Loose Threads: What's the ideal flagship game for the iPhone?

The launch of the Apple App Store is but hours away and with it comes the very real potential that the handheld gaming landscape, and in particular mobile gaming, will be shaken to its core. Of course there's also the chance that games-wise, the iPhone will limp off the starting line rather than dash assuredly, and though there is no evidence to suggest this will be the case, there's no reason why we shouldn't be in full-on speculation mode either.

So what would help the iPhone burst from the gates like a rocket-powered stallion as opposed to a one legged donkey?

What sort of launch title does the iPhone need to cement its future in gaming. After all, every ship needs an anchor.

Last week, we put the question to you lot and the first to answer was the ever dependable hunter_alien:

"The iPhone needs to have a revolutionary new game like the Game Boy had back in the day - Tetris. No, I'm not saying that it should have a new Tetris, but something similar, something that fully uses the iPhone's technical capabilities; tilt sensitivity, touchscreen, clean graphics when compared to other phones etc. Also the game should be slower, as much as some people wanted me to convince the last couple of days, the iPhone cannot handle fast paced games (Devil May Cry, Sonic etc.) because of the ill control scheme. We still don't have anything similar shown for the iPhone, and that's the reason IMO it won't take off as a gaming machine. No matter what it will do, until it has a GTA or Nintendogs caliber game, it won't be able to compete with the big boys."

Some interesting points; let's pick them apart. First of all, Tetris is from a gentler gaming age. In the wake of the countless advances that have been made, replicating that sort of success with a similarly simple concept will be nigh on impossible. Having said that, as you rightly mentioned, perhaps full on action titles that aim to replicate the experiences of titles like GTA are not really the best suited fare for the iPhone either. So what is? Next to wade in was Mandark:

"I thought iPhone would be a minor player in gaming but it looks like it's going to be a major player already now. It definitely needs an early AAA game. May be a tilting pattern recognition game where you press on screen buttons and tilt to play. That would give it a unique selling point from a gaming point of view. But Apple needs to move fast because Google, Sony Ericsson and others will be on its gaming case."

It is strange how the iPhone has taken us all by surprise in terms of its clear gaming ambitions. Perhaps it has Apple's muted history with gaming to thank for that, but in the wake of the iPhone's forthcoming plunge into that arena, there is no doubt that other industry 'players' are starting to take note.

The release of Sony Ericsson's motion sensing F305 as well as LG's KF750 are telling signs that mobile phone manufacturers with a more established reputation in gaming are trying to ensure that Apple doesn't have anything they don't.

Next to the debate was SetsFireToPoshHammer:

"I think a decent Mario Kart clone would do the trick. The genre has broad appeal and a game of that sort could be made to work on the iPhone with relative ease. Either that or some sort of Raving Rabbids-esq mini-game mash-up. I must admit, I wasn't overly excited about all of this before, but after reading the Top 20 iPhone games videos on YouTube feature over on the main site, I'm just a little bit giddy."

Now there's a good idea. A kart-based racing game would be a great way to launch the iPhone as a gaming handheld, and imagine if it had a decent WiFi multiplayer option... Be still my beating heart!

Indeed, a souped up version of Crash Bandicoot: Nitro Kart is already in development for the iPhone, perhaps that could be the early killer app the device needs.

Last to the discussion was Accelorata Jengold with a unique suggestions:

"Monkey Tennis...?"

We have the feeling he isn't being serious but oddly enough, something quirky like that could well work (though Super Monkey Ball may have the simian end all tied up already).

Either way, there is no denying that now is a very exciting time in mobile gaming's history. With iPhone fever showing no signs of subsiding, it looks like Apple may be set to deliver a killer blow to the competition, with or without a killer launch title.

And so before we all rush off to our App Store countdown timers once more, there is just time enough to introduce next week's topic of discussion.

What would you like to see in Loose Threads in the future?

It's a biggie but with so many new and exciting additions to Loose Threads on the way, we thought it only fair to ask you lot, our glorious and devoted readers, what you would like to see.

More details, as per usual, can be found over in the core of this operation i.e., the forum. So until next week, happy commenting and do click 'Track It!' to be sure not to miss next week's edition.