iOS Gaming Watch List: King of Fighters, Brainsss, Robbery Bob and more!

We're taking a look at the most promising iPhone and iPad releases for May 2, 2012.

Each week the iOS Gaming Watch List will inform you of some noteworthy releases coming to the App Store.

Major releases tend to hit on Thursdays, so we'll be coming at you every Wednesday with the games to look out for, as well as some of the bigger content updates on the way. While this won't be a comprehensive list of games releasing for a given week, it does offer a quick selection of games and upates that show promise or look interesting for one reason or another. Worth noting that we have not played many of these games, so you shouldn't take these as short reviews. Think of this more like a helpful guide of games to investigate as they launch on Thursday.

Unfortunately, since these are pre-release games, App Store links are not available, but if you search for the title within the App Store tomorrow, it should pop up.

Zombies have pretty much had their moment in gaming and we're all ready to move on. But, every once in a while, a developer comes along and thinks up a clever new way to include those lovable brain-suckers. Case in point: Brainsss(that's with three S's). Based on the trailer, it looks a lot like Pikmin with zombies. You'll have to use zombie tactics to corner humans, turning them over to your side so that you can grow your undead army. Adorable graphics only help to support the carnage. (Universal app, launching at $2.99)

This action/RPG focuses on the adventures of a boy trapped in a world of monsters, buttons and umbrellas. Um, sure. It's definitely got a Zelda vibe to it and it's made by the folks behind Pizza Boy, so they know classic gaming backwards and forwards. Dare I say it almost looks like a Rogue-like? Could this be the Binding of Isaac equivalent iOS gamers have been praying for? Here's hoping! (iPhone app, launching at $.99)

It's a new year and we have new King of Fighters to celebrate. King of Fighters i 2012 is an updated version of last year'sKing of Fighters -i-. 12 new characters have been added, along with a more fleshed-out single-player campaign. Perhaps most compelling: multiplayer over WiFi with a complete ranking system. (iPhone app, launching at $6.99)

If the Grand Theft Auto phenomenon has taught us anything, it's that we as a people love theft. Robbery Bob is just one of the many games that fill that demand. You take command of the titular Bob, swiping valuable goods from suburban houses. As a matter of fact, non-valuable goods as well. TV remote? I could sell that for $7.50! The trailer makes it look like this is a bit of a lift from Firemint's Spy Mouse but there may be more to discover once we dig deeper. (Universal app, launching at $.99)

One of our favorite iOS developers, Tiger Style, released the delightful Waking Mars a few months back. The game has you planting shrubberies across the surface of Mars with the help of a jetpack and a sassy robot friend. A new update (which is already available) brought the game all the way up to full resolution on the new iPad, so if you've got the new hardware, you'll get a much crisper, cleaner view of the Red Planet. And, as an added bonus, you can now find different kinds of jetpacks in the game, each with their own movement style. Because who doesn't love more jetpacks? (Universal app, $2.99)