Best apps to show off your new iPad Retina display

If you just got your new iPad and you're wondering which apps and games you need to download right now to show off that gorgeous new high density Retina display (and that fancy new A5X processor!), you're in luck. We have your list right here!

Now, it might take some time for all of your favorite apps to update for Retina display, so you'll need to be a little patient. We'll add to and update this list as new apps hit the App Store, so check back often and make sure you subscribe to our updated for Retina display forum thread for a much more complete list.

Update: Apple has just set up a special Retina for iPad-ready section of the app store.

Twitter apps: Tweetbot, Twitter, and Twitterrific

While we wait for Facebook all of the big three iPad Twitter apps are ready for Retina. That includes the original iOS Twitter app, Twitterific, which is great for those who enjoy just reading through Twitter, the official Twitter app for iPad, which has one of the most audacious user experiences ever seen on the iPad, and Tweebot which is perfect for power users with best-in-class notifications and great features like "mute". If you're brand new to Twitter, check out Twitterrific. If you're a hard core tweeter, give Tweetbot a go.

• Tweetbot for iPad review
• Twitterrific vs. Twitter for iPad vs. Tweetbot shootout

Office apps: Numbers, Pages, and Keynote

Apple's iWork suite, which consists of Keynote for presentations, Numbers for spreadsheets, and Pages for word processing has just been updated for Retina, so all your documents will look fantastic on the high-density screen. Keynote was built for Steve Jobs so it's absolutely best in class, while Numbers and Pages are easy to use and produce great looking documents.

• Keynote for iPad review
• Numbers for iPad review
• Pages for iPad review

Racing games: Real Racing HD

FireMint is always at the cutting edge of iOS gaming and this time around is no different. They've already updated Real Racing HD for Retina display. Add that to their existing support for AirPlay Mirroring, and not only do you get amazing racing on your new iPad, you can do full on Party Play on your big screen TV via Apple TV. What that means is you and up to 4 people total can each use an iPhone 4S, iPad 2, or the new iPad to race, multiplayer style. Not only is that a whole lot of fun -- it's a shot across the bow of every console in the casual gaming space.

First person shooters: Modern Combat 3

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation was already the ultimate First Person Shooter for iPad, and now it comes in Retina. You can play a solo mission with over 13 different levels each with fantastic graphics and enemy AI. Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation also offers a highly polished online multiplayer game experience. You can battle up to twelve players in six maps with seven different modes of play. A word of warning, you can accelerate your gaming abilities in this game via in app purchase of weapons and health kits; some find this an unfair advantage!

Action/arcade games: Infinity Blade II

Infinity Blade II picks up where the first installment left off, but now does so in stunning Retina. It's Epic's Unreal 3 engine and on the new iPad it's simply stunning. You are locked in a battle with the Deathless, only this time the stakes are higher, the enemies badder, and the weapons more powerful than ever. It's still a tad repetitive at times, but it quickly becomes as addictive as it is gorgeous, and ChAIR typically has regular updates so there's always new gear, new enemies, and new aspects to enjoy.

Creativity apps: iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand

Apple's iLife suite is now fully on iPad and fully updated for Retina. It includes the brand new iPhoto for image editing, iMovie for video editing, and GarageBand for music creation. They're all optimized for multitouch as well, so you can really get your hands on them and manipulate your content like never before.

• iPhoto review

eBook apps: iBooks

While Amazon's Kindle for iPad app has also been updated for Retina, and has a bigger catalog of titles, not to mention cross-platform support, Apple's iBooks is just better looking, better animated, and has an overall better experience. And if we're talking showing off, that's what wins out. From the latest novels to the best non-fiction to high school textbooks to cartoons like Bloom County and comics from Marvel, you'll think you're looking at digital paper.

Newsreader apps: The Early Edition 2

The Early Edition 2 is an RSS reader with a gorgeous user interface that looks absolutely stunning on the new iPad. Because of our love for eye candy, one of our favorite features is the manilla envelope that pops up when sharing an article to a social network and the “Shared Copy” stamp that appears just before it pops up. If you ever dreamed of reading the news on your iPad with your feet up and while sipping excellent coffee (or wine), this is the app for you.

More to come!

So there you have them, the best apps available to really show off you new iPad! Again, we'll be updating this page as more great Retina apps come in, so keep checking back and stick with our updated for Retina display forum thread for a much more complete list.