Tsunagete Pon! review by Torture

I have owned Tsunagete Pon! for a while now. Right around the time the color NGP was released, I bought a used copy of the original version from a friend of mine. Based on what I heard about it from people I had spoken to, it sounded like a pretty good game, and since I was getting it used, I knew it would be worthwhile at the price agreed upon. Well, after a long time on my shelf with my other games, I am finally writing a review. It’s not that I haven’t played the game, it’s just that I am not really a puzzle game fan, and it does not seem to me like an easy game to review.

For those who don’t know, Tsunagete Pon! is a puzzle game developed by Yumekobo. It was one of their first NGP games along with Pocket Tennis, both of which have since received color updates. Regardless, I am reviewing the monochrome version, but both games should be about the same, though the color version might have some additions to it.

Graphics

There are two main aspects to the graphics, the gameplay graphics, and the artwork. First there is the artwork, which is very good. Before starting the game, you are treated to a really cool light animation sequence, which was more that I expected from a puzzle game, especially one in a 4 meg cart. In the game, you receive different cards that feature different creatures on them, and again, the artwork here is really good.

Of course, there is also the in game graphics. There really isn’t much to say here, as each block looks just like it is supposed to. The graphics are standard, but do their job. Yumekobo did take advantage of the original NGP’s great grayscale capabilities, as each block is distinctly different not only in shape, but in the shade of gray. Despite the standard puzzle graphics, it works well due to the NGP’s celar screen, as the game is pleasant on the eyes, and for addictive puzzle games, that’s a plus.

While playing, a cute little character animates in a box on the left side of the screen. It will do things in reaction to your performance on the screen. Do something right, and it will be happy. If you get too close to defeat, it will look worried. It’s a nice little touch and amusing to watch as you play.

Sound

As it is a puzzle game, there isn’t really much to say in the way of sound effects. There is some beeping as you try and make links, standard stuff. When you eliminate blocks, it also makes the typical popping sound. There are also indicator beeps, to warn that the blocks are dangerously low, or when something else happens. It’s a puzzle game, it has standard puzzle sound effects. Not a bad thing, but nothing phenomenal.

As for music, it isn’t much different. The music is not bad enough to make you want to turn it off. It’s not bad at all. When I play though, I forget that the music is there sometimes. That’s because of two reasons: I’m concentrating on the puzzle, and that the music isn’t memorable. The music is just there, it does what it is supposed to do, make some noise so the game does not get boring or too silent.

Gameplay

I figure that this is the heart of any puzzle game, as graphics and sound do not need to be quite so flashy in a puzzle game, especially when you’re just trying to eliminate blocks. When you get into Tsunagete Pon!, rows of blocks scroll down from the top of the screen. There can be up to 4 types of blocks per puzzle. The object of the game is to link the same color blocks together. The 2 blocks to be linked must be separate from each other, meaning they can’t be in different part of the same group of blocks of that color. I hope it is not that confusing, as I had trouble figuring out how to explain it. Depending on the level, the blocks will drop at varying speeds, and a different amount of blocks will be used. Of course, if the blocks reach the bottom, you lose. To complete each level, you must endure for a while until 2 special blocks appear. Link them, and you’re out. Every so often, you’re rewarded with special cards(mentioned earlier) that you can view in the options. It’s pretty simple to learn, and it’s a change of pace from other puzzle games where you have to arrange blocks. All in all, it’s fun and engrossing.

Luckily, Yumekobo added in another form of play. Instead of trying to keep the blocks from dropping to the bottom until you can clear the stage, there is also a mode where the whole screen is filled with blocks, and you must link them, and eliminate every last one of them. It sounds very easy, but it is extremely difficult to do. In the game, it is not uncommon for certain moves to cause a chain reaction, and in this mode, they can sometimes be harmful, as the chain reactions can eliminate blocks that could end up being important later. If there is even one block remaining in this mode, you lose. This mode sports a fixed set of puzzles, or random to keep things interesting.

Overall

All in all, the game is very challenging, and very addictive. These are two good qualities for a puzzle game to have. The game is easy enough to start and learn, addictive enough to keep you playing for a long time without realizing it, but it’s challenging enough to keep the game from becoming easy to figure out. In these aspects it succeeds. The game also has enough modes to have a good variety. If collecting the cards interests you, then it also has incentive to come back and play.

I imagine the review sounds rather positive, and it is. But, I am not really a fan of puzzle games. I bought it because I could get it at a nice price. I have enjoyed some puzzle games in the past(Tetris is not one of them), so I do see the merits of this genre. But at a puzzle game, it also has more narrow appeal. And with that, I can say that Tsunagete Pon! is a good game, but I can’t recommend it to everyone. If you like puzzle games, go for it(or the color version). If you’re interested in a puzzle game for the sake of having one in your library, give it a shot(either version). If you like fighters and action games with dynamic graphics, then look elsewhere.

On one last note, the game(at least the monochrome version) does not feature English, but it is not a problem at all, so if you are interested in this game, don’t let that stop you.