Apple's App Store price wars: Gameloft and Namco join fray

How important is having the top spot in Apple's App Store listings before the holiday "freeze," when applications cannot be added, changed, or updated? Important enough for most of the major players to drop prices on their biggest titles.

After Electronic Arts dropped the prices of most of its popular game titles, many to 99 cents, Gameloft and Namco quickly took stock and have now done the same.

The all-out battle for Apple's App Store charts is important, as the holiday "freeze" is fast approaching. iTunes Connect will not be accepting any App Store submissions or changes starting December 23 and running until December 28. That means that whatever apps are at the top of the charts on the 23rd will remain that way until December 28.

This is vitally important considering how many iOS devices are expected to be in stockings and under trees this holiday season. As little Jimmy connects his new iPad to iTunes and brings up the App Store to make his first big purchase, every game maker wants to be on the top of Apple's lists.

Namco's sale will begin December 21 and continue to January 3, including popular titles such as Star Trigon, Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Mishap.

Gameloft's sale started December 20 and continues until December 22, including popular games Iron Man 2, Uno, Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, The Oregon Trail, and Driver.

What are the must-have games for the holidays? Let me know in the comments!