SUNNYVALE, CA, United States – Here’s a slam dunk contest to get app fans all fired up. The NCAA basketball tournament is lifting off across America and already Kentucky, Syracuse and North Carolina have all earned top seeding in the three-week, 67-game competition known as March Madness. So we’ve put together an App Madness knockout contest to establish Nokia Conversations’ Number 1 Nokia Lumia seeded app. And you get to choose.
In the US, millions have filled out their brackets – picking which team they think will win the tournament. And we want you to do the same for us, by selecting which apps you think are the real winners.
If you need to research your choice and study the form, visit the Windows Phone Marketplace – and remember, you can try the apps before you buy on a Nokia Lumia phone. You’ll find over 70,000 apps on offer there.
We’ve taken 32 apps and divided them into four categories: games, social, news + entertainment and utilities + productivity. Be sure to check back each day after voting for your favorites from the selection and to see who is winning.
HERE’S THE FULL LINE UP FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS (PDF)
To kick off the voting, we’re going to start with games – an ever-popular category amongst Nokia Lumia owners. Under each pairing, select your favorite amongst the two choices below. We’ll take it from there. But stay tuned for more details of the competition – we’ll have loads of exciting news about the prize and updates. Now vote for your favorite social apps.
Gravity Guy
In a world where gravity laws were broken, a brave guy, was held captive for defying the rules. Not happy, he decided to escape, being the first one to run for his life flipping gravity at will.
He became known as the Gravity Guy.
Being chased by Gravity troops, Gravity Guy can’t stop, he has to keep running and it’s your job to guide him through an impossible world of mazes, flipping gravity when needed.
This fast paced and frustratingly addictive adventure features 30 challenging levels, and 3 different worlds, and guarantees you many long hours of fun!
Parachute Panic
In this unique casual game, you must help an army of parachutists land safely in the boats. Beware the imminent dangers, such as the rotor blades of passing helicopters, sharks, thunder clouds and UFOs.
Parachute Panic game contains beautiful hand-drawn graphics that give the game a stunning and distinctive look. There are also some comic animations when, for example, one of the skydivers breathes his last breath in a failed encounter with the enemy. Catchy acapella music and awesome sound effects enhance the game world. We had lots of fun creating this game and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Fruit Ninja
Swipe your finger across the screen to deliciously slash and splatter fruit like a true ninja warrior. Be careful of bombs – they are explosive to touch and will put a swift end to your juicy adventure!
Fruit Ninja also uses Xbox LIVE achievements, so players can unlock achievements and shoot for the top of the leaderboards while racking up gamer score points. Your success will also please the wise ninja Sensei, who will accompany your journey with wise words and fun fruit facts. Fruit Ninja is the messiest and most satisfying fruit game ever!
Plants vs. Zombies
Get ready to soil your plants — Plants vs. Zombies has come to life on Windows Phone! A mob of fun-loving zombies is about to invade your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants. Use peashooters, wall-nuts, cherry bombs and more to mulchify 26 types of zombies before they reach your front door. The fun never dies!
Angry Birds
Angry Birds by Rovio. The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs who stole the Birds’ eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the Angry Birds to lay waste to the pigs’ fortified constructions. Angry Birds features hours challenging, physics-based demolition gameplay, and lots of replay value. Each of the 225 levels requires logic, skill, and brute force to crush the enemy. Protect wildlife and play Angry Birds!
The Oregon Trail HD
The Oregon Trail HD is a unique strategy and educational game relating the first pioneers’ journey to Western America. It is based on a resource management formula already proven in the U.S., where the game is an actual icon for adults and kids. Just like the real pioneers, overcome the perilous journey to Oregon in America’s Wild West.
Assume the role of a wagon leader in a side-view journey where your strategic decisions must ensure the safety of your party along the treacherous Oregon Trail. You’re leaving your trace on a critical historical event for America!
Let’s Golf 2
Looking for a faster, more colorful and fun golf experience? Then this newest edition of the popular Let’s Golf 2 is just the thing you need for the most exciting golf adventure you’ll ever find!
A GAME WITH CHARACTER Liven up the sport with 8 fun characters, fully modeled in 3D. Customize your golfer with a selection of gear and clothes you can unlock to improve your skills. GOLF AROUND THE GLOBE Discover 108 holes of golf across 6 varied locations like Mount Olympus Golf Club, Aztec Temple, a Winter Wonderland in Greenland, a tree-filled Bavaria, the spectacular English Countryside and even the wild Royal Safari in Kenya. Each spot has its own challenges to overcome that grow in difficulty.
Wordament
Wordament is a unique kind of word game—a word tournament—where you are competing with the whole internet to be the best word searcher in every game. Every player is competing on the same board, in real-time, to get the highest score. Will you be the Wordament champion?
Photo credit: SD Dirk and Julie Rybarczyk