In some ways, Rolando is just about the perfect casual game. If you're interrupted in the middle of a game, just hit the iPhone's button and your exact place will be saved. (A little number will even appear by the Rolando icon on your home screen reminding you just how many Rolandos you still have alive.) I was on the subway headed home from work, trying to figure my way through Altitude Adventure when I noticed I was about to miss my stop—by hitting the home button I was able to save my exact place in the game without losing a single Rolando to those hideous Shadow creatures.

The music that accompanies Rolando is peppy without being annoying. The sound effects are clever, and the game is filled with the sort of little touches that are rapidly becoming the hallmark of Ngmoco games. As with , another Ngmoco offering where the expressions on the playing pieces reflect the action taking places, the Rolandos become visibly nervous if they get to close to the shadow creatures. They grimace when you have them exert themselves. And they look bored if you spend too much time concentrating on other pieces.

The game is not without its flaws. I find the Royal Spikey Commandos—Rolandos who can stick to and climb up walls—a little difficult to control. And sometimes when I'm swiping my thumb upwards to make a Rolando jump, I inadvertently activate another Rolando. This could just be my special burden—I am notoriously ham-handed—but I suspect other players might share my occasional frustration.

Still, it's clear after just a few minutes playing around with Rolando, that Ngmoco has clearly thought through this game and how to make the most out of the iPhone's unique features. Even at a premium price, Rolando is a must-have game and a stellar example of what you can do with the iPhone platform if you just put your mind to it.

Rolando is compatible with any iPhone or iPod touch running the iPhone 2.1 software update.