The lack of buttons on the iPhone hasn't stopped a number of developers from making games requiring them, including vintage-style platforming games (we're talking "Commander Keen" here) that appear to be leading a healthy lifestyle on the application store. Read more...

Nintendo was doing touch screen gaming before it was cool and rumors contend Sony is playing with similar tech for the next PSP, but a new Apple patent giving the company rights to certain gestural controls could signal a roadblock for companies looking at touch screens in future devices. Read more...

There are thousands of games on Apple's application store for the iPhone and iPod Touch, many of them simply variations on one another at different price points, which is why we're kicking off a weekly column at MTV Multiplayer, which debuted on MTV News, with our 5 favorite games for the device so far. Read more...

Only a handful of iPhone games were scattered on the show floor at San Francisco's MacWorld this week, but that didn't stop other games -- like "Rock Band" -- from showing elsewhere. And, of course, who doesn't love the car from "Back to the Future"?

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Well, almost live. I recorded this while sitting on the floor of MacWorld 2009 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, same as the Game Developers Conference. Today's video is later than usual due to unexpected technical difficulties. Look for tomorrow's at noon EST (we hope!).

(Videos not viewable by users logging in from Canada or the U.K.)

Apple declared iPhone the "best portable device for playing games" in September, touting several impressive games like "Need For Speed: Undercover." At their MacWorld keynote this morning, however, the company made no mention of iPhone gaming. This is Apple's last MacWorld appearance.

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Games have become one of the most popular use of the iPhone* in 2008, thanks to the launch of an application store.

In just a few months, the iPhone has become a gaming handheld to be reckoned with, uttered by some in the same breath as the Nintendo DS.

While day-to-day charts give us a glimpse into what people are buying for the device, Apple has just released the most downloaded applications of 2008.

"Texas Hold 'Em," "Moto Chaser," "Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D," Super Monkey Ball," "Cro-Mag Rally," and "Enigmo" took spots in the top paid applications period, across all iPhone applications, while "Tap Tap Revenge" was the first most popular free application that was a game.

But games specifically, what were people interested in playing on their iPhone this year? Apple divided the list into the ten top paid and ten top free games.

*When we say iPhone, we also mean iPod Touch, unless noted.

Top 10 Paid Games:

1. Texas Hold’em
2. Moto Chaser
3. Crash Bandicoot: Nitro Kart 3d
4. Super Monkey Ball
5. Cro-Mag Rally

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Apple called out Nintendo and Sony during their press conference this morning.

While showing a new line of iPods, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a commercial for the iPod Touch touting it's "the best portable device for playing games," reports Engadget.

It's worth noting that Apple did not demonstrate today's games on the iPhone (which the games also work on) or say it's the best mobile device for games. Jobs and co. are throwing the iPhone and iPod Touch into the same arena as the DS and PSP.

We already asked both Nintendo and Sony what they think of Apple's new gaming platform, but neither acknowledged the company as a direct competitor. But with over 3,000 applications available on iTunes -- 718 of which are games, and increasing every day -- that might be changing.

What do you make of Apple's statement?

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Readers, I've been lying to you. I just didn't know it.

I've reported that extensive online multiplayer on the iPhone couldn't happen because Apple hasn't released the tools, leaving creators to only offer multiplayer over a single shared Wi-Fi access point. That's true. But it doesn't mean full-featured multiplayer isn't possible.

iPhone developer Ian Gordon and his team at 3against2 pulled it off more than a month ago with official application "Versus Chess," which is capable of multiplayer over EDGE, 3G and Wi-Fi. It even has skill-based matchmaking!

"There are no proper online multiplayer development libraries in place," Gordon told me. "We actually ended up writing our own. No trickery, just a lot of coding and a somewhat excessive caffeine habit."

The makers of EA's "Scrabble" appears to be relying on Apple eventually providing a backend. "I'm not sure why Apple and EA haven't rolled out there own online multiplayer capabilities," continued Gordon. "But I would guess because of the infrastructure requirements (servers, hosting, bandwidth) and complexity."

I haven't had a chance to try "Versus Chess" myself, but the iTunes reviews are solid. Will more developers step up to the challenge?

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Some disappointing news, iPhone "Scrabble" fans.

Electronic Arts showed online multiplayer for  "Scrabble" last week at a studio showcase for press, but...I discovered players must be connected to the same Wi-Fi point to play.

My dream of playing "Scrabble" against my girlfriend while we're each at work is dashed for now.

An EA representative told me the development libraries to make more robust multiplayer features are not yet available from Apple. When they are, however, EA will see what they can do.

The multiplayer that is there works just fine, though. If all you're looking for is local Wi-Fi, the free update, coming later this fall, will suit you just fine.