We may be 20 years removed from the 1980s, but that hasn’t stopped the nostalgia train from making stops at all of your childhood favorites. “G.I. Joe”? Check. “Transformers”? Check. Lite Brite? OK, there’s no Lite Brite movie, but as we’re just days away from the release of the “A-Team” film, which is based on the popular TV series of the mid-80s, perhaps it’s time to take a look at the iTunes App Store’s collection of A-Team iPhone apps. Maybe we’ll even grab some bonus 80s nostalgia on the way.
For practicality’s sake, this list assumes you already know all about the A-Team, but if you just saw the trailer for the movie and thought it looked cool, there’s an app for you to catch up in plenty of time to hit a midnight screening. The A-Team Trivia iPhone app (99 cents) will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the original A-Team. While you may struggle initially to answer the more than 60 questions contained in the app, you can study the handy answer guide and be in the know when one of your friends starts calling himself “Howlin’ Mad.”
Once you’re well versed on what exactly the A-Team is, you can annoy your friends with the BA In My Pocket app (99 cents). BA In My Pocket is a delightful little soundboard of Mr. T’s famous character’s best catchphrases. Of course, it includes the notorious “I pity the fool,” but goes as deep as “Don’t do drugs kids!” There are over 20 audio phrases recorded by famous soundalike J.G. Lashley.
After that, perhaps you’ll find that while you just can’t get enough of Mr. T, you’re also sort of a lousy typist; in which case, you’ll soon be downloading Mr. T Type app (99 cents). Mr. T Type flashes individual letters across the screen that you’ll have to type before they disappear. If you mistype the letters, or too many letters disappear, the game is over. It’s not exactly the most fascinating app, but if you’re looking to have a quick app-based typing test with a friend based around Mr. T, this is sort of a no-brainer.
Supposing you’re ready to experience the rest of the 80s in app form, you’d do well to check out the free VH1 “I Love the 80s” Trivia app. This well designed trivia app, packing 50 free questions (and another 100 questions available for $1) will absolutely test the limits of your 80s knowledge. Your hard work and correct answers will pay off in the form of app achievements, and will prepare you for head-to-head battles via Bluetooth against other iPhone users.
VH1 is also behind another great nostalgia trip with their VH1 Classic Presents: Intellivision (free). The free Intellivision emulator comes packed with one game, the classic “Astrosmash,” but five others can be purchased for $1 apiece. For my money, stay away from the sports titles “Skiing” and “Chip Shot Golf,” and go right for “Thin Ice,” a game focused on skating circles around your foes to sink them to a cold demise. Fun for everyone! Most of the games can also be played via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for an added multi-player experience, as well.
But if those games don’t whet your classic appetite enough, there is always Galaga Remix ($3). Though Remix might seem priced out of its league, it is actually two games in one. The first, the original Galaga, will stoke the memories of long nights staying up blasting odd-looking space creatures, while the Remix has upgraded visuals and a much more smooth movement system. Both games can be controlled by sliding your finger or using the accelerometer, and it’s evident that time was spent to makes these games more than just simple ports.
