Puzzle games for the DS...Best?...Worst?

[liveinabin]

Another vote for Puzzle Bobble/Bust-a-move.

 

Seems there are two versions, but I mean this one :-

 

Controls are totally perfect. It's amazing how accurate the stylus-slingshot system is. Really nice two player mode from 1 cartridge as well (and there's a demo you can upload to your friends DS). Can't fault it on any level. Kinda like the Saturn version of Bomberman, they'll never top this.

[NE146]

I dunno man.. I never really cared about Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move.

 

I guess to me it seems less of a "Puzzle" game and more of an aiming/shooter game.

[n8littlefield]

I dunno man.. I never really cared about Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move.

 

I guess to me it seems less of a "Puzzle" game and more of an aiming/shooter game.

I'm actually in the same boat. I never could really get into the series either.

 

Another game that doesn't get as much credit as it deserves as an Action Puzzler if you will is Yoshi Touch and Go. People expected a platformer, and it does look the role in some parts, but at it's heart is really a traditional arcade puzzle game. Excellent title once you give it an hour or so for the gameplay to really click.

[NE146]

Yeah I guess in Bust a Move it's like.. "ok I just need to angle a shot into the upper-middle part to clear this board.. oh crap, I missed!"... Does that mean I didn't solve the puzzle? What puzzle??

[BrianC]

Another vote for Puzzle Bobble/Bust-a-move.

 

Seems there are two versions, but I mean this one :-

 

Controls are totally perfect. It's amazing how accurate the stylus-slingshot system is. Really nice two player mode from 1 cartridge as well (and there's a demo you can upload to your friends DS). Can't fault it on any level. Kinda like the Saturn version of Bomberman, they'll never top this.

 

I explained this in my previous post in this topic. Puzzle Bobble DS (JP only) and the game in the pic (Hippatte Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move DS) aren't simply two versions of the same game. They are completely different games. From my previous post:

 

They didn't just make one, they made two, Puzzle Bobble DS (Japan only) and Bust a Move DS/Hippatte Puzzle Bobble. Both are good, but Bust-A-Move DS has too many puzzle levels that rely more on luck than skill. I prefer Puzzle Bobble DS. It has better graphics and music, while still keeping the classic Bubble Bobble theme. It has better puzzle design and some nice features like a "DS Mode" with ? mark bubbles that give power ups (and an edit mode). Bust-A-Move DS/Hippatte Puzzle Bobble has better stylus control, but both games can also be played with the D-pad.

 

I disagree that Bust-A-Move DS can't be faulted on any level. As I said, some of the puzzle designs rely waaay too much on luck, unlike with Puzzle Bobble DS. There's even a puzzle in Bust-A-Move DS that has bubbles blocked by blocks that can only be removed with a special bubble that randomly appears. The game is still good and the multiplayer in Bust-A-Move DS for up to 5 players with one card is nice. Puzzle Bobble DS only has 2 players, but it's still single cart.

Edited April 26, 2007 by BrianC

[hex65000]

While neither are terribly exceptional, I'm surprised nobody mentioned Polarium or Pokemon Trozei. Honestly, Trozei is the better of the two in my book. It is a fusion of Meteos and Zoo Keeper in that the object is to make a group of three or more objects (Pokemon) disappear. -- hence the Zoo Keeper Element. The poblem is that the bin fills constantly and you want to keep it as empty as possible typically (like Meteos). The collecting aspect was pretty cool and there's a story mode as well with 'rare' pokemon that you have to try and collect. some of them have annoying features to them that make them tough to catch.

 

Polarium just drove me nuts and was just annoying to play. I really like Meteos though. A nice $15 purchase I must say.

 

Hex.

[ Notes that Q? was involved in Lumines and Meteos correct? ]

[n8littlefield]

Yeah - Q? is the one that did Lumines and Meteos.

 

I actually prefer the gameplay of Polarium over many other puzzles. Something about the simple idea of find the most efficient paths to remove the lines I found very addicting and almost calming.

 

Meteos I liked at first, but found that I never really wanted to go back and replay over and over again. I'm thinking the Disney version might change that as I like the theme and the ability to move things sideways is interesting. I am glad they decided to make the game play using the DS sideways as well, great move. I was going to pick up Capcom vs SNK but I've been hearing complaints that the cards/decks aren't balanced very well, so I may do Disney instead.

[DaBargainHunta]

My picks:

 

Puzzle Quest: Flat out hands down the best puzzle game on the DS (IMO). More addictive than crack.

 

Gunpey: Underrated, intense, and addictive. I'm surprised at the negative reaction for it in this thread. I didn't find it "too easy" or "dull" as others here implied.

 

Trioncube: In most puzzlers, you have to clear the blocks as quickly as possible. In this one, you have to do the opposite and chain together huge combos. Very relaxing. I love it.

 

Not quite puzzlers, but...

 

Quickspot: Someone mentioned this earlier, and it's brilliant. If you like those "spot the differences" games you see in magazines, you'll like this DS version of that same concept.

 

Uno/Skip-Bo/Freefall: Freefall is a fairly decent, if pedestrian puzzler. It's actually not bad at all. Uno and Skip-Bo are the real highlights. I was surprised at how addictive this is. WELL worth $15.

 

Clubhouse Games: Tons of card games and more. Lots of variety here.

Edited April 28, 2007 by DaBargainHunta

[Rogmeister]

I may have to check out a few of these myself. I only have two puzzle games for the DS so far. One is Zoo Keeper which everyone has mentioned while no one's mentioned the other...Puyo Pop Fever. You may remember back in the 90s that this game was adapted for the SNES as Kirby's Avalanche (as well as a Genesis game as well). I like the game...I keep losing on the harder levels but I haven't destroyed the cart...yet.

[n8littlefield]

I just bought Disney Meteos today (and Theme Park!) - I'll post thoughts once I've had some.