In celebration of Universal Pictures’ latest movie Despicable Me, Namco is releasing a game for the iPhone/iPod Touch and the iPad with the same characters from the movie. The film premiered yesterday and Namco was there to unveil the new game. The movie will be released to the public on July 9, but the iPhone/iPod Touch game, Despicable Me: Minion Mania, is available now on the Apple App Store. The iPad version of the game will be released on July 7th.

Players command Gru’s army of tireless minions in a puzzle based game. The Army has to be trained for the next evil undoing. There are 20 different stages to play through and all of Gru’s weapons are available to the player.

In addition to the Despicable Me: Minion Mania announcement, Namco announced a few other games heading to the iPad. PAC-Match Party HD will be heading to the iPad and so will Isaac Newton’s Gravity HD. PAC-Match Party HD is a match three puzzle game. Players have to attempt to match three of the same kind of object to clear the board and reach the next level. In Isaac Newton’s Gravity HD, players have to solve physics-based puzzles.

If you are a fan of puzzle games, head over to the Apple App Store and check out Namco’s latest releases.

Pubbles is a match three game for the PC. There is also a version for Facebook available for play. The Facebook version is not as robust as the PC version, but it gives players a good idea of game play.

The goal of the game is to pop three or more of the same color bubbles. The more bubbles you can pop the higher your score. The Facebook app will allow you to post your high score to your wall for all of your friends to witness. There are many types of match three games, but Pubbles is a bit different, they have a charity event that users can participate in.

The Facebook version of the game allows players to play Pubbles and earn tickets. Each Wednesday there is a drawing. If the player is the owner of the ticket that was drawn, they can pick the charity they would like to get the money. The more you play the more tickets you can earn and the better chance the charity you want will get the money.

If you like match three games, check out Pubbles.

Mastertronic has announced the release of Aqua Bubble 2 and Treasure of Persia for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Both games are puzzle games, but with different style puzzles. Aqua Bubble 2 is a combination of Puzzle Bobble and Bust-a-Move. Treasure of Persia is a match three game, where players have to match three or more of the same color objects to have them disappear.

Aqua Bubble 2 has become popular on Microsoft at Home and now players can take the game with them wherever they go. Players have to help save their fellow creatures from the flood. Players have to shoot bubbles at a wall of bubbles to match three or more of the same color bubble to make the bubbles disappear and stop the flood.

Treasure of Persia is more the type of match three game you think about when you hear match three. There is a board filled with objects and players have to match three or more objects to clear them off the board. There are three different game play modes and each mode has twenty levels to try and conquer. Players have the option to touch the screen to clear the objects or tilt the iPhone/iPod to clear the objects.

If either game sounds fun to play, check them out on the Apple App Store.

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South Winds Games, the creators of Airport Mania, have announced the release of Inner Quest for the PC and Mac. Inner Quest is a puzzle game that attempts to be fun for everyone and easy to learn. The developers worked hard to make sure the game did not contain complicated control.

Inner Quest contains 100 different levels and players can play in relaxed or arcade mode. The levels have been designed artistically and the game contains upbeat music for the perfect experience. The developers wanted the game to be relaxing for the players and designed the game that way.

“With Inner Quest you will find yourself immersed in an amazing journey that will help you decrease the wear and tear on your mind from the challenges and hassles of daily life by evoking the same emotions that you have while traveling on a sunny day, going on a picnic with the people you love, or while looking at the stars on a warm night”.

The game is available now at South Wind’s website.

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Orba XL is a relaxing match three game for the newly released iPad. The goal of the game is to match three or more of the same marble and have them disappear. The marbles are not replaced with other marbles, but instead fall down and could complete other matches. The game play continues this way until all matches on the board of been cleared. Once there are no more matches left, more marbles drop from the top of the board and the game continues.

Each time a new set of marbles drop from the top of the screen the level increases. As the levels increase, the matches become harder and harder to make. Players need to plan out the moves they are going to make in the higher levels or they may find themselves ending the game sooner rather than later.

The marbles that are matched disappear and cause any marbles on top of them to fall down. The marbles that fall can be used to match to other marbles. The goal is to try and clear the marbles as low as possible so when the new marbles drop down there is plenty of room. The game ends when there are no more matches left to be made and the marbles are at the top of the screen.

The graphics in the game are really nice and clear and the game board is big since it is the size of the iPad screen. The touch mechanics work great and the matches were always cleared when touched.

Over all, Orba XL is a fun, entertaining and relaxing match three game. Players have to plan their moves ahead of time so there is a puzzle element and there is no rush to make matches. In other words there is no clock to try and beat. If you own an iPad and are looking for a great match three puzzle game, check out Orba XL. On a side note, there is a version of the game, Orba, for the iPhone/iPod touch as well.