O2 mobile game download charts and new releases: March 14th

Considering the fundamental idea behind The Sims is that it's a game about the mundane i.e. taking out the trash, washing the dishes, dealing with petty disputes, it's strange that the license is continually being partnered with themes in order to add excitement. Is that what the formula needs? Either way, The Sims Pool is the latest offshoot for the franchise and it spearheads this week's new releases on the O2 games portal.

Simming of a very different sort can be found in The Settlers, where the fun is had not in mixing up a swirling sea of matrimonial unrest and chaos but in establishing a societal status quo. Of course if demolishing a society is what you are after you could always pick up Command & Conquer where large-scale urban destruction features heavily.

Lone wolves might prefer Solid Weapon 3D which is on hand this week to fulfill any hardnosed espionage fantasies that you may be harbouring. Last of all, a good dose of fantasy comes courtesy of Puzzle Quest and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

There's drama in the charts, too. The long running Deal or No Deal has finally been bumped out of the top ten (shock horror!). The usual suspects, Brain Challenge, and The Sims 2 Castaway are tenaciously holding their own but it's the relatively fresh-faced TV-show-based Golden Balls that's managed to ascend to the top spot. New entries this week are Devil May Cry and Midnight Darts; while everything else from last week has done its usual reshuffle.

And remember, the games below are available to buy via the O2 games portal or by texting the short code from a compatible O2 handset.
New Releases March 14th

The Sims Pool (EA) Customise your Sim then hit the pool hall and compete against other Sims in exciting 8- or 9-ball action. Perfect your skills and watch your popularity soar as you sink balls, master impressive trick shots and pull off slick combos. Advanced pool physics and an easy one-button interface deliver exciting pool fun for everyone. Text GAME THESIMSPOOL to 80202
Puzzle Quest (THQ) One of the biggest selling puzzle games ever arrives on mobile. Combining the addictiveness of matching gems puzzles, with spell attacks, adventure and fantasy. A truly original game that is impossible to put down. Read the review Text GAME PUZZLEQUEST to 80202
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Player X) Explore the Spiderwick universe in the official mobile game of the Paramount Pictures movie. Uncover the fantastic truth of the Spiderwick estate and of the creatures that inhabit it. Your powerful abilities will be vital in this magical and mysterious world. Control five different characters, each with special abilities. Read the review Text GAME SPIDERWICK to 80202
The Settlers (Gameloft) Build a medieval city, which you will see thrive and grow before your eyes. Construct your economy by making the most of available resources and by developing your crafts industry. But beware because you'll quickly discover that you are not alone on this island. You'll have to cope with attacks by the tyrant Ragnok and his army of Vikings. Read the review Text GAME SETTLERS to 80202
Command & Conquer (EA) Join the GDI to reclaim the region taken by Kane and his evil Brotherhood of NOD. Embark on an adrenaline fueled single player campaign to stop the launch of a deadly weapon, or take on the action packed Skirmish mode to test your strategic wits. Defend your base at all costs. Welcome to mobile, Commander. Text GAME CANDC to 80202
Solid Weapon 3D (Telcogames) Discover with the agent of Icegemon Red Fox the complicated secrets that appear after a mysterious explosion in the I4 institute and accompany him throughout this intense investigation. Experience tension and drama as you sneak around this addictive story of traps and enemies that you will have to catch off guard to complete the quest. Text GAME SOLID3D to 80202 Read the review

The O2 Java game download chart (w/e March 13th)

1. Golden Balls (Gameloft) Immerse yourself into the set of the popular TV show and meet host Jasper Carrott just by downloading the official mobile game of the hit series onto your phone. Gather the biggest possible amount of money by kicking out the killer balls and saving the cash. Guess who's lying while you decide whether to tell the truth or to lie – and in the end, choose to split or steal the final jackpot! You'll have to trust your instincts and pay special attention to the hints that you can acquire from your opponent's dialogue. Read the review Text GAME GOLDENBALLS to 80202
2. Midnight Darts (Gameloft) Venture into dart competitions playing in all of today's hottest venues. Compete in intense duels against opponents of increasing difficulty in 8 game categories and 3 different game modes. Quickly familiarize yourself with the ultra-intuitive darts launching system and discover all its subtleties as you play, and become the most-talked-about player in the world of darts. Read the review Text GAME MIDNIGHTDARTS to 80202
3. Bejeweled (EA Mobile) The classic gem-swapping puzzle game comes to mobile with enhanced graphics and promising more fun than ever. String together three or more gems to rack up points in a fast-paced treasure hunt. Advance through levels in normal single-player mode or race the clock in a timed mode. It's a treasure trove of mobile fun! Read the review Text GAME BEJEWELED to 80202
4. Tetris Blockout (EA Mobile) Tetris. Captivating, fun, addictive. More than 60 million players worldwide have made Tetris one of the most popular games ever! Now take the puzzle action with a 3D twist and challenge your mind by stepping into the exciting world of Tetris Blockout! Put your strategic skills to the test as you work the dynamic three-dimensional playing field. Enjoy Marathon, 20 Planes, and Ultra play modes in this simple, yet addictive game that will entertain you for hours. Accept the Tetris Blockout challenge, a game which will provide great fun for all! Text GAME TETRISBLOCKOUT to 80202
5. The Sims 2 Castaway (EA) Help your Sims build a life from scratch after washing ashore on a remote tropical island. Avoid danger, make new friends, and unlock the island's secrets. Your Sims change as they take on the challenges of island life and you must become the ultimate survivors and thrive in this undiscovered paradise. Build shelters, craft unique items, and enjoy fun island activities with your newfound chums! Read the review Text GAME SIMSCASTAWAY to 80202
6. Devil May Cry (Capcom) With stunning visuals and fast-paced combo driven action, take on the demons in Devil May Cry for mobile. Continuing the popular series from the home console, Devil May Cry, based on Devil May Cry 3, features over 30 missions and an arsenal of weapons and skills to acquire. With a 'Style' rating at the end of each mission you must defeat your enemies in as skilful way as possible. Read the review Text GAME DMC to 80202
7. EA Sports FIFA Manager 08 (EA) Immerse yourself in the intensity of top-level management, taking complete control of affairs on and off the pitch. Stay up to date with the comings and goings of a fully comprehensive transfer market and keep your employers onside by satisfying the board's changing objectives. Text GAME FIFAMAN08 to 80202 Read the review
8. Worms 2-4-1 (THQ Wireless) Included is the original Worms game, in which you take your squad of wrigglers, arm yourself with some of the wackiest weapons available and blast your opponent to tiny little worm pieces! Accompanying it is Worms Crazy Golf, which sees the series' trademark humour driven into a golfing adventure through three different courses, and a total of 27 holes. Read the review Text GAME WORMS241 to 80202
9. Brain Challenge (Gameloft) Just like your body, your brain needs to exercise to stay in shape. Maintaining it simply involves completing little exercises without pain, stress, or boredom. That's where Brain Challenge comes in, aiming to be a real vitamin boost for your brain. This is your personal coach and entertaining, easy solution for keeping your brain alert. Using various amusing exercises, you'll get to train your brain whenever and wherever you want! Read the review Text GAME BRAIN to 80202
10. Tetris (EA) We started with one of the greatest games of all time and added the features to make it the perfect game for your mobile phone. In addition to the classic Marathon mode, we have added two quick games, Ultra (how many lines can you clear in two minutes?) and Forty Line (How fast can you clear forty lines?) to fit the way people play games on phones. Read the review Text GAME 304574 to 80202