iPod
The Apple iPod is a popular MP3 player that garnered a bit of game support due to its large market. Support for games never took off until the newer, touch-screen iPod Touch and iPhones were released, and development of iPod Classic games has ceased.
N.B.: This page is ONLY for games released for the traditional click-wheel iPod, retronymed the iPod Classic. For iOS-based games, please visit the iPhone platform page.
Overview
The Apple iPod is a popular MP3 player that also saw the release of a few games. It was never intended as a real gaming platform but due to it's incredible popularity, hackers put homebrewed games on it, and eventually Apple released a proper games section in the iTunes Store. iPod games are not available at retail, only as digital downloads, and they are linked to the specific device once they are purchased. iPod games cannot be shared or transferred. No external controller is available for the Apple iPod, and most games made use of the clickwheel using innovative, and often considered lacking, control schemes. All iPod games were available for .99 each from iTunes.
History of Games
The Apple iPod first generation included Brick as a built in game, a simple breakout clone that was playable while listening to music. Originally it was an easter egg on the device, but in later firmware updates it was added to the menu. The fifth generation clickwheel iPod devices shipped with 3 more built in games: Parachute, Music Quiz, and Solitaire. Parachute is similar to Missile Command, in which the player controls a turret at the bottom of the screen and shoots incoming paratroopers. Music Quiz is a game that plays a clip of music from the iPod's library and asks the player a question about it. Solitaire is a portable version of the popular card game. The sixth generation iPod and newer iPod Nanos ship with Vortex, iQuiz and Klondike. In September 2006, Apple launched iTunes 7, and added the game store for clickwheel iPods fifth generation and up. Touch-screen iPods have an entirely different application store. iTunes 7 launched with Bejeweled, Cubis 2, Mahjong, Mini Golf, Pac-Man, Tetris, Texas Hold 'Em, Vortex and Zuma all for .99 each.
iPod HistoryiPod "Classic" 2001 - Present
Generations:
One: 2001, 5 and 10 GBTwo: 2002, 10 and 20 GBThree: 2003, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 GBFour: 2004, 20 and 40 GBFive: 2005, 30, 60 and 80 GBSix: 2007, 80 and 160 GBSix (Refresh): 2008, 120 GB (80 and 160 GB Models discontinued)Six (Refresh 2): 2009, 160 GB (120 Slim body) (120 GB discontinued)iPod Mini 2004 - 2005
Generations:
One: 2004, 4 GBTwo: 2005, 4 and 6 GBiPod Shuffle 2005 - Present (no screen)
| Generation | Years Released | Storage (GB) |
|---|
| One | 2005 | 0.5, 1 |
| Two | 2006, 2007, 2008 | 1, 2 |
| Three | 2009 | 2, 4 |
| Four | 2010 | 2 |
iPod Nano 2005 - Present (use
IPOD platform for iPod Classic compatible games)
| Generation | Year | Storage (GB) | RAM (MB) | Display |
|---|
| One | 2005 | 1, 2, 4 | 32 | 176x132 @ 151ppi |
| Two | 2006 | 2, 4, 8 | 32 | 176x132 @ 151ppi |
| Three | 2007 | 4, 8 | 32 | 320x240 @ 204ppi |
| Four | 2008 | 8, 16 | 32 | 240x320 @ 204ppi |
| Five | 2009 | 8, 16 | 64 | 240x376 @ 204ppi |
| Six | 2010 | 8, 16 | 64 | 240x240 @ 220ppi |
iPod Touch 2007 - Present (use
IPHN platform for iOS compatible App Store games)
| Generation | Year | Storage (GB) | iOS versions | RAM (MB) | Display |
|---|
| One | 2007 | 8, 16, 32 | 1.1 – 3.1.3 | 128 | 480x320 @ 162ppi |
| Two | 2008 | 8, 16, 32 | 2.1.1 – 4.2.1 | 128 | 480x320 @ 162ppi |
| Three | 2009 | 32, 64 | 3.1.1 – 4.2.1 | 256 | 480x320 @ 162ppi |
| Four | 2010 | 8, 32, 64 | 4.1 – 4.2.1 | 256 | 960x640 @ 326ppi |
Notable Games
While the iPod gained develop support from popular developers such as NAMCO, Square Enix, Sega, EA, and Hudson, the game library remained rather small. With the debut of the newer iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, development for iPod Classic has all but ceased. No iPod Classic SDK is currently available to developers, and all iPod games have been delisted from iTunes.
Texas Hold 'EmTetrisSonic The HedgehogPeggleBombermanBejeweledSong Summoner: The Unsung HeroesUNOSpore OriginsPhaseBubble BashPac-ManThe Sims DJThe Sims Pool
Photo Gallery
All Images
Manufacturer
Apple Inc.
Apple Inc., originally Apple Computer, is a computer company founded in 1977 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Famous for creating and owning both the software and hardware of their computers, they pursued this strategy in other consumer products, with the most notable being the iPod and iPhone.
