So I had a birthday recently, and found myself the fortunate recipient of an iPod Touch. Besides the fringe benefits of no longer feeling technologically inadequate, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that the device is quite the respectable gaming platform. And I’m not just talking about solitaire or finger racing or that one game where you pop bubbles as fast as you can like a caffeine-poisoned monkey in a bubble bath. I’m talking actual games, from well-designed and addictive casual games to more serious strategic endeavors.

Several sites and blogs have made lists of what they feel are the absolute best iPod apps (gamesradar.com has a couple that are pretty good) so I won’t spend too much time recommending individual games. I’d rather comment on the phenomenon of the games in general on the iPod.

I’m not completely sure what it is about the iPod that makes it such an appealing games platform. It certainly isn’t its interface; while the touch screen is a boon to many types of applications, in games it is more often something to be overcome for lack of better tools. There are certainly notable exceptions to this, but I have to believe that a lot of games have stalled in development because there wasn’t a good way to reliably use greasy digits to accomplish precision tasks.

Neither is it the app store; while there’s a great many things about the app store interface on the iPod that are good, it is in desperate need of an overhaul. Finding a good game to give a whirl to can be a frustrating exercise in trial and error, both because the search function is a bit of a joke and because the rating system is unreliable at best. This isn’t too punishing for free games, but any game that charges cash to try out finds itself in the unprofitable category of ‘risky investments.’

Despite these and other limitations, there are thousands of games available in the app store, and hundreds of thousands of people playing them. Perhaps it’s the relative ease of getting a game published and distributed on iTunes compared with other platforms. Perhaps iPod gamers are generally less demanding of developers. I was rather blown away with some of the things that have been accomplished on that wafer-thin device, and found myself praising things about games that I would have been derisive of on any other platform.

Whatever the case is, I hope the trend continues, and I hope that Apple (who have never been particular proponents of the gaming industry) takes serious notice and begins to work more actively with game developers. I have little doubt that if it isn’t strangled by some odd corporate decision or policy, the iPod Touch and iPhone will soon find themselves rubbing shoulders with the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP as competitors in the hand-held gaming market.
With all that said, I’ve changed my mind about making a list of excellent game apps. If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, listen up, cuz I’m about the share his wisdom with you.

Games:
Assassin’s Creed – Surprisingly enough, this is a solid platformer game with enjoyable combat and eye-pleasing visuals. Check out the free ‘lite’ version, which consists of the first level or so.

Knights OnRush – An addictive casual game in which you defend your castle against a horde of attackers, mostly by flinging them up into the air with a swipe of your God-like finger and watching them fall to their deaths. It’s all rather adorable, really, thanks to the art design.

Pocket Tanks – You will engage in long range tank-to-tank warfare in this artillery game. And honestly, what better kind of warfare is there?

Myst – Best. Game. Evar.

Need for Speed: Underground – Work as an undercover cop to infiltrate a gang of street racers, a la The Fast and the Furious. The controls are smooth, the acting is cheesy, and the graphics rival that of the PSP.

TapDefense – Free! Tower defense! The theological implications of a horde of demons assaulting Heaven’s gates aren’t as disturbing as they are ridiculous, but the gameplay is solid and challenging.

And there you have it. My humble opinion. Now go forth and game.

Jerod Jarvis is an independent gaming journalist and founder of Duality Games. He maintains gaming columns for The Washington Times Communities and for The Outpost. When not blogging madly about games, he freelances for the Spokesman-Review in his hometown of Spokane, Washington and attends school at Whitworth University. Check out his presence on Facebook and Twitter to stay up on Duality Games updates and the inside scoop on the gaming news you care about.