"Now would be a good time to become a good friend with the owner of the arcade!"

Is there really a need to present Puzzle Bobble, the father of all addictive puzzle games !? These cute dinos are here for a very simple purpose : take all your quarters and man, do they do so in style !? There isn't any doubt about it, this is a perfect example of simple and yet addictive gameplay !

The concept in Puzzle Bobble is fairly easy like in all the addictive games that came out while the PSX was being designed and the major disappointment that was the Dreamcast and the Nintendo 64 wasn't known and also while Orochi K was beginning to show a major interest in girls. Meanwhile, SNK and TAITO were releasing exciting titles and were confirming their progress in designing.

Your task, should you accept to insert your coins in the machine, is to assemble the marbles by color. This done, the corresponding marbles will explode and you'll earn more points while clearing the stage. The minimum number of adjacent marbles is of 3 and logically, the maximum that you may get rid of is 5. However, you gain more points as you cause some marbles to drop down and pass by our 2 dear little dinos.

In order to achieve this, you simply need to try and make combinations well above such that those that are attached only to the latter will drop down as these explode. The greater the number that falls down, the better and that's more points for you and possibly your name in the high scores ! Unless I've played at that machine before, of course !

The colors of the marbles are very varied and come along in a rather disorderly pattern although they will come in that particular color if you only need to clear 2 marbles. Of course, it is then up to you to make the marbles ''connect'' to those or you're in for very hurried attempts. And if you take too much time, the ceiling lowers and you'll most likely shriek in agony as the marbles get closer and closer to our 2 friends who would probably eat you as soon as they get a chance.

With very good designs, this simple puzzler can only be good. The colored marbles are a real beauty to watch and while the game doesn't boast light effects and polygons to make it stand out graphically, everything is nicely done. The dinos look really cute and their animation as you play on is that funny [specially if you're taking too much time to clear a level and they start to get frantic].

The stages and lay-out are simple and yet, you can only like them. There aren't any special art-work to try and fool players into believing that the game rocks for the plain reason that the game doesn't need those. Why ? Because it has everything a game should have in terms of gameplay and fun-factor.

There is only one theme throughout the variety of stages in the game but this single theme is well enough and the game doesn't need more than that. A very entertaining tune and with the children's voice that encourage you as you start and that rejoice when you win, Puzzle Bobble remains a reference here.

The first time I played the game, the theme remained in my head for like a week and I even found myself humming it while doing my homework and even at school. Eventually, I returned to play the game and was overjoyed on hearing this music again.

As for gameplay, need I ever speak of it ?! The first stages are rather easy but things get harder as you move on and much harder as you reach the last stages. But it is when you play against a friend that Puzzle Bobble shows how much potential it has. Be prepared then for some absolutely fun matches because this game is a perfect example of those that are a very good excuse to bring friends together for a whole day. Having a lot of bucks also helps !

Puzzle Bobble is an instant classic and if you haven't played it, I really feel sorry for you because you just don't know what a fun game means yet. Next time you go to the arcade, bring a lot of money with you…And bring some friends too and don't forget your handkerchief to wipe away your tears as you laugh all the time.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/14/01, Updated 11/09/02