Bejeweled Blitz for iPhone: Exclusive First Look!
Bejeweled Blitz, the addictive Facebook game that gives you one minute to match as many colored gems as possible, is headed to the iPhone. The mobile game includes Facebook Connect, so you'll be able to log in and then show off your sweet gem-matching skills by posting high scores on your Facebook page.
We got our hands on the Bejeweled Blitz iPhone update early and after extensive hands-on testing, are happy to report that it works seamlessly with the Facebook version of the game. It also has the same high production values expected from any official Bejeweled game -- a lush soundtrack, good-looking graphics and over-the-top sound effects, including -- our favorite -- a chain of bro-tastic explosions at the end of every round.
The iPhone version also includes all of the same power-ups -- score multipliers and laser gems -- vital to pushing your score to unbeatable heights. Your high scores will automatically show up on the leaderboard in the Facebook version, and you'll be able to post brag notes on your Facebook page anytime you score a metal in the game (see example below). We were impressed to see our new high scores appeared in the Facebook version's leaderboard in real time, as well as our brag notes.
Bejeweled Blitz, officially announced today, is not a standalone game. The gem-swapper is actually an add-on to the existing Bejeweled 2 for iPhone, and will be available starting next week as soon as Apple says 'go' ("Coming soon," a Popcap rep says). If you already own Bejeweled 2, the Blitz add-on update can be downloaded from the app store for free, and if you don't, you can buy it for $2.99 at the app store and Blitz will automatically be included.
This is the first time that PopCap has created a game that will work across platforms, something that other social game companies have just started to implement. We'd love our iPhone version of Mafia Wars to work just as seamlessly with the Facebook version, and vice versa. We expect Bejeweled Blitz is just the beginning of being able to play our favorite social game whenever, wherever.
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