There's little doubt in my mind that "Machine Gun Jetpack" was my most anticipated iOS game of 2011. Unfortunately that's no longer the case. Now "Jetpack Joyride" is my most anticipated iOS game of 2011! Yes, the game from Halfbrick Studios (the squad behind the "Fruit Ninja" phenominon) has done a last-minute name change. The team has announced that the newly-retitled iOS release is scheduled for release on September 1.

You may be asking yourself, why the name change? After all, "Machine Gun Jetpack" is arguably one of the coolest names for a video game ever and "Jetpack Joyride," well, sounds like a level in "Pilotwings." In the name change announcement trailer (below), the guys from Halfbrick explain that the game has expanded far beyond the original machine gun jetpack, and players will be able to unlock laser jetpacks, bubble jetpacks and even shark jetpacks.

That may be true, but I'm pretty sure that's not the reason for the name change. "Fruit Ninja" has sold millions upon millions of copies, many of which were not to hardcore gamers. My mom, for example, would buy a game called "Fruit Ninja," but would likely think twice about buying a game called "Machine Gun Jetpack," which implies a hardcore gamer experience. "Jetpack Joyride" is a bit more inviting to the non-gamer crowds.

Of course, the name doesn't really matter, as the game is still the remarkably addictive experience I played a couple of months ago. "Jetpack Joyride" will hit the app store on September 1 for 99 cents and, as an added bonus, it'll be a universal app, so it'll work on both the iPad and iPhone. Halfbrick has even included a filter which cleans up the visuals on higher resolution screens. Fancy!