Given the number of perfectly good Bejeweled clones lurking in the iTunes Store, it's impressive to find one, like Smiles, that goes its own way by changing just one rule.
Smiles
For: iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad (separate version)
From: Sykhronics Entertainment
iTunes Store rating: 4+
Price: $US2 ($NZ2.70), subject to change.
As with its ilk, the object of Smiles is to match rows of three or more identical blocks.
The difference is that instead of switching two blocks around within the grid, players must swap in a block from outside the grid to match three and then use the block they just swapped out as the next block to swap in.
There's a loss of strategy in always having to use a particular block, but Smiles counters that by encouraging players to think quickly and keep the board constantly in motion while the score multiplier rockets upward.
The fast pace of the main game mode is a surprisingly fun departure from Bejeweled proper, and a nice level of polish - both in the presentation and the responsiveness of the controls -makes it work.
For a change of pace, Smiles includes additional variants, including an outstanding Zen mode that changes the game in the complete opposite way by once again hitting just one switch.
The lack of online leaderboards is disappointing, particularly in light of how slick the score- and stat-tracking systems are, but an absolutely gargantuan mountain of unlockable achievements gives dedicated players plenty to shoot for regardless.
