Monkey business with the iPhone 3G

There’s a lot you can do while you’re waiting to get your iPhone 3G. You can browse the enterprise applications on the Apple App Store, for example. Or you can check out the games. I received a press release for one last week:

Griptonite Games today announced its exclusive Chimps Ahoy! game will be available on the Apple App Store at launch on July 11. Chimps Ahoy! is an all new, original, pick-up-and-play, arcade style game that is priced at $9.99 and available July 11 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at http://www.itunes.com/appstore/

“We’re excited to take advantage of the Apple App Store and offer Chimps Ahoy! to all iPhone and iPod touch users,” said Griptonite Studio Head, J.C. Connors. “Chimps Ahoy! is a super fun, humorous game that’s perfect for gaming on the go.”

Thieving Ninjas have stolen all of the Chimps’ bananas, so they must join up with the Pirates, working their way up through the ranks to finally confront the Ninjas and reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Taking full advantage of the platforms’ touch screen capabilities, Chimps Ahoy! features fast, arcade-style action and a cute, quirky art style. Players take control of two chimps on either side of the screen and are tasked with bouncing coconuts between the two to break gems, pick-up power-ups and knock out enemies.

The game features 100 levels full of a variety of enemies and items at which to aim your coconuts. Power-ups like double coconuts and giant beach ball shots add to the action, while unlockable rewards like achievement medals and articles of clothing for the Chimps add replayability.

By a strange coincidence, Sega offers a game called Super Monkey Ball for the iPhone as well. Why is there so much focus on simians, I wonder?