Android App Video Review: Jetpack Joyride

Finally, after a year of waiting, Jetpack Joyride hits Google Play. Well, it was an Amazon exclusive for a while, but this is still a momentous occasion. Jetpack Joyride is an endless runner from Halfbrick Studios, creators of Fruit Ninja. Now, now I know what you're thinking. "Another endless runner? Aren't there a million of these things?" The answer is yes, but this one is way more worth your time. It's one of the most well balanced and varied endless runners around, with tons of polish, and a hilarious premise to boot. How many other games put you in a machine gun propelled jetpack as a dude named Barry Steakfries? That's what I thought.

Bored with his mundane life working in a lab, Barry Steakfries Esq. decides to hijack this very special jetpack and go nuts. Supposedly, this is something of an origin for the guy, as it seems to predate his time travelling, zombie-slaying ways in Age of Zombies. Just like the classic Helicopter and many runners in-between, you simply touch the screen to ascend, and let go to drop, all while avoiding hazards. It's the extra stuff that makes this game great though. There are several fun, creative vehicles that you can ride, from a teleporter to a big mech, to a red mechanical bird that craps money, to the gravity suit from Gravity Guy, to a big mechanical dragon named Mr. Cuddles. And yes, the money crapping bird is a dig at Angry Birds.

As you play, you'll also collect spin tokens to use in the slot machine, or you can just cash them in. There are dozens of things to save up for in the store, from amusing costumes to new jetpacks, to vehicle upgrades, to one-use power-ups like gold multipliers and distance boosts, etc. You can also buy and unlock gadgets, which are special items that you equip to slightly change gameplay, giving you a bit of a jump or making you bouncier when you die. The varied mission system always has you playing the game a bit differently, whether you need to high-five scientists or drag your head across the ceiling. The art is crazy colorful and good looking, and after a year of playing this game on iOS, I still am not sick of that one song in the soundtrack. This is one of the best games you can download on your Android device, and you can do so for free. Get to it already, before Barry Steakfries shows up at your house to make you.