Jetpack Joyride is a free to play game for a host of different platforms (iOS, Android, PS3/Vita, Windows), and this review in particular covers both the PS3 and the Android version (running on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2) since those are the two versions that I’ve played (the game plays the same no matter what though).
The game is an auto-runner, all you have to do is tap the screen or press a button to make your man move up the screen to dodge stuff and collect coins. In a lot of ways, it reminds of me the old Flash favorite “Helicopter.” Only thing is, I’m much, much better at Jetpack Joyride than I ever was at Helicopter. Like Helicopter, Jetpack Joyride is simple, charming, and addictive.
Obviously, you can’t “beat” the game. The only object is to travel as far as possible before you die and fight on the leaderboards. It’s the kind of game where “one more attempt” turns in to two hours, or who knows how many attempts, and you’re left wondering if you really just spent two and a half hours playing it. Believe me, it’s not hard to do, especially when you factor in the game’s missions (of which there are plenty… things like high five 15 scientist, or scrap your head for 2000 meters, and so on).
They keep things fresh by introducing several special jetpack vehicles (a motorcycle, a dragon, teleporter, a bird that craps money and collects coins, a robot that stomps, and a suit that allows you to change gravity). These are all unique and cool, but my favorites are definitely the motorcycle and the robot. I hate the dragon one.
You can use the coins you collect to purchase power-ups, and there’s even a slot machine at the end that can deal out some power-ups if you collect the chips during the game to be able to do the slots. You can also use the coins to buy upgrades to your man, like outfits and stuff. Of course being free to play, there are some micro-transactions where you can spend an insane amount of money buying coins. Most of us will never see a reason to spend any real money in the game though, as it’s just not necessary.
If you’re looking for a great time waster for your smartphone, tablet, or PS3/Vita, you really don’t have a reason to skip this. It’s free for crying out loud. Download it, and I’m sure you’ll find it just as addictive.
Jetpack Joyride gets a four out of five: GREAT.
Yeah, this is much better than I expected for a free game. It’s fun to pick up and play from time to time on my Vita. Some of those trophies look like they are going to take an insane amount of time to get though.
I haven’t even looked at the trophy list until now, but it looks like I got eight of the 12 on my first day of playing this (first one at 5:40 and my last one at 7:57… like I said, addictive).
Definitely don’t see me ever getting the remaining four trophies though.
How is this on the Vita? Does it use the normal controls like the Dualshock 3, or does it use the touch screen/pad? Seems like it would certainly be great on the go with the Vita, but I’m much better at it using the controller for PS3 version touching on my tablet.
It’s great on the Vita. At first it could only be played using the rear touch pad, but they released an update that allows the front touch screen and the normal buttons to be used, too. I use the buttons the most, but the rear pad works surprisingly well.