Doodle Jump was one of the first Xbox Live titles to be released, and it continues to be a popular game on many platforms. And now it's here for Windows Phone 8. Except the new Windows Phone 8 version is not an Xbox Live title, but has been released directly by Lima Sky. That means there's no Xbox Live achievements, there's no additional integration with your gamer profile, and any high scores and settings you might have earned in the previous version.
It also means that if you bought the title on Windows Phone 7 and have moved up to Windows Phone 8, you'll have to buy the app again. Given the work that has gone in to the update, I don't think it's too much to ask for the minimum price banding in the Windows Store (79p/99c). I think that a lack of a trial version is a mis-step. Even with a big named title, I think that users want to check what they're buying first.
Here's the thing that I find worrying. Doodle Jump should have been a shoo-in for Xbox Live branding on Windows Phone 8. Either Microsoft decided against it (in which case what exactly are they looking for in an Xbox Live title that Doodle Jump doesn't manage?), or Lima Sky decided that there were too many hoops and issues they would have to go through to make a success of Xbox Live. Either option is not promising for the ongoing gaming flagship of Windows Phone.
The indie route is one that more developers are using - Rovio's Angry Birds releases on Windows Phone 7 have been under the Rovio banner, as opposed to Xbox Live. It's going to be interesting to see who goes down the indie route, and who goes Xbox Live, for the rest of 2013.
Anyway, Doodle Jump is in the Windows Store:
Journey up a sheet of graph paper, perpetually jumping from one platform to the next, picking up jet packs, avoiding black holes, and blasting baddies with nose balls along the way. Laugh with delight as you blow past other players' actual score markers scribbled in the margins. And be warned: this game is insanely addictive!
- Many fantastical worlds to play in - Space, Jungle, Soccer, Underwater, Snow, Halloween, Ice, Easter, and now ninja!
- Awesome power-ups to pick-up (jet packs, propeller hats, rockets, trampolines...)
- Trippy obstacles to avoid (UFOs, black holes, and many, many monstrous monsters)
- Mad platforms to jump on (Broken, moving, disappearing, shifting, exploding…)
- Global leader boards, fun achievements! Beat your friends’ scores!
The app is available to purchase now, with 720p graphics, smoother graphics, and polished code. Head over to the AAWP App Directory to get started.