New iPad Title, NinJump HD, Hits #1 On Apple Charts

Backflip Studios, the developers behind Paper Toss, appear to have another mobile hit on their hands as their newest title, NinJump - HD, has hit the #1 spot on Apple’s top free applications list for the iPad. Having been released about a week ago, the game has climbed rapidly, and unlike past reviewed titles, its rise doesn’t appear due to promotions such as FreeAppADay.com. NinJump - HD itself is a cross between other popular iPhone games like Chop Chop Runner and Ninjatown, combining the evasion mechanics of the latter with the pacing of the former. These elements, combined with a few new, more minor, features, make the game an excellent addition to one’s mobile collection. There is no story to NinJump -- no real, tangible objective. The player is a ninja who, for whatever reason, is climbing up a pair of infinitely tall buildings, and any number of things are out to get him including killer squirrels, other ninjas, exploding bombs, and the occasional bird. Should the player get hit, it’s game over, so the “goal” is to try and earn the highest score possible, by climbing as high as possible before dying. It really all comes down to timing as each type of enemy has a different movement to avoid. Ninjas hold still but throw ninja stars across the map, squirrels move horizontally, and birds swoop. In order to avoid them, players must tap the screen to jump to the opposite building. When they do so, the player’s character will attack and destroy any enemy in the way. This is where the only strategy of the game comes into play. Should the player kill three of the same enemy types in a row, they will transform, temporarily, into a hybrid of that creature and become invincible, while traveling upwards significantly faster. Beyond this, however, the rest of the game is a challenge based on twitch reaction. Thus far, it doesn’t seem that the ascent increases in speed (like Chop Chop Runner), but the number of enemies does appear to increase, and the ninjas, in particular, throw more ninja stars. Furthermore, overhangs and balconies also begin appearing. These force the user to jump to the opposite side before they collide. Aside from the noted transformations, the only element to the game that actually helps the player is the occasional shield power up. Thankfully, these tend are fairly frequently, and will absorb a single hit, should the player slip up. On the social end of things, the NinTown is part of the OpenFeint network, but surprisingly, the game doesn’t even have achievements. However, it does still come with competitive leaderboards, as well as the classic challenge posting. Using Facebook, Twitter, or standard email, users can challenge friends with the traditional “Beat My High Score” post. Visually the game looks great and has a wonderful presentation. Furthermore, the iPad rendition looks tremendously better than the original iPhone version. Overall, NinJump - HD is a fantastic free game for one’s iPad and, despite its simplicity, quite fun to play. Nonetheless, it’s the type of game that’s much better suited for play on the move, thus the original iPhone rendition feels like the better of the two versions. Either way, free is free, so for the players, it’s a good deal either way, and an app certainly worth adding to one’s collection.

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New iPad Title, NinJump HD, Hits #1 On Apple Charts

Christopher Mack

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Christopher Mack