Apple updates iTunes games catalog, pulls old titles
updated 10:05 am EDT, Tue April 8, 2008
iPod game catalog update
Apple has made several changes to its catalog of iPod games on the iTunes Store (link). Zuma, a well-known puzzle title by PopCap, has been added to the list of games compatible with Nanos and Classics; several other games have had their section removed however, including Bejeweled, iQuiz, Lost, Mahjong, Mini Golf, Musika, Royal Solitaire and Vortex. iQuiz and Vortex are already installed by default on modern-generation Nanos and Classics.
The remaining games, however, are effectively hidden from the public, only available for download through search or backdoor links on various website. They also remain without updates, limiting them to fifth-generation video iPods. The games may soon be removed on a permanent basis.
Why remove them?
04/08, 10:17am reply
How much server space could they possibly take up?
Monstermind
Junior Member
Joined: May 2000
seeing as how...
04/08, 10:29am reply
Vortex and iQuiz both came w/ the Classic [that's what I bought] - why wouldn't they add the compatible versions to the iTMS instead of getting rid of them altogether?
Also - what really sucks is that I was waiting/hoping for a version of Bejeweled and mahjongg to hit the Classic_
UberFu
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2002
so MacNN??
04/08, 10:30am reply
since you know about these "backdoor" links why don't you share with the rest of us? Instead of just telling us about them and then with-holding information?
UberFu
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2002
Re: seeing as how
04/08, 10:42am reply
I don't understand, Vortex and iQuiz come with current iPods so why would they put them on the store - there's no customers for them.
and monstermind, they removed them from browsing because they take up limited screen real estate and probably cause confusion for new iPod owners. I'm sure many have bought 5G games thinking they'd work on their classic. Many people don't read the text and just click on the game.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
re:backdoor
04/08, 10:47am reply
just do a search for the game's title like you would for a song or band.
I was going to get Bejeweled but the commenters largely agreed that the controls suck so I didn't buy it.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
re:climacs
04/08, 11:13am reply
Bejeweled works fine for me (had it since it came out), I haven't had any "issues" with using it (controller wise). It works WAY better than Sonic (which I play anyway).....If you love Bejeweled, get it. It's worth it.
Beechlady
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
maybe...
04/08, 12:33pm reply
Just maybe... they are getting ready to FINALLY add some iPod touch games. One can only hope.
G4_Kessel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2003
re: maybe...
04/08, 12:46pm reply
Man I hope so!
mgpalma
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
So Nobody...
04/08, 03:46pm reply
...thinks that they may simply be preparing to migrate these apps to the new AppStore? Once that is up and running this summer, why have two places to have to go to find an application?
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999