BeaverTap Games, the studio behind the popular platformer Mikey Shorts, has today released a second game, Mikey Hooks.

Mikey Hooks incorporates the platform-style gameplay of Mikey Shorts, but adds an intuitive grappling hook mechanic. As with the previous game, the goal is to get through each level as quickly as possible to earn three stars, which often means multiple plays of every stage to learn the ins and outs of enemy and obstacle locations.


In addition to 36 challenging stages to complete, the game incorporates a number of unlockable character items, secondary goals, and a dedicated race mode that allows players to compete against AI ghosts.

mikeyhooks
Our sister site TouchArcade has published a first look at Mikey Hooks, and called it the "no-brainer download of the week."

If you played Mikey Shorts last year, things will feel mighty familiar in Mikey Hooks. Obviously the big change is the ability to swing from parts of a level using a grappling hook, but this mechanic has been implemented so well it almost feels like it's always been there.

Besides the fundamental changes of hooking and damage, Mikey Hooks is still all about the levels. Perfectly timed jumps, slides and now hooks will lead you towards victory and a 3-star completion time. Also, don't forget about collecting every coin and the hidden golden shorts on each level, and in place of the previous game's Challenge levels there's now Racing levels which include AI ghosts to race against.

The game includes both iCade and Joypad support, along with iCloud saves and Game Center achievements and leaderboards. Mikey Hooks is a universal app that can be downloaded from the App Store for $1.99. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

jclo Avatar
155 months ago
Yeah, why did this game need it's own post on MR? What sets this apart from the other 19,182 type games?

Either the maker paid some $$$ or Arn is getting a share of the App Store profits ;)

I wrote a post on Mikey Hooks on the iOS blog because it's an excellent platformer (a rare find in a sea of thousands of games) and I thought maybe other folks on MacRumors might enjoy it as well. I used to review games before I wrote for MacRumors, and my only goal with this post was to share an awesome game.

I've noted that it isn't the type of content you guys want to see on MacRumors, which I'll keep in mind for the future.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
155 months ago
I think MR have a link to Touch Arcade. I've never visited that site, but this kind of announcement is best left to them, surely?

MacRumors, TouchArcade, and AppShopper were all founded by Arnold Kim. He occasionally cross-promotes between these sites, which is his prerogative. They're all excellent sites, I recommend checking them out.

Is this a sponsored message? It sure reads like one.

Mikey Shorts is unique in that it was actually started by two guys who met on the TouchArcade forums who had a passion for gaming. One was more of a developer, the other more of a designer. The community over at TouchArcade had a huge influence on the production of the game, the testing, and supporting the developer and designer through the process. The Mikey Shorts game itself is one of the best platformers on iOS—and it all began on TouchArcade. It's a great story of a community coming together to make something better than the big boys. I'll be downloading this new game when I get home tonight!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiRez Avatar
155 months ago
Is this a sponsored message? It sure reads like one.
It is very odd for this game to get its own front page writeup, and it does smell of being sponsored (although it's probably not). That said, it does look like a pretty fun, well done game. But nothing seems particularly innovative about it, it's just retreading old territory that's been done many, many times. I expect to see groundbreaking apps and games written about, but I don't see how this qualifes.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pajamma Avatar
155 months ago
Is this a sponsored message? It sure reads like one.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seanjs Avatar
155 months ago
You could have written this article describing in detail how the game works... Or you could have just said, "a pitfall knockoff."
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rman726 Avatar
155 months ago
Loved Mikey Shorts! Downloading this immediately... thanks for the heads up!!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...