This Week’s Must-Have iOS Games: Sonic 4: Ep II, Bejeweled HD, Jumping Knights & More [Roundup]

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Sega finally made a Sonic game that works well on iOS.
Sega finally made a Sonic game that works well on iOS.

It’s been nearly two years since Sonic The Hedgehog: Episode I made its debut on consoles, and Sony has finally managed to deliver a sequel. Thankfully, it was worth the wait — and it leads this week’s roundup of must-have iOS games.

We’ve also got Bejeweled for the iPad, a Doodle Jump knockoff that’s even better than the original, a monkey that flies an airplane, and more.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II — Universal ($6.99)

https://youtu.be/DHvOK2BIZ5w

Unlike some of Sega’s Sonic games on iOS, Episode II is an absolute pleasure to play on a touch-based device.

As you’d expect, this release follows the events that occurred in the first episode, with Metal Sonic returning to form an alliance with Sonic’s biggest foe, Dr. Eggman. Sonic calls upon Tales to help take on the duo across four brand new zones — all of which are optimized for high-resolution Retina display devices. The most enjoyable feature in this release is the ability to team up with friends over Bluetooth, allowing you to control Sonic while they take Tales.

There’s no doubt about it — this is the most stunning Sonic yet.

Bejeweled HD — iPad ($3.99)

I have a little addiction to Bejeweled. It’s not something I’m proud of, but there’s something about this intense puzzle game that gets me hooked, and I’ll play it constantly for weeks at a time. Just after getting over my last stint, PopCap gave me another reason to pick it up again: Bejeweled HD for the iPad.

It’s just like the latest release of Bejeweled for iPhone — with the same game modes, achievements, and powers — only it’s bigger and more beautiful.

Jumping Knights — iPhone ($0.99)

There’s no doubt about it, Jumping Knights is more or less a Doodle Jump knockoff, though it does offer a lot more. Like Doodle Jump, it’s a whole lot of fun and incredibly addictive, with added RPG elements that make it all the more enjoyable.

The aim of the game is simple: Jump as high as you can for as long as you can while collecting gems and fighting monsters in a bid to rescue the princess. Use your iPhone’s accelerometer to guide your character between platforms, fire “sword energy” using touch controls to take down your enemies, and level up to improve your chances of survival.

Extinction Squad — Universal ($0.99)

Join daredevil scientist Chuck Darwin’s elite team of zoological defenders and embark on a globe-trotting adventure to rescue endangered animals from extinction. Dodos, gorillas, pandas, lions and more are GOING TO DIE unless you catch them with your official Extinction Squad trampoline and bounce them to safety.

That’s right — it’s up to you to save endangered animals from extinction using only a trampoline. What?!

As each animal throws itself off cliffs and mountains (it’s no wonder they’re endangered, right?), it’s your job to stop them from hitting the ground and making a nasty mess. It’s simply, but it’s lots of fun, and the perfect pick-up-and-play game for a boring weekend.

Missile Monkey — iPhone ($0.99)

You are a monkey… flying an airplane. What else do you need to know about this game?

After an “evil viking gorilla has strewn frightful orange balloons across the lands, simply to strike fear into the hearts of its peaceful inhabits,” it’s up to you, a monkey flying an airplane, to use your ballistic skills and destroy each and every “balloon of terror.”

It sounds crazy, and it is.

What’s Your Favorite?

So that concludes our list of this week’s must-have iOS games. If you’ve picked up something that you think we should have included, be sure to let us know about it in the comments.

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