Nevermind Brickbreaker, the BlackBerry PlayBook is going to launch with some real games. EA Mobile has announced that racing game Need for Speed Undercover and classic puzzle title Tetris will both be included on the PlayBook at launch.
This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen Need for Speed on a BlackBerry, either; it was one of the demos RIM used when they first launched OpenGL on the BlackBerry OS. Need for Speed has also done the rounds on iOS and Android. Tetris is no doubt easier to port between platforms, and not only has official versions on iPhone, Windows Phone, and Android, but has spawned countless clones.
I’m still a little worried about the app selection for the PlayBook at launch. RIM is giving out devices to developers who get an app for the new QNX OS approved before launch, and some of the stuff that’s getting into App World look like the bare minimum needed to get the freebie. Luckily in addition to Need for Speed Underground, there are a few spotlight apps that seem well-polished and ready to show what the PlayBook can handle. There’s Quake, which we’ve only seen in a non-playable demo mode so far, and Poynt which, though only 2D, looks razor-sharp.
EA Mobile noted that “certain territorial restrictions may apply” to Need for Speed Underground and Tetris, which sounds like at worst, it’ll only be the U.S. getting these games, but I guess we’ll see. Both games will be demoed at Mobile World Congress next week, and we’ll be sure to show you how they run.
[via MarketWire]