Buganoids, the last free game developed by Backflip Studios this summer is Backflip‘s “homage to a mispent youth in the video arcades of the early 80′s”. This new free game by Backflip Studios is a retro, circumnavigational game (made up a new word there) where you as an astronaut are circling round a planet, firing all manner of weapons to fight off the emerging army of bugs, ascending from below.

You control your little guy by using very arcade-like virtual buttons on the bottom of the screen. The controls are not the best, but works great with the retro style. The graphics are also not to my taste but will definitely appeal to old-school gamers who used to play Space Invaders on dated arcade machines. However, despite these details, the game itself plays well and is described as ‘”Tempest” meets “Centipede” with a dash of “Gyruss” thrown in’. The focus of the game is more mindless fun rather than a serious challenge and there is much less emphasis on gaining a high score, but instead on the unique and fun retro feel.

I also love the many different weapons and the suitably unique enemies for which you discover throughout the game. For example, the tortoise at times hides beneath its shell which deflects any shot back at you, and the long centipede separates into two once hit, unless you hit the head. The weaponry is also a neat touch with a rocket, flamethrower and laser bundled in.

You shoot vertically downwards, which proves to be a challenge to master.

Even though the game is free, it is accompanied by ads, all of which for Backflip’s other games. You can then get rid of the ads for $0.99/£0.59 if you wish.

Overall the game is very fun, and will go down well with retro/arcade fans, even if it is not my particular taste. Especially as it’s free!

If this appeals then why not try out Backflip Studios other free offerings: Ninjump, Graffiti Ball (currently in top 50 free games), and Strike Knight.

In other related Backflip news, Ninjump HD, Paper Toss: World Tour HD and Ragdoll Blaster 2 HD (with 30 extra iPad specific levels) are all scheduled to make their appearance on the daddy of all iPhone’s. Also, a game developed by Backflip “in tandem with MGM Studios based on the cult classic Army of Darkness” is also going to make its appearance on the iPhone and iPod Touch early 2011. Last of all the popular Facebook game, Mahjong: Dimensions, is making its debut October 7th. Exciting stuff!

Buganoids on the App Store.