Sonic the Hedgehog, Peggle games released for iPod

Apple through its iTunes Store on Tuesday began offering customers two new games for its latest iPod, iPod classic and iPod nano digital media players — Sega's widely popular Sonic the Hedgehog and PopCap's heavily downloaded Peggle.

iTunes customers can purchase and download either title for themselves for $4.99 or click the "Gift This Game" button to send the game as a gift to a friend or family member. Both games require a third-generation iPod nano (2007), a fifth-generation iPod (2006 and 2007), or an iPod classic (2007), but cannot be played on the computer or any other iPod model.

Sonic The Hedgehog

Sonic The Hedgehog was originally introduced in 1991 for Sega's Genesis console system and has since become one of the most popular video game franchises in history, selling well over 45 million copies.

The version released Tuesday has been designed specifically for the iPod and is available on the 22 iTunes Stores around the world.

"Rocket Sonic, the fastest blue hedgehog on earth, through hair-raising loop-de-loops and dizzying dives past bubbling lava, waterfalls and on as you gather up Rings and stop Dr. Eggman's schemes for world domination," reads a description of the game. "The mad doctor has turned all of Sonic's friends into mechanical monsters, and it's up to the legendary 'blue blur' to save them."

Peggle

Meanwhile, PopCap said that it's Peggle title has been downloaded more than 10 million times on the Web since its introduction in March, prompting the developer to accelerate development of the iPod version.

Peggle utilizes the iPod's clickwheel and sharp high-resolution display, and also offers players the ability to listen to their own personal music playlists while enjoying the game.

The iPod version of Peggle includes all 55 levels, 10 magical powers and 75 Grand Master challenges, as well as the two-player Duel Mode, of the PC and Macintosh original.

"The clickwheel input of the iPod is a natural fit for controlling Peggle, so we knew this adaptation of the game would be amazing," said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of PopCap. "And with the Duel Mode included, two players can pass the iPod back and forth while battling their way to Extreme Fever!"

In Peggle, players fire a metallic silver ball from the top of the screen, relying on gravity to propel the ball downwards while it ricochets off orange and blue "pegs". The goal is to clear all the orange pegs from the screen before running out of balls. A moving "bucket" at the bottom of the screen offers free balls, while green power-up pegs give the player one of ten different abilities courtesy of the ten "Peggle Masters" who guide players through the game. These power-ups include explosive area-clearing blasts, lobster claws which serve as pinball-type flippers, and "fireballs" that cut through all pegs in their path.