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September 7th, 2009 
James Isabel 
**HAPPY LABOR DAY! Win a FREE COPY of the Game!**
The Icon Factory and DS Media Labs tag team to deliver a self-titled “champ”. Does it take the crown or slips?
Ramp Champ ($1.99)
To keep it perfectly short and sweet, Ramp Champ is certainly the king of all iPhone skee ball games. It’s rich in content and depth, while at the same time delivers the most elegant looking ramps and designs.
Of course we wouldn’t pull a claim out of our behinds, so let’s hear our backup.
Ramp Champ Forums: >>CLICK<<
Welcome To The Circus!
The presentation is definitely “circus” themed. Coincidentally enough, the whole font face, texture and overall design reeks of Britney Spears’ Circus album. Don’t ask me how I know, I just so shut it! I think the game is just focused and centered on that one theme that’s why the final product looks amazing.
The above are just samplings of what the game looks like. Just wait ’til you see some of the tables.
Controls
Unlike 10 Balls 7 Cups where you can alter the balls direction a little bit through accelerometer after release, Ramp Champ is straight up flicking and touch controls.
Gameplay
I got caught a little off guard by the short ramp design of the game. I got used to 10 Balls 7 Cups, but once you get over that, you’ll ease in to the game. It’s a classic game of skee ball short ramp style, and some per table goals.
Yep, that’s right. Each four preset tables come with three goals to accomplish. It’s definitely a nice twist to the game and should prolong the longevity of the game. The goals range from downing all the pins to scoring a certain number of points.
The game also comes with added bells and whistles through prizes and thropys. Prizes can be redeemed and strengthen you’re “iPhone bragging wealth”. Thropies are awarded per each goal you accomplish.
Last but not the least, and it’s the first time I’ve seen it, Ramp Champ offers additional level packs through in app purchasing:
Suggestion
Leaderboards. Every skee ball game should have it. I really need to see this for Ramp Champ to be super champ. Other than this, the game is set. I’m unsure as to how the in app purchasing will work with the game’s success.
It sounds like the four preset tables is it without any plans of adding more, rather than download packs. It’s something I haven’t seen happen and is sure interesting to find out what the outcome is.
Conclusion
Although the lack of leaderboards hinder the game from being an all time classic, I’m still ready to give the game its crown. I’m also sure leaderboards are on its way, so I wouldn’t even give them hell about it. It truly is one of the best designed games on the iPhone to date. And to even further its bid at that, this baby packs table goals to look more than just a pretty picture.
Contest
I’ll unveil full contest rules later today, but if I were you, I’d comment regarding the game and/or the review below.
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Wow this looks like a really good game that adds something to the app store that was missing before. The in app purchases add alot too and the prizes is a great idea. Looking forward to the contest later
Looks great, but if I win the code, it doesn’t cover the in-app purchases.
Great review! Sounds like fun, but it would be cool if you could buy additional levels with tickets, not real money. I know that defeats the purpose of the whole money-making part though…
This is a very unique concept for a game. I like it a lot, and it doesn’t seem like that much at first, but it is Very fun. The characters/items also give the game a great sense of personality, which makes it even more unique.
The concept, different from 10 balls 7 cups, looks better. I agree with Jonah, if you could buy levels with tickets, that would get more attraction. So far, I haven’t run across a game with in-game purchasing, so im interested as how it works out.
The fact that there’s challenges and missions to complete, makes it interesting.
Good review.
Looks sexy, though I still like 10 Balls 7 Cups – despite this being the better of the two.
Yeah, online leaderboards are a biggie, so they better add them in an upcoming update!
This game looks super awesome especially with the fact you can win prizes
This game looks absolutely beautiful. The graphics almost bring tears to my eyes lol. I remember skee ball used to be one of my favorite games when I was younger. The way the ball rolled up the ramp and popped into one of the holes. And then the tickets would spurt out of the machine and I could then redeem them for those pieces of junk that I just had to have. So nostalgic…
I think this way of implementing in-app purchases is going to be the new norm. Provide a full gaming experience for the base price, but add the option to purchase little extras in the app.
Game looks very cool. In addition to leaderboards, I’d strongly recommend OpenFeint or Plus+ integration, for challenges ad bragging rights….
Great review. This game looks like it is worth the money. Plus integration with this game would be great because you would be able to send people direct challenges and have them try to beat your score.
I like how compared to 10 balls 7 cups you can actually see your prizes
Loved 10 Balls, 7 Cups (esp. the Clan Wars). Ramp Champ, however, looks to be several notches above. With Iconfactory’s great graphics and targets in different locations, this looks to be quite a bit more challenging. Can you say “Skee Ball Clan War, Part 2″?
Nice review. I like that you can alter the ball’s course after rolling it. The game looks like it has good graphics to boot.
LOL mr holder. Please read the review again. You can NOT alter the ball once let go.
regarding leaderboard. The game is designed to have a capped maximum score per ramp. Does it make sense to have a score board when everyone in the top all have the same points? We do have ideas for multiple players challenge, and additional ramps are in the works. Please spread the words, indie developers need the word of mouth to make our app successful.
Hey Talos!
That absolutely makes sense. I’m going to ask then for non capped version of the levels. At the end of the day, you want to have your users come back to the game over and over and over. How are you going to do this if you’ve unlocked all achievements?
I suppose it’s to buy some download packs and might’ve been the plan all along.
After that read, I want it now! But I’ve already spent so much on apps this week. Curse you T-Pain in-app purchases…
This is fun if you're into Skee-Ball type games, got it for free and well worth the time you spend playing!