It’s another big launch day in the iTunes App Store, and leading the charge is The Dark Knight himself. Batman Arkham City Lockdown is a one-on-one brawler that controls a bit like the Infinity Blade series and links with the story of Batman: Arkham City, a big release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Next is Six-Guns, a Wild West-themed shooter from Gameloft, followed by remote-controlled rally racer Mini Motor Racing. Last but not least, we’ve got Michael Jackson The Experience HD, an iPad rhythm game that rethinks the standard rhythm game control scheme.
Batman Arkham City Lockdown (iPhone, iPad) $5.99
Taking a cue from the Infinity Blade series, Batman Arkham City Lockdown puts you in the role of the Dark Knight as he battles criminals in one-on-one fist fights. Through each of the game’s levels, you’ll use Batman’s signature gadgets as well as straight-up punches, dodges and deflections to get the upper-hand on your enemies, then pummel them with combos to put them down.
Arkham City Lockdown uses swiping touch controls for everything that goes down within the game, and uses the graphical style of Batman: Arkham City, a big release in the video game world. It also links into the story of Arkham City, acting as a bit of a link between the game and the series’ previous installment, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Fans will get a kick out of this one: the action is fast-paced and the graphics are solid.
Six-Guns (iPhone, iPad) Free
Grab your six-shooter and start taming the west in Six-Guns, a Wild West game in which you play a wandering stranger who is the only hope of the innocent against the forces of cowboy evil. Modeled somewhat after the popular Red Dead Redemption on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Six-Guns is a third-person action game in which you’ll shoot down cowboys, ride horses and take on a variety of missions that span a huge area in the West.
Six-Guns features 40 missions of different varieties, ranging from taking out bandits to racing horses. You’ll also unlock new weapons and horses that you can purchase with money you earn for completing missions. Six-Guns also has some beautiful graphics that really make the Old West look great on your iPhone.
Mini Motor Racing (iPhone, iPad) $1.99
What’s better than racing actual rally cars? Racing remote-controlled rally cars, obviously. Mini Motor Racing knows this, and it gives you the opportunity to blast around rally courses, drifting around corners and flying past the competition with a tiny RC vehicle. The game lets you race through several different courses, earning money as you clear tracks to buy and upgrade cars to get even better times.
Mini Motor Racing includes 20 different tracks to race through, as well as local multiplayer over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that supports up to three other racers. It also packs Game Center support for achievements and leaderboards.
Michael Jackson The Experience HD (iPad) $4.99
Channeling the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson The Experience HD is a rhythm game that uses a different kind of control from other similar titles. Instead of tapping along to the beat, you draw different shapes that correspond to the choreography you’re seeing on the screen. The game is filled with Jackson’s signature moves.
The Experience packs four of Jackson’s best-known tracks: “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Speed Demon” and “Blood on the Dance Floor.” It also includes Game Center support, which provides achievements to earn and leaderboards, so you can see how your rhythm skills stack up against players all over the world.
