Because there's absolutely nothing worth mentioning being released for consoles this week, we're switching things up a bit for those who will be entering or have already entered The Garden of iPhone this holiday season. (Rule No. 1: Apples are for closers.)
Now that you've got Steve Jobs' shiny new toy in your possession, it's time to fill it up with some goodies that will help distract you on those long commutes. But, with dozens of games hitting the App Store weekly, picking up something worthwhile can become a chore. Lucky for you, we play all of the crap so you don't have to, which is why you should blindly follow our iPhone picks for this week: all kinds of mobile nostalgia and another addictive game from the minds behind geoDefense, each going for under $8.
geoSpark
Apple App Store Link | Developer Link
Price: $0.99
If you played geoDefense, you'll be familiar with the psychedelic geometric shapes in this spin-off title. But, instead of a straight-up tower defense-type game, you'll have to think a bit more on your feet, er, fingers. As various shapes float across your screen, you have to avoid allowing two different neon "Sparks" (as they're called) from colliding by either combining similar shapes (the more consecutive combinations, the higher the multiplier) or simply blasting them into smithereens with a simple touch. It gets tougher, trust us, so at the 99-cent price point, it's a keeper.
Super Monkey Ball 2
Apple App Store Link | Developer Link
Price: $7.99
Sure, the baby monkey protagonists may make it look like a kiddie game on the surface, but SMB 2 is anything but the nonsensical fare you usually find in E-rated games. Race your monkey-in-a-ball through dozens of treacherous and winding levels using your iPhone's accelerometer, picking up bananas along the way. There is also a Monkey Bowling mini-game which, for some odd reason, only handles co-op play on one iPhone instead of regular online multiplayer. 
Strikers 1945 Plus
Apple App Store Link
Price: $4.99
Yes, yet another iteration of the Strikers 1945 series, first playable on the Sega Saturn and PlayStation back in 1997. You won't find much deviation here from the original: You control a WWII fighter pilot who must stop a group of military leaders from destroying the world using secret weapons they've amassed. It's a top-down airplane shooter, so fans of the Raiden arcade series or Truxton on the Sega Genesis will feel right at home.
Dragon's Lair
Apple App Store Link | Developer Link
Price: $4.99
Dirk the Daring is one of Maxim's greatest heroes of all-time, so it's only fitting he gets an application on your iPhone. You know the story by now: Use quick thinking and even quicker screen touches to help Dirk slay the dragon enslaving his beloved Princess Daphne in the evil wizard's castle.