Canabalt is one of those rare games that have a simple premise but gameplay that has you coming back time after time.

I first heard of the game through a post on Twitter and in a rare display of how confident the authors are in the game, they have a flash demo you can play on their web site.

Give it a go, it demonstrates the simple but utterly addictive gameplay better than any description I could give it using mere words. You start as a small pixelated figure in a building being attacked by some rampaging enemy. The side scrolling game has you running along floors and across the roof’s of buildings and the only control you have is a tap of the screen to jump.

And jump you must if you wish to survive. You need to jump obstacles in your path, jump the gaps between buildings and jump explosions etc.

All sounds very simple and it is, the aim is to see how far you can run. Scores can be posted to Twitter and you’ll soon find yourself desperate to surpass your previous high-score. The screen-shots here are from Twitter member @SirL0fty who has set a high-score so high I have yet to come anywhere near, my own laughable score being 2578m despite trying very hard indeed!

Canabalt has a retro feel, the music and sound effects perfectly suited to the game and lend a mood that has your pulse racing and your ‘tap’ finger twitching! The graphics are black and white and look more akin to a ZX81 but they suit the game perfectly and add rather than detract from the gameplay.

Available in the AppStore for £1.29 and well worth every penny. You won’t be disappointed.