Here’s something for nostalgia’s sake.

It’s Wolfenstein3D from 1991! Only it’s better since you now get a map! No more aimlessly wandering identical halls for the intrepid Nazi hunter. Considering it’s played on a touchpad, it’s pretty easy to play, and the movement is very similar in speed and sensitivity as on a keyboard. As expected, the gameplay isn’t as seamless and effortless as with a keyboard or keyboard and mouse, but it works surprisingly well. Id software is aware of the possible touchpad awkwardness and has lowered the difficulty, though the option for difficulty settings has remained (the classic “Can I play, Daddy” up to the ridiculously difficult “I am Death Incarnate!”), so the overall package is excellent.

The only sore spot? I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR AN 18 YEAR OLD GAME. You can fairly get it for free on the PC, as well as id software’s Doom games and the first three Quake games (technically this is not true since it is the source code for the games; you would need a software complier – which I do – and then wait for the code to be complied in order to play). Still, I say it’s a great way to kill time at airports and the like, running into pictures of Hitler, hearing silly MIDI sound effects, and listening to the death cries of “Mein Lieben!”

For those of you unfamiliar with Castle Wolfenstein 3D it was created in 1991 by id Software, a PC game behemoth that later created the widely popular and pivotal Doom and Quake series, and is often credited with popularizing the first person perspective shooter game. It was one of the first games to utilize gameplay in a pseudo-three dimensional format and therefore ignited a wave of revolution among computer gaming. Due to the violent nature of the game, it also ignited a wave of controversy, and was even banned in Germany due to the severely anti-Nazi visuals throughout the game; pictures of Hitler are common sights throughout, and the whole point of the game is to kill Nazis as you try to escape from the maze-like contraption that is Castle Wolfenstein. There is a detailed storyline that goes along with the game, including your character’s name and background, but such details are usually overlooked – even by me, I admit – when you’re too busy shooting silly pixilated characters and eating turkey dishes for health points.

Despite having to pay the $1.99 for such an old game, it was worth it for sheer nostalgia, and for a change of pace from all those free iPhone apps that are simply variations of the same block building, block dissolving or puzzle solving game. Castle Wolfenstein 3D for the iPhone is a real game, in all its full glory, ready for you to take the helm and entertain yourself to oblivion.