It was widely reported that Apple's App Store downloads jumped over 1,000 percent on Christmas Day and that for the first time, iPod touch app downloads outpaced iPhone App downloads. While this is all certainly good news for Apple, App Developers and the platform as a whole, it's a telling sign that companies like Sony and Nintendo should be very afraid. 

The Handheld Gaming Pricing Model has changed!

The reason that these two gaming giants should be afraid is that they have built their handheld gaming businesses on a model that includes selling a moderately priced device and charging a significant price on games.

A quick look at bestbuy.com reveals that the lowest priced game for the Nintendo DS is $9.99.

However, their best selling games are starting at $19.99. Now you could look at this and say that people will spend more for a game that they really like and there's probably some truth to that. However, the games for the iPod touch range anywhere from FREE to $1.99 on average with $9.99 being considered to be an "expensive game." 

Top Games for the iPod touch and iPhone

The most expensive game of the Top 10 Paid games is $9.99 for Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies. The second most expensive was $6.99 and on down from there.

Parents are starting to realize that if they get their kids an iPod touch it may cost a little more (not a ton more) up front, but they'll save money in the long run on the games themselves. Not to mention that the iPod touch is much more capable device than either the Sony PSP or Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS and Sony PSP start at $169.99. The Nintendo DS Lite starts at $129.99. The 8GB iPod touch starts at $179.99!

The Bottom Line

The iPod touch and App Store combination is literally a "game" changer. This model of low cost games is proving to be wildly successful. For reviews on iPod touch and iPhone Apps (not just games ) head over to my new site: bestappsite.com.

I don't review a lot of games here because I'm not much of a gamer. So when I do it's usually something that's pretty fun. This is one of those times. My family was really interested in the Just Dance game for the Nintendo Wii so I ordered it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A10khGHrQ0c

What's the Object of the Game?

Like the title says: Just Dance. While the game does offer some competitive features so that you challenge your friends, you don't have to go that route. You can just queue a good tune (nice 80's songs built-in) and Just Dance. Although I didn't actually play this, I was rolling on the floor laughing at family members who did. Not that they couldn't dance mind you, it was just fun watching some of the more old school dances on screen and watching people trying to mimic the moves. You can have up to four dancers going at once (1 controller per dancer required.) There 35 different dance songs to choose from and each song has its own animated avatar on screen to show you the moves. By holding a Wiimote in your hand it can determine if you're doing the moves correctly. 

If you do decide to have your own dance off, Just Dance will award the most points to the person who does the dance more accurately than the others. If you're using this as a workout I strongly suggest using the built-in warmup routine.

It's a lot of fun and of course anything that gets you up off that couch every now and then is a good thing.

If you have a Wii and want to have a lot of laughs, I highly recommend this game. It should also be a ball at parties. I can only imagine how much fun this gets after people have had a drink or two.

You can get Just Dance for the Wii here ON SALE. Also if you need a Nintendo Wii Game Console, you can get one here.

The Wii fit board is NOT required. It simply uses the standard game controllers to tell if you're doing the moves correctly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YTtLu5JO7o