Pros: Canabalt excels in the simplicity and elegance of running and jumping. The entire game is controlled with one tap of the screen. You must...

Cons: The updated iPhone version added extra obstacles that marred the purity of the original game. The sudden appearance of small islands to hop...

Pros: Canabalt excels in the simplicity and elegance of running and jumping. The entire game is controlled with one tap of the screen. You must run and jump across a series of randomly generated rooftops and cranes, always striving to go longer and further for a higher score. As you make each jump your running speed increases making it harder to land each jump as you skip over each roof.

A layer of complexity is added by the obstacles that litter your path. Hitting a box will slow your speed down which in some cases means you will not be going fast enough to make an upcoming jump but means that if you are going uncontrollably fast, hitting a box can act as a welcome speed reduction and will allow you to regain some precision in your jumps.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the game is the freedom to create your own narrative. Who is this man sprinting across the rooftops? As huge robots ravage the cityscape in the background you are left to wonder, are you fleeing? Are you running to save the love of your life? Are you delivering a communique that will help turn the war in our favour? This draws you in and intoxicates you.

Canabalt is a perfect portable game. It is played in short bursts that require extreme skill and high execution. Picking it up will solve any frustrations of having to wait in line, having nothing to do on the toilet or waiting to get served at the bar.

Cons: The updated iPhone version added extra obstacles that marred the purity of the original game. The sudden appearance of small islands to hop on is hellishly frustrating and makes you wish you could roll back versions.