Texas Hold'em (US$4.99)

This nifty take on Hold'Em style Poker takes advantage of the iPhone's video capabilities, displaying impressive graphics, including footage of your computer opponents. Not only that, this game also allows you to play with your friends within a local wifi network. (I'm assuming it uses Apple's Bonjour services for auto-discovery, which means you can't play across the internet).

Upon first launch you're presented with two game modes (single player and multiplayer), settings, statistics and help. There are options for play locations such as an Apple-themed Garage, an Aquarium, and even a seat at a poker table in Dubai.

The computer opponents are digitized humans and they're very well implemented into the game. Their reactions during the game play is amusing, but you can skip over their animations by touching the screen. The game itself uses great work of the touch screen, allowing you to check by double-tapping, fold by dragging your cards to the table, and go all in by doing the same with your chips. By turning the phone from portrait to landscape mode, the view is switched from first person to table-top view of the action. And when you tap on the Home button, the game is automatically saved until the next time you want to play it.

One hint: Read over the Help section, which offers up a series of pictures detailing what you can do with the interface and gestures. It may sound obvious, but as impressive as the graphics are for this game, there aren't really any visual cues to let you know what does what.

For Poker fans, this game is highly recommended. Go ahead, see if I'm bluffing.

Super Monkey Ball ($9.99)

This is easily the most addictive iPhone application yet. I've watched this one with great interest since it was announced during Apple's iPhone 2.0 event in March, and it hasn't disappointed me now that it has finally been released.

The game itself is simple: guide a monkey in a ball through 3-D levels while picking up bananas along the way without falling over a ledge. This simple premise hides the true challenge of the game: navigating said monkey using just the iPhone's accelerometer. You move the phone around to move the monkey.

The game's layout is easy to navigate, and the action is fun. Sporting over 100 levels, this game uses the accelerometers to great effect. The graphics and motion are surprisingly crisp and well done. There are several game modes included, from the Main Game option, to Instant Play and Practice. Start in Practice mode, as this game relies on a specific landscape angle to start, and there's no way to calibrate. Getting used to this specific position is key to enjoying the game, and you should know that the iPhone's accelerometer is very sensitive; wild, Wii-like movements aren't necessary.

Super Monkey Ball is what great, fun gaming is all about: simple enough to pick up and play; challenging enough to keep you coming back.