We’re happy to announce that Mobiles.co.uk are now taking pre-orders for the PlayStation Vita. Sony’s latest gaming console, short named the PS Vita, is set to become the portable gaming device of 2012! We can’t wait to finally play on the PS Vita, which will be unleashed across the UK on 22nd February. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on the action, pre-order your console with mobiles.co.uk; not only will you receive the PS Vita without the enduring those launch day shopping queues, you’ll also a fantastic free gift.

PS Vita specs

Offering high powered, full throttle gaming, the PlayStation Vita showcases your favourite titles upon the eye catching 5 inch OLED touchscreen. With launch titles such as the adventurous Uncharted: Golden Abyss or the fast paced Wipeout-2048, PlayStation are making sure their PS Vita hosts some of the hottest new titles around. Built with a quad core processor, the PS Vita handles high performance graphics with smoothness and grace. There’s great flexibility in the way you control your games too, with dual analogue sticks, action and shoulder buttons, rear touch pads and PlayStations own Six-axis motion sensing system; the technology that lets you shake and tilt your PS Vita to enhance your game play experience. There are two models of the PlayStation Vita available from mobiles.co.uk. Choosing the right PS Vita for you will depend on how you wish to use the internet on your portable games console.

PS Vita Wi-Fi

Connect your PS Vita to a nearby wireless hotspot to access the PlayStation Network; your hub for playing against other competitors across the world. It’s hugely addictive fun trying to climb the leader boards of your favourite games. Additional features let you download bonus content such as wallpapers, themes or demos. Keeping in touch with friends is easy as you text or voice call your friends through the PSN. With front and rear cameras built into the PS Vita, you can even catch up with friends over a video call.

PS Vita Wi-Fi priced at £229. Pre-order today!

PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi

If you want online access when you’re out and about, then you need the PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi. With 3G built into the upgraded version of the PS Vita, you have access to the internet, anytime and anywhere. As the PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi is designed for on the go gaming, this model also boasts GPS. By knowing your position on a map, the PS Vita can bring you Augmented Reality gaming: Imagine fleeing from hordes of zombies in your local neighbourhood; the technology to do this safely has arrived. The PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi will still give you the full access to the PlayStation Network as seen on the Wi-Fi edition.

PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi priced at £279. Pre-order today!

Free memory card when you preorder the PS Vita

Did you know when you order the PlayStation Vita from mobiles.co.uk, you’re entitled to an awesome free gift? Everyone who pre-orders will receive a free 4GB memory card; a must have for saving game progress or downloading additional content.

PS Vita as a free gift

You can even get the PS Vita Wi-Fi as a free gift with your next mobile phone contract. Prices start from just £15.50 per month. Likewise, the PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi is also a free gift, starting from £20.50 per month.

Take a visit to mobiles.co.uk to reserve yours today.

Last week we gave a rundown of our 5 favourite free Android games. This week we trawl Apple’s chart for some essential free iOS games, available to play on devices such as the Apple iPhone 4S and iPad 2. All the fun and all for free, here’s five free iPhone games apps which we’re addicted to.

Jetpack Joyride

First in our free iPhone games list is Jetpack Joyride. Meet Barry. He may wear a suit but he’s far from your regular guy. After breaking into a secret laboratory, Barry has commandeered a selection of jetpacks. With mad scientists, rapid fire missiles and deadly laser beams destined to stop Barry in his tracks, your mission is to control the Jetpack to avoid these hazards. Just touch the display to add more boost to your jetpack. Timing and quick reflexes are essential. High scores are determined by distance covered and the coins collected. It’s essential thrust filled fun in your quest to help Barry stay alive.

Like this games app? Download Jetpack Joyride from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

Ninja Fishing

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Teach a Ninja to fish and he’ll slice the scaly beasts right out of the water! By casting your hook as deep as possible into the ocean, use tilt controls to reel back in as many fish as possible. Once out the water, use your sword to descale the fish ready for market; a concept similar to Fruit Ninja. With over 50 fishes to catch, there’s great variety within this free iPhone games app. It’s manic fish and slash gameplay, that will keep you coming back for more.

Like this games app? Download Ninja Fishing from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

Mega Jump

How high can you jump? Help Redford defy gravity as he collects coins in efforts to throw himself higher towards the edge of the universe and beyond. Miss the cash however and you will plummet to a fall of shame. Guide Redford by tilting your iPhone left or right; the controls are easy to pick up and are surprisingly effective. As with Jetpack Joyride, it has the addictive element, making it acceptable to have “just one more go” in order to get further. With Facebook and Twitter integration, you’ll justify the extra time spent on Mega Jump to leap above your friends on the ranking lists.

Like this games app? Download Mega Jump from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

Bejewelled Blitz

The next app in our iPhone games chart pushes the mind to the limits! With a screen preloaded full of mismatching bling, your task is to swap jewels around to form horizontal or vertical lines of the same coloured jewel. Bigger lines means more points. Sound easy? The panic and dread of the looming 60 second time limit, adds pressure which would crack any diamond. With the highest scores awarded to those who craft multiple combos or collect Hypercubes, you need to plan your moves a few steps ahead to dazzle the ranking lists. If you get stumped for too long, arrows hint your next jewel switch to help you dive straight back into the action. We think this game rocks and is a worthy entrant in our free iPhone games list.

Like this games app? Download Bejewelled Blitz from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

..And our free iPhone games favourite: Slam Dunk King

Our final app from our free iPhone games list is fresh from PikPok. Slam Dunk King, challenges your finger swiping skills to master the hoops and dunk as many balls as possible. Flaunt your skills with trick dunks and smooth moves to earn as many points as possible. Watch out for the bombs though, they’ll blow up your basket! There’s a selection of games including Time Attack, Arcade and Sudden Death to choose from. With additional options to earn or buy coins to unlock new balls, courts and mascots, Slam Dunk King is sure to keep you bouncing from boredom!

Like this games app? Download Slam Dunk King from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

So there’s our round up of our favourite free games available on the iOS platform. We’ld like to apologise in advance for any unsociable acts you may put your friends through as you strive for a new high score. Addictive and free, they’ll definitely keep you occupied. Join us next week for our run down on free games available from the Windows Phone Marketplace.

For the latest info on the iOS platform.

View info on iOS devices:
iPhone 4S | iPhone 4 | iPhone 3GS | iPad 2

Last month, Google revealed that their total number of downloaded Android apps had passed the 10 billion mark. The largest slice of the app pie went to games, with a staggering 25.6% of all apps downloaded, that’s 2,560 million games downloaded so far. Phew. Here’s our rundown of the top 5 free Android games available on the market at the moment.

5 – Zombie Dash

At the time of writing, this game holds the number 1 spot on the freebie Android games chart, having toppled the mighty Angry Birds from its pedestal. The secret of the Android games success is down to two things. The first aspect is its simplicity – you have two moves at your disposal, jump and shoot. The second aspects is zombies. People like zombies. Especially when you can shoot them. When jump and shoot is combined with zombies, you have a winning formula, as 5 million Android games downloads have so far confirmed.

Like this games app? Download Zombie Dash from the free Android games chart.

4 – Pool Master Pro

Pool has always been a popular game subject whatever the platform, and the Android games version continues the trend with its 10 million downloads. Offering practice modes, as well as options to play against a friend or the computer, simply add a pint of lager and bowl of stale peanuts to recreate your local pool hall as accurately as possible without ever leaving the house.

Like this games app? Download Pool Master Pro from the free Android games chart.

3 – Fruit Slice

There has been much debate over the two fruit based slicing games currently available. Fruit Slice and Fruit Ninja offer a very similar setup; various items of fresh fruit fly through the air as you swipe the touchscreen to split each item of your potential five-a-day. The plentiful produce is occasionally punctuated by Looney Tunes style bombs, which you have to avoid or its game over. It may sound dull, but it’s hugely addictive stuff. On the Android games chart, Fruit Ninja has the highest placing (although they both have 10 million downloads), but we suspect that this is just down to it having the better name. Ninjas are cool – ‘nuff said. Judged on the games themselves, however, Fruit Slice is the clear victor. It offers more games on the app itself, much better graphics, and a smoother gameplay. If you have a spare fifteen minutes to waste though, either of the two will pass the time nicely.

Like this games app? Download Fruit Slice from the free Android games chart.

2 – Words With Friends

This game is essentially Scrabble, but slower, which doesn’t necessarily sound too exciting, but stay with us on this one. The slow nature of the game is essentially its unique selling point, as it’s great for taking out on your afternoon break, playing your go, and then forgetting about it until later. The game consists of a Scrabble style set-up where you make words with the lettered tiles you are given, trying to use the double/triple letter/word squares to hit maximum points. As the title suggests, you can connect with your favourite social networking site to challenge your friends, or select random player in order to take on a mystery opponent from anywhere in the world. It would appear that ‘Words with Friends or Stangers’ just wasn’t as catchy a title. Either way, it has 10 million downloads to date.

Like this games app? Download Words With Friends from the free Android games chart.

..And number 1 of our Android games – Angry Birds

Probably the most popular smartphone game ever, with a mere 50 million downloads at the time of writing, our number 1 spot goes to those perturbed avians, the Angry Birds. It’s a total mystery as to why they are quite so angry, or why they take out their frustration by loading themselves into slingshots in order to systematically assassinate a race of green disembodied pigs with a penchant for flimsy architecture, but they just do. Spawning a series of themed sequels and special editions, such as the Halloween and Rio editions, and their very own merchandising line in the real world, the Angry Birds seem pretty unstoppable… especially if you’re a pig with no legs..

Like this games app? Download Angry Birds from the free Android games chart.

But why take our word for it, all Android games mentioned are free of charge so log onto the Android Market and check them out for yourself.

Prefer portable console gaming to Android games apps? Check out our blog on the soon to be released PS Vita. If you’ve played these free Android games, let us know what you think of them on our Facebook page. Find out more about Android smartphones.

The rules of the game have changed. Just a few years ago, handheld consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP ruled the roost of portable gaming. I remember in my childhood being captivated by Zelda DX and Pokémon Blue on my Game Boy Colour; back then the must-have device for gaming on the go. The birth of the app and evolution of smartphones have brought to light an increase in the quality of apps games available on your mobile phone. Not only do the likes of Android and iOS offer quick fix games such as Angry Birds, or Plants vs Zombies but fully fledged blockbusters with lengthy storylines and awe blasting 3D graphics such as GTA III and Infinity Blade II. With the next generation of smartphone releases set to run faster and blast even more power, is it game over for the portable games console?

The Problem

Statistics from Flurry Analytics suggests that portable consoles are losing their slice of the pie. In 2009, Sony PSP and Nintendo DS were recipients of 81% of total portable game software revenue in the United States. Fast forward to the end of 2011, and their share has halved to 42%. Where has it gone? Smartphone operating systems iOS and Android have leapt from a combined 19% share in 2009, to a dominating 58% in just two years.

Out of control?

Hard core gamers may criticise iOS and Android games apps for their lack of a physical game pad to control the game; often the player has to touch the screen repeatedly. Even this hindrance can be removed thanks to an Android app which allows Bluetooth synchronisation with your PS3 controller. It won’t be long before apps games have this feature coded into their official titles and smartphones steal another life from the portable games console.

Power to the smartphone!

The iPhone 4S released with a dual-core A5 chip, has given the 1UP in smartphone apps games and offers power and graphics unseen in mobile devices previously. Even consoles such as the Nintendo 3DS, which offers 3D gaming without the need for glasses, could be matched for technology. We’ve already seen the release of the LG Optimus 3D smartphone and further rumours suggest the Samsung Galaxy S3 will come with eye trickery technology to match Nintendo.

Apps Games cost less

The apps games streamlined digital approach, eliminates the need for physical manufacturers and distributers. This means cheaper games for the consumer. Combine this factor with an ultra-competitive OS platform that releases new games daily, and you create a market where £6 chart toppers are frowned upon as too expensive – effectively the price of a bargain bin Nintendo DS game in the supermarket. Why would you pay £40 for the latest handheld title when you can download entertaining apps games that all your friends have for under £3?

What does the future hold for portable gaming hardware? Visit our blog tomorrow for Part 2 of our apps games review…

Get the Nintendo 3DS as a free gift on selected contracts.

What titles currently top the Apps Games Chart?
Android | iOS | Windows Phone

The long running argument between Android and iPhone fans has always been and probably always will be, apps. Androids argument has always been around the amount of free apps that it offers in the Android Market where Apple fans are shouting about the higher quality and the sheer volume of apps available in the app store. Cutting a long story short, the fact remains that the Apple app store does still have the better quality ‘big name/branded’ apps, especially when looking at games, although by a rapidly decreasing margin.

The move into Android by EA would be a considerable blow in this argument, especially when you consider that the game titles you could expect to hit Android include Tiger Woods Golf, Need For Speed, John Madden Football, FIFA Football, Tetris and Monopoly. This also comes shortly after Rovio, makers of the #1 selling iPhone game ‘Angry Birds’, have also released a beta version of their smash hit game into the Android Market. The battle really is beginning to heat up, let us know which way you think it’ll go in the comments section below, or to take a look at our Android deals and get in on the action, Click Here.

The report from Gartner moves on to give predictions for 2010 and 2013, with the number of apps being downloaded being 4.5 Billion and 21.6 Billion respectively, with revenues reaching $6.7 Billion (£4.1 Billion) and $29.5 Billion (£18 Billion). The latter of which is truly an obscene amount of money when you take into consideration what it is that is being sold.

The figures provided by Gartner only go to prove the scale on which handsets such as the iPhone 3GS are becoming an integral part of everyday life and the impact that “app stores” have made and will continue to make in years to come. Fancy getting in on the “app store” action? Then why not take a look our iPhones deals and get yourself access to the most successful app store currently on the market.

Normally the vehicle (excuse the pun) for the likes of Mario, Sonic, Crash Bandicoot and co., Robbie Williams Racing puts you behind the wheel of a dune buggy or motor cross bike as you take on the former Take That star in a series of one on one races. There’s a host of unlockables on offer including remixes of the track “Bodies” and commentary from the man himself. It’s no small coincidence that our Robbie just happens to have a new album out and the game takes full advantage of this with several in-game links to iTunes where you can download singles or the album in it’s entirety.

The aforementioned little red plumber (Mario not Robbie) has nothing to worry about of course; Mario Kart this isn’t. However it is refreshing to see an artist try something a little different when promoting a new release. The game is available now in the App Store for £1.79 whilst the album, Reality Killed the Video Star, can be downloaded from iTunes. All this leaves us to say is…Madonna Speedboat Racing anyone?

N-Gage originally launched as both a hardware and software gaming platform with the release of the first N-Gage handset back in 2003. Poorly received (any one remember the 1st gen N-Gage that had to be held side-on to make a call?!) and despite numerous revamps, the phone itself was abandoned in 2005 in favour of a move to Symbian S60 smartphones that could run N-Gage games. But still, the platform failed to take off and the news that N-Gage will be killed off entirely shouldn’t come as too much of a shock. Instead Nokia will be focusing efforts on the Ovi store where both Nokia titles and 3rd party games will be available for purchase.

In a statement released late last week, Nokia had the following to say: “We will no longer publish new games for the N-Gage platform. N-Gage games can be purchased until the end of September 2010. While the N-Gage.com site together with the N-Gage Arena and other community features will remain in operation throughout 2010.” With the emergence of the iPhone as an excellent gaming phone together with the presence of consoles dedicated to gaming (DSi and the new PSP Go for instance), N-Gage was on thin ice.

Nokia did however offer some conselation to those worrying about games already purchased; “Your games are safe, all your purchased N-Gage games will continue to work on your N-Gage compatible mobile device and they’re yours to keep. However, community features of the games will not be functional after 2010.”

As this is a scaled down portable version, the fake guitar is understandably (and obviously) ditched in favour of an all on screen affair. Tap notes as they move along the on screen guitar frets and string long combos together to maximise your scores. Bored of jammin’ alone? Then get some friends involved via Bluetooth. You and up to 3 friends can rock out on guitar, bass, drums and vocals (fear not you shy and retiring types, vocals are again handled on screen rather than literally singing into the phone).

Tracks from the likes of the Pixies and Blink 182 should cater for the young and err.. not so young rockers out there and at a mere £5.99, Rock Band on the iPhone is almost irresistible. Apple have been making alot of noise about the iPod and iPhone being a genuine alternative to portable gaming heavy weights such as the PSP and Nintendo DS and with stellar titles such as this, it’s easy to see why.

The free app available from the App store lets gamers take control of a swimsuit-clad male or female hurtling down a huge waterslide that weaves between towering skyscrapers. Players use the iPhones motion sensitivity (thanks to the built in accelerometer) to steer characters to collect items as well as dodge the dreaded rubber ducks and crabs that litter the course. Great fun and absolutely free, but don’t take my word for it, check out the video below to see the game in action!