New iPad Games of the Week

Blizzard this week has released its latest Hearthstone expansion Journey to Un’Goro. The release not only unleashes 135 new prehistoric cards into the Hearthstone universe, but it also kicks off the Year of the Mammoth card rotation. Journey to Un’Goro card packs can now be purchased from the in-game Shop for gold or real-world currency, or won as quest rewards or prizes in the Arena. You can learn more about the world of Un’Goro and all the new Hearthstone cards here.

MLB Manager 2017 has landed on the App Store just in time for Opening Day. The newest version of the popular simulator comes with an updated UI, and all the 2017 Opening Day MLB rosters, including top prospects. MLB fans can guide their favorite MLB franchise to the World Series by managing their roster with trades and controlling in-game match-ups. MLB Manager 2017 is available now for $4.99.

The new fighting game Power Rangers: Legacy Wars has landed on the App Store just in time for the Power Rangers reboot which hits theaters today. Legacy Wars allows fans to play as a variety of legendary Rangers and villains from Angel Grove and beyond.

It was a big week for the App Store. Not only did Apple unveil a new store front highlighting indie games, but quite a few interesting titles were released for iOS devices. Capcom ported two of its arcade classics, 1942 and Ghosts'n Goblins, to mobile devices. Both notoriously difficult games were updated with a "casual mode" for easier game play and new touch controls. The World War 2 vertical shooter 1942 is available for $1.99 and Ghosts'n Goblins is only $0.99.

Marvel: Contest of Champions players are upset with Netmarble after the company acquired the game's developer Kabam. The uproar came after Kamam issued an update to the game that nerfed a number of heroes, and made other changes to even the playing field. The fans behind the "#BoycottMCOC Movement" have even sent out a press release, which you can read in its entirety here.

Kabam did apologize for the changes and a new update is in the works, but some fans do not believe they will address all the problems. You can read more about the MCOC controversy here, and learn why some fans are skeptical that their demands will be met.

Ellen DeGeneres has released her second(?) title to the App Store. The new game called Dice with Ellen allows players to compete against Ellen herself in Yahtzee-like matches to win prizes. Players can challenge other Ellen fans from around the world, compete in dice tournaments, or try to beat Ellen’s score in Ellen’s Lucky Dice Challenge. Other features include dice customization, Facebook support so you can go head-to-head against friends and family, in-game chats, awards and achievements.

Dice with Ellen is available for free on the App Store.

After soft launching in New Zealand, Atari's latest RollerCoaster Tycoon title has landed on the US App Store. Unlike the recently released RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic, which was released as a premium title, RCT Touch is free to play with IAPs. In Touch, you must purchase and open card packs to build your theme park. The game features a coaster builder and track editor, missions to complete, and the ability to collect new cards to get different "coasters, rides, scenery and missions for your park," according to the App Store description.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch is available now on the App Store for all devices running iOS 9.0 or later.

As promised, Pokémon GO has been updated with over 80 new Pokémon from the Johto region. After a quick update, Pokémon trainers can now catch second generation Pokémon, and take advantage of new evolutions. The update also includes new Pinap and Nanab Berries, and new evolution items in PokeStops to evolve Seadra, Scyther, Porygon2, Onix, Slowpoke, and Poliwhirl.

The new version of Pokémon GO is available for free on the Apple App Store.

Hitcents.com has released The Godfather Game based on the classic 1972 gangster film starring Marlon Brando. The Godfather is a freemium title where you play as a devoted Underboss in the Corleone family. The goal of the game is to help "carry out the Corleones’ dirty deeds and fight for the honor and respect of the most powerful Family in New York City." You do this by enlisting Capos and Soldiers to settle any misunderstandings, and by making the right allies while developing your estate. The Godfather Game is basically another free building title cashing in on another popular franchise. It's available on the App Store for free.

After a very long wait Fire Emblem Heroes has finally arrived on the US Apple App Store and Google Play. Nintendo decided to go with a free-to-play model instead of launching the RPG as a premium title, like it did with Super Mario Run. Heroes is a story-driven, turn-based battle game with simple touch-screen swipe controls. You can read a more in-depth review here, and download the second Nintendo mobile title here.

Nintendo this week also announced that its third iOS game, Animal Crossing will be delayed until at least April. Animal Crossing may be the last title Nintendo releases for smart-devices in 2017.