Top 10 iPhone games of 2009 so far

We're well on our way to 2010, more half of the year having already flown by. 2009 has been packed with an array of games from casual hit Flight Control to role-playing wonder Zenonia. Figuring out the best games of the year come Christmas will be hard - we know because picking our favourites from the first half of 2009 was hard enough!

There's no question that heavy hitters like Real Racing and Star Defense deserve a spot for the world-class gameplay they deliver. Others like Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 and F.A.S.T. introduce innovations that forever change how we play games in their respective genres.

That, however, doesn't mean there aren't more deserving titles out there. Picking the best of the best can be a tough thing. Let us know what you think are the best games of 2009 so far in the forum.

Top 10 iPhone games of 2009 so far

While American pioneers headed westward under the mantle of manifest destiny, Gameloft is manifesting its own destiny with hits like The Oregon Trail. Although it comes to iPhone by way of an earlier mobile iteration, this completely revamped version boast a slew of welcome enhancements from graphics to gameplay.

Making your way to Oregon City is made fun by the addition of a new mini-games that take advantage of the touchscreen and accelerometer. Panning for gold, as an example, has you washing nuggets with tips and tilts of your handset.

New vector graphics shine on the screen, perfect matching the game's cheesy charm. This oldie is still very much a goodie, a contemporary classic that is among the year's best.

EA has released several titles so far this year including the much-lauded The Sims 3. None, however, innovates to the degree of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09.

Fully embracing touch controls, the game presents a totally intuitive, fresh mechanic that feels nothing less than natural on the touchscreen. Sliding a finger up and back down to swing is fun and functional.

Of course, all the expected bells and whistles are here, too: rich 3D graphics, a full PGA Tour mode, one-off rounds, and a custom avatar editor.

We'd love to see the game updated to support Bluetooth and online multiplayer, though it does offer local wireless play. As such it's not a complete hole-in-one, but it definitely comes in under par as one of the year's best.

When you're the only representative of the largest genre on the App Store, you know you've got gold. Peggle easily leads the puzzle pack with its terrific adaptation of the PC original.

Full use of the touchscreen lets you effortlessly direct shots with a slide of your finger, a click wheel affording even greater precision if needed. The higher resolution of the screen also makes for a slicker presentation over its mobile and Nintendo DS counterparts.

The enhancements aren't the only reason why Peggle is among the year's best (so far). It's simply a great game that comes into its own on iPhone. Whatever niggles existed on mobile and DS have been resolved here, making it the definitive portable version.

With so many flying games aiming to be top gun, F.A.S.T. definitely has its work cut out. Fortunately, it flies right by the competition and establishes itself as the standard to beat.

The single player campaign, which has you darting through the skies dogfighting enemy fighter pilots, is packed with energy and high octane action. Once you're through, you can hit up head-to-head multiplayer via Bluetooth or local wireless, even setting up 2v2 matches. Online leaderboards extend the game's value even further.

What really makes F.A.S.T. enjoyable, though, is how great it plays. It's a total blast because it controls like a breeze and looks fantastic. If anything, we'd love to see it loosen up and have as much fun with itself as we have had playing it.

Original intended to be a part of Glu Snax, a lightweight compendium of mobile games for quick play, Glyder ended up a gourmet gamer's dream.

Dishing out some of the most creative, accessible gameplay of the year, Glyder epitomises inventive game design. It's a perfect match for iPhone, leveraging the accelerometer in an intuitive way for guiding Eryn through several tranquil levels.

Collecting crystals can be a serious challenge or a casual distraction: the game lets you choose the level of engagement based on what you feel like doing. Colourful environments and nicely detailed 3D graphics give it a polished feel, but in such a way that doesn't infringe on its laid back gameplay.

It's rare when a remake manages to capture the pure spirit of the original. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition goes beyond that rare feat to deliver a fluke of gaming: a near-ideal recreation that satisfies the cravings of both new and old fans.

Not only does it sit at the pinnacle of the genre, it also shows that simple games can be given new life on iPhone.

Guybrush Threepwood's quest to become a pirate is filled with hilarious conversations and challenging puzzles that stand the test of time. Of course, the adventure is less about the intricate puzzle-solving than about the clever dialogue, superb writing and pitch perfect voice acting.

New graphics give it a nice sheen, though you're also welcome to kick it old skool with the original version. There's no secret about this classic adventure being revitalised in such brilliant form: it's fun, funny, and nothing short of fantastic.

No other game is emblematic of iPhone gaming more than Rolando, which ensured its sequel a spot as one of our most anticipated titles of 2009. That we're halfway through the year and Rolando 2 is a prime candidate for game of the year shows that our anticipation was not just warranted, but perhaps a little understated.

HandCircus has crafted an adventure enhanced with new 3D graphics, streamlined puzzles, and Plus+ support. Rolando 2 is fine-tuned, highly polished, and boasts greater accessibility without diminishing its challenge. There are plenty of challenges to be had too among its dozens of levels set on sandy beaches, lava-filled caves, and thick jungles.

Greater emphasis on straightforward platforming makes it a much more enjoyable game, limiting the number of annoying babysit-the-royals stages. We already know a third instalment of this iconic franchise is on the way, but for now we're having plenty of fun with Rolando 2.

There's little doubt that Firemint has taken iPhone gaming by storm, first flying onto the scene with Flight Control and cementing its lead with the impressive Real Racing. Both sit at the top of the pile, though Real Racing is revving up as an early contender for game of the year.

No other racing game provides such depth of play, sophistication in control, and pure polish. Realism is its hallmark, putting you right in the driver's seat. Smart use of the accelerometer heightens the feel of piloting a race car, each vehicle class possessing unique handling and physics that come across beautifully.

The ability to join online leagues and share YouTube videos help round out the package, as did the recent introduction of local wireless multiplayer for up to six.

Room for improvement is there - damage modelling on vehicles, customisable parts and tuning, full online multiplayer - yet we anticipate seeing these significant additions in a full sequel. At least we hope work on a sequel is underway . . .

Plenty of tower defence games have tried to puff themselves up on iPhone, but it's clear that Star Defense is top dog so far in 2009.

Flashy 3D graphics provide a great first impression, but Rough Cookie delivers more than just good looks. Superb game design and tactical balancing make it one of the most finely tuned titles on the App Store, let alone the strategy genre.

As one of the first titles to support firmware 3.0, it boasts a wide range of features from push notifications to Plus+ integration with leaderboards and achievements. With in-app commerce, expansion packs lie on the horizon that promise to nearly double the game's value.

Considering how many hours we've already sunk into this phenomenal game, we're definitely up for extending what is one of the year's best games.

What once was old is new again - Space Invaders Infinity Gene proves that some of the oldest ideas are the best. The core concept of the top-down shooter remains intact in this stylish reinterpretation, though smart touch controls and challenging gameplay guarantee that this old idea is given a fresh perspective.

Space Invaders Infinity Gene starts off by repackaging the arcade original and quickly moves to colourful new stages that have you sliding your finger about the screen in a frantic effort to beat back aliens.

The sheer simplicity of the game coupled with the vibrant music and visuals give it immense appeal. Much in the way the original captivated by way of its basic nature, so does this remake with cool sounds, pleasing graphics, and pure action.