App Store Classic 'Jetpack Joyride' Launches on Apple Arcade

[MacRumors]

The classic endless runner Jetpack Joyride from Halfbrick Studios is making a return today on the subscription-based Apple Arcade service.

Over 750 million players have downloaded Jetpack Joyride across all gaming platforms, and Apple Arcade subscribers can now relive the fun with Jetpack Joyride+ for the iPhone and iPad.

"Get ready for bullet-powered jetpacks, giant mechanical dragons, and birds that shoot money," the game description reads. "It's time to join Barry Steakfries and equip the coolest jetpacks, suit up in stylish costumes, and ride crazy vehicles in this endless running quest to beat the scientists to the end of the lab."

Skate City is also receiving a major update on Apple Arcade today with a new Olympics-inspired Tokyo level. The game hails from Snowman, maker of the popular endless sandboarding games "Alto's Adventure" and "Alto's Odyssey."

Snowman says players will be able to skate through a diverse range of neighborhoods and famous skate spots to experience Tokyo's unique identity. Tokyo will include over 60 challenges in Free Skate and Challenge modes, along with new deck designs, updated clothes in the skate shop, and new original songs that expand on the popular soundtrack.

Priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, Apple Arcade provides access to a catalog of around 200 games without ads or in-app purchases across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, with additional titles added periodically.

Article Link: App Store Classic 'Jetpack Joyride' Launches on Apple Arcade

 

[Blackstick]

I remember this game, it was good fun back in the day!

 

[tazinlwfl]

Still one of the best pick-up-and-play games. Can't believe how long I've had this on my devices...

 

[MCUser_]

I just wanna know when are they launching Jetpack Joyride in South America.... its been to long for the soft launch.

 

[spyguy10709]

How is this any different from the free version still available on the app store?

 

[BeefCake 15]

I hate this game on iOS, such a scamy in-App purchase scheme that tricks kids into charging $100s of dollars easily....

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

It is free and it's ancient. This service is a bust.

 

[mknelson]

The last three comments seem to answer themselves.

Free version has in app purchases. Arcade version won't.

 

[tooloud10]

The last three comments seem to answer themselves.

Free version has in app purchases. Arcade version won't.

Exactly. I'm tired of being nickel-and-dimed on games, so Arcade is actually a really great service for my family. IAP has ruined most video games for me--you don't have to spend time getting good at a game any more if you're willing to open up your wallet. I hate that about non-Arcade games.

 

[DevNull0]

10 year old piece of freemium scum-ware that's already been downloaded 750 million times. Way to show how cutting edge and relevant you are Apple. This really shows what Timmy and Co. think of games and gamers.

Microsoft must be running scared with their Gamepass Ultimate service.

 

[ImperialForces]

So, what you’re saying is that I’ve grown so old that early iOS games are being referred to as “classic” now.

 

[hotstreaks]

mario games would give apple arcade additional star power

 

[BulkSlash]

Now bring back the original Ridge Racer and Manos Hands of Fate please Apple.

 

[wigby]

10 year old piece of freemium scum-ware that's already been downloaded 750 million times. Way to show how cutting edge and relevant you are Apple. This really shows what Timmy and Co. think of games and gamers.

Microsoft must be running scared with their Gamepass Ultimate service.

But what do you think of gamers? Are they all the same as you? You're showing your ignorance and bias too much.

 

[alex2792]

Apple Arcade can’t go the way of iTunes Ping soon enough.

 

[Wildkraut]

Arcade really worth the money, Apple keeps adding the latest ****.

Meanwhile on XBox Cloud…

/s

 

[macrumorsuser10]

Jetpack Joyride was originally released in 2011. It really telling of Apple Arcade that a 10-year-old game is getting attention for this service.

 

[Tres]

Can't believe all the hate this was getting.

Jetpack Joyride wasn't scummy at all when it first came out. It was actually a paid game and it was really fun. I put hours into it.

Unfortunately, at some point the company behind it got greedy and loaded it with IAPs/ads. Having access to this vanilla version is great.

 

[incoherent_1]

Nice! Maybe next month y’all will get Pong!

 

[iF34R]

It's too bad that your profile doesn't load up on this version. I played the free version so much I had everything unlocked, pretty long runs, etc., and that's not available to me with the + version.

 

[AlexanderUK]

Halfbrick Studios are a classic example of what went wrong with gaming on the app store.

When they first started on iOS they appeared with a whole slew of paid-for classics like Age of Zombies, Fruit Ninja, Monster Dash, Jetpack Joyride and Colossatron. It was during the age of classic paid-for gaming era like TrainYard, Flight Control, Plants VS Zombies (etc).

Then IAPs came along and creep entered development, we stopped getting updates (Colossatron), games got pulled or left to become incompatible (Age of Zombies), the ones that stayed got riddled with ads (despite us paying for them - I'm looking at you EA), or hundreds of IAPs loot boxed their way into extra cash (every other Halfbrick app).

So now we're left with either pay to play (if you want to win levels in many games), infested IAP cheats or annoying ads, or you have to pay Apple a monthly fee just to get what you would have only paid a single one-off fee 10 years ago to enjoy.

I've got no problem paying for games either, but I am annoyed that the majority of games (and apps) that exclaim that subscriptions and IAPs and ads are needed to ensure future development are the same people who quickly lose interest in their projects and fail to provide anything new other than a fresh coat of paint every now and again.

 

[Tres]

Halfbrick Studios are a classic example of what went wrong with gaming on the app store.

When they first started on iOS they appeared with a whole slew of paid-for classics like Age of Zombies, Fruit Ninja, Monster Dash, Jetpack Joyride and Colossatron. It was during the age of classic paid-for gaming era like TrainYard, Flight Control, Plants VS Zombies (etc).

Then IAPs came along and creep entered development, we stopped getting updates (Colossatron), games got pulled or left to become incompatible (Age of Zombies), the ones that stayed got riddled with ads (despite us paying for them - I'm looking at you EA), or hundreds of IAPs loot boxed their way into extra cash (every other Halfbrick app).

So now we're left with either pay to play (if you want to win levels in many games), infested IAP cheats or annoying ads, or you have to pay Apple a monthly fee just to get what you would have only paid a single one-off fee 10 years ago to enjoy.

I've got no problem paying for games either, but I am annoyed that the majority of games (and apps) that exclaim that subscriptions and IAPs and ads are needed to ensure future development are the same people who quickly lose interest in their projects and fail to provide anything new other than a fresh coat of paint every now and again.

The decrease in game and app quality after the introduction of IAP was incredible. There used to be so many good games for just a buck or two. The quality of Apple Arcade titles reminds me of what it used to be like.

 

[Dremmel]

The decrease in game and app quality after the introduction of IAP was incredible

And yet paid apps are buried in the search algorithm of the app store. I would much rather pay a one off fee for a decent app than have to subscribe for it, but Apple don't want me to find them.

 

[LinusR]

Apple Arcade can’t go the way of iTunes Ping soon enough.

Why do you want a service to die just because you don’t like it? I really enjoy the service and its perks!!

 

[Dremmel]

Why do you want a service to die just be aide you don’t like it? I really enjoy the service and it’s perks!!

All developers should be treated the same. Why should some get the benefit of the Arcade club and not others. I want it to succeed but it should be open to all developers to join.