I recently downloaded an app that has become an addiction. This app is called Skee-Ball from the iTunes App Store for $0.99. It reminds me of the good old days when I would go to the arcade and spend almost all my money tossing the heavy ball to gather a bunch of tickets to redeem for useless prizes. But it wasn’t the prizes that caused my addiction; it was winning as many tickets as I could. The more tickets I earned meant better prizes to choose from. This game simulates that experience.

Once you open the app, your addiction begins. On the main screen, you will see a ticker like bar displaying the number of tickets you currently have, All Time high scores, Redeem (where you redeem your tickets for items), and Loot (your items you have redeemed tickets for). To start playing, you click on ‘Play’ to start a new game. The game opens with a ramp, which leads to seven numbered holes (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 in the middle and two 100 point holes on the sides). On the top of the screen, you will see your score (as you make points), Balls (displaying how many balls are left), and Bonus (basically the level you are playing). The goal is to try to make your ball into the highest numbered holes to obtain higher points. You do this by either flicking your finger up the ramp (screen) aiming towards the direction you want the ball to go. Once it is rolling, you can move your iPhone to try to get the ball to go in your desired hole. You can also hold your thumb on the device and give it a flick with your wrist, tilting it to give the ball a spin (this method is too hard for me). Occasionally, you will see one of the holes light up. When you see this, you want to try to make the ball in that hole for extra points, which in turn, earns you extra tickets. The higher your score, the more tickets you receive.  When you finish a round, the screen will display Skill Star Bonus at the top, your All-Time High Score, Your Score for the current game, Tickets obtained in the current game, Total Tickets you have. Then, at the bottom, you can click on either ‘Done’ to return to the main screen or ‘More’ to play another round.  Once you are back on the main screen, you can redeem your tickets by clicking on ‘Redeem.’ You can choose from things like different styled balls (which can be used in the game), or things like a Peruvian Flute band CD, the Eternity Code, pinktoe tarantula, fake mustache, oversized cowboy hat, and many other useless items that you can brag to a friend about via email. All you have to do to obtain these items is have the required amount of tickets to exchange for the item you want. When you click on the ‘Loot’ button, you will see all of the items you have in a bookshelf setting displaying Custom Balls, Epic Prizes, Rare Prizes, and Common Prizes. I currently have many Epic, Rare and Common Prizes along with over 20 Custom Balls. That is how I became addicted to the game. I wanted different balls and would keep playing until I had enough tickets to redeem for the different balls. My favorite ball out of all the balls they offer is the Brewster Ball. It seems to be more accurate, but maybe it is all in my head.

To download this app, click on the iTunes App Store button to be directed to the location for this app in the iTunes Store. If anybody has played this game and has tips or tricks, or want to list their favorite prizes, feel free to leave a comment and share the wealth with our fellow readers.