Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, iPhone, App Store
Rolando: A different iPhone game
Here we go. You guys sounded really jaded on the comments for the kart racing game, so here's an iPhone game that might actually break some new ground. It's called Rolando -- Simon Oliver is the developer, and he sent us a tip and the trailer above, and if you're looking for some fun and innovation in iPhone gaming, here you go. It looks kind of like a cocktail of LocoRoco, Lemmings, Kirby's Canvas and Katamari Damacy all mixed together with some iPhone originality for good measure. With a mix like that, you can't go wrong.
Simon tells us it's a "physics-based platform/puzzler.". He says that there will be four different worlds in the game, with ten levels each, including boss levels and bonus stages, and while it's not seen in the video, there might be a little accelerometer action as well. There are a few different versions of the little circular guys, called Rolandos (the King Rolando, with the crown in the video, has to be moved around by the others, for instance), as well as various implements throughout the levels that can be controlled directly. Simon's aiming to get it in the App Store by August, and while pricing hasn't been finalized, he's thinking $9.99 sounds good.
Don't like kart racing on the iPhone? As long as we can get a few good original games looking as good as this one does, you may not have to worry.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AJB said 8:17AM on 7-02-2008
wow! I'm impressed. looks fun. let's hope the music stays . . .
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Ryan Trevisol said 10:05AM on 7-02-2008
I'll tell you where it stays is in your head. I stopped the video at "3,6,9, the goose drank wine" and now that's stuck in my head.
Thanks a lot Rolando.
XIV said 8:20AM on 7-02-2008
Wow, it's look sweet. That's one app/game I'm gonna buy!
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Rowan Pope said 8:36AM on 7-02-2008
Look what good ol' Simon has been up to. What a great looking game. He's as talented at coding as his brother is in the kitchen.
Argh, July 11th, where for art thou?!
*pulls hair out*
(not mine though, mind you)
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Jared Gibbs said 8:45AM on 7-02-2008
What's that song? I love it! Oh and the game looks kick @$$ too
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Think Adrian said 8:52AM on 7-02-2008
"The Clapping Song" by Shirley Ellis
Andrew Rush said 9:03AM on 7-02-2008
hmm... someone else posted the answer to your question, but now it's gone... not sure why, but the song is "The Clapping Song" by Shirley Ellis. I'm not sure if the version on the video is the original or a remake, but that is at least the name of the song.
Andrew Rush said 9:03AM on 7-02-2008
hmm... someone else posted the answer to your question, but now it's gone... not sure why, but the song is "The Clapping Song" by Shirley Ellis. I'm not sure if the version on the video is the original or a remake, but that is at least the name of the song.
Kenneth Nordahl said 8:44AM on 7-02-2008
That game looks so nice. Im definitely going to buy that one. I guess the price of the game depends on the length but I could se myself paying $15/$20 too if it is loads of different stuff to do and take some time to finish.
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Shannin said 8:54AM on 7-02-2008
its not really ground breaking
its basically a ghetto version of locoroco
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Dale said 9:47AM on 7-02-2008
There aren't many games that do break new ground these days.
That being said, as the iPhone is highly unlikely to ever receive LocoRoco, it's good that someone is creating a fun-looking, well presented game in the same vibe so that iPhone users get to play something other than Super Monkey Ball and a bunch of Mac ports.
Hobbes said 9:50AM on 7-02-2008
My thoughts exactly. PSP Locoroco! Interesting, but not original by far, unless it's done by the same developer that did Locoroco for the PSP.
quandmeme said 11:15AM on 7-02-2008
I had a serious obsession with Magic Pen (itself a derivative) http://www.addictinggames.com/magicpen.html until I learned how to finish every level in fewer than 8 shapes which ruined the magic of it for me. This game will ruin me as well.
SSteve said 8:57AM on 7-02-2008
Ok, now I want an iPhone.
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Jason Martin said 10:25AM on 7-02-2008
Seriously? Granted, this looks like a really cool game, but with all of the other stuff that the iPhone can do, THIS is your killer app?
smellvetica said 9:16AM on 7-02-2008
Looking so good. So what if it's like/inspired by the likes of 'Locoroco' there should be more games like this, I'm sure that will look quite basic compared to 'Rolando' as it seems to have lots more interaction and physics models. It's like saying 'Gran Turismo' is a rip off of 'Out Run'. Good luck with the game Simon, personally I think the $ is too cheap.
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rhodesy22 said 9:19AM on 7-02-2008
This has made me realise that Worms would be an IDEAL iPhone game!
Just a thought as additional functionality - shaking the iphone could be one of the moves...
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FoundInTheFlood said 11:03AM on 7-02-2008
an open source version of worms is developed/ported for the iphone at the moment at www.zodttd.com it will be available for jailbroken iphones in a few days, together with his 1.0 version of his port of the VLC Media Player for iPhone.
Luke Rhodes said 11:13AM on 7-02-2008
Awesome thanks!
Alex said 10:08AM on 7-02-2008
Apparently NONE of you have actually PLAYED Locoroco.
This game is NOTHING like Locoroco EXCEPT FOR the artistic style.
Copying or imitating an artistic style doesn't mean it has the SAME GAMEPLAY.
So stop saying it's a poor man's Locoroco because it's not. It's much different.
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