First Place—Jim Chitwood

Second Place—Andreas Kokkinos

Third Place—Sergio Hikawa

Call of Duty World at War: Zombies replicates the best part of Treyarch's otherwise inferior Call of Duty game—Nazi Zombies—to the iPhone. It looks great. It sounds great. And parts of it, like the multiplayer over Wi-Fi, work great.

It doesn't feel great though. The controls suck. We're all used to the inherently mediocre virtual joystick, a pale translation of a three-dimensional control implement into a flat two-dimensional space, which here moves you backward and forward, and strafes left and right. Turning and looking up and down is both finicky and imprecise, accomplished by sliding your thumb in the direction you want to turn or look—a longer slide makes you turn faster and further. What's tricky, and tensely uncomfortable, is trying to turn while moving with the virtual joystick. It winds up being jerky and spinny, like your soldier had one two many peppermint schnappes before fighting the undead.

Even with the computer helping your sorry ass aim—a little too much, actually—it just doesn't work. Often, you'll try to turn by swiping your thumb and accidentally tap the button to aim down your sites, or fire, sending your bullets past the zombie, who proceeds to om-nom-nom on your brains. Knifing is still awesome though.

Update: There are two alternate control schemes—a dual joystick mode that confines the turning area to a second joystick, making it slightly more precise than the general corner area controls of the default layout (though it's still tricky), and an accelerometer mode, that's unwieldy, but more fun since you have to swing your whole phone around to aim. Still, it's hard to feel totally in control here.

But in the end, the lack of tight controls crushes the whole experience, which is otherwise a pitch-perfect translation, down to Activision planning to charge for add-on maps on top of the $10 you already paid for the game.

[iTunes]

Now it's your turn. What sorts of ridiculous secrets do you wish Infinity Ward put in their latest blockbuster if only they didn't take themselves and their game so goddamned seriously? Send your best entries to me at contests@gizmodo.com with Modern Warfare Easter Eggs in the subject line. Save your files as JPGs or GIFs, and use a FirstnameLastname.jpg naming convention using whatever name you want to be credited with. Send your work to me by next Tuesday morning, and I'll pick three top winners and show off the rest of the best in our Gallery of Champions. Get to it!

Predator Missiles—You call these bad boys down from a UAV flying above. Pop open the laptop, aim towards the bad guys, and let her fly.

Heartbeat Sensor—With this attached to your guy, you'll always be aware when someone is nearby, even if there's fog or a door in the way. Perfect for sneaking up on people that don't know you're there.

Turret—When you want to take down enemies without being there in person, the turret is a great way to get the job done. You can move it around and place it wherever you want, then let it take care of the rest.

Thermal Scope—If there's smoke in the air, this scope lets you see right through it, pinpointing warm human bodies against the cold background.

Motorboat—OK, so this one isn't a gun or a weapon, and you can only use it briefly in the one-player game, but man is it fun. Who knew that piloting a boat with one hand while firing a small machine gun with the other could be so satisfying?

It really does look nice, like an Xbox 360 Elite with military-ish decals all over it. For most of you it's not worth trading in your current Xbox 360 for, but if you're new to the game, or you just want to upgrade from a 20GB drive to the massive 250GB drive contained (and only available) here, it's not a bad deal.

Anyone who's played a FPS on a console knows that having to move your thumb to reload or jump puts you at a momentary disadvantage. Having those buttons on the back are awesome. The controler also has rubber grips and a "soft-touch finish for extended gaming sessions." The downside is that it's not wireless, but Mad Catz claims that will provide a "robust and latency free connection with the console." Right. I don't remember ever having issues with latency with wireless controllers, but that's just me. And seeing that the PS3 version of the same controller is wireless, it was clearly a cost-cutting move because Microsoft won't let them do it.

The other official MW2 peripherals include a "Throat Communicator," which is a bit too much for me, and a series of keyboards and mice for PC gamers. Here's a gallery and the full presser with the entire list:

Mad Catz® Announce Licensed

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 Accessory Range for Consoles & PC

Range to Include Combat Controller, Throat Communicator, Elite Keyboard and Sniper Mouse

San Diego, August 24, 2009

Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading worldwide third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced a full range of licensed Modern Warfare® 2 accessories for Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION® 3 and PC, which are expected to ship across North America and key European territories with the release of one of the year's most anticipated games in November 2009.

Developed by Infinity Ward and set for worldwide release by Activision Publishing, Inc. on November 10, 2009, Modern Warfare 2 is the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game in history, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®. The title is rated "M" (Mature) for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language.

The products expected to ship as part of the range include:

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Combat Controller – Xbox 360

Complete with a host of features designed to customize the in-game experience, the Modern Warfare 2 Combat Controller has Rubber Grips and a soft-touch finish for extended gaming sessions. Featuring two unique buttons located on the rear of the Controller, players can re-map Action Button or Thumbstick commands empowering players to shift melee or sprint to the rear buttons in order to maintain full motion control on the analog sticks. Immersive Analog ThumbStick Backlighting enhances the in-game atmosphere while Dual Vibration Feedback allows the user to experience every shot and explosion. Lastly, the fully braided connection cable provides a robust and latency free connection with the console.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Throat Communicator – Xbox 360

Based on authentic military design, the Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator allows gamers to comfortably communicate with teammates and other Xbox LIVE® players. Fashioned in authentic graphics, the unique microphone design reduces background noise and allows gamers to clearly communicate with each other, bringing them closer to the field ops experience. The Throat Communicator is fully compatible with the official Microsoft® controller as well as the Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 Combat Controller.

MSRP: $29.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Faceplate and Console Skinz – Xbox 360

Featuring custom Modern Warfare 2 artwork, both the highly collectible Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their Xbox 360 and official controller. Depicting official in-game art, the Console Faceplate attaches simply and safely, transforming your console in seconds and the removable Console Skinz wrap around the sides of the Xbox 360, providing a fully immersive themed landscape.

MSRP: $29.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Wireless Combat Controller – PS3™

Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller for PLAYSTATION 3 utilizes a secure 2.4 GHz wireless link to connect with the console for accurate wire-free action. Featuring two unique buttons located on the rear of the Controller, players can re-map Action Button or Thumbstick commands empowering players to shift melee or sprint to the rear buttons in order to maintain full motion control on the analog sticks. The Controller features Immersive Analog ThumbStick Backlighting and an internal Rechargeable Battery that allows for charging directly from the console's USB port and provides up to 60 hours of game play from a single charge.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth® Technology – PS3

Sophisticated, discrete and fashioned with Modern Warfare 2 graphics, the Headset for PLAYSTATION 3 allows for wire-free communication with teammates and PlayStation Network™ (PSN™) users. Featuring a high-quality, noise-reducing microphone, ideal for frantic game play, the Headset utilizes Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology, and operates at a range of up to 30 feet from the console.

MSRP: $39.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Controller Faceplates – Xbox 360 & PLAYSTATION 3

Depicting official artwork from Modern Warfare 2, the highly collectible Controller Faceplate allows gamers to customize their official Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 controllers in style. Highly durable and featuring a high-gloss finish, the safe and removable Controller Faceplate attaches in seconds to the official controller and features authentic artwork to support the game (Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 Controller Faceplate sold separately).

MSRP: $14.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Combat GamePad – PC

For those who enjoy gaming on their PC but prefer the feel of a gamepad over a keyboard and mouse, the Modern Warfare 2 Combat GamePad provides a comfortable and highly ergonomic method of play. Featuring full analog control, the Combat GamePad is fashioned in authentic Modern Warfare 2 artwork and comes complete with a complement of four Action Buttons and four Trigger Buttons as well as a stable eight-way D-Pad delivering precision and accuracy where fast response is crucial to survival. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Combat GamePad ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram the four Action Buttons to suit their personal preferences or for use with other software titles. The Combat GamePad is compatible with Windows™ 7, Vista™ and XP™.

MSRP: $24.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Sniper Mouse – PC

Fine-tuned for razor-sharp assault, the Modern Warfare 2 Sniper Mouse allows for precision in-game control. Instantly adjustable DPI (‘Dot Per Inch') allows gamers to adjust the speed of the mouse cursor at any time, ideal for a multitude of missions and varying styles of play. A built-in weight cartridge allows gamers to add or subtract weights from the Mouse tailoring the feel for personal preference. Fashioned in fully authentic graphics, the Sniper Mouse is certain to be the weapon of choice for PC enthusiasts. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Mouse ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram the Mouse Buttons to suit their personal preference or for use with other software titles. The Sniper Mouse is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Combat Keyboard – PC

The Modern Warfare 2 Combat Keyboard features ‘Anti-Ghosting' in key action areas and a Windows Key Lock to prevent accidental disruption to game play. Easily accessible Media Keys provide instant access to volume control, play/pause and other essential media-related functions and a weighted base with strategically placed large rubber feet that prevent the keyboard from slipping off the desk. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Combat Keyboard ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram Function Buttons to suit their personal preference or for use with other software titles. The Combat Keyboard is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Elite Keyboard – PC

Built on the successful ‘Cyborg™' Keyboard platform, the Modern Warfare 2 Elite Keyboard is ideal for those who take their gaming seriously and will prove to be an essential ally in the field. Multi-Color backlighting, including adjustable brightness and ‘Tru-Vu™' illumination, provides gamers with the ability to set ambient lighting, ranging from red through to amber and green. Touch-Sensitive Back-Lit Dashboard controls provide access to keyboard lighting and media functions. Further aiding in the custom nature of the keyboard, the WASD, cursor, ‘Cyborg™' and NumPad keys can all be lit independently from the rest of the keyboard, allowing players to highlight keys commonly used in-game. One-touch ‘Cyborg' mode instantly disables the Windows™ keys and adjusts the keyboard illumination to desired settings for simple set-up and no fewer than twelve Cyborg keys can be programmed to replicate any sequence of keyboard presses in a single button. Durable Metal-Plated key caps provide reinforced strength on the most commonly used gaming keys and gold-plated connectors for USB and microphone inputs allow other accessories to be passed through the keyboard without accessing the PC. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Elite Keyboard ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram Keyboard Buttons to suit their personal preference or for use with other software titles. The Elite Keyboard is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.

MSRP: $99.99

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, "This new range marks our first full line of licensed PC products launching alongside the console accessories. The Saitek and Cyborg names are brands respected by PC gamers worldwide and we believe that consumers will respond enthusiastically to these high quality licensed products. Modern Warfare 2 is one of the most anticipated software titles this year and we are excited to support it with a comprehensive range which is certain to enhance the gaming experience."

Pac-Mac Remix: This is an official, sanctioned Pac-Man remake, and accordingly a pretty good one. Purists might be turned off by the 3D graphics, but the gameplay hasn't really changed; in fact, using finger flicks to change direction is a brilliant way to control Pac-Man. For $6, as is, this is good; for $2—even if that would mean losing the flashy production—it would kill.

Mujik: An instrument-slash-synthesizer made of books, flies, cardboard and whimsy. It takes about five minutes to figure out what the hell is going on with Mujik, but once you do, it's beautiful, and the musical possibilities are tremendous. This is as good as Brian Eno's Bloom, if not better—not least because it's free. (via TUAW)

Tightwire: A fat man on a tightrope wire, in 3D, who you keep alive by tilting your iPhone. The graphics are good, the impact animations forceful and satisfying, and difficulty level high enough to keep this simple concept entertaining for more than a few minutes. One dollar.

Waze: To be honest, crowd-sourced navigation sounds like a pretty terrible idea, but who am I to judge: Waze has been available in Israel for quite a while, and people swear by it there. In the US, its userbase is a little lean, and most the features don't yet work as well as they're supposed to—turn-by-turn navigation included. If more people join, I guess, the user-contributed information, like common speed traps, road quirks, and whatever else you can think of, should get much better. Cool, but couldn't Google just do this by enabling user layers in Maps? Free.

Call of Duty: World at War Companion: Ha ha, that icon got you all excited, didn't it? Sorry, this isn't a new Call of Duty game for the iPhone. Actually, no, not sorry, because for anyone who plays COD: WaW (nice acronym), the detailed stats-tracking and player communication features are pretty neat. Free.

iSimulate: Alright kids, step outside—this one's for the developers. iSimulate lets you display iPhone apps on your computer screen, mainly for the purposes of demo recording, which is tough in the SDK emulator on account of its awkward accelerometer and multitouch implementations. $8.

The Week's App News on Giz:

• Gross Virtual Girlfriend App Is One-Upped by its Gross Fox News Coverage

• Apple Yanks Sex Offender Locator From App Store to the Relief of Perverts Everywhere

• Giz Explains: How Push Works

• Apple's Phil Schiller Explains They Don't Actually Censor Dictionaries

• Now Apple's Blocking All Ebook App Store Submissions? Update: No

• The Stupidest App Store Incident Yet: Apple Censors a Dictionary

• Third Largest App Store Developer Gets Banned, For Sucking

• Windows Mobile Wants In On the iPhone App Action, Literally

This list is in no way definitive. If you've spotted a great app that hit the store this week, give us a heads up or, better yet, your firsthand impressions in the comments. And for even more apps: see our previous weekly roundups here, and check out our Favorite iPhone Apps Directory and our original iPhone App Review Marathon. Have a swell weekend everybody.

Yeah, after that first one it was "we got hustled" this and "radar was on" that, but their faces here tell the story better than I ever could.

Come take 'em on—we're here 'til 8:00pm, then it's on to the reader meetup for beers across the street. And if not tonight, there's always Saturday and Sunday—11:00-12:30 and 2:00-3:30 the boys will be here, thereabouts. The deal is: make a donation to Toys For Tots, take on our CoD fanatics, and if you beat them, win a prize. All for a good cause.

Gizmodo Gallery
Reed Annex
151 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002

Gizmodo Gallery Reader Meetup
The reader meetup takes place across the street from the Gallery, at a place called The Annex (not to be confused with REED ANNEX where the gallery is hosted.) The address is 152 Orchard Street and we'll be there at 9 PM SHARP on Friday December 5th.

Gallery Dates:
December 4th-7th

Times:
12/4 Thursday
12-8

12/5 Friday
12-8

12/6 Saturday
11-8

12/7 Sunday
11-4

[Read more about our Gizmodo Gallery here and see what else we'll be playing with at the event.]

Since this went down in Sydney, Australia, you can rule out lousy AT&T reception on an iPhone as the cause, ditto for being "fired" by Sprint. Still, we certainly how how this poor bastard feels. Whatever particular moment of customer-service frustration triggered it, the damage was pretty massive, according to cops:

"He continued to destroy mobile tower communications sheds by crashing through the perimeter fence and colliding with structures, causing significant damage."

One of our favorites above, the Call of Duty 2 mod, has little army men, trucks, and tanks all on top of a grassy field. Problem is, the owner probably can't turn on his console to play Call of Duty for fear that all the soldiers will melt. You know, because the console runs so hot? Yeah. We thought of that one ourselves. – Jason Chen

Flickr [via Gaming Bits via Joystiq]