Zombies are a common theme in iPhone and iPod touch games. Search the iTune Apps Store using the word "Zombie" and you'll see dozens of games with a zombie premise.

Zombies can be gruesome and scary, as in many classic and modern Halloween horror flicks. Or, goofy mindless creatures that walk right into the line of fire. Here are a few of our favorite games - with zombies from both categories.

Zombieville USA
Full version, $1.99 and Lite version, Free
Battle the living dead as you take down waves of zombies in this wonderfully animated side-scrolling shooter. Duck into houses to find ammo or money to purchase other weapons. There are 15 kinds of weapons, including a flamethrower and bazooka. Zombieville USA is a bit gory, even for its cartoonish presentation. But, if that doesn't bother you, you'll find Zombiville USA to be so addicting that you won't want the little mindless invaders to stop coming.

Zombie Attack: The Second Wave
Full version, $3.99 and Lite version, Free
Zombie Attack! is a zombified tower defense-style game. Protect yourself and your home by using your avatar to place weapons in the field of play. Weapons fire automatically, when a zombie crosses into the weapon's firing range. The variety of weapons, zombie types and maps give Zombie Attack! The Second Wave a nice level of replayability as you hone your strategy to survive to the next wave of baddies.

Alive 4-ever
Full version, $2.99
There's been a zombie epidemic (of course)! Play one of four character that start with slightly different weapons, stats and abilities. Gain experience points to level-up your character by dispatching zombies and completing various objectives. When your character advances a level, you receive ability points to spend on improving characters stats and abilities, such as HP and Hit Rate. You also receive money to purchase other weapons. Alive 4-ever is a top-down survival shooter with polished graphics and sound. The RPG elements add variety to the characters, strategies and gameplay. And, wireless multiplayer mode let's you play together with a friend.