There’s a definite end-of-year, holiday feel to today’s Fresh iPhone Apps. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but after that, the run-up to the Holiday Season and the New Year begins. Celebrate in style with a classic Charlie Brown storybook narrated by Peter Robbins, or see what 2012 has in store from the brains at The Economist. When it comes to gaming, try some top-down arcade shooting action with Space Tripper, or take on the role of Barry Steakfries again in a special holiday-themed version of Age of Zombies.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (iPhone, iPad) $6.99
Apple chose A Charlie Brown Christmas for its iPad App of the Week this week, and with Thanksgiving upon us, it’s not much of a leap to start getting into the Christmas spirit. The app is an interactive storybook that includes original dialogue from the 1965 movie original. It’s also narrated by Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown.
But since it’s an interactive storybook, A Charlie Brown Christmas also includes features like the ability to decorate a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, play Schroeder’s piano, and hear words read aloud to help kids learn to read along with the book.
The World in 2012 from The Economist: Editor’s Highlights (iPad) Free
With 2011 winding down, The Economist magazine has put together a big feature forecasting the world of the next 12 months. The best of that content is now available in The World in 2012’s “Editor’s Highlights” app, which features articles, videos, photos and more of things and people to watch in 2012.
The World in 2012 is The Economist’s predictions for the next year, and you can get a jump-start on figuring out what (and who) will be a big deal in the next year with Editor’s Highlights. With lots of information and content, it’s a nice iPad version of the larger publication The Economist puts together, and a solid way to decide if you want the print edition.
Space Tripper (iPhone, iPad) $3.99
Also known as Astro Tripper, its PC counterpart, Space Tripper is a top-down arcade shooter that marries solid tilt controls with touchscreen controls, all while keeping things relatively simple. You man a craft and are tasked with destroying all the enemies that appear in a given arena before the timer runs out. Tilting makes your ship move while tapping one side of the screen reverses the direction you’re facing – either left or right – and the other switches between two weapons.
You’ll need quick reflexes and some on-the-fly strategy in order to notch top scores in the exceedingly difficult Space Tripper, but with Game Center support, your reward will be seeing how well you stack up against players all over the world. Space Tripper packs 14 levels to fight through, plus more game modes you can unlock as you go.
Age of Zombies Anniversary (iPhone, iPad) $0.99
Halfbrick’s favorite wise-cracking protagonist, Barry Steakfries, took on legions of zombies while traveling through time in Age of Zombies, and now a year later the developer has released a brand new version of the game called Age of Zombies Anniversary. The new version is on sale for a limited time and keeps everything that made the original great – namely, fast-paced twin-stick shooter action and a wry sense of humor – while adding new features.
Age of Zombies Anniversary now includes Retina display support and is optimized for newer-generation iPhones and iPads. It also offers Game Center support for achievements and leaderboards, as well as an additional story chapter set in the Wild West.
