Puzzling Qs about PUZZLE games

[lendelin]

Recently I picked up a game for the DC that I skipped for the N64: Wetrix+.

I enjoyed this game to no end, even interrupted for this game my quest to get finally Nobunaga in Onimusha 3. Here I am, playing a simple puzzler while neglecting a great game with stunning visuals, great gameplay, and my oh so beloved demons.

Why aren't there more puzzle games? Tetris is one of the most successful games in game history, maybe THE most successful game, and still puzzlers are terribly neglected. A good puzzle game is a developers dream, easy to learn and hard to master, and therefore addictive.

Why don't go developers for more innovations in puzzle games? Is it market appeal? Is it too difficult to develop a good puzzler? Does it have the smell of being too generic? Why don't they step out of the Tetris shadow and put some creativity in developing great puzzlers?...or are puzzle elemnts in the meantime absorbed by other genres and I just can't see it? (= hard to maintain a stance as a genre on its own?)

I know about Fantavision, Devil Dice and Bombastic, and the Adventures of Lolo series, and Zoop (which I enjoyed also)....but some hints about great puzzle games beyond that would be great (all systems, all times).

[downfall]

I would encourage you to check out Mario's Picross (Game Boy), and Mario's Super Picross (SFC only). I always loved those two games - two of the best puzzle games ever released if you ask me, though I wish Super Picross would've made it over here.

http://www.supanova.ukf.net/games/picross/start.htm - Explanation of gameplay.

I'm also anxiously awaiting Chokkan Hitofude (One-Line Puzzle):

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=275&products_id=5824&

It's a DS game - hopefully it makes it out over here - otherwise, I'll have to import it.

I've always enjoyed puzzle games, especially the kind that don't involve falling blocks or other objects - those are fun, but I like things like the above much better.

[Avatard]

Lolo was great, maybe one day I'll actually find a Lolo 3 game. I seem to recall tetris spheres (or something like that) for the N64 being pretty cool. I hated Zoop a lot though, dunno why. I really enjoyed Dr. Robotnic's Mean Bean Machine. Solstice for the NES was kinda neat, but too easy to lose. I may have to check out Picross for the gameboy, I'd like to have a puzzle game for it. I too would like to see more puzzle games for consoles.

[downfall]

Heh.. I have a copy of Lolo 3 with the manual that I was planning on selling once I finish photographing everything - PM me and let me know what you're willing to pay if you're interested!

And back to the topic at hand.

[tritium]

Hmm, I was actually discussing the same thing with a neighbor lately. Some of the most popular games in my house and amongst my friends have been stuff like Tetris, Bust-a-move, Super Puzzle Fighter, ChuChu Rocket(Though it wrecks my nerves).

I was looking to get a puzzle game for my sister, but I can't find anything different than what we've alreayd played.

-Tritium

[YoshiM]

If we are talking consoles, I'm thinking the audience moved over to PCs. To be honest I haven't really heard much in the way of new puzzle games except for Bookworm/Bespelled for GBA and Ultra Bust a Move for Xbox (which the latter, IMO, doesn't do the BOM series justice). As computers are entering into more and more homes along with Internet connections, puzzle gamers are finding they can find their fix online for "free" (as in not paying more than your ISP and phone bill) on a multitude of game sites. For those who aren't online, a bit of gas to get to the discounter along with $10 can probably net you one of those cheapo game compilation CDs with a variety of puzzlers.

[Daria]

Zoo Cube for the GameCube is an excellent puzzler. You control this spinning block and have to catch and stack animal bits that fall towards you from all angles of the screen, and in a classic Tetris manner you have to catch so many like bits to clear the block. There's a GBA version as well but it sacrafices much of the games charm by replacing the animal parts with genaric geometic shapes. And of course in the cube version when ever you create an animal a little cartoon head pops out and makes the animal's sound.Very cute, very fun.

There's also a port of Wetrix for the PS2 called Aqua Aqua I believe. At least the back of the box looked like Wetrix.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

There are quite a lot of puzzle games out there they just aren't very popualr witht he public. Wetrix is the most popular? I was thinking that tetris was. Anyways I love puzzle games such as Bust-A-Move, Magical Drop, and Qix. I've been wanting to get Zoo Cube just haven't got around to it.

[sharc]

i've really enjoyed tetris attack for the super nes...bright and colorful graphics based on yoshi's island with a strong difficuly curve that demands well-developed tecnhical skill. apparently pokemon puzzle league for the n64 is a revamped version of it, though i haven't played that myself.

i also played a lot of kickle cubicle (nes) when i was a kid and enjoyed it greatly, but that might just me be. :P

-sharc

[qbertandernie]

tecmo stackers for PSX was pretty fun, i never really got into zoocube. maybe ill try again now that im thinking about it.

[Crush Crawfish]

As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats Mr. Driller in the realm of puzzle games. NOTHING.

[Zing]

Intelligent Qube is great. As far as Tetris clones go, Dr. Mario is/was my favorite. Zoop was indeed terrible. :evil:

I would also consider the Oddworld games to be puzzle games. Abe's Oddysee, Abe's Exoddus, Munch's Oddysee. Coincidentally, I am currently selling the first two games on Ebay. ;) Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is also another I would consider a puzzle/action game.

When you look at the current popular games you can see why developers are not making puzzle games. Halo, Resident Evil, GTA, Metroid, Half-Life... these are the types of games for this generation. There isn't much shelf space for the less popular great games, let alone a minor genre like puzzles. It would be hard to convince a marketing dept (face it, the marketing dept is what gives the go/no-go to game ideas in many companies) to go with a game that isn't full of pushing polygons, pop music, excessive violence, or is yet another sequel.

[Daria]

I dunno, there is a market for puzzler games, it just tends to be filled by smaller game companies looking for a niche. Which is fine by me, you don't need a big budget to create the next teris.

[irata]

I support Kickle Cubicle fully. I used to look around at all the local FuncoLands for years trying to find one. Usually just got blank stares. I've never heard anyone say that name out loud, except me.

I still drag it out maybe once a year. Not exceptionally hard, but really fun.

I also love Wrecking Crew for NES.

[jdc]

I find that puzzle games are a great way to unwind.

I like Dr Mario, Tetris and Bust-A-Move. I have Columns on my Genny. I found out tonight that my friend still has a copy of Sega Swirl for the Dreamcast that he is willing to give to me. I have a Mah Jong game installed on my PC as well. I even play those basic games that come as part of Windows XP.

When I ran my game store I found that, even in the age of the XboX, PS2 and Cube, simple puzzle games were very strong renters and sellers.

[Algol]

Ahhh... puzzle games. One of my favorite quick plays.

My two favorites would probably be Tetris and Dr. Mario. Theres also a great bargain bin puzzle on the PS1 called Star Sweep that all puzzle fans should try.

I didn't really like Wetrix. The game just seemed too complicated and throw too much at you to do any good.

[goatdan]

I'm big on puzzlers too :)

Here are some of my favorites:

Lynx - Chips Challenge, Crystal Mines II and Crystal Mines II: Buried Treasure. All of these are just awesome, awesome games. I even made some levels for the Songbird-released CM2:BT :)

Jaguar - Flip Out and Vid Grid. Both of these games seemed to be either loved or hated. I loved them both. Flip out is rather easy, but is really fun while it lasts. Vid Grid is rather hard, but if you like the music is definitely worthwhile.

General - Bust-A-Move. Someone else mentioned it, but it bears repeating. An excellent title. Any sort of "Shanghai" game is great fun too.

Dreamcast - With any luck, there will be two games released any day. Inhabitants ( http://www.goatstore.com/info.php?id=372010 ) is an exceptionally fun strategic game. It's hard to explain what it is like -- part Sega Swirl and part Tetris, sorta. Check it out for yourself - you can download a demo of it here: http://www.dchomebrew.org/inhab.shtml

The other game is called Maqiupai, and is another version of the popular Shanghai style of games. ( http://www.goatstore.com/info.php?id=372020 ) The coolest thing about Maqiupai in my opinion is the fact that you get to submit your best times on boards to see how you stack up to everyone else. (Unfinished site preview - http://goatstore.com/maqiupai/boards.php ) The "arcade" mode to unlock the levels is also very addicting. I did a lot of work playtesting that game, and while I've always liked Shanghai games, I could never play them for too long. I happily found myself playing Maqiupai for four hour marathons just for fun :) No demo on that one... yet.

[SamuraiSmurfette]

Mario's Super Picross (SFC only

:eek 2: :eek 2: :eek 2:
oh no...I have a new quest. I MUST find this.
Picross has been taking away time from my DS, and Halo 2.
It's just THAT GOOD!
Never knew there was a Super Famicom Version.


oh, and I also recommend Puzzle Link for NGPC...
not sure if it was on anything else.
But before I recently discovered Picross, it was my hopeless puzzle addiction.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

I dunno, there is a market for puzzler games, it just tends to be filled by smaller game companies looking for a niche. Which is fine by me, you don't need a big budget to create the next teris.

Yea Daria is right. You don't need a big budget to creat good puzzle games. That's why I wonder why puzzle games aren't made in or to sell to america.
Maybe all of the money is being used to make newer 3D games with outstanding graphics. If some more money and time was put into making good puzzle games I think it's a good way to gain some appreation for the company. Although I don't think it would work on the public demand for these newer, more graphical games. Seems I have mixed feelings about it. x_x

My favorite is Magical Drop 2!

[Dahne]

I enjoyed this game to no end, even interrupted for this game my quest to get finally Nobunaga in Onimusha 3. Here I am, playing a simple puzzler while neglecting a great game with stunning visuals, great gameplay, and my oh so beloved demons.

And a magic Frenchman. Can't forget the magic Frenchman.

As for puzzle games, I have spent far too much money on the arcade version of Super Puzzle Fighter.

[goatdan]

Arcade games... how could I forget Battle Balls?!?

In one weekend, I probably spent $60.00 playing this game at an arcade, and it was almost exclusively against friends and family. (It was in a meeting area at a campground I was staying at with a group.) After that, I went and bought the game board on eBay for $200 just so I could play it -- and I have never had a working horizontal JAMMA yet to put it in (but I will!)

That is a GREAT game. I kind of hope it doesn't get emulated in MAME, because I'll never leave the computer.