Best games for iPads, other tablets

BY KIM KOMANDO

The iPad and other tablets are amazing gadgets with so many capabilities. There are apps that are revolutionizing medicine, science, art, music and business. But let’s be honest: We really love the games.

With tens of thousands of games to choose from, it can be hard to separate the winners from the losers. And with game prices ranging from $1 to yikes! you definitely don’t want to buy before you try without some trusted guidance.

That’s why I’m here for you. My Top 8 games will give you hours of entertainment at home and on the road.

World of Goo ($5, iOS; Android): This fantastic physics puzzler has long been one of the most downloaded games because of its unique concept: building up complex structures and machines using blobs of goo. You have to work fast, though, because these sticky little guys aren’t the most stable of building blocks!

Where’s My Water? ($1, iOS; Android): This game follows in the whimsical tradition of many game apps. The object of the game is to dig holes to fix a sewer alligator’s shower. You’ll be hooked on the challenging puzzles. Where’s My Water? was downloaded more than 1 million times in its first month of release. There’s also a free version with limited levels and options.

Flight Control HD ($5, iOS; $3, Android): Guiding planes and helicopters to a safe landing is as easy as drawing a line to mark their paths. Careful though! It gets harder. Flight Control HD proves that simple games can be the most fun. You’ll juggle flight trajectories and keep the helicopters from crashing in this addicting game.

Pool Bar: Online Hustle ($3, iOS; $1.50, Android): Maybe you need a change of pace from all the fast-paced action and tilting games. Why not turn your tablet into a pool table using Pool Bar: Online Hustle? The ball physics are flawless, and you can move the camera to view the table from any angle. Pool Bar supports two-player interaction and three game modes.

Battleheart ($3, iOS; Android): Battleheart is a frenetic dungeon-crawling experience. Recruit medieval warriors and wizards and equip them to rid the kingdom of monsters. Don’t be fooled by the cute characters: This game is difficult. You’ll have to be strategic and quick-fingered to defeat some of the more difficult beasts.

Anomaly Warzone Earth HD ($4, iOS; Android): Wonder what it’s like to be on the other end of a tower-defense game? Anomaly Warzone Earth turns the tables on the popular genre. Select your attacking forces and plan a route through a heavily fortified alien battleground. A good strategy will get your forces through to the other side. The graphics look great, and the re-playability is endless.

Fruit Ninja HD ($3, iOS; Android): If you don’t feel like thinking (and let’s be honest, you can’t always feel like thinking) Fruit Ninja HD offers endless, glorious hours of total mental shutdown. Use your finger to slice up fruit as it flies across the screen. Just avoid the bombs and that’s it. Get extra points for carving up multiple fruits with one swipe. Fruit Ninja also comes in a free version with limited features.

Sonic CD ($5, iOS; Android): Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Sonic CD, his most critically acclaimed adventure, was released in 1993. Now, almost 20 years later, your favorite spinning blue hedgehog is back and better than ever.

Kim Komando hosts the nation’s largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. Hear it locally at 94.3 WSC News Radio noon-3 p.m. Sundays. For more information, go to www.komando.com.