Android And Me - androidandme.com

The T-Mobile G1 is a powerful smartphone with a 528 MHz processor, but few Android games have taken advantage of the hardware.  Even though iPingpong 3D is an iPhone port, it manages some of the best 3D graphics we have seen on the G1.  With the responsive touch controls and a funky soundtrack, this ping pong game is a joy to play.  Octane Technologies has created a quality Android title on their first attempt.

iPingpong 3D
Version:  1.0.0
Developed by:  Octane Technologies
Price:  $1.99
File Size:  1.56MB

When you start the game, you are given minimal options.  The settings page allows you to toggle the sound, but that’s it.  Click Help to get a basic tutorial of how the controls work.  After reading the tutorial, I suggest the practice mode.

There are 3 play modes when you start a game.  You are given the choice of Practice, Quick Match, or Tournament.  Quick Match can be a single game or best of 3 or 5.  Tournament mode is a competition of 16 players you have to work through.  Unfortunately, there is no multiplayer mode.

Since the game is easy to pick up and learn, the gameplay will seem basic at first.  Before long though,  you will learn advanced controls like placing spin on the ball.  I’m amazed at the level of control available using only my fat thumb.

The overall pace of the game is a little slow for me, but this can be corrected by playing on the highest difficulty.  If you want a challenge, try finishing a tournament on level 5 difficulty.  Even though you are playing against the computer, tension builds during an extended rally.  If Octane were to add multiplayer over WiFi, it would greatly increase the replay value.

iPingpong 3D is not without its flaws.  Make sure you turn your screen timeout off, or the game will hang up if the phone goes to sleep.  Other times, the game will load with the menus but no 3d rendering.  I have also had difficulty returning to the main menu after I start a game.  With this being the 1.0 release, I am willing to cut the dev a little slack.

If you are in the market for a challenging twitch action game with 3d graphics, then download iPingpong 3D.  The controls are easy enough for a child to play, but take time to master.  Even if you are not a fan of ping pong, I think you will enjoy the touch controls.  The 3d graphics alone, justify the $1.99 asking price.  Hopefully, we will see the developer fix the minor bugs and new play modes like multiplayer.

Have you seen any fun new games on the Android Market?  Let us know!