Donkey Kong for iPhone

[Salacion]

Who here would like to see a game resembling Donkey Kong made for the iPhone? That would be the end all.

What about Fat Princess?

What games would you like to see?

[don_k]

Something original.

Not another poor man's version of big-name franchise. We've had one too many of those in the Appstore, from NOVA, Gangstar, Blades of Fury, Astro Ranch, Zenonia, etc.

So please, if you're a dev trying to make a game, come up with something creative and not a clone.

[bmn0210]

Actually, it could be pretty good if you used the 1994 (NES and gameboy) version as a starting point. It expanded on the original formula with about 200 new levels, new enemies, etc, while keeping the same general idea.

Even better if you can make a level editor and level sharing system.

[Salacion]

Something original.

Not another poor man's version of big-name franchise. We've had one too many of those in the Appstore, from NOVA, Gangstar, Blades of Fury, Astro Ranch, Zenonia, etc.

So please, if you're a dev trying to make a game, come up with something creative and not a clone.

I completely agree. Games released by large companies are ultimately generic, and quite stale. Take for instance games like Minigore or Abca, created by 2 - 3 developers, that are essentially some of the best games on the iPhone.

Of course, I have yet to come across a side-scroller with the intuitiveness of Donkey Kong. If one does exist, by all means, point me in that direction.

And a game with the same basic principle of Fat Princess has crossed my mind several times. The game would need a strong multiplayer core, in which case, we should wait and see how Game Center comes to fruition.

[jak56]

Something original.

Not another poor man's version of big-name franchise. We've had one too many of those in the Appstore, from NOVA, Gangstar, Blades of Fury, Astro Ranch, Zenonia, etc.

So please, if you're a dev trying to make a game, come up with something creative and not a clone.
zenonia?

[iFanzine]

Elevators is something of a homage to Donkey Kong...

[Aurora]

I completely agree. Games released by large companies are ultimately generic, and quite stale. Take for instance games like Minigore or Abca, created by 2 - 3 developers, that are essentially some of the best games on the iPhone.

Of course, I have yet to come across a side-scroller with the intuitiveness of Donkey Kong. If one does exist, by all means, point me in that direction.

And a game with the same basic principle of Fat Princess has crossed my mind several times. The game would need a strong multiplayer core, in which case, we should wait and see how Game Center comes to fruition.
Minigore, "essentially the best game on the iPhone". Wow you just made me choke on whatever I was eating at the moment.
That's the equivalent of saying "Khalid Shaikh is the best developer for the iPhone".
Apparently I just walked into a thread for a small group of people who thinks the best games for the iPhone are "stale" and the worst games for iPhone are "essentially the best".

[Sonic66]

OMG donkey kong would be so awesome and then again so would mario series and road rash

[Salacion]

Minigore, "essentially the best game on the iPhone". Wow you just made me choke on whatever I was eating at the moment.
That's the equivalent of saying "Khalid Shaikh is the best developer for the iPhone".
Apparently I just walked into a thread for a small group of people who thinks the best games for the iPhone are "stale" and the worst games for iPhone are "essentially the best".

I won't get into it. We have different opinions and different tastes. So I ask, please refrain from these negative comments, and be a reasonable human being. Or maybe you just didn't take your medicine; I don't know.

[sizzlakalonji]

I won't get into it. We have different opinions and different tastes. So I ask, please refrain from these negative comments, and be a reasonable human being. Or maybe you just didn't take your medicine; I don't know.

I don't see how he was being unreasonable, maybe a bit of hyperbole. I also think your argument is weakened beyond repair when you use Minigore as an example of a good game. It is one big bag of late/broken promises, bad DLC, and bugginess.

[starjimstar]

http://i39.tinypic.com/97jx3d.png

[Noman]

Not that there aren't good ones out there but I for one am starting to get sick of indie games. I don't like gameloft, I think their games are shameless rip-offs and bad clones but for now, they are the best console-like dev on the appstore. I am getting tired of all these indie match-three puzzlers and TD games. Even the ones that have a unique concept are getting old because of how shallow they are. So many small-time devs are just throwing another game into the pile instead of actually advancing the platform. Not that I hate indie developers but I would like to see a group of them get together and try to make a truly great game instead of another pretty good one. The platform has the potential for a truly great gaming experience but it needs a combination of manpower (gameloft, ea.) and devotion (indie devs.)

P.S. I am very impressed by warpgate, it is the first game from a minor iphone-only developer to truly feel like a console game that is made for iphone.

[starjimstar]

I am very impressed by warpgate, it is the first game from a minor iphone-only developer to truly feel like a console game that is made for iphone.

Umm, what? That is only true if you have somehow disqualified all the games Freeverse made for Mac, Windows and Xbox 360.

[S.I.D. CrAzY]

Indie devs. are the only reason I still have an iPod Touch. If it was all big name devs.I probably would have sold my iPod a long time ago and just stuck with my DS lite and PSP go.

[Salacion]

I don't see how he was being unreasonable, maybe a bit of hyperbole. I also think your argument is weakened beyond repair when you use Minigore as an example of a good game. It is one big bag of late/broken promises, bad DLC, and bugginess.

Late broken promises?
Sure, they do take a LONG time to release each update, but broken promises?

Bad DLC?
How is it bad? If you want to talk about bad, Pocket God is your candidate.

Bugginess?
Uh, no. The only bug I've seen was the last one, which is being addressed.

[elimcfly]

*Sigh*...The only reason Gameloft and such make copycats of Popular games is simple. Their in Demand, and the original publishers dont cash in on the Iphones popularity or release a crappy mobile version that doesnt even close to stack up to it's PS2/PS3/Xbox competitors. Gameloft releasing NOVA and having a multiplayer feature was the best thing they've done. They captured the HALO feel almost perfectly and made many people happy. Gameloft does some amazing 3D games, and people just take credit away because they "Copy". But lets face it, at least they put their own original spin to it and actually dedicate more time to a game than an actual publisher like Activision or something would. Ive been really happy with my Gameloft purchases because they offer a popular game that the original publisher wouldnt do worth a crap.

It's the copycat Publishers who dont put more than three seconds into a game that should be the bad guys here. Because those are the ones who try to cash in without even trying to put time or effort into it.

[JamesDean69]

*Sigh*...The only reason Gameloft and such make copycats of Popular games is simple. Their in Demand, and the original publishers dont cash in on the Iphones popularity or release a crappy mobile version that doesnt even close to stack up to it's PS2/PS3/Xbox competitors. Gameloft releasing NOVA and having a multiplayer feature was the best thing they've done. They captured the HALO feel almost perfectly and made many people happy. Gameloft does some amazing 3D games, and people just take credit away because they "Copy". But lets face it, at least they put their own original spin to it and actually dedicate more time to a game than an actual publisher like Activision or something would. Ive been really happy with my Gameloft purchases because they offer a popular game that the original publisher wouldnt do worth a crap.

It's the copycat Publishers who dont put more than three seconds into a game that should be the bad guys here. Because those are the ones who try to cash in without even trying to put time or effort into it.


I completely agree w u. Some of the most fun ive had on iPhone was playing Gameloft games. Hope they keep pumping them out. Who cares if they are clones. They clone really good games. And they are part of Ubisoft and release a lot of their games too. Think iPhone gaming owes a lot to Gameloft. They have done a great deal to legitimize the platform.

[Beto_Machado]

What games would you like to see?

Strider, Shadow Dancer, Streets of Rage 2 ports - done right. With good emulation.

Dead or Alive 2 - just port the Dreamcast version. More than enough power to handle it.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2408/deadoralive2.png (http://img413.imageshack.us/i/deadoralive2.png/)

I have no problem with ports or copycats. It fits mobile gaming perfectly - giving you a quick burst of nostalgia, or just a similar feeling to a popular console game.

[CygnetSeven]

I understand what Salacion is saying, wanting to give his money to smaller developers who are trying to make something original. I think that everyone who is anti-minigore right now (and for good reason, me included) will admit they have incredible graphics. Any time you throw around words like 'best' or 'worst' you should expect a debate and someone to disagree. As far as chart success, Doodle Jump is one of the highest ranking. Is it the best? Some would say yes. Some would say is just a simple puzzle with no creativity relying on cute gimics. Or Fieldrunners?
My point is best vs worst is dicey debate.

(Abca???) :confused:

[gatorsxrule]

http://i39.tinypic.com/97jx3d.png

http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae170/gatorsxrule/78e1a0ff.jpg

[CygnetSeven]

http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae170/gatorsxrule/78e1a0ff.jpg

I'm still cursing the day I missed grabbing Nescaline. All I need is a little plutonium for the flux capacitor. :D

[Salacion]

I understand what Salacion is saying, wanting to give his money to smaller developers who are trying to make something original. I think that everyone who is anti-minigore right now (and for good reason, me included) will admit they have incredible graphics. Any time you throw around words like 'best' or 'worst' you should expect a debate and someone to disagree. As far as chart success, Doodle Jump is one of the highest ranking. Is it the best? Some would say yes. Some would say is just a simple puzzle with no creativity relying on cute gimics. Or Fieldrunners?
My point is best vs worst is dicey debate.

(Abca???) :confused:

I'm glad someone understands. Though, it's not so much wanting to give money to smaller developers, it's to people who really put the extra effort into making an exceptional game. All the big time games on the iPhone feel like, they have no heart. Plus, I can't tell you how infinitely better indie developers are at customer service. Maybe it's just me, but console "clone" games just don't feel right for the iPhone.

I recently acquired Minigore about a month ago, so I really don't know everyone's long term grievances with the game. For one, I know they're terribly slow with their updates, but because I just started, it really hasn't affected me yet. The last update had that horrid bug in it, which is quite a major fail, but besides that, I don't see anything else. Yes, you can't deny the design is fantastic. But, do elaborate a little on your "anti-minigore-ism". I'm curious.

Agree on the best vs. worse debate.

And, you can't trust charts. Most of those games are, well, not great. And plus, the majority flock to games I just can't bear, like Pocket God. Doodle Jump, gameplay wise, is great. But the design, isn't so great (I understand it has that "drawing cartoon" theme, but still). I guess I'm different in that respect, wherein I only play games that have an amazing design to them. Games like, Dark Nebula and Ramp Champ. I tend to avoid the cartoony 2D games altogether.

And Abca. Simple said: absolutely stunning word game. If you haven't tried it, you need to, like now. That's a game that excels in design, gameplay and replayability.

[CygnetSeven]

Well, I can only speak for myself as far as minigore goes. I don't claim to speak for the minigore nation. (ha) I got jaded with the whole hardgore bait and switch and switch and switch. I felt like a carrot was being dangled in front of me. I think the original release date was Q3 08? So I was already restless and updates take forever. I really think alot of that falls on Apple's shoulders. Then the memory wipe fiasco. Then the PR meltdown that followed. Someday just go through the blog. It's all pretty much there.
As far as the clone games, they are usually high price and still they sell. That doesn't mean everyone should get them but that's why developers build them, because they sell. And the big name developers get the rights to them because they have the money. I missed Nescaline and I kick myself in the pants for it cause I'ld LOVE to have Zelda or Mario on my phone, crappy or not. Its a nostalgia. I've got Earthworm Jim and Sonic and I love them. I'll admit they're not so great though and were done half @$$. Maybe I shouldn't reward these companies for putting out shoddy ports of retro games at high dollars, but I do.
I laughed when you mentioned Pocket God. I fell into that one and I still don't remember why I bought it.
I looked at Abca. Probably the highest ranking reviews I've ever seen on a word game. I'll try to find a vid and check it out. My wife loves word games.
Peace.

[Salacion]

Well, I can only speak for myself as far as minigore goes. I don't claim to speak for the minigore nation. (ha) I got jaded with the whole hardgore bait and switch and switch and switch. I felt like a carrot was being dangled in front of me. I think the original release date was Q3 08? So I was already restless and updates take forever. I really think alot of that falls on Apple's shoulders. Then the memory wipe fiasco. Then the PR meltdown that followed. Someday just go through the blog. It's all pretty much there.
As far as the clone games, they are usually high price and still they sell. That doesn't mean everyone should get them but that's why developers build them, because they sell. And the big name developers get the rights to them because they have the money. I missed Nescaline and I kick myself in the pants for it cause I'ld LOVE to have Zelda or Mario on my phone, crappy or not. Its a nostalgia. I've got Earthworm Jim and Sonic and I love them. I'll admit they're not so great though and were done half @$$. Maybe I shouldn't reward these companies for putting out shoddy ports of retro games at high dollars, but I do.
I laughed when you mentioned Pocket God. I fell into that one and I still don't remember why I bought it.
I looked at Abca. Probably the highest ranking reviews I've ever seen on a word game. I'll try to find a vid and check it out. My wife loves word games.
Peace.

Release date for Minigore was Q1 2009, and Hardgore was Q2 2009. That does make me mad; Hardgore just vanished into thin air. The developers make no mention of it, it's just gone. It's a shame, because it looked very promising. But you can never say never.

Nostalgia is a funny thing. In that area, we're different; my nostalgia is completely shattered when the game is a shoddy port. I was excited when I heard of Final Fantasy coming to the iPhone, but ergh, it sucked immensely. I just don't get it. Absolutely no effort. Or I do get it. The reason I like indie developers so much is because they put all of their effort into original games. These hot shot developers KNOW they can get away with half @ss clones based solely on the name. Very cheap.

I laughed at your Pocket God mention. I think we both fell into the hype. I was excited when I purchased it. That changed quickly. 10 minutes, and you've seen and done everything in the game. I mean, what can I expect, it's all basic animations repeated over and over. The cloud game was fun though. Graphics sucked.

If you need a vid, just go to Kiefferbros.com. They are the most amazing developers for the iPhone platform. I once gave them advice on their games, and they offered to give me a promotion code based solely on my advice. Unfortunately I already had all of their games >.>

Have you tried Dark Nebula?

[Sonic66]

Awhile ago i heard tekken was coming to iphone is that just a rumor or some truth to that?

[gatorsxrule]

I'm still cursing the day I missed grabbing Nescaline. All I need is a little plutonium for the flux capacitor. :D

Lol, i Love the app XD

[Mindfield]

Nobody is going to agree on what makes a good game, a good developer, etc. Everyone has their own opinions and preferences and they're going to differ from yours, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

The whole Big vs. Indie debate is pointless. Big name developers make clones and beat franchises to death because they're in demand, and they sell. They play it safe because safe pays the bills, and the bigger you are, the more bills you have, and the safer you're inclined to play it in order to keep paying those bills. Building a successful business means growth, and the predictability of growth is tied directly to the predictability of the market you're building on. Cool, original titles represent risk, and businesses tend not to like risk unless risk itself pays dividends, and most of the time they don't. That's why it's called risk.

Indies -- some of them, anyway -- take the road less traveled because it's the only way they can stand out and get noticed outside the herd. (Some take the easy route and make more clones because it's easy, but that's another issue.) You're more likely to see fresh, relatively original, and sometimes truly enjoyable concepts come out of an indie dev because that's what's most likely to build a good name for said dev, and they know it. That's the point.

Would I love to see more original titles instead of the same material rehashed in different clothing? Absolutely! I love and respect someone who tries to be different and bring something to market that we haven't quite seen the likes of before. It shows effort, initiative, a desire to make games for the enjoyment of making (and playing) them, and a creative mind that thinks outside the boxes everyone else is stuck in. It's great, and I love seeing it. But it's risky, and it isn't in any way easy to do in an era where seemingly everything's been done. But it's possible to do still -- perhaps not be truly original, but still be different enough that whatever you produce can't comfortably be shoved into any one particular box or be described in terms of being "like" or "similar to" something else. Heck, I've got my own plans for a few games that are off the beaten path, but I'd rather not make any grandiose declarations just yet. :)

Retro stuff is great, love it, can't get enough when it's done right, and sure I'd love to see more classics ported over, too. (Imitations I'll probably pass on; no clone will ever be able to stack up to the true original.) I don't think there's anything wrong with those at all -- but then I'm older and remember playing that stuff when it was new and when you couldn't walk 10 feet without passing an arcade, so obviously nostalgia plays a big part in that.

Point is there's really no use in arguing over why Dev X sucks and Dev Y is great, or game W is great while game X sucks. It's all subjective, and big name titles and developers wouldn't be big name titles or developers if there wasn't demand for them, so like it or not, those of you who decry the big devs, whether for moral or creative reasons, are in the minority. Where there is demand, there will be a company formed purpose-built to fill it, even if it's demand for the same old crap we've seen a hundred times before.

[antosimoni]

I'll buy DK on iPhone ASAP !! great games are simple ones....

['Jeep]

Since watching King of Kong I have been playing again on my Nintendo dual screen game and watch. It's still a lot of fun, but I expect something else from my iphone these days...

[dumaz1000]

I think I've had my fill of doodle games and stick figure games and retro 8-bit games, and Atari 2600-inspired games, and isometric games, and line drawing games, and match 3 games, and castle defense games, and duel-stick shooter "minigore clone" games, and a bunch of half-finished beta release games selling for .99 a piece, not to mention a never-ending god-awful string of mindless zombie this and zombie that games.

Indie gaming, vastly overrated, my friends.

Cheap, yes. But overrated nevertheless.

[Donovan1209]

Just to clear something up about Minigore/Hardgore. Minigore was essentially going to be like, almost a demo/prequel of what's to come... then Mountain Sheep got into Minigore and kind of forgot about Hardgore, but I think Minigore IS Hardgore, or will be anyway. So stop hating on Minigore, the had to hire a programmer for multiplayer and that took forever which slowed their development times also.

PS: Developers have lives too ;)

[TheDingadergen]

I think Gameloft/Ubisoft took a big risk by porting Prince of Persia Warrior Within. It's dangerous to port a full PS2 game(and a relatively hardcore one at that) to a platform dominated by casual games and some console-ish experiences.