capability.

Owen Smith

http://www.msmobilenews.com

Puzzle Games

Done In 50 Seconds

http://www.aimproductions.be/

This one is a classic puzzle game wrapped in glamorous clothing. Your goal is to steal cars in a garage full of vehicles. The real challenge is to move vehicles out of the way to get at the one you want. You'll get really involved in the logic of the numerous puzzles.

Marc Pell

http://www.alieninvention.com

Shooting Games

Eclipse: First Wave

This one has great graphics, great sound, and great game play. If you like games that are easy to pick up but difficult to complete, get Eclipse: First Wave.

Marc Pell