Trioncube

"Trioncube is Puzzle Perfection"

I have played many puzzle games over the years but haven't really seen a great puzzler in a long time. That was until I purchased Trioncube for the DS. I was aware of the Japanese version for some time but it really didn't look that interesting to me. The pictures looked like another Tetris rip off and there have been many of those over the years. However, after starting this game for the first time, I was introduced to what I feel is the best puzzle game ever made.

Trioncube is really a very simple puzzle game. So much so, that many people will find that to be the main flaw with this game. In Trioncube, you are trying to help Penko (your space ship) advance towards the goal. This action plays out on the top screen and right side of the bottom screen. Penko is fueled by connecting blocks in to 3 x 3 cubes. These cubes can then be chained together. The bigger the chain, the faster, further Penko will go. The blocks fall much like they do in Tetris, although some of the shapes are different. The controls are spot on and have a real feeling of contact when each piece connects.

There is an Arcade Mode, Story Mode, VS Mode, Endless Mode and Tutorial Mode. Arcade Mode can be beat within 15 Minutes but is a lot of fun to play through. Story Mode consists of 45 missions that vary in objectives, with each one taking different amounts of time. VS mode is single card play for up to two players or multi card play for up to four players. In VS Mode, you set the distance of the goal and try to beat the other player to the finish. Endless Mode is a non stop mode where you are trying to reach the 99th dimension. Each mode counts towards total time played and earns coins that allow you to purchase screen decorations (art) and effects that alter the sounds when a chain is completed. There is an amazing cast of characters in this game that make it stand above any puzzle game out there. I won't cover the characters because you really have to play the game in order to appreciate them. (If King Pluto doesn't make you laugh at least once, you should give up gaming)

Graphics-9 Beautiful colors and styles really set this game apart from anything currently on the DS. The art that can be purchased and applied to your DS screen add depth to an already great looking game.

Sounds-10 Wonderful music makes this game a classic. Effects that can be purchased are unique and offer sounds like bells, cats, chickens, bones ect. The effects really add to the unique feel of this game.

Play-10 Perfect. This puzzle game plays like a dream. When pieces connect, they feel like they connect. Controls are spot on and the pieces always go where you want them to.

Replay-10 The single card VS mode is a blast. That alone gives this game endless replay. However, with a great Arcade Mode, Story Mode and Endless mode, you won't run out of things to do in this game. All modes count towards your total time played and earn you money that can unlock bonuses.

Buy this game! This game retails for $19.99, comes with a color instruction manual and is the best puzzle game ever made IMO. The amount of quality that went into this game deserves to be played by as many people as possible. I won't be surprised at all if this is a game that can't be found six months from now. This is the type of classic game that will be over looked for other less deserving games. Don't let that happen.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/26/07