Cocos2d is an open source

Open source

The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...

 2D game framework

Software framework

In computer programming, a software framework is an abstraction in which software providing generic functionality can be selectively changed by user code, thus providing application specific software...

. There are two versions, one written in Python

Python (programming language)

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...

 and one written in Objective-C

Objective-C

Objective-C is a reflective, object-oriented programming language that adds Smalltalk-style messaging to the C programming language.Today, it is used primarily on Apple's Mac OS X and iOS: two environments derived from the OpenStep standard, though not compliant with it...

 targeting iOS.

iOS port

Cocos2d for iPhone is an Objective-C

Objective-C

Objective-C is a reflective, object-oriented programming language that adds Smalltalk-style messaging to the C programming language.Today, it is used primarily on Apple's Mac OS X and iOS: two environments derived from the OpenStep standard, though not compliant with it...

 port for iOS with the same design and concepts as the original framework. The API comes integrated with Box2D

Box2D

Box2D is a free open source 2-dimensional physics simulator engine written in C++ by Erin Catto and published under the zlib license. It has been used in Crayon Physics Deluxe, Rolando, Fantastic Contraption, Incredibots, Angry Birds, Tiny Wings, Transformice, Stripe physics2, and many online Flash...

 and Chipmunk

Chipmunk physics engine

The Chipmunk SDK is a portable open-source 2D physics engine written in C99 by Scott Lembcke and published under the MIT license. Middleware physics engines like Chipmunk allow game developers to avoid writing their own code to handle the complex physics interactions possible in modern games...

 physics engines. It is used in several games on the App Store.

Android port

Cocos2d for Android is a Java

Java

Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...

 port for Android that is based on cocos2d for iPhone.

JavaScript port

Cocos2D JavaScript is a JavaScript

JavaScript

JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....

 port that uses the HTML5 canvas API. It is based on cocos2d for iPhone.

Critical reception

Cocos2d is not considered as powerful as OpenGL ES

OpenGL ES

OpenGL for Embedded Systems is a subset of the OpenGL 3D graphics application programming interface designed for embedded systems such as mobile phones, PDAs, and video game consoles. OpenGL ES is managed by the not-for-profit technology consortium, the Khronos Group, Inc.- Versions :Several...

, but is easier to learn and includes popular physics engines Chipmunk

Chipmunk physics engine

The Chipmunk SDK is a portable open-source 2D physics engine written in C99 by Scott Lembcke and published under the MIT license. Middleware physics engines like Chipmunk allow game developers to avoid writing their own code to handle the complex physics interactions possible in modern games...

 and Box2D

Box2D

Box2D is a free open source 2-dimensional physics simulator engine written in C++ by Erin Catto and published under the zlib license. It has been used in Crayon Physics Deluxe, Rolando, Fantastic Contraption, Incredibots, Angry Birds, Tiny Wings, Transformice, Stripe physics2, and many online Flash...

.