Puzzle games are a steadfast genre in gaming that has been around seemingly since some Russian guy coded a simple game of falling blocks on a computer terminal. Since then the world has become addicted to the puzzle genre in one form or another and developers have been only too accommodating to profit from this obsession with falling shapes of various shapes and sizes.

Ok so we have Tetris which speaks for itself, Bubble Bobble being another classic and columns which is effectively Sega's alternative answer to Tetris, but that's not their most recognised puzzle series. Indeed that honor goes to perhaps one of the most obscure examples of the genre ever created; I am of course referring to the legendary Puyo Pop!

Interestingly enough Puyo Pop didn't start off as how we now refer to it at all, it was originally a puzzle game based spin off to the Sonic the Hedgehog series called Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine which although clever, hardly sounds as catchy. The basic premise to the games in the series is that you are presented with a backdrop into which "Puyo's" (read "small coloured beans") drop into and accumulate and dissipate.

Puyo's typically fall in clusters of two, three or four, with four or more of the same colour needing to be in contact with one another in order to be dispersed with. It's pretty simple stuff really, but as with all simple concepts in puzzle games it is easily one of the most truly addictive. Puyo Pop has remained largely unchanged over the years with the basic fundamentals of game play revolving around a backdrop where "Puyo" drop and you (the player) are charged with the task of deciding where the Puyo are destined to go by moving them either Left, Right or down and rotating them.

And here we are, present day, and we have what is essentially the same game from the point of when the original was released but with a few bells and whistles. Story mode returns in all its random awesomeness though, which is great, and all of your favorite and indeed not-so-favorite characters are present and correct / incorrect too...

Amitie (the main star of the fever titles) is back of course in all her randomness and as you will find from playing her part of the story mode, so are a few firm favorites. Dongurigaeru, the frog in an acorn cup who is only capable of saying the word "Keron" (honestly you just can't make this stuff up) and speaking of limited vocabulary (as well as continuing the trait of weirdness). The infamous Onion Pixy also returns; infamous of course for being a pixie with an onion for a head (self explanatory really) and uttering the word "onion!" with the occasional "buyoing!" for good measure.

It's the characters that actually form the core experience of Puyo Pop and are as integral as the Puyo themselves to the games success. Some might complain that the overall randomness of the characters makes it difficult to focus on the game, especially during story mode, but in fact they actually help by adding to the game as opposed to detracting from it. Graphically the game is vibrant, colourful and has a clean, crisp anime style of presentation. This coupled with the multi-coloured blobs that are the Puyo makes this game really stand out from the crowd.

The accompanying audio is quite manic and upbeat but isn't particularly overwhelming and basically just further serves to enhance the experience. It seems to be a Sonic Team tradition of featuring suitably complementary audio to their titles and thankfully Puyo Pop Fever isn't an exception featuring BGM both old and new coupled with amusing SFX.

Another thing about Puyo Pop is that it's not meant to be taken too seriously; granted that in the story mode there will be points where you get to certain opponents which you might have to retry in excess of twenty-something times in order to progress, but the majority of the game is just pure, simple, whimsical enjoyment and is just how puzzle games should be.

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Story mode is designed for that very purpose "enjoyment", play it without skipping the text you might notice that the dialog, although predictable, is never serious at any point and it's all very tongue in cheek with it's throwaway comments that liberally seep out in amongst all the vague verbal exchange between characters which somehow always ends in a challenge to yet another game of Puyo Pop.

One overriding factor usually dictates the success of such a game though; "Is it addictive?" In a word Yes. In several words however... Puyo Pop is probably one of the single most addictive puzzle games ever conceived and easily ranks up there with Alexy Pajitnov's tale of falling blocks (Tetris) and Taito's brilliantly simple Bubble-Bobble. Even in those moments where you may have retried countless times to beat a seemingly impassable opponent you keep going for some unknown reason which can only be summed up in one clichéd phrase... "Once you pop you can't stop". Maybe it's the chain reactions you can create known as "offsetting", or could it be the repetitive accompanying speech samples, possibly the desire to succeed no matter what or maybe; just maybe, it's the simple joy of playing.

All of the aforementioned points are testament to the games unique addictive quality but just playing the game and the simple enjoyment that it brings is a refreshing experience in itself. In an industry that's overpopulated with countless war related FPS titles, numerous pointlessly rehashed sports titles with minimal differences and of course the endless sea of film tie-ins; simple puzzle games like Puyo Pop Fever provide us with a much needed breath of fresh air and help us to not lose sight of an important factor in gaming that's overlooked far too often these days... fun.

If you have never played a Puyo Pop game in your life and you're looking for something different then give Fever a go, as well as being the best in the long running series thus far, it's both the ideal starting point for potential newcomers and the reference point for existing Puyo Pop Purists. As well as the solid story mode which contains multiple paths, there is the option to play its endless mode as well as challenge mode, both of which have been steadfast inclusions for some time now and are still as good as ever.

In the multiplayer department the game manages still to outshine many competitors by including download play for up to eight players using just a single game card. It's in this part where the game comes into it's own as you and fellow DS owners will be in for a riot! Pick a character, press start and let the mayhem commence! The majority of puzzle games are fun to play with others but Puyo Pop Fever is immensely enjoyable partly due to the diverse selection of characters as everyone will be able to find a quirky avatar that they like which adds to the fun factor.

Indeed the games only real downside is that it failed to take advantage of Nintendo's phenomenally successful WiFi connection. I put this down to the fact that the title was actually released nearly two years ago in Japan and while it was planned for a soon after UK release it got inexplicably delayed, this excessive delay might have been understandable had ST implemented WiFi connection capability, yet they didn't, and as a result we have now received the first Puyo Pop Fever title shortly after Japan has received both the first and even the second installment!

Due to this it would seem unlikely that even the sequel will have online multiplayer when it reaches European shores, but it would be a wise move for ST to consider re-releasing the second installment in Japan with Wifi connection support and then following up with both US and UK releases with the same online capability as I am certain (as I'm sure others are also) that the franchise is most definitely suited to the inclusion of an online V.S mode, (if not a Cooperative mode also), It worked for Tetris so why not Puyo Pop?

Lack of an online mode aside, Puyo Pop Fever is an astoundingly addictive and surprisingly solid example of it's genre which is overly original and outrageously outlandish in it's own way. Looking for a simple fun game with a lot to offer for a budget price? Look no further; buy it, play it, love it! It's that simple.