THE BEST iPAD GAMES

Real Racing 2 HD

 It wasn't long ago that graphics like this would have been impossible even on PCs. The controls and visuals are absolutely fantastic, taking the entire experience of racing to a whole new level. You can play in Head to Head, Time Trial, Cham-pionship and Cup modes, depending on whether you want a Career or Quick Race. There are over a dozen tracks and 30 licensed cars including BMWs, Jaguars and a McLaren. You should get hours of non-repetitive gameplay from this title, and if you're bored with that, there's a 16-way online multiplayer mode as well. Real Racing 2 is one of the bestselling titles in the App Store.

Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy

This combat flight simulator is a cut 

above the rest, with incredible 3D 

graphics, shadows, and special effects. 

Apart from the amazing visual qual-ity, there are ten types of flight modes 

including Dogfight, Survival, Free-for-all, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the 

Flag. You can buy or unlock a variety of 

planes and follow the storyline or just 

simply enjoy blowing other people of the 

sky. The controls are pretty basic: just a 

virtual joystick and a selection of weap-ons that you only need two thumbs for. 

This lets you perform some pretty crazy 

rolls and spins, all while letting loose a never-ending supply of bullets!

GTA: Chinatown Wars HD

You're a stranger in America, robbed of 

the family heirloom you were carrying 

and left to drown off the coast of Lib-erty City. You'll have to negotiate the 

tough criminal underworld and complete 

a variety of missions in order to restore 

your family's honor. In the process you'll 

wind up stealing hundreds of cars, deal-ing drugs, crashing all over the place, 

blowing things up, getting into gang 

wars, dodging the police, and thoroughly 

enjoying the thrill of it all. The controls 

are a little finicky while driving, but you 

get used to them eventually.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow 6: Shadow Vanguard HD

Rainbow Unit is on the trail of a global 

terrorist organization which threatens 

the world's security and stability. You 

and your band of elite spies must break 

into enemy compounds, rescue hos-tages, and utilize each unit member's 

special skills to complete each of the 11 

missions. At your disposal are high-tech 

weapons and gadgets such as snake 

cameras that can peer around corners. 

Order your unit members and direct 

their actions in real-time. The events of 

the game unfold much like they do in the original Rainbow 6 novel, but the focus here is on strategy more than flat-out first-person-shooter action.

Mirror's Edge

Mirror's Edge has a distinctive style 

and atmosphere, and makes beautiful 

use of the iPad's touchscreen interface. 

You're a rebel Runner, undermining a 

corrupt authoritarian regime which is 

determined to exterminate you and 

your friends. Swipe around the screen 

to jump, dodge, climb and swing around, 

turning obstacles into mere props. The 

side-scrolling visuals are crisp and stark, 

with no distracting controls or indicators 

on screen at all. The key is to stay mov-ing and build as much momentum as possible, even when under attack. The iPad version introduces a split-screen two-player challenge mode as well.

COD: Black Ops Zombies

Survive as long as you can with wave 

after wave of undead enemies coming 

for your blood. You'll pick up assorted 

weapons and powerups along the way, 

but you'll still have a tough time fighting 

off all the zombies. It's a pretty simple 

bloodbath scenario, although aiming 

quickly and accurately is a little difficult 

with the on-screen controls. You'll get 

points for each kill, which you can then 

spend on upgraded weapons that can 

be found scattered around the levels. There's a four-person multiplayer mode so you can team up with friends too. Killing zombies always makes for a fun time, and this game delivers.