As mobile Xbox gamers probably know, Halfbrick recently released a new version of Fruit Ninja and Square Enix’s Chaos Rings became available to all Windows Phone 8 users last week. Beyond that however, we aren’t aware of too many game developers with plans to support Xbox Windows Phone in the future. Microsoft has been dark on the subject all year, and nobody else is really talking…

Nobody except Gameloft, that is. Last year, the publisher announced 12 Xbox Windows Phone 8 games– 10 of which have launched so far. Today Gameloft has reaffirmed its commitment to mobile Windows platforms by promising 15 more games for Windows Phone and Windows 8! Only four new Windows Phone games have actually been revealed, but it’s exciting news regardless… especially for Windows 8, which will be seeing much more support from Gameloft in the near future.

Head past the break for exclusive details on today’s announcement!

Coming to Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 in 2013

As I just mentioned, Gameloft has largely been cool towards Windows 8 since the tablet and PC OS launched last year. The publisher has released only one game so far: physics puzzler Shark Dash. Arcade racer Asphalt 7: Heat is due out this month as well. After that, the 15 games in the announcement will follow.

News of those games coming to Windows Phone and Windows 8 would be great enough on its own, but it doesn’t stop there. Gameloft also promised that several of the announced games will feature cross-platform multiplayer between phone and tablet! We don’t know if Play/Pause/Resume support via cloud saves is on the table, but let’s hope so. And let’s also hope that hit MMORPG Order & Chaos Online makes its way to Windows 8 with cross-platform multiplayer. Dare we dream?

Asphalt 8: Airborne

Previous series entry Asphalt 7 made a huge splash on Windows Phone 8 for a variety of reasons. One, it was the first game for the platform to feature 3D impressive graphics and real-time online multiplayer. Two, it cost only a buck, ensuring a large online player base. And three, Asphalt 7 is one of the fastest, most intense racing games on Windows Phone.

Thankfully we’ll be getting the sequel as well, presumably with cross-platform multiplayer between Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. Asphalt 8 boasts the best mobile racing graphics yet, with new particle effects including dust, snow, and rain. That’s right, weather effects – and they will impact car handling. A new physics engine promises to provide more realistic handling to boot.

Asphalt 8 is set to include 8 brand new tracks and one returning track from the last game: Monaco. Online multiplayer returns with two new game types: Gate Drift and Infected. Multiplayer won’t be limited to real-time, either; this one adds asynchronous multiplayer to the mix. Asphalt 8 won’t be a sim-style racer, but it certainly should entertain arcade racing fans (like me!) for hours on end.

Despicable Me: Minion Rush

On top of cloning popular console and PC games, Gameloft also produces some quality licensed titles. Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, and Ice Age Village were all good-great games. Despicable Me: Minion Rush should maintain that same pedigree when it comes later this year.

As the name implies, Minion Rush is a 3D endless running game similar to Temple Run. It will be the first Xbox-enabled game of its kind on Windows Phone. Players will control one of the Cheeto-like Minions from the animated films as he dashes through the city and former supervillain Gru’s lab. Any good endless runner needs long-term goals to complete, and this one brings plenty. It promises tons of costumes and weapons to unlock and over 300 missions to complete.

Minion Rush has already been downloaded over 50 million times on other platforms. Let’s see how Windows Phone and Windows 8 can add to that tally. It will of course be free.

Dungeon Hunter 4

Windows Phone and Windows 8 aren’t exactly overflowing with action-RPGs; only The Harvest comes to mind. Soon the latest entry in the popular Dungeon Hunter series will take care of that problem. Players will take on the roles of amnesiac warriors who are forced to defend their kingdom from a demonic invasion. Think of it as a mobile clone of Diablo.

On top of a strong story and four playable classes, Dungeon Hunter 4 boasts strong combat, item crafting, and character customization. But most exciting of all are the four-player online co-op and PvP modes. This one should certainly give Order & Chaos Online players something to do while they wait for the next content update.

Dungeon Hunter 4 will be free to play. That’s mostly a good thing, especially as far as creating a large online player base. Expect more than a few encouragements to purchase premium currency though.

Total Conquest

This one is a clone of Clash of Clans, a popular iOS city building/RTS game that has yet to arrive to arrive on Windows platforms. It takes place during Roman times. Players must build and fortify their own city, populating it with citizens and gathering resources.

Unlike your average city building game, this one also has a strong focus on combat. You can hire a variety of warriors to join your army and then take them out to raid other villages. The combat happens in real-time, allowing players to direct their army in the heat of battle. Total Conquest should be a hit with history and strategy buffs.

Six Guns

We already knew Six Guns would be coming to Windows Phone 8. In fact, I’ve played the Windows Phone version and can testify to its greatness. The news today is that Six Guns will arrive on Windows 8 as well!

Six Guns closely resembles popular Wild West open-world console game Red Dead Redemption. You’ll play as a gunslinger who takes on missions for the citizens of frontier towns. The West is vast, so thankfully you can call a horse to ride at any time. A map and radar will aid in navigating those distances as well.

The combat will be easy for gamers accustomed to using a virtual stick and buttons. Auto-aim makes targeting a snap, and you can also lean against objects for cover. You won’t just be fighting NPC banditos, either. Like the game that inspired it, Six Guns has a full online multiplayer mode.

Six Guns will be free to play when it arrives on Windows platforms

Kingdoms & Lords

Again, Kingdoms & Lords was already announced for Windows Phone 8 and will now be coming to Windows 8 too.

This game resembles Total Conquest in that it blends city building with combat. But Kingdoms & Lords is a less serious, more mainstream game. The graphics are much cuter and medieval themed; and the combat resembles an RPG more than an RTS. It also has some social elements like challenging friends or coming to their aid when called.

Like most of the games announced today, Kingdoms & Lords will be free to play.

UNO & Friends

Were you disappointed that UNO & Friends for Windows Phone can’t play against other versions of the game? Well, now that it’s coming to Windows 8 we should have even more players to compete against.

UNO & Friends is a free online multiplayer version of the popular card game. Check out our recent review of the Windows Phone 8 version and you’ll know what to expect from the tablet/PC game. Hopefully Gameloft adds chat to both versions by the time the Windows 8 game rolls around!

Bright time ahead

Gameloft promised 15 new games for both Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8, but today they only revealed the seven titles above. The other eight games will arrive in 2014.

Update

Gameloft informed us today that most of these games will NOT be Xbox enabled. We'll have more details very soon.

Good news for those of you are who racing fans as Gameloft’s Asphalt 8: Airborne is now available for Windows Phone 8 devices. The bad news is it’s a massive 819 MB to download, meaning you’ll need even more to install. The worse news is the game is not an Xbox Live title, as Gameloft has evidently decided to eschew Microsoft’s rigorous certification.

The upside to being a non-Xbox Live title is that Gameloft can update and tweak the game as often as they want, and presumably they will. The other upside is this massive racer only costs $0.99 and yes, there is a free trial as well.

So what is Asphalt 8: Airborne? It’s a relatively new title to the Asphalt series, only launching on Android and iOS back in August. While that’s a three month delay between those platforms and Windows Phone, that is considerably less time that previous games, especially for Gameloft. Of course it did just drop in price to free on Android, but hey, we’ll take what we can get.

The game is fueled by a new graphics engine and features airborne stunt moves, bringing a new twist to the series. Indeed, as can be seen from the teaser trailer above, the graphics are nothing short of stunning. Other than that, the game packs a huge amount of gameplay, locations and cars.

LUXURY DREAM CARS

• 47 high-performance cars (80% of them NEW!)
• Top licensed manufacturers like Lamborghini & Ferrari
• Newly recorded high-fidelity car motor sounds for realistic audio immersion

GET AIRBORNE

• Hit the ramps and take the race above
• Perform barrel rolls and wild 360º jumps
• Maneuver through the air, pulling stunts while racing

NEW EXOTIC LOCATIONS

• Race in 9 different settings like Venice, Guiana & the Nevada Desert!
• Discover plenty of hidden shortcuts

NEW FEATURES FOR SPEED FREAKS

• 8 seasons & 180 events in Career mode
• A detailed damage system
• Check out the new Infected and Drift Gate game modes

SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLAYER & GHOST CHALLENGES

• Simultaneous multiplayer action for up to 8 real opponents!
• Dare friends to asynchronous races
• New leaderboards

MUSIC TO REV YOUR SOUL

• A heart-thumping mix of amazing licensed music for your game
• Featuring real tracks from Bloc Party, Mutemath & The Crystal Method!

Maybe they’re just hyping their own game a bit, but to our eyes that seems like quite the game, especially for $1.

We’re still downloading the massive game, as 819 MB can take some time even or Wi-Fi, so we can’t give any first impressions—we’ll leave those until later. For now, you can head to the Store here and download Asphalt 8: Airborne. 99 cents, free trial Windows Phone 8 only.

Also available for Windows 8 devices--Read more!

Thanks, Jason D., for the tip!

We just showed you guys that one of the most popular mobile racing franchises just came back to Windows Phone. That’s right, you can now download Asphalt 8: Airborne for Windows Phone 8 devices. But wait! There’s more. You can also get Asphalt 8: Airborne from Gameloft for Windows 8. So now you need make a decision – Do I get the Windows Phone or Windows 8 version of Asphalt 8?

Like Asphalt 7 before it, you can play the latest installment on whichever Windows device you want. Whether on your Surface 2 or Lumia 1520, you’ll be able to enjoy Asphalt 8. The bad news is that you’ll need to buy the game again, but it’s not too expensive considering what you get with it.

Asphalt 8 features a new graphics engine for the Asphalt series and brings a new feature – airborne stunts. With the game you’re getting killer graphics, tons of new locations and cars. Oh the cars. You have access to 48 licensed cars in the game, which are then divided into five tiers/classes. You’ll even find the new Tesla Model S in the game!

Gameplay is similar to the previous game on Windows 8. You’ve got touch controls, tilt/accelerometer controls, and keyboard controls. Pick you poison when it comes to whipping around the course at over 100mph.

Unfortunately like on Windows Phone, you’re not getting any Xbox Live integration with this title. But you are getting cool features like online multiplayer, local multiplayer, and more!

You can get Asphalt 8: Airborne in the Windows Store. It requires to 2GB of RAM on your Windows 8 machine and goes for $1.99. There is a trial if you’re not sure you want to commit to it, but you’ll want to in the end. 

*UPDATE* The winner is... Funky Cricket! Congratulations! Watch your email. *UPDATE*

The Asphalt franchise has long been one of my favorites when I'm in the mood for fast cars and hot competition. This week marked the release of Asphalt 8: Airborne, the latest edition to the series, for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8! With 47 high-performance luxury dream cars from all the top manufacturers, new exotic locations and 180 events, you are definitely going to want to check this game out right now! Keep reading for more details, and to see how you can enter to win a $100 Windows Store gift card!

If you're curious to see the game in action before you buy, Gameloft will be live streaming Asphalt 8 on a Surface RT today at 2pm PST. Not only will they be playing the game and answering questions, they are also giving away several $15 Windows Store gift cards to viewers! Make sure you check that out.

You can go ahead and pick up Asphalt 8: Airborne for Windows 8 for $1.99, and for Windows Phone for just $.99. You can expect to see the following features, all courtesy of a brand new physics engine.

LUXURY DREAM CARS

• 47 high-performance cars (80% of them NEW!)
• Top licensed manufacturers like Lamborghini & Ferrari
• Newly recorded high-fidelity car motor sounds for realistic audio immersion

GET AIRBORNE

• Hit the ramps and take the race above
• Perform barrel rolls and wild 360º jumps
• Maneuver through the air, pulling stunts while racing

NEW EXOTIC LOCATIONS

• Race in 9 different settings like Venice, Guiana & the Nevada Desert!
• Discover plenty of hidden shortcuts

NEW FEATURES FOR SPEED FREAKS

• 8 seasons & 180 events in Career mode
• A detailed damage system
• Check out the new Infected and Drift Gate game modes

SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLAYER & GHOST CHALLENGES

• Simultaneous multiplayer action for up to 8 real opponents!
• Dare friends to asynchronous races
• New leaderboards

MUSIC TO REV YOUR SOUL

• A heart-thumping mix of amazing licensed music for your game
• Featuring real tracks from Bloc Party, Mutemath & The Crystal Method!

So many awesome things! I can't wait to play. Gameloft is thrilled to be sharing this release with our readers, and wants to pass on some extra love. We have a $100 Windows Store gift card for one of you! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below (one per person, please) telling us your favorite thing about the Asphalt series, or what you're looking forward to most in Asphalt 8. Good luck!

The calm before the storm. That’s the best way to describe this past week in terms of apps and news for Windows Phone. We had a few big ones come, like Vine, but overall it was a pretty normal week for new apps coming, apps getting updated, and betas. Nonetheless, let’s look back at the highlights from this past week.

New

Vine – Probably the biggest new app this past week, Vine is now officially on Windows Phone. The app allows users to create six second video clips and share them to the social network. It’s another big win for the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem. Download it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

4oD – Here’s one our friends in the UK should enjoy. There’s now an official 4oD app in the Windows Phone Store. It allows access to video content from the UK public television broadcaster on your mobile device. Get access to some of your favorite shows by grabbing it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Nokia Refocus – We first saw Nokia Refocus in Abu Dhabi at Nokia World. The app allows users with a PureView phone to take a photo where you can later focus on any specific part. How does the magic work? By taking a few photos at once and using software to give you access to multiple focus spots in post. Get it from the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Blippar – Augmented reality advertising is now here on Windows Phone 8 with the launch of Blippar. The app gives you access to the Blippar platform where consumers can use the camera on their smartphone to interact with products and brands in unique ways. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Updated

Sleeve Music – We’ve covered Sleeve Music since its beta and it remains one of our favorite music companion apps on Windows Phone. The latest update gives the app a revamped UI and some new features. It’s available in the Windows Phone Store, so go get it. (Free).

UC Browser – Here’s one for fans of UC Browser. This week the popular browser alternative to Internet Explorer picks up some new features that make it pretty killer. Most notably is the ability to continue downloading files in the background. It’s on both Windows Phone 7.x and 8, so head to the Windows Phone Store to download. (Free)

GroupMe – It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a GroupMe update, so we were pleasantly surprised when it was this past week. The latest update to the popular cross-platform messaging service brings a host of new features and fixes, you should be seeing a big improvement in message deliveries for example. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Flixster – It finally happened with the latest update to Flixster. The app has gained support for UltraViolet movies. If you’ve been waiting to have access to your streaming video collection the latest update for Windows Phone brings it. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Beta

Youmigo – We’re big fans of startups that focus their development efforts on Windows Phone first. Youmigo is a new app/platform for Windows Phone 8 that aims to connect users around the world. It’s a hybrid between a new penpal service and the ability to ask locals in a specific region any question you want. It’s great and worth checking out. Join the beta today.

Games

EmiPSX – This is probably a first for Windows Phone. EmiPSX is an emulator for the original PlayStation that you can download today. Provided you’re familiar with emulators, this should give you access to the entire backlog of games from the PlayStation days. Download it from the Windows Phone Store today. (Trial/$2.49)

Asphalt 8: Airborne – One of the most popular mobile racing franchises finally get its latest installment on Windows Phone 8. Asphalt 8 will give racing fans a run for their money in the newest title. It’s highly addicting and available on both Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. Head to the Windows Phone Store or Windows Store to download it. (Trial/$0.99)

Have any favorite apps from this week we missed? List them below!

We're rounding off our Monday with a batch of small updates that have been pushed to the Windows Phone Store. While we all recover from a rather busy CES 2014 (for Windows 8 and beyond), platform developers are still releasing updates for all your installed apps. Today we'll be looking at Asphalt 8, DI.FM and Status Tiles. Head past the break for the details.

Asphalt 8: Airborne 1.0.0.1

If you're into racing games with superb graphics and immersive action to keep you occupied when on the move, you'll definitely want to check out Asphalt 8: Airborne from Gameloft. The title, while not Xbox Live enabled, boasts some exciting features and is available for less than one dollar. Should you already be an Asphalt series fan, this latest instalment comes with a new graphics engine and more.

What's new in the latest release? It's a minor version jump, which we believe to be only minor fixes. Some readers have stated that this update addresses some issues with purchases (let us know in the comments if you notice anything).

You can download Asphalt 8: Airborn from the Windows Phone Store for $0.99 (Windows Phone 8 only).

DI.FM 1.0.1.0

Fan of electronic music? DI.FM is your number one stop for the best tunes to blast through your speaker system (or headphones). The service provides unlimited streaming (with advertisements should you not have a premium subscription) with numerous categories to choose from, depending on what mood you're currently in.

Just like Asphalt 8, this update is a minor one and we expect there to be miscellaneous fixes and improvements.

You can download DI.FM from the Windows Phone Store.

Status Tiles 1.1

Attempting to quickly reach common settings, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data connectivity and more can prove tricky without shortcuts. Luckily there are some tools available on the store to help you with just that, one app being Status Tiles. This sweet little app enables you to pin settings you wish to have more convenient access to your Start screen. 

The latest update to Status Tiles removes the summary screen users were greeted with when backing out of an individual setting. It's a welcomed change, albeit a small alteration.

You can download Status Tiles from the Windows Phone Store for free.

Head on over to our forum to share updates you've noticed or be alerted to those you may have missed.

Asphalt 8: Airborne is a popular racing title available cross-platform, including both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The game was released on Microsoft's operating systems back in November of last year, but to kick off 2014 with a large burst of NOS, Gameloft have slashed the pricing of both listings to absolutely nothing. That's right, folks – you can now pick up the intense racer for free.

Whether you're a petrol head or simply enjoy hopping into the driver's seat every now and then, Asphalt 8: Airborne on your Windows 8 PC or Windows Phone device is a sweet experience indeed. The only downside to this superb title is the lack of Xbox Live support, but for a game which is now available for free, we're certainly not complaining.

You can grab Asphalt 8: Airborne from the Windows and Windows Phone stores. It requires to 2GB of RAM on your Windows 8 PC or just Windows Phone 8 if you're on your smartphone. Both games are now free. Thanks, Arpit, for the heads up!

We're half way through the week and while there are still numerous stories to break before the week ends, not to mention our own Windows 8 app and more, we've got an app update roundup for you all. Today we'll be covering Asphalt 8: Airborne from Gameloft, Nokia's Storyteller and AppQuiz. Head on past the break to see what's new.

Asphalt 8: Airborne 1.0.0.2 

Asphalt is a popular series of racing titles available cross-platform, including both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The latest instalment is one of the most intense and action-packed racing games you can download on Windows Phone and today we're looking at an minor update.

We're not entirely sure what's included in this latest release, but since it's a minor bump to 1.0.0.2, we'll assume there are bug fixes and performance improvements. It's well worth downloading if you haven't already got the game installed. 

You can download Asphalt 8: Airborne from the Windows Phone Store for free.

Nokia Storyteller Beta 1.8.1.10

​This awesome app from Nokia sorts through all your photos and automatically arranges them, using HERE services for data and categorisation. There's nothing worse than a messy album of galleries and Storyteller helps make this an issue of the past.

The app has been bumped to 1.8.1.10 and since there's no official announcement or changelog, we'll again have to go with minor fixes and improvements. Be sure to let us know in the comments should you notice anything new since updating.

Own a Lumia Windows Phone? Grab the Storyteller app from the Nokia Collection (Nokia Lumia Amber update required).

AppQuiz 1.2

Love your Windows Phone and all the apps installed that you use on a daily basis? If so, why not put your Windows Phone app knowledge to the test with AppQuiz? This sweet little title requires players to use letters available on-screen to work out the title of the disguised app icon (even Windows Phone Central is included). You can even find new apps you may not have been aware existed, making it a rather unique concept.

Version 1.2 adds the following:

• 100 new GREAT levels!
• Fixed bug in level 26
• Fixed bug in level 40

Fetch AppQuiz from the Windows Phone Store for free.

Thanks to everyone who tipped us on these updates!

Windows Phone Central Game Roundup: Car Racing Games

While there are plenty of games in the Windows Phone Store, racing games can be some of the more enjoyable genres available. Some are so intense you can feel the g-forces pulling at you as you take on a sharp curve or get sideswiped by a competitor.

This week’s Windows Phone Central roundup focuses on the top racing games that places you behind the wheel of a car. These games have you taking on drag strips, road courses and dirt tracks. They are great gaming titles to choose from for those times you have a little time to kill but strong enough if you want to pursue a racing career.

Paper Racer (trial/$1.99)

Paper Racer is an entertaining race game on the small scale. Racing is done from overhead and you have the ability to create your own race car (in a manner of speaking).

The game has sixteen race courses, an online leader board and three gaming modes that includes an online multiplayer race. Graphics are nicely done with doodle flair. The only drawback, which is typical of many of our Windows Phone racing games, is that the controls take a bit of time to get used to. The courses are open style (very few walls) so do not be surprised if you drift off the course while attempting a turn and find yourself in no-man’s land.

Along with the multiplayer games, Paper Racer has a career mode where you compete against a full field of racers to unlock the sixteen race courses. You also have a time trial game that is basically a quick race where you race against the clock to improve your position on the Global leaderboard.

Creating a car is a unique touch where you can doodle your own car, photograph it with your Windows Phone and import the drawing into the game.

Now to the controls, from the main menu Paper Racer has two styles of controls. The default control layout has a gas/brake pedals in the lower right corner and steering arrows in the lower left corner. The other two options will create a joystick that controls both acceleration and steering that can be positioned in the left or right corner. The joystick is the more challenging of the two control methods.

Paper Racer is not just a friendly day at the racetrack. You can cut off your opponents, crash into your opponents sending them off the track and collide with objects sending them into your opponents.

While Paper Racer takes a little time on the track to get a feel for your car, it is an entertaining and challenging option for your Windows Phone 8 device (including the low memory devices).

There is a free trial version available for Paper Racer while the full version is currently running $1.99. You can find Paper Racer here in the Windows Phone Store.

Asphalt 8: Airborne (free)

Asphalt 8: Airborne is a staple title when discussing the top Windows Phone racing games simply because it is such a good game. Graphics are top notch, controls are responsive to the touch, game play challenging enough to keep things from growing stale and there is plenty of gaming with the career and multiplayer modes.

All of the Asphalt series of racing games are nicely done but there is something about Asphalt 8 that hooks you. The slow motion impacts look cool, you find yourself leaning into the curves and when you hit the turbo boosts don’t be surprised if you lean back in your chair out of reflex.

The racing controls are simple and straightforward. Acceleration is automatic or manual and you can steer with on-screen controls or use your Windows Phone tilt sensors (recommended). I prefer the automatic acceleration to allow you to concentrate on the road and stunt ramps better. Oh, you also have a turbo boost available to give your car a little more “get-up and go”.

As you complete races, you will earn winnings that can be used in the garage to upgrade your car or buy new cars. While Asphalt 8: Airborne is a free game for Windows Phone 8, there is plenty of in-app purchase opportunities for credit packs and car packs.

All totaled, if you are looking for an exciting racing game there is no reason not to try Asphalt 8: Airborne. It is available for Windows Phone 8 and you can pick up your copy of Asphalt 8: Airborne here in the Windows Phone Store.

While the Windows Phone gaming experience is very good with Asphalt 8, there is a Windows 8 version (free) available here in the Windows Store that is a real joy to play on a tablet. I just wish your gaming progress was shared between devices.

Uber Racer (trial/$1.29)

Uber Racer has enjoyed decent success over on iOS and has recently joined the Windows Phone 8 lineup. This racing game is a little more grungy than the others with almost a Mad Max feel to things.

The storyline has you playing in world where humanity is running low on natural resources where you race to get the last drops of oil. Uber Racer has four races modes along with a career mode, all of which will keep you busy for some time. The ten racing environments have detailed graphics that matches the apocalyptic mood of the game rather nicely.

When you launch Uber Racer, you will be greeted with a 3D menu with options to access the game’s settings, launch your career, visit the garage and play a quick race. There are four quick racing modes that include a time trial, elimination, one vs. one and race.

As you complete races, you’ll earn funds that can be used to buy new cars or upgrade your existing racer. There are fifteen cars available that range from buggies to dirt track racers to trucks.

Game play is about as simple as it can get. Touch the screen anywhere to accelerate and you can choose between tilt steering or touch steering (left side turns left, right side turns right). You do have a brake pedal but you will rarely use it. Personally, I think the tilt steering is the best.

Courses often have multiple paths to follow and there is a slight demolition derby feel to the race. If an opponent looks like they are going to pass you, side swipe them and knock ‘em off course.

Uber Racer is a well drawn up Windows Phone 8 game that has plenty of challenges to conquer. There is a free trial version available with the full version of Uber Racer running $1.29. The game is available for Windows Phone 8 (showing available on my Lumia 520 as well) and you can pick up your copy of Uber Racer here in the Windows Phone Store.

Additionally, there is a Windows 8 version that goes by the handle Uber Racer-Sandstorm. This version of the game lacks a trial version with the full version running $1.29. You can find Uber Racer-Sandstorm here in the Windows Store.

Hot Rod Racers (free)

If the round track is not your cup of tea and you prefer the straight tracks, Hot Rod Racers is a Windows Phone 8 game well worth trying. You compete against other street racers and earn coins to upgrade and customize your cars to keep the competition in your rear view mirror.

Game play spans thirteen episodes with head to head racing challenges as well as time trials, obstacle courses and more. You play viewing your race car from behind and are tasked with shifting gears at the right moment to maintain your acceleration.

The added bonus to Hot Rod Racers is that you can control your left/right steering to cut off an opponent as they try to pass you or bump them in the rear to cause them to spin out. Just be careful because your opponent can do the same to you.

Hot Rod Racers is a free game, available for Windows Phone 8 devices (that includes the low-memory devices). You can pick up your copy of Hot Rod Racers here in the Windows Phone Store.

Feeling a need for speed?

So which one of these racing titles fills the need for speed the best? While I like the graphics with Paper Racer, the controls tend to hold this game back for me. Try as I may, I could never get a handle on steering the little paper race cars without crashing into something.

Hot Rod Racers is simply a fun game to play. Graphics are outstanding, controls simple and you have the added bonus of side swiping or cutting off your opponent as they try to pass you. Uber Racer is another well drawn up racing game but with more of a grunge or dirt track feel to it. It does take a little time to get used to the steering but it is a strong contender.

For me, the strongest choice for those looking for a quality racing game is Asphalt 8: Airborne. The graphic quality is outstanding, the game controls nice and responsive and the stunts you can pull while traveling way too fast will keep you at the edge of your chair. My only wish is that your progress would carry over to the Windows 8 version.

Asides from these four quality gaming choices, here is a small collection of racing games that are also worth consideration.

• Angry Birds Go! (free): While not your traditional racing game, Angry Birds Go! is a fun game to pass the time with. You may not be racing hot rods but the go-karts the birds and pigs race do the job rather nicely. The only downside is that some of the in-app purchase opportunities may make your jaw drop.(Store Link)
• Drag Racing (free): While Hot Rod Racers has you drag racing cars from a ‘behind the car’ view; Drag Racing approaches things from a side view. Add the ability to fine-tune your car’s engine performance and competition that will keep you on your toes and Drag Racing is a fun game for Windows Phone 8. (Store Link)
• 3D Brutal Chase (free): Race through the streets as a law enforcement officer in pursuit of the bad guy. (Store Link)
• Traffic Racer ($.99): Traffic Racer is an endless racing game that calls upon you to race through highway traffic, earn cash, upgrade your cars and buy new ones. Graphics are well presented and while not your typical street racing game, it’ll do just nicely. (Store Link)

I know we have probably missed one or two popular Windows Phone racing games this week. There is nothing nefarious about it, just so many quality titles it is hard to keep track of them all. If we have overlooked your favorite racing title, feel free to toss out your recommendation in the comments below.

Just this morning we listed Asphalt 8: Airborne as one of Windows Phone’s top racing games. Well, it just got better as today Gameloft has launched a major update for Asphalt 8 on both Windows Phone and Windows 8 and RT.

The new update adds a brand new location with six track variations, new racing events, lots of new sports cars, and music from bands who unfortunately aren’t Bad Religion or The Offspring. And remember, Asphalt 8 has been free to play on Windows platforms since January, so nobody needs to miss out on the arcade-style racing action. Head past the break for full details!

Asphalt 8 Year of the Horse update details

• We're celebrating the Year of the Horse by adding some horsepower to the game with a whole new Asian-inspired racing location! Discover the Great Wall with your McLaren P1, Ferrari Testarossa or any of the other new dream cars!
• Explore the Far East: Race through the gorgeous new Asian-inspired location, the Great Wall, which will provide 6 new tracks like you've never seen before -- but don’t get distracted by the beauty of the scenery or you might fall off the edge.
• New cars coming: Stay tuned as we'll regularly release amazing new cars, including the unique 2014 McLaren P1, along with the iconic Ferrari Testarossa, and the powerful Dodge Challenger! More of a cross-country racing fan? The mighty 2014 Ford F-150 is there for you too!
• Immersion at its finest: Get hyped for the ride of your life with a new soundtrack and way more to discover! New songs come from The Crystal Method, Band of Skulls, and Silversun pickups.
• Overall bug fixes and optimizations.
• Multiplayer matchmaking improvements.
• Leaderboard changes: inactive players drop off the global leaderboard after two weeks.

Neck and neck

Today’s update brings the Windows versions of Asphalt 8 totally in line with the Android version of the game. The iOS version, however retains one exclusive feature that didn’t make the cut on Windows platforms or Android:

• Twitch integration: Connect with the Asphalt community on Twitch.tv to broadcast your gameplay online, share your biggest stunts, or take a look at your rivals’ skills. Think you’re the best driver? Prove it with Twitch!

Twitch streaming relies on SDK support from Twitch.tv itself, so we shouldn’t expect to see it in Windows Phone and Windows 8 games until Twitch adds SDK support to our platforms of choice.

Asphalt 8 is an intense and beautiful racer, though of course the change to free to play also brought a bump in difficulty. Get it now and start earning those new cars! Remember, Windows Phone games need up to four times more free space than the game’s download size in order to install. Good thing the Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview added SD card support!

• Asphalt 8 – Windows Phone 8 – 946 MB – Free – Store Link
• Asphalt 8 – Windows 8 and RT – 1.5 GB – Free – Store Link

Thanks to Taras Buria for the tip!

It's a busy Friday in the world of Microsoft. We've just covered the finalization of Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia, but developers have also been busy pushing out updates to the Windows Phone Store. Today we'll be checking out what's new in Pepper, WeChat, among other apps.

Pepper

Pepper is a sweet app for music fans, available on both Windows Phone and Windows 8. The app for the mobile platform has just been bumped to version 1.7.8, introducing some new features to take advantage of Windows Phone 8.1, as well as some other bits and pieces.

Here's the full change log:

• Support for transparent tile in wp8.1 - Settings -> Device -> Tile
• Support for the UK app challenge.
• Support for links to instagram, pinterest, tumblr and bandcamp have been added to artist, venue and promoter profiles.

As well as the above list, there are also a handful of bug fixes included, mainly covering database synchronization and optimizing some features. Currently, Pepper supports the UK and the US.

• Download Pepper (3MB – free)

WeChat

WeChat is a popular communication and social networking app available for both Windows Phone 7 and 8. The service is generally seen to be more popular in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and India, though boasts over 300 million users spread around the globe. Today, the Windows Phone app has been updated with some changes.

Here's what is new in version 5.1.3:

• Specify your exact location while sharing location data
• Be notified when you're mentioned in a group chat
• Save video message to your device

We recommend you check out WeChat if you're looking for a new messaging service to use.

• Download WeChat (25MB – free)

eBay

Wait, eBay has been updated again? That's right, folks. We covered a rather large bump to the official Windows Phone app only yesterday, but already we've seen a minor release be published to the store just hours later.

Here's what is new in version 1.21.0.0:

• Improved notifications
• Fixed a problem with special characters in passwords
• Other bug fixes

We'd strongly urge everyone to update if you haven't set everything up to auto-download.

• Download eBay (2MB – free)

Odds and ends

It's not just the major updates we cover in these roundups. Be sure to check out the following minor releases:

• 6sec (2.0.1.0)
• Baconit (3.0.0.215)
• Clock Hub (1.2.0.22)
• OneShot (4.0.1.0)
• Poki (1.1.5.0)

Head on over to our forum to share what updates you've discovered.

Asphalt 8's latest update hit the Windows Store today, packing new courses set in Dubai, five new cars, and a whole new season with 74 events. Other updates since launch have added courses in China, added new multiplayer events, and tons of new cars. If you haven't given Asphalt 8 a shot since it came out, it's worth giving another go.

Asphalt 8 is an over-the-top free-to-play racing game. Grab power ups, launch off ramps to make the unlikeliest of stunts, demolish competitors, and upgrade your ride in the process. Obviously if you want to pour money in there to accelerate your progress, you're more than welcome to, but the vast majority of the game plays great as is. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like this update has been made available on Windows Phone just yet.

How many of you guys have put time into Asphalt 8: Airborne? Digging the new Dubai courses?

• Download Asphalt 8 for Windows 8.1

Gameloft's popular arcade racing game Asphalt 8: Airborne got a new update this week for both Windows Phone and Windows 8.1, adding a new location and more cars along with other content.

Here is the change log for the new update:

• Discover the high-speed heat of San Diego Harbor. Take off from an aircraft carrier and dodge helicopters while taking in the sights!
• 5 new cars to master: The Koenigsegg One: 1, Mazda Furai, Maserati MC12, Savage Rivale GTR and Peugeot Onyx. Look for each one coming out over the weeks to come!
• Multiplayer Events: Race head-to-head for the ultimate rewards!
• 4 new car collections. Time to stock your garage and get your rewards!

What do you think of this latest update to the game? Thanks to the many folks who tipped us!

• Download Asphalt 8: Airborne from the Windows Store
• Download Asphalt 8: Airborne from the Windows Phone Store

As mobile Xbox gamers probably know, Halfbrick recently released a new version of Fruit Ninja and Square Enix’s Chaos Rings became available to all Windows Phone 8 users last week. Beyond that however, we aren’t aware of too many game developers with plans to support Xbox Windows Phone in the future. Microsoft has been dark on the subject all year, and nobody else is really talking…

Nobody except Gameloft, that is. Last year, the publisher announced 12 Xbox Windows Phone 8 games– 10 of which have launched so far. Today Gameloft has reaffirmed its commitment to mobile Windows platforms by promising 15 more games for Windows Phone and Windows 8! Only four new Windows Phone games have actually been revealed, but it’s exciting news regardless… especially for Windows 8, which will be seeing much more support from Gameloft in the near future.

Head past the break for exclusive details on today’s announcement!

Coming to Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 in 2013

As I just mentioned, Gameloft has largely been cool towards Windows 8 since the tablet and PC OS launched last year. The publisher has released only one game so far: physics puzzler Shark Dash. Arcade racer Asphalt 7: Heat is due out this month as well. After that, the 15 games in the announcement will follow.

News of those games coming to Windows Phone and Windows 8 would be great enough on its own, but it doesn’t stop there. Gameloft also promised that several of the announced games will feature cross-platform multiplayer between phone and tablet! We don’t know if Play/Pause/Resume support via cloud saves is on the table, but let’s hope so. And let’s also hope that hit MMORPG Order & Chaos Online makes its way to Windows 8 with cross-platform multiplayer. Dare we dream?

Asphalt 8: Airborne

Previous series entry Asphalt 7 made a huge splash on Windows Phone 8 for a variety of reasons. One, it was the first game for the platform to feature 3D impressive graphics and real-time online multiplayer. Two, it cost only a buck, ensuring a large online player base. And three, Asphalt 7 is one of the fastest, most intense racing games on Windows Phone.

Thankfully we’ll be getting the sequel as well, presumably with cross-platform multiplayer between Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. Asphalt 8 boasts the best mobile racing graphics yet, with new particle effects including dust, snow, and rain. That’s right, weather effects – and they will impact car handling. A new physics engine promises to provide more realistic handling to boot.

Asphalt 8 is set to include 8 brand new tracks and one returning track from the last game: Monaco. Online multiplayer returns with two new game types: Gate Drift and Infected. Multiplayer won’t be limited to real-time, either; this one adds asynchronous multiplayer to the mix. Asphalt 8 won’t be a sim-style racer, but it certainly should entertain arcade racing fans (like me!) for hours on end.

Despicable Me: Minion Rush

On top of cloning popular console and PC games, Gameloft also produces some quality licensed titles. Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, and Ice Age Village were all good-great games. Despicable Me: Minion Rush should maintain that same pedigree when it comes later this year.

As the name implies, Minion Rush is a 3D endless running game similar to Temple Run. It will be the first Xbox-enabled game of its kind on Windows Phone. Players will control one of the Cheeto-like Minions from the animated films as he dashes through the city and former supervillain Gru’s lab. Any good endless runner needs long-term goals to complete, and this one brings plenty. It promises tons of costumes and weapons to unlock and over 300 missions to complete.

Minion Rush has already been downloaded over 50 million times on other platforms. Let’s see how Windows Phone and Windows 8 can add to that tally. It will of course be free.

Dungeon Hunter 4

Windows Phone and Windows 8 aren’t exactly overflowing with action-RPGs; only The Harvest comes to mind. Soon the latest entry in the popular Dungeon Hunter series will take care of that problem. Players will take on the roles of amnesiac warriors who are forced to defend their kingdom from a demonic invasion. Think of it as a mobile clone of Diablo.

On top of a strong story and four playable classes, Dungeon Hunter 4 boasts strong combat, item crafting, and character customization. But most exciting of all are the four-player online co-op and PvP modes. This one should certainly give Order & Chaos Online players something to do while they wait for the next content update.

Dungeon Hunter 4 will be free to play. That’s mostly a good thing, especially as far as creating a large online player base. Expect more than a few encouragements to purchase premium currency though.

Total Conquest

This one is a clone of Clash of Clans, a popular iOS city building/RTS game that has yet to arrive to arrive on Windows platforms. It takes place during Roman times. Players must build and fortify their own city, populating it with citizens and gathering resources.

Unlike your average city building game, this one also has a strong focus on combat. You can hire a variety of warriors to join your army and then take them out to raid other villages. The combat happens in real-time, allowing players to direct their army in the heat of battle. Total Conquest should be a hit with history and strategy buffs.

Six Guns

We already knew Six Guns would be coming to Windows Phone 8. In fact, I’ve played the Windows Phone version and can testify to its greatness. The news today is that Six Guns will arrive on Windows 8 as well!

Six Guns closely resembles popular Wild West open-world console game Red Dead Redemption. You’ll play as a gunslinger who takes on missions for the citizens of frontier towns. The West is vast, so thankfully you can call a horse to ride at any time. A map and radar will aid in navigating those distances as well.

The combat will be easy for gamers accustomed to using a virtual stick and buttons. Auto-aim makes targeting a snap, and you can also lean against objects for cover. You won’t just be fighting NPC banditos, either. Like the game that inspired it, Six Guns has a full online multiplayer mode.

Six Guns will be free to play when it arrives on Windows platforms

Kingdoms & Lords

Again, Kingdoms & Lords was already announced for Windows Phone 8 and will now be coming to Windows 8 too.

This game resembles Total Conquest in that it blends city building with combat. But Kingdoms & Lords is a less serious, more mainstream game. The graphics are much cuter and medieval themed; and the combat resembles an RPG more than an RTS. It also has some social elements like challenging friends or coming to their aid when called.

Like most of the games announced today, Kingdoms & Lords will be free to play.

UNO & Friends

Were you disappointed that UNO & Friends for Windows Phone can’t play against other versions of the game? Well, now that it’s coming to Windows 8 we should have even more players to compete against.

UNO & Friends is a free online multiplayer version of the popular card game. Check out our recent review of the Windows Phone 8 version and you’ll know what to expect from the tablet/PC game. Hopefully Gameloft adds chat to both versions by the time the Windows 8 game rolls around!

Bright time ahead

Gameloft promised 15 new games for both Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8, but today they only revealed the seven titles above. The other eight games will arrive in 2014.

Update

Gameloft informed us today that most of these games will NOT be Xbox enabled. We'll have more details very soon.

Good news for those of you are who racing fans as Gameloft’s Asphalt 8: Airborne is now available for Windows Phone 8 devices. The bad news is it’s a massive 819 MB to download, meaning you’ll need even more to install. The worse news is the game is not an Xbox Live title, as Gameloft has evidently decided to eschew Microsoft’s rigorous certification.

The upside to being a non-Xbox Live title is that Gameloft can update and tweak the game as often as they want, and presumably they will. The other upside is this massive racer only costs $0.99 and yes, there is a free trial as well.

So what is Asphalt 8: Airborne? It’s a relatively new title to the Asphalt series, only launching on Android and iOS back in August. While that’s a three month delay between those platforms and Windows Phone, that is considerably less time that previous games, especially for Gameloft. Of course it did just drop in price to free on Android, but hey, we’ll take what we can get.

The game is fueled by a new graphics engine and features airborne stunt moves, bringing a new twist to the series. Indeed, as can be seen from the teaser trailer above, the graphics are nothing short of stunning. Other than that, the game packs a huge amount of gameplay, locations and cars.

LUXURY DREAM CARS

• 47 high-performance cars (80% of them NEW!)
• Top licensed manufacturers like Lamborghini & Ferrari
• Newly recorded high-fidelity car motor sounds for realistic audio immersion

GET AIRBORNE

• Hit the ramps and take the race above
• Perform barrel rolls and wild 360º jumps
• Maneuver through the air, pulling stunts while racing

NEW EXOTIC LOCATIONS

• Race in 9 different settings like Venice, Guiana & the Nevada Desert!
• Discover plenty of hidden shortcuts

NEW FEATURES FOR SPEED FREAKS

• 8 seasons & 180 events in Career mode
• A detailed damage system
• Check out the new Infected and Drift Gate game modes

SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLAYER & GHOST CHALLENGES

• Simultaneous multiplayer action for up to 8 real opponents!
• Dare friends to asynchronous races
• New leaderboards

MUSIC TO REV YOUR SOUL

• A heart-thumping mix of amazing licensed music for your game
• Featuring real tracks from Bloc Party, Mutemath & The Crystal Method!

Maybe they’re just hyping their own game a bit, but to our eyes that seems like quite the game, especially for $1.

We’re still downloading the massive game, as 819 MB can take some time even or Wi-Fi, so we can’t give any first impressions—we’ll leave those until later. For now, you can head to the Store here and download Asphalt 8: Airborne. 99 cents, free trial Windows Phone 8 only.

Also available for Windows 8 devices--Read more!

Thanks, Jason D., for the tip!

We just showed you guys that one of the most popular mobile racing franchises just came back to Windows Phone. That’s right, you can now download Asphalt 8: Airborne for Windows Phone 8 devices. But wait! There’s more. You can also get Asphalt 8: Airborne from Gameloft for Windows 8. So now you need make a decision – Do I get the Windows Phone or Windows 8 version of Asphalt 8?

Like Asphalt 7 before it, you can play the latest installment on whichever Windows device you want. Whether on your Surface 2 or Lumia 1520, you’ll be able to enjoy Asphalt 8. The bad news is that you’ll need to buy the game again, but it’s not too expensive considering what you get with it.

Asphalt 8 features a new graphics engine for the Asphalt series and brings a new feature – airborne stunts. With the game you’re getting killer graphics, tons of new locations and cars. Oh the cars. You have access to 48 licensed cars in the game, which are then divided into five tiers/classes. You’ll even find the new Tesla Model S in the game!

Gameplay is similar to the previous game on Windows 8. You’ve got touch controls, tilt/accelerometer controls, and keyboard controls. Pick you poison when it comes to whipping around the course at over 100mph.

Unfortunately like on Windows Phone, you’re not getting any Xbox Live integration with this title. But you are getting cool features like online multiplayer, local multiplayer, and more!

You can get Asphalt 8: Airborne in the Windows Store. It requires to 2GB of RAM on your Windows 8 machine and goes for $1.99. There is a trial if you’re not sure you want to commit to it, but you’ll want to in the end. 

*UPDATE* The winner is... Funky Cricket! Congratulations! Watch your email. *UPDATE*

The Asphalt franchise has long been one of my favorites when I'm in the mood for fast cars and hot competition. This week marked the release of Asphalt 8: Airborne, the latest edition to the series, for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8! With 47 high-performance luxury dream cars from all the top manufacturers, new exotic locations and 180 events, you are definitely going to want to check this game out right now! Keep reading for more details, and to see how you can enter to win a $100 Windows Store gift card!

If you're curious to see the game in action before you buy, Gameloft will be live streaming Asphalt 8 on a Surface RT today at 2pm PST. Not only will they be playing the game and answering questions, they are also giving away several $15 Windows Store gift cards to viewers! Make sure you check that out.

You can go ahead and pick up Asphalt 8: Airborne for Windows 8 for $1.99, and for Windows Phone for just $.99. You can expect to see the following features, all courtesy of a brand new physics engine.

LUXURY DREAM CARS

• 47 high-performance cars (80% of them NEW!)
• Top licensed manufacturers like Lamborghini & Ferrari
• Newly recorded high-fidelity car motor sounds for realistic audio immersion

GET AIRBORNE

• Hit the ramps and take the race above
• Perform barrel rolls and wild 360º jumps
• Maneuver through the air, pulling stunts while racing

NEW EXOTIC LOCATIONS

• Race in 9 different settings like Venice, Guiana & the Nevada Desert!
• Discover plenty of hidden shortcuts

NEW FEATURES FOR SPEED FREAKS

• 8 seasons & 180 events in Career mode
• A detailed damage system
• Check out the new Infected and Drift Gate game modes

SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLAYER & GHOST CHALLENGES

• Simultaneous multiplayer action for up to 8 real opponents!
• Dare friends to asynchronous races
• New leaderboards

MUSIC TO REV YOUR SOUL

• A heart-thumping mix of amazing licensed music for your game
• Featuring real tracks from Bloc Party, Mutemath & The Crystal Method!

So many awesome things! I can't wait to play. Gameloft is thrilled to be sharing this release with our readers, and wants to pass on some extra love. We have a $100 Windows Store gift card for one of you! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below (one per person, please) telling us your favorite thing about the Asphalt series, or what you're looking forward to most in Asphalt 8. Good luck!

The calm before the storm. That’s the best way to describe this past week in terms of apps and news for Windows Phone. We had a few big ones come, like Vine, but overall it was a pretty normal week for new apps coming, apps getting updated, and betas. Nonetheless, let’s look back at the highlights from this past week.

New

Vine – Probably the biggest new app this past week, Vine is now officially on Windows Phone. The app allows users to create six second video clips and share them to the social network. It’s another big win for the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem. Download it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

4oD – Here’s one our friends in the UK should enjoy. There’s now an official 4oD app in the Windows Phone Store. It allows access to video content from the UK public television broadcaster on your mobile device. Get access to some of your favorite shows by grabbing it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Nokia Refocus – We first saw Nokia Refocus in Abu Dhabi at Nokia World. The app allows users with a PureView phone to take a photo where you can later focus on any specific part. How does the magic work? By taking a few photos at once and using software to give you access to multiple focus spots in post. Get it from the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Blippar – Augmented reality advertising is now here on Windows Phone 8 with the launch of Blippar. The app gives you access to the Blippar platform where consumers can use the camera on their smartphone to interact with products and brands in unique ways. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Updated

Sleeve Music – We’ve covered Sleeve Music since its beta and it remains one of our favorite music companion apps on Windows Phone. The latest update gives the app a revamped UI and some new features. It’s available in the Windows Phone Store, so go get it. (Free).

UC Browser – Here’s one for fans of UC Browser. This week the popular browser alternative to Internet Explorer picks up some new features that make it pretty killer. Most notably is the ability to continue downloading files in the background. It’s on both Windows Phone 7.x and 8, so head to the Windows Phone Store to download. (Free)

GroupMe – It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a GroupMe update, so we were pleasantly surprised when it was this past week. The latest update to the popular cross-platform messaging service brings a host of new features and fixes, you should be seeing a big improvement in message deliveries for example. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Flixster – It finally happened with the latest update to Flixster. The app has gained support for UltraViolet movies. If you’ve been waiting to have access to your streaming video collection the latest update for Windows Phone brings it. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)

Beta

Youmigo – We’re big fans of startups that focus their development efforts on Windows Phone first. Youmigo is a new app/platform for Windows Phone 8 that aims to connect users around the world. It’s a hybrid between a new penpal service and the ability to ask locals in a specific region any question you want. It’s great and worth checking out. Join the beta today.

Games

EmiPSX – This is probably a first for Windows Phone. EmiPSX is an emulator for the original PlayStation that you can download today. Provided you’re familiar with emulators, this should give you access to the entire backlog of games from the PlayStation days. Download it from the Windows Phone Store today. (Trial/$2.49)

Asphalt 8: Airborne – One of the most popular mobile racing franchises finally get its latest installment on Windows Phone 8. Asphalt 8 will give racing fans a run for their money in the newest title. It’s highly addicting and available on both Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. Head to the Windows Phone Store or Windows Store to download it. (Trial/$0.99)

Have any favorite apps from this week we missed? List them below!

We're rounding off our Monday with a batch of small updates that have been pushed to the Windows Phone Store. While we all recover from a rather busy CES 2014 (for Windows 8 and beyond), platform developers are still releasing updates for all your installed apps. Today we'll be looking at Asphalt 8, DI.FM and Status Tiles. Head past the break for the details.

Asphalt 8: Airborne 1.0.0.1

If you're into racing games with superb graphics and immersive action to keep you occupied when on the move, you'll definitely want to check out Asphalt 8: Airborne from Gameloft. The title, while not Xbox Live enabled, boasts some exciting features and is available for less than one dollar. Should you already be an Asphalt series fan, this latest instalment comes with a new graphics engine and more.

What's new in the latest release? It's a minor version jump, which we believe to be only minor fixes. Some readers have stated that this update addresses some issues with purchases (let us know in the comments if you notice anything).

You can download Asphalt 8: Airborn from the Windows Phone Store for $0.99 (Windows Phone 8 only).

DI.FM 1.0.1.0

Fan of electronic music? DI.FM is your number one stop for the best tunes to blast through your speaker system (or headphones). The service provides unlimited streaming (with advertisements should you not have a premium subscription) with numerous categories to choose from, depending on what mood you're currently in.

Just like Asphalt 8, this update is a minor one and we expect there to be miscellaneous fixes and improvements.

You can download DI.FM from the Windows Phone Store.

Status Tiles 1.1

Attempting to quickly reach common settings, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data connectivity and more can prove tricky without shortcuts. Luckily there are some tools available on the store to help you with just that, one app being Status Tiles. This sweet little app enables you to pin settings you wish to have more convenient access to your Start screen. 

The latest update to Status Tiles removes the summary screen users were greeted with when backing out of an individual setting. It's a welcomed change, albeit a small alteration.

You can download Status Tiles from the Windows Phone Store for free.

Head on over to our forum to share updates you've noticed or be alerted to those you may have missed.

Asphalt 8: Airborne is a popular racing title available cross-platform, including both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The game was released on Microsoft's operating systems back in November of last year, but to kick off 2014 with a large burst of NOS, Gameloft have slashed the pricing of both listings to absolutely nothing. That's right, folks – you can now pick up the intense racer for free.

Whether you're a petrol head or simply enjoy hopping into the driver's seat every now and then, Asphalt 8: Airborne on your Windows 8 PC or Windows Phone device is a sweet experience indeed. The only downside to this superb title is the lack of Xbox Live support, but for a game which is now available for free, we're certainly not complaining.

You can grab Asphalt 8: Airborne from the Windows and Windows Phone stores. It requires to 2GB of RAM on your Windows 8 PC or just Windows Phone 8 if you're on your smartphone. Both games are now free. Thanks, Arpit, for the heads up!