N.O.V.A. 3 as the name suggests is the third in the the first person shooter series which follows the explosive exploits of Kal Wardin as he fights for no lesser prize than humankind itself. If you haven’t played either of the previous N.O.V.A. that’s not a problem, (although you may go back to them after playing this), as the game stands on its own and the short intro will soon get you up to speed.

As previously mentioned the whole look of N.O.V.A. 3 is completely immersive as the rich, massive, interactive environments are a pleasure to behold. Starting in and around the derelict buildings of San Francisco, through alien spacecraft and an explosive fire and ice wasteland the worlds look incredible.

As we’ve all come to learn though, games require more than just graphics to be a success and N.O.V.A. 3 is more than just eye-candy, in fact it’s one of the closest experiences to having a console in your pocket that I’ve ever played on a mobile device.

The audio helps this with the overall experience too, from powerful gun-shots and explosions to great voice acting and background music the aural experiences is excellent, especially if you listen with headphones.

The action comes fast and furious, right from the start and you will need fast fingers to keep yourself alive. These fast fingers have to be balanced with the amount of ammunition you have as supplies are limited especially if you don’t want to if you don’t want to increase the cost of the game by stumping up more of your hard earned money to upgrade your weapons and abilities.

The downside of the scarce ammunition though is exacerbated by some less than perfect controls. There’s nothing substantially different in N.O.V.A. 3 from other first person shooters but they feel unpolished and the limited customization ensures that we will have to spend quite a while with them before you feel at ease.

Spending time with N.O.V.A. 3 though is something you will want to do though as the rewards are worth it. A compelling, if short, campaign mode is great to play but the addition of not only a local wi-fi multiplayer but also an online version, via Gameloft LIVE, is going to have you hooked for months.

Six different multiplayer game modes as well as weekly tournaments keeps things interesting and as long as you put in the time to learn your skills so that you aren’t re-spawning every 30 seconds the online modes ultimately make N.O.V.A. 3 {$6.99} a very rewarding experience.

All this comes at a price, not the $7 that it’ll cost you in the App Store, that’s a bargain, but the 1.5 GB of storage space that it will take up on your iOS device. You may need to manage some space before installing this monster!

There are games that push the limit of mobile gaming and make other companies step up, N.O.V.A. 3 is one of those games and you don’t want to miss the bandwagon.

What we like:

• Stunning graphics
• Enjoyable campaign mode
• Challenging multiplayer gameplay

What to know:

• Quality comes with size!
• Limited control customizations

Real Racing

It is not possible in the ‘real’ world to have a race down your local highway with your adoring fans cheering you on at the side but Real Racing developed by Firemint provides the most realistic gaming experience. There are 5 different modes. Challenge friends via local multiplayer or do a Time Trial where you can try to beat your friends and have the best race time. There is a career mode where you work your way through the game and end up being as the Real Racing champion. You can join an online league or if you don’t have much time just play the quick race.

The game offers a great choice of surroundings to drive through and a good variety of surfaces to drive on. Added to that there are great sound effects with engines revving and lots of cheering from the crowds. There is also a good selection of cars to drive and even more when you have unlocked them through out the game.

The controls can be adjusted to how you prefer to drive the car. You can touch and steer or tilt your device. If you want help with the brakes and accelerating that also can be adjusted. Great for beginners and racing pros.

The game offers lots of features and ways to play. If you want to show your skills you can even post a video of your race to YouTube. There is also Game Center integration for you to race up the leader board in the time trial mode. The graphics are very good and realistic and with the sounds and audience participation it makes you feel like it is the real thing, I guess that is why they call it Real Racing! ($4.99, View in iTunes)

Need For Speed Shift

The game gives you an unparalleled gaming experience with superior physics-based accelerated 3D graphics with OpenGL ES 2.0 integrations, which in my opinion has set a new standard in iPhone gaming and you will no longer miss the console version when you are on the move.

In Need For Speed Shift for iPhone the focus is on precision driving. Your main goal is to build your driver profile, earn enough stars to unlock events, earn cash to unlock 20 stunning cars and customize them to your taste. The game offers 3 international locations to race in (Chicago, London & Tokyo) which are packed with 18 unique tracks and various race modes. ($6.99, View in iTunes)

Fast & Furious The Game

Developed by I-play this racing game is just like the blockbuster hit with lots of noisy street car racing. There are seven different modes to play Road, Drift, Drag, GPS, Tunnel, Pursuit and Evade race. You also have the choice of 36 cars to drive, all varied in performance and giving you a different driving experience. The races are situated in different places from Mexico to Los Angeles to the Dominican Republic.

You can play with your friends iPhone-to-iPhone via wifi or choose a ghost race from another player to try and beat. This is where you download a race that as been completed by someone else and you then race it and try beat their time.

The game also offers online features to edit your profile and create custom leader boards. You can also post your best times to twitter. ($0.99, View in iTunes)

Stick Stunt Biker

The maker of Rope ’n’ Fly Robert Szeleney brings you this 2D Stunt Biker racing game and did I mention it is a stick rider? You need to guide your stick stunt driver along the track  as fast as you can. Watching out for obstacles and making huge jumps. Watch out though, fall off you bike and you fall to pieces, literally!

The controls are a little different at first, it took several attempts to master it. After you get used to them though they do enable you control the bike in quite an easy manner and it becomes very natural. You use the left corner for the brake and the right for accelerating. Then you use tilt on your device to lean forward or backwards.

There is also a ghost feature where you can race with your previous time and try improve on it. Your world ranking is also displayed after each race so you can see how well you are doing. The races vary from easy to difficult which is great if you are starting out.

A good racing game that can be picked up at any time for a quick play. ($0.99, View in iTunes)

Hardcore Dirt Bike

Brought to you by Xlabtech Hardcore Dirt Bike is a great motocross racing game. From the start you will be amazed by the 3D graphics and this is straight away from when you are using the impressive main menu. Once you have selected your skill level, bike and track you are ready to race.

There are 5 tracks to choose from and all offer different backgrounds and scenery and all very impressive and realistic. You also have 12 different bikes to pick from and all with different power, grip and brake features. The sound effects are also what you would expect if you were at an actual race.

The tracks and bikes have to be unlocked as you go, so at first you have limited options. It will have you coming back and playing just to unlock each bike and offers great replay value. ($2.99, View in iTunes)

So there you have the 5 best racing games we are still playing. Which racing games are you playing at the moment? Let us know in the comments below.