Is there anything Apple can't do?

As luck would have it, on the very same day a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to come into possession of both a Nintendo DS and an Apple iPod Touch (the latter a gift from my lovely wife!). On the face of it, both were suitably different gadgets - one a gaming handheld and the other effectively a music jukebox, capable of storing my entire catalogue of music and a few videos as well. First impressions were that the DS was chunky, fairly ugly looking with a distinct plasticy feel while the iTouch was, well, a typical Apple product... shiny, sleek and subtle.

But as I spent time with them both, I discovered that the music element of Apple's miniature marvel was never going to be its most used function for me! I was surprised that although its the likes of Nintendo or Sony that regularly steal the gaming headlines, Apple is now in a position to compete and give them a run for their money.

As expected, the DS posed few surprises but was fun to play. It retained the charm and appeal that I gleaned when I first got my grubby mits on a Game and Watch several decades earlier. That too was a clam shell design and felt rugged enough that it could withstand a fall from the top of a tower block. There are notable differences too - but although the DS has touchscreen technology and boasts built-in WiFi... so did the iTouch...

Granted, the iTouch was never really designed as a games device and sure, Nintendo has a far more substantial library of titles - most with identifiable, cutesy mascots... but of the two, it's Apple's offering that I haven't been able to put down.

Part of the appeal is the availability of Apps - small, downloadable programs and widgets that allow the user to do almost anything and tailor the device to their personal preferences.

In my short time with my shiny new gadget, here are a selection of some of the best games I've found (I'll no doubt add a few more to the blog as I come across them in the coming weeks!).

The first I came across was Doodlejump - a simple premise but it's kept me coming back for "just one more game" more than anything else I've downloaded since I acquired the iTouch. Bounce up the screen from platform to platform, avoiding aliens and crumbling floors - but keep an eye out for the helpful jetpacks and spring shoes! Lose your footing and you plummet to your doom. Addictive as hell and a real battery drainer.

The Settlers made it into my all-time Top 10 and it remains one of my favourites. Graphically, this version is just as charming as the original all those years before and there's plenty to keep you occupied - from fighting off invading armies to feeding your villagers and enlarging your boundaries. Brilliant fun.

Having also always been a fan of the Command and Conquer series, I was pretty impressed by this version, which is a pretty accurate rendition. It transfers really well to the iTouch and boasts decent graphics and great sound. The controls are really well catered for on the touchscreen.

Fall Down - stop your ball from getting squashed by rolling it through holes in the platforms. The rather nifty accelerometer built into the iTouch means the slightest hand gesture moves the ball. Great fun and frustratingly addictive. If I could just get the wife to stop playing it so I could have another go...

Call of Duty: World At War Zombies - clearly, this is not going to rival the larger, graphically enhanced versions on the likes of the PS3 or Xbox but this isn't a bad attempt at bringing Call of Duty to the smaller screen. Fight off the zombie hordes and survive for as long as you can.

Got any other tips for great gaming on my new favourite handheld? Leave a comment...