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The Apple iPad is about to launch this morning, and up until now, Apple has been very tight with early access to the tablet device. So much so, it's been rare to see footage of games played on actual devices. In fact, many developers have been unable to test their games on final hardware.

This morning, Apple has posted some in-hand videos of several well known games being played on the iPad. Here they are:

Scrabble for iPad

Asphalt 5 HD

Real Racing HD

Note we've received full size (1027×768) screenshots from Real Racing HD: one, two, three, four, five

Labyrinth 2 HD

All of these games are already available in the App Store. We'll have our own hands on videos with various iPad games once we have our iPads in hand.

App Store Links:

• Scrabble for iPad, $9.99
• Scrabble Tile Rack, Free (iPhone/iPod Touch)
• Real Racing HD, $9.99
• Asphalt 5 HD, $6.99
• Labyrinth 2 HD, $7.99

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As we enter the final hours of the iPad pre-launch fiesta, more and more videos of iPad games are coming online. We likely won't have video of games on actual devices until tomorrow, but for the time being, watching these games being played in the simulator with a set of hands gives an idea of how much different they will likely feel on the iPad:

Games featured in the trailer, which are all currently available on the App Store:

• Asphalt 5 HD, $6.99
• Dungeon Hunter HD, $6.99
• Let's Golf HD, $6.99
• Modern Combat: Sandstorm HD, $6.99
• N.O.V.A. – Near Orbital Vanguard Alliance HD, $9.99
• NFL 2010 HD, $6.99
• Real Soccer 2010 HD, $6.99
• Uno HD, $6.99

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As the early iPad section of the App Store fills out, we discovered that at least some of Gameloft's current iPad launch lineup.

The iPad games which appear to be launching along side the device are:

• Asphalt 5 HD
• Dungeon Hunter HD
• Modern Combat: Sandstorm HD
• NOVA HD
• NFL 2010 HD
• Let's Golf HD
• Real Soccer 2010 HD

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About a week back I had a chance to visit Gameloft's Manhattan studios and have a look at their upcoming racing simulator GT Racing: Motor Academy [App Store] for iPhone. Tonight, GT Racing has gone live in the App Store and we've got a chance to take a closer look.

GT Racing is a driving simulation as opposed to an arcade racer. Gameloft likens the title to Real Racing, which it considers the only other driving simulation in the App Store. Being a simulation-style racer, it starts off much like the definitive driving sim, Gran Turismo. You are presented with a few initial challenges (accelerate to maximum speed and then come to a stop between the lines, etc.) that must be completed before your achieve your first racing license. From there it's a Campaign journey through a variety of tracks around the world. Though, I will say the game is rather more forgiving than Gran Turismo, partially due to the integrated Break Assist system (like Real Racing), but more due to the overall control scenario.

The game features over 100 cars from 24 different manufacturers to choose from for a race to the finish across 14 different worldwide tracks. The better you rank, the more credits you accumulate, and the fancier cars and equipment you can purchase. Progressive tracks are unlocked in Campaign mode, and any unlocked track can be used for a quick spin in the game's Arcade mode.

GT Racing features three different control methods: accelerometer (default), screen keys (think Vector Tanks – kinda), and wheel. I find accelerometer to be my preferred method that, for what it is, really leaves little room for control improvement. Score tracking has handled through the integrated Gameloft Live network. Like Asphalt 5, Gameloft also offers an online multi-player component that we were unable to test at launch, but we're certainly a feature we're glad to see.

GT Racing is one of the most visually impressive racers in the App Store. On my iPhone 3GS test unit, the game exhibits an impressive, but subtle, HDR effect to the rendered scene and runs at a very smooth frame rate. Six different driving views are provided — three outside, three inside — to allow for the view that bests fits your driving sensibilities. All races can be seen in Replay mode which is, as well, an impressive thing to behold, and videos can also be uploaded to YouTube (example video). One notable issue with the visuals, however, is a noticeably short draw distance resulting in buildings abruptly popping into view which can be distracting.

There are a few other issues we ran across with the initial version. On occasion, my car appeared to aburbtly jolt into a nose-up position, half embedded in the track, with a warning of "wrong way" presented. (One of these incidents is recorded in our demo video.) As well, in-game language suggested that I had access to a particular track before it was supposed to be unlocked. Neither game breaking, but notable for early adopters.

See our brief gameplay video for a closer look.

Overall, GT Racer is probably one of the best racers on the App Store. In particular, racing fans looking for a realistic racer that offers nicely varied racing action wrapped up in a very pretty package should enjoy Gameloft's latest offering.

Impressions from early adopters on the forum have been similarly positive, but similar caveats:

• tadad1 – lots of control adjustments, including driving aids, amazingly crisp graphics, but short draw distance, no crash damage, massive content
• morphman – Lots of options, good but not stellar framerate on 3GS, pop-in apparent, graphics look amazing
• iPhondTouch3G – screenshots from iPod Touch 3G
• Diablohead – huge difference in FWD, RWD and oversteer is a big factor here, can do doughnuts very easily if you power out of corners
• nizy – nice graphics, real life tracks recognizable, pop-in noticeable but not too annoying. early AI not challenging
• howiedeano – handling and controls good, tracks better than NFS shift, best realistic type racing game on platform

App Store Link: GT Racing: Motor Academy, $6.99

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