Every night at 12:15 AM Pacific, Amazon gives away a free paid app through their Amazon app store. As I am usually awake at 12:15 AM Pacific, why not let you know if today’s app is useful, or just more clutter in your app drawer?
Today’s free app is Atari’s Greatest Hits Pro by Atari, Inc. which usually runs for $1.99. Now depending on your point of view, this is either a Christmas miracle, or a stocking full of coal, because while you do get nine Atari games from the arcade and for the Atari 2600 for free… essentially the app is a store for you to buy more Atari games. Slightly more frustrating is the fact that three of the games are 2600 emulations of arcade games also included in the collection. Another is Basic Math, not really a classic in the Atari canon, that allows you to solve basic math problems.
That said, you’re also getting free versions of Missile Command, Pong, Centipede, Millipede and Flag Capture. The emulation for all the games is top notch, with multiple control schemes depending on how you prefer to handle your touch screen. In Missile Command, you can use virtual trackballs that you can move to any side of the phone, or just make it way easier and control your targeting directly with your finger.
Perhaps the biggest flaw with the app is that it doesn’t have a menu where just the games you purchased are available. If I want to play Pong and I haven’t purchased any additional games, I have to keep swiping past Space Duel and Tempest. I get it, it’s to make me want to buy them, but it’s a pain in the butt. Fortunately, the purchasing process is multi-step, so it’s unlikely you’ll have any accidents. That said, additional games all come in four-packs for $.99, so buying Crystal Castles isn’t going to break your bank.
If you have a soul, you’re definitely going to want to download this. Don’t get me wrong, it has its flaws and the fact that it is a free app that wants you to pay money seems to go against the spirit of the Free App of the Day. But you know what? Stop looking gift horses in the mouth. It’s a well-emulated version of Missile Command on your phone. Quit whining and save humanity already. The fun is back, oh yesiree, it’s the 2600 from Atari.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qAadfsJrmM’]
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