Yoshi

"A smash hit puzzler -- Nintendo does it again!"

As far as puzzle games go, Nintendo has always achieved commercial success by including their most popular characters in games that don't particularly relate to them. Yoshi is no exception, as any game involving Mario's loveable green friend receives a warm welcome. From a first impression, Yoshi seems like such a simple game, but with some fun special tasks you can do, as well as fun music to keep you interested, this game will have you coming back for more, again and again.

Gameplay - 10/10

The best part about Yoshi is that the controls could not be simpler. You use the D-pad to move Mario's placement around, and then hit either button to switch him around. Since the controls are just that easy, it gives the game such a quick learning curve, and broadens the range of those who can play it. Where as some puzzle games may have difficult combinations of controls, Yoshi keeps it simple, and even the most novice gamers will feel like pros.

The most interesting concept about Yoshi would be the use of eggs, which are a key tool to success, and also make gameplay that much more fun. By placing a lower egg shell piece at the bottom, you can enclose many other pieces in-between that piece and an upper egg shell. The larger the combination, the better the Yoshi that hatches from the egg, and the higher your score increases. The use of eggs is a great addition, and keeps the game from seeming mundane and bland.

Story - N/A

As for a story, well it's safe to say this game doesn't have one, but not many puzzle games do. There are two modes: continuous mode and level mode. On continuous mode, you just keep playing until you fill the screen and lose. On level mode, the objective is to clear the screen completely, and advance to the next level. Each level is progressively faster than the one before it, and is also stacked higher to start. Every time you beat a level, a small animation occurs involving Yoshi and Mario, but that's about all you'll find in the way of story. The game is solely focused on the puzzles you must complete, which it should be.

Visuals - 8/10

Yoshi does not necessarily display graphics that push the Game Boy to extremes, but it animates smoothly and looks great. The various characters are clearly identifiable, and there is never any sense of lag, despite sometimes changing dozens of lines in a matter of seconds. The basic visuals stay the same throughout the entire game, but in general, they are exactly what you'd expect: simple, crisp, and easy on the eyes.

Audio - 7/10

Yoshi offers you four options in the way of background music: three repetitive yet catchy tunes, or no music at all. Two of the songs are upbeat and can help keep your pace up if you're that type of a player, while one is a slower tune for players that would rather listen to something relaxing. At times, the songs can be bothersome, but for the most part, the rhythm works so well with the motions that it is hard to go without them.

The sound effects used are simple yet effective. They illustrate how well you have done on completing certain moves, and can really guide you well towards determining how you're doing. There is nothing special about the sounds used, but they are used so well that anything more would be superfluous.

Replay Value - 9/10

Like almost all puzzle games, the replay value is endless. Every time you play, you can try to break your previous score, or you could even start the game on a harder level. Since there is no plot, the possibilities are endless, and with practice, you could achieve great scores on higher levels. Yoshi does not limit you to a single starting level or a single playing option, so you will want to come back for more.

Conclusion

The great part about Yoshi is that it plays so simply, and if you get into the groove, there is no telling how well you can do. There is no worry about hitting the wrong button, and if the music doesn't hype you up, then you can get rid of it. The concept is probably as simple (or more simple) than most puzzle games out there, and it is great fun for all ages. Addictive, simple, and fun: Nintendo does it again with a smash hit puzzler for the Game Boy.

Final Score: 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/12/04