Gaming on a larger, higher resolution display already has some salivating over the iPad’s potential. Kotaku today shares the “first ever gloriously big, gloriously detailed” pics of game specifically headed for Apple’s newest creation, and they do indeed look good. I tend to keep my gaming life separate from everything else, so I rely on an Xbox 360 (s msft) — I play a mean Hofner bass in Beatles: RockBand, for example. But I dabbled with a few iPhone games when I had the device. Now that I’m solely using a Google Nexus One (s goog), I haven’t even looked into any gaming — I had it in my head that all the good games were in Apple’s ecosystem and that Android couldn’t possibly have much to offer. After installing the free trial of HomeRun Battle 3D this past weekend, I realize that I’ve been walking past a mobile gaming opportunity.
The first thing I noticed about this game is how well the graphics look on the high-res Nexus One display. It certainly doesn’t hurt that this handset offers enough horsepower to make the game run smoothly. Although simple in style, I’d equate the look to be at least as good as that of a Nintendo DS title, if not better. Have a look at this video to get a feel for the gameplay and the visuals on a Motorola Droid — I balked at doing my own vid because I’m not that good just yet. 
This same title is available for iPhone (s aapl) and it was wise of the developer to offer cross-platfrom, multi-player support. An iPhone gamer can play locally against an Android slugger, for example. I haven’t done that just yet, but I did play seven rounds with someone in South Korea. Why so many? I lost the first six rounds — ’nuff said.
I have little doubt that games on the 1024 x 768 iPad screen will shine, and I’m sure to check them out when the device hits stores. But I incorrectly assumed that Android didn’t have anything to offer in the way of gaming entertainment. Back in January, this video of 50 different Android games didn’t impress me that much. Between my HomeRun Derby 3D experience and videos of other new games like ExZeus and others, I’m coming to appreciate what game shops can do with Android. No, one game doesn’t make it a winning platform by any means, but there’s far more potential here than I expected to find. I’m sure we have some mobile gamers out there, so I have to ask — what other games should I be looking at on my Nexus One? I’ll let you compile a list while I head virtually to South Korea for an eighth match.
Image courtesy of Com2uS
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