New and rising games for your Windows Phone

Windows Phone Central Game Roundup: New and Rising Games

We're turning the spotlight on to a few New and Rising Games from over in the Windows Phone Store in this week's roundup.

These are games that have caught the attention of Microsoft and Windows Phone users, earning them the distinction in the Windows Phone Store. This week we take a look at two racing games, a destroy the zombies game and a game that will test your concentration and patience.

Prison Break Rush (free): Sometimes the simplest games can be the most challenging. Prison Break Rush definitely meets the criteria of a simple game but it will test your concentration, reflexes and patience.

You play the role of a prisoner set on escaping. You have a "To Do" list that must be completed before you can break out. You have fourteen days to complete your list and escape.

Game play to accomplish each task has you tapping and holding the screen while the prison guard is not in sight. A red progress bar rests above the cell door and when you've held the screen long enough, you advance to the next task. However, if the guard comes into sight while you're holding the screen, you lose a day. Lose all fourteen days and you're stuck in prison.

Graphics are simple, game play uniquely challenging, and Prison Break Rush is worth a try. You'll be surprised that glancing away from the screen for just a second can be enough to allow the guards to catch you in the act.

Prison Break Rush is a free game for Windows Phone 8 and 7.x devices. You can find Prison Break Rush here in the Windows Phone Store.

AE 3D Moto - The Lost City (free): AE 3D Moto - The Lost City is a fast paced motorcycle racing game that pits you against the world.

You steer your motorcycle by tilting your Windows Phone left or right and tap the screen to hit the accelerator. The goal is to dodge traffic and collect coins, gems, puzzle pieces and other bonus items along the way. The further you go, the faster you get and the more congested traffic becomes.

AE 3D Moto - The Lost City has four motorcycles to race and your coins and gems collected can be used to upgrade your motorcycle fleet. If you need to get a jump on things, you can always buy coins or gems through in-app purchases.

Graphics have a bit of pop, game play can get rather challenging and overall AE 3D Moto - The Lost City is a nice Windows Phone game to pass the time with.

AE 3D Moto - The Lost City is a free game for your Windows Phone 7.x and 8 device. You can pick it up here in the Windows Phone Store.

Blondies Killing Zombies (free): With Blondies Killing Zombies you have a physics-based, 2D motorcycle game where you race to escape the city and avoid the zombie onslaught. Your motorcycle riders are all female, who are apparently immune from the zombie plague.

On screen controls provide breaking, acceleration, and balance for your motorcycle rider. As you navigate through the various levels of the game, you have to keep your balance on the motorcycle and run over the zombies. A portal drops you into the level of play and you have to survive racing the track to make it to the portal that will let you exit the level.

The game has a selection of female motorcycle riders and motorcycles that become unlocked as you progress through the game. The game includes a built-in track editor with the ability to share your tracks as well as download other user-created tracks.

Blondies Killing Zombies has an odd sort of appeal that keeps you coming back for more zombie destruction. Blondies Killing Zombies is a free game for your Windows Phone 7.x and 8 devices that you can find here in the Windows Phone Store.

Starship Racers (trial/$.99): Starship Racers is a racing game for your Windows Phone with a bit of a combat twist. It's not a demolition derby styled racing game but you can blast your competition with laser cannons.

You control your racer with tilt steering or an on-screen D-pad, with acceleration and weapons control done through on-screen controls. Starship Racers has six starship models that are progressively unlocked and can be customized prior to each race. there are six race tracks that are also progressively unlocked as you play Starship Racers.

As you complete the races, you earn cash that can be used with the starship upgrades/customizations. Obviously, the goal is to win each race. Your results are compiled on an online leaderboard.

Gaming controls are nicely responsive in using the tilt controls but the D-Pad controls feel a little cumbersome. Graphics and animations have a Tron like feel (okay... maybe that's a reach) and aren't too shabby. Overall, Starship Racers comes across as an appealing Windows Phone racing game.

There is a trial version available for Starship Racers that limits you to one starship style and two tracks. The full version is running $.99 and you can find Starship Racers here in the Windows Phone Store.

The New and Rising Game category is full of hidden gems and hit titles just lying in wait. We picked out four games that have potential and are easily worth trying.

If you've run across a new and rising gaming title that you'd recommend, sound off in the comments below.