Even if you can’t make it to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics, you can still try your hand (and thumbs) at some great winter sports games on the iPhone.
Regardless of the sport, from snowboarding, to skiing, to bobsledding, there are iPhone apps that can help scratch your sports itch without leaving your home. Flying down a snowy mountain on your iPhone may not be quite as fun as it is in real life, but it’s certainly a whole lot warmer.
Snowboarding iPhone app games
It’s never a good sign when a game is released at $4.99 and the next month it’s down to 99 cents. But for its current price, Shaun White Snowboarding: Origins isn’t all that bad of a game. Though it’s a bit limited as far as tracks go (only four included), the iPhone app does have decent enough graphics and a good deal of tricks.
For $1.99, Adrenaline Snowboarding offers a very similar experience. Like Shaun White Snowboarding, its controls and graphics are good enough, but no more impressive than any number of similar iPhone apps. The game will have its fans, but I’m afraid most will be left with mixed feelings.
The re-released Snowboarding TnT (99 cents) shows a number of improvements from its previous version, such as a new course and improved controls. This iPhone app has more courses than other games on this list (seven), but they are disappointingly short and you can literally finish the game in a matter of minutes. Overall, it’s not a bad game, though, and compares very favorably with its competition.
A rare 2D snowboarding game, iStunt is a complete departure from other snowboarding games on this list. In this game, you’re a snowboarding stunt man faced with daunting challenges, such as lengthy jumps and gravity inversion. It’s not necessarily better than the others, as crude graphics and a lack of anything resembling realism may upset some, but it does stand out in the genre and is worth the 99-cent price tag.
Almost a year after its initial release, Crazy Snowboard is still one of the most popular snowboarding games available on the iPhone. A big reason is the game’s “deep mission” mode that gives it more replay value than others. Though it’s a little more expensive ($2.99), there is a free lite version you can try.
iPhone app games for skiers
Touch Ski 3D is one of the deepest ski games out there, with 42 courses and seven game modes. The iPhone app’s controls require you to place both of your fingers on the iPhone as if they were skis — a simple (but fun) system. The game is now sponsored by The Ski Channel, so you also get news and videos from the channel for $1.99.
Last year, the very simple but fun Ski Jump was a surprise hit in the iTunes App Store, so one would think the more recently-released and similarly-themed Holmenkollen Ski Jump could do just as well. Though the game sports superior graphics, it also lacks a free demo version and a hefty price ($4.99). A price decrease could do wonders for the game, as it is just as good as the popular Ski Jump.
Winter-themed racing iPhone app games
There sure aren’t many snowmobile games on the iPhone, but Snow Moto Racing is reminiscent of a number of auto racing and – maybe more accurately – snowboarding games. It’s still a fun game with good graphics for 99 cents, though the controls leave a little to be desired. The game offers six courses and there is a free lite version available.
Speaking of rare games, I’m pretty sure Ice Bullet is the only bobsledding game available in the iTunes App Store. It’s actually a pretty good simulator that only costs a 99 cents, though it doesn’t have much replay value. A worthwhile download for all you bobsled enthusiasts, though I’m sure how much the game will appeal to others.
Extreme Sledding has the same premise as the two previous games, just with a toboggan. The racing game has 15 courses and a control setup based on the iPhone’s accelerometer, so even if this is your first sledding experience on the iPhone, you’ve likely played a similar game. A solid all-around game, though its price ($1.99) is higher than others.
Various winter sports iPhone app games
Snowball fights in real life are plenty of fun, but also potentially wet and painful. Snowfight brings the fun of snowball fights to your iPhone without those downfalls in a limited (but fun) game. Chances are you’ve had enough snow already this winter, but in case you haven’t, this 99-cent app will give you your fill.
A winter sports game in name only, Paper Hockey is a 99-cent app that is a strategy game loosely based on the sport. The two-player game can be played against the computer (there are three difficulty levels) or another person and can be quite challenging. It’s definitely aimed at the puzzle gamer as opposed to the arcade gamer, and can be played even if you’re not at all familiar with hockey.
