I absolutely love to play games whether it is on a PC, Xbox or even a board game.  So I could not wait to start playing games on my EO.  I played ...err… I mean tested a few games and below are my results (notes: I only tested the “classic” mode):

Hammer Heads

Objective:  To hit gnomes on the head with large hammers. 

Overall:  This game worked out very well.  It was definitely touch oriented and looked great on the UMPC.  However, I wanted to hit the gnomes with both hands and the touch panel can only recognize one, so I was missing some gnomes to begin with.  This did get easier with time, but there was a learning curve.  It also works out much better if you can play it with both hands while sitting down.  I noticed that the level of difficulty increased pretty quickly.  Lastly, it has a wonderful trophy room so you can see how well you have done.  All in all I loved playing Hammer Heads!     

Hints:  It works a lot better if you hit them on the feet instead of their heads; you are more likely to hit just air when you are aiming for their head.   

Worst Character:  Flippy – when he puts a bucket on his head and you hit him, you lose life.  He made me lose several games.  Flippy is not my friend!

How to get it:  This will be available in late May via http://www.popcap.com

Zuma

Objective:  To get rid of all the balls before the frog eats them. 

Overall:  Overall this was a great game on a touch device.  It was way easier to aim with touch instead of with a mouse or controller (you don’t turn the frog, you just tap the area of the screen where you would like the ball to go).  However, you need to right click to change the ball color – which is difficult on a touch device when you are in a hurry.  I found at the higher levels, when the balls were going fast, I never had enough to time to change the ball color.  Even with the ball color issue, it was still a lot more fun to play with touch versus the other devices.      

Hints:  Try to get chains lined up so that numerous balls disappear right after another. 

How to get it:  This is already released via http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=zuma&src=leftnav 

InsaniQuarium

Objective:  There are two objectives; the first one is to take care of your aquarium by feeding fish and fighting aliens, secondly you need to earn money so you can piece together an egg to go to the next level. 

Overall:  This game played well and looked nice on the EO.  However, the game was too easy for me (26 yrs old: I was not able to find documentation for there age demographic.)  However, I am sure that anyone from 8-14 would love to play it.  I also had some difficulty figuring out how to use some of the items and fish that are available throughout the various levels.  The game has a wide variety of fish tank helpers (24 total).  You can choose to have three helpers at a time; anything from a mama fish that gives birth to a crab that helps you defeat the aliens.  All in all, InsaniQuarium looked and played great on the EO.

Hints:  Get more goldfish in the tank because they give money and provide food for the carnivores (yes, some of the goldfish get eaten, but it is for the greater good of the tank). 

How to get it:  This is already released via http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=insaniquarium&src=leftnav

Bejeweled

Objective:  To get at least three of the same stones in a line. 

Overall:  The game worked nicely the EO.  Using the touch gesture was very natural.  However, the game takes a while to load and can get a bit choppy when several sets of gems get lines up right after one another.  If you don’t mind the choppiness, this game is a lot of fun.        

Hints:  Make rows of four or five to create special gems. 

How to get it:  This is already released via http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=bejeweled2&src=leftnav

Chuzzle

Objective:  To get clusters of three or more chuzzles together. 

Overall:  The idea behind this game on a touch device is a good one.  However, the game does not fit when the screen resolution is set to 800 x 480 and I often had trouble moving the rows using touch/flick gesture – you need to line up the row of chuzzles very precisely.  After I changed my screen resolution to 1024 x 600, the game looked nice.  Hints:  Get several combos for added bonuses. 

How to get it:  This is already released via http://www.popcap.com/launchpage.php?theGame=chuzzle&src=leftnav