Gaming on the go

Manila  is a city that makes you wait.The traffic here means that you’re likely to be stuck in your car for at least half an hour on your way to a destination that really should be only five minutes away. Manila time means that people here are never on time, so more often than not, you find yourself texting your friends, “Where are you?” at regular intervals, alone and annoyed. (“I’ll be there in 10 minutes!,” they said, 15 minutes ago.)

I am one of those punctual folks with perennially late friends, and I always seem to be caught in gridlock, so I’ve had to find ways to amuse myself.

I picked up an iPhone 3GS from Globe Telecom last year, and it has been absolutely perfect for killing time. Sure, it’s practical, but it’s also extremely entertaining, especially with its wide range of available applications, some of which I even downloaded on the go with Globe’s Super Surf unlimited Internet service. I have a page full of games at the ready, and I’m never bored anymore. Some of my favorites:

Final Fantasy — The classic RPG has been remade wonderfully for the iPhone platform. It’s a little old school, especially if you’ve been playing Final Fantasy XIII on the PS3 lately, but who said old school was a bad thing? The gameplay is just as you remember it, and it’s great for whiling away the time and taking a trip down memory lane. Final Fantasy II is also already available in the iTunes App Store.

Amateur Surgeon — You are Pizza Boy Alan Probe, and you suddenly find yourself performing surgery on shady people from the backstreets with—yes—your pizza tools! A creation of Cartoon Network’s [adult swim], this game is gross, funny, incredibly addicting, and totally awesome. It’s surprisingly challenging, and the 27 levels (plus a bonus three) will keep you entertained for hours. And you can download the special Christmas edition for free!

Plants vs. Zombies — My 19-year-old brother insisted that this was the best game ever, and I have to admit, I played it so much when I first downloaded it that I actually dreamt that zombies were taking over the world. (It wasn’t pleasant.) Basically it’s a strategy game, where you arrange zombie-killing plants on a garden grid to prevent them from entering your house and eating your brain. You don’t get as many bonus games with the iPhone version as you do with the PC version, but it’s still hours of enjoyment everywhere you go, guaranteed!

Monopoly — Everybody has played Monopoly at some point in time. If you’re a fan of the classics, this is a good game to purchase, although the computer always seems to have a bit of an edge when it comes to Chance and Community Chest cards. Still, if Monopoly’s your thing, it’s a lot of fun. (Here’s to hoping they develop Cluedo soon!)

Cooking Mama — Cooking Mama for the iPhone is possibly even more fun than its Nintendo counterpart. With a DS, you do everything with the stylus, but on the iPhone, you have to do all sorts of things with the unit (like tilting it to pour, flicking it forward to sauté, and shaking it to sift) to complete the recipes, making it a bit more fun. There are far less levels than on the DS, but the different gameplay definitely makes up for it.

The iPhone is really a pocketful of fun. It stands to reason that I can’t leave home without it, it being my only way of contacting the world and all, but I wouldn’t be without it, even if I could.

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 iPhones are available from Globe Telecom. Until July 31, you can get the iPhone 3GS 16GB for free on Globe’s postpaid Plan 3500. Or get it bundled with unlimited data service on Globe’s iPhone Plan 3799 or via prepaid kit for P34,995. You can e-mail me at vivat.regina@yahoo.com.