Top 5 iPad Game Apps

The iPad is an excellent device with its 9.7" screen that makes it perfect for playing visually stunning games. Most of the games featured on the iPad are remastered iPhone versions, but the extra screen space make these games look particularly beautiful. Here is a list of our top 5 game apps for iPad:

5. Snooker HD

Snooker HD is a realistic snooker simulation which looks quite brilliant on the iPad. There is an iPhone version, however the small screen made it quite difficult to play easily and comfortably. Those issues are completely removed thanks to the iPad's large screen, meaning playing this game is a joy.

Whilst overall the physics behind the game are very impressive, on the odd occasion you can find yourself taking quite a while to line up a shot so it's just right. The only other niggle is that the table seems very slow, a little bit more roll on the balls would be welcomed to make it that bit more realistic.

You can play in tournament mode where you have to beat 8 players to be crowned champion. You can also play in single player mode or against a friend in 2 player mode. Despite it's minor quirks, Snooker HD is a must have game which could quite easily keep you entertained for hours.

Price: £2.99
Our Rating: 4/5

4. Airport Mania HD

The object of the game is quite simple. You act as an air traffic controller and you must manage increasingly busy airports as the game progresses.

Initially life starts off easy by simply guiding planes into land, assigning them to a gate, and instructing them to take off once fully loaded. However as the game develops, you must also manage refuelling, repairs, multiple runways and various plane types whilst keeping the planes happy and on time.

Whilst it is a challenging game and there is a lot of fun to be had, it can seem a little bit repetitive and slow in the early stages. If you want to try it out then download the free 'lite' version although it's certainly good enough to justify £1.19 spend on the full version.

Price: Free for lite, £1.19 for full version
Our Rating: 4/5

3. Flight Control HD

Similar to Airport Mania in that you are controlling aircraft, however this time it is purely the arrivals of aircraft at multiple airports.

The aim is to draw a path from a plane to the runway of the same colour in order to successfully complete the landing. The challenge you are faced with is to ensure safe landings are carried out without planes crashing into each other. It gets harder as time progresses with multiple planes appear on screen requiring orders the same time, planes crossing each others paths and the fact that the planes travel at different speeds.

You will find yourself frantically drawing new paths for planes that are about to collide and when you get to this stage, you know the end is near. It's only a matter of time until a crash happens, but you have a damn good time prior to that point.

The only downside is that the app is £2.99 and you can play an almost identical game in Harbour Master for free. The only real difference with Harbour Master is that it's with boats and not planes! This is still a highly addictive game which you will find hard to put down. Oh and did we mention there are 3D levels included?!

Price: £2.99
Our Rating: 4/5 (loses a mark because an almost identical game in Harbour Master is free)

2. Plants v Zombies HD

Quite simply a brilliant game that will take up a huge amount of time if you let it. At £5.99, it is the most expensive app in this list, but the hugely popular tower defence game is as brilliant on iPad as on PC, Mac and Xbox 360.

The object is to protect your house from the incoming zombies by using a variety of different plants as a defence. New plants are constantly unlocked and there are 17 achievements to unlock as well as 18 mini-games. All 50 levels of the adventure mode are included as well as survival and quick play modes. The multi touch capabilities of the iPad allow for up to 11 zombies to be selected at one time which is necessary when using certain plants as weapons.

Visually the game is brilliant. The game play is superb and it's incredibly easy to get the hang of. Some might be put off by the high price tag, but it certainly is worth it and the sheer depth of the game justifies the cost.

Price: £5.99
Our Rating: 5/5

1. Angry Birds

Addictive and brilliant whilst also been frustrating, Angry Birds is simply an iconic game. The iPhone version was a phenomenal hit and needless to say, this version is just stunning on the large iPad screen.

The background story is that a group of evil pigs have taken eggs that belong to a flock of birds. The pigs have taken shelter in structures made from various materials such as wood, glass and stone. The aim is to slingshot the birds into the structure so it ultimately collapses and eliminates the pigs. The level is cleared once all the pigs have been eliminated.

A variety of different birds are made available in each level, each of them having their own unique capabilities. Once the level is cleared, a star rating is awarded based upon how well the level is completed and how many unused birds remain.

The vast number of levels and the quest to achieve 3 star status on every level means you could play this game until the cows come home. Quite simply, this app should exist on every iPad.

Price: £2.99
Our Rating: 5/5

Are your top 5 games different to ours? Comment on this post and let us know your top 5!