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The iPhone is a massively popular games machine, probably far more so than anyone, including Apple, thought possible and while the flashy new games are mostly enjoyable, the on-the-move style of the iPhone lends itself well to games with simple controls and simple gameplay.  Games made for 8-bit computers or even earlier hand held machines fit this description perfectly, plus several available for the iPhone are important titles that retro fans will love to replay.  Here are six games we think you’ll enjoy:

Digit Invader.

Can you get more retro than a calculator game?  The object is to destroy the invading hordes as fast as possible, with more points gained the faster you react.  Sixteen invaders edge towards your gun turret and you have a total of 30 missiles to destroy them with.  Aim and fire when the number matches an invading ship.

Playing this app while using the very cool original skin, you’ll think you are back in the classroom during 1981!

GW Parachute.

Although this is no longer available on the iTunes App Store, it should still be out there for the jailbreak crowd.  A port of the 1981 Nintendo Game & Watch handheld game Parachute, the object is to catch parachutists leaping from a helicopter in your little boat, stopping them from being eaten by sharks.

Several Game & Watch games were available, but this will always be one of the most enjoyable thanks to the increasingly frantic pace as you make progress.

BQLSI Star Laser.

Insert the batteries, select the difficulty and then play this classic top down scrolling shooter in a similar vein to Space Invaders.  The game recreates the experience of playing the original version perfecly, right down to having to change the batteries when the screen starts to fade!

It’s not easy either, especially when they start to shoot back!

Guru Meditation.

Anyone who owned an Amiga computer will recall the phrase ‘Guru Meditation’ but may not be aware of its origins.  It comes from a balance board game supposedly played by the creators, and this is a port of it.  Tap the floating iPhone symbol to begin, then hold your phone as steady as possible while making as little noise as possible, letting a floating guru meditate on screen.  Move or make a sound and he will fall, resetting the timer.

Stuntcopter.

Ever owned a classic Mac?  If so, then you probably played this little gem which is not unlike the GW Parachute game described above.  Here you pilot a helicopter with, for reasons unknown, a little man hanging on to the bottom.  You must time his drop correctly so he lands on some hay in the back of a horse and cart.

Fiendishly difficult as you progress, this looks and feels exactly like the original and should be challenging for all levels of gamer.

LED Football 2.

This one goes way back!  The sequel to LED Football has passing enabled, but it doesn’t make it any easier to score a touchdown!  Aside from the gameplay being identical, the screen has been made to look identical to the original machine too, with animated buttons and switches.

You’ll have to be a real fan to enjoy this one, but there is no denying how good it looks.

We hope at least one of our retro games brings back some memories, or inspires gamers who have never heard of them to have a try!  As always, let us know you retro favourites too.