Art Style: PiCTOBiTS review

Skip Ltd.'s Art Style series returns to the Nintendo DSi with the second entry in the series, PiCTOBiTS; which is also the first in the Art Style line to use characters and music from other Nintendo franchises.

Like Tetris, and subsequent "falling block" puzzle games, PiCTOBiTS uses the classic falling formula, but reinvents the genre by utilizing touch screen controls with a new and unique gameplay design.

First Thoughts
After my disappointment with WarioWare: Snapped!, I was very cautious as to how I was going to spend the rest of my free DSi Points. I was looking for a pick up and play game, a game that I wouldn't need swap out a cart for, that I know would be available on my DSi when I grab it at 3 in the morning. So, much to my joy, an appealing looking puzzle game showed up on the DSi Shop, and it used NES games as its theme. Where could I go wrong?

Gameplay
As stated, all of PiCTOBiTS' puzzles are centered around various NES and Famicom games, much like the previously released Tetris DS. So you'll get to play levels based on your favorite NES games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Ice Climbers, and few others, as well as Famicom exclusive, Devil World, which never made it to America. While the 8-bit design is nice, I found some of the selection weird; for instance there's about 4 Mario levels per difficulty, Baseball actualy has a level, Zelda only has one, and there's no Donkey Kong, Metroid, or Kid Icarus. I won't discuss the rest as you may consider that a spoiler, but I just felt some obvious exclusions should be mentioned.

As for the actual playing of the game, everything you need to do is of the bottom screen, and the image you're trying to complete is up on top. As the different colored blocks come down, it's your job to collect spare blocks, and then place them as you see fit with the matching color. The more you match with a falling block-mass, the more points and coins you will earn. Earning more coins allows you to "buy" Dark levels, which are harder versions themed with the regular level (i.e. if the regular stage is World 1-1, the Dark stage is World 1-1, but with a new sprite to create, and harder difficulty). It's a simple formula, but one that's never been implicated before, which makes for a fun, nostalgic puzzle game.

But with that fun also comes difficulty, and I'll say now that this is one of the hardest puzzle games I've ever played. Especially when you get to the later stages or even the Dark stages, this game will play you good. What happens in these levels is that you start dealing with more colors to match up, "permabits" which stay put if you don't clear them as they fall, and faster drop speed. If you like a challenge, this game is for you; but if you don't think you can handle it I'd stay away even though the first few levels are easy and fun.

Extras
Despite being a DSiWare title, the extras in the game are pretty impressive if music is your thing. The game itself features 8-bit remixes of the games' classic soundtracks, which are obviously fitting with the 8-bit gameplay. By earning coins in the game, you can not only purchase Dark stages, but you can also purchase the games' soundtrack. And what's really nice is that even if you haven't reached a level yet, you can still buy the tracks for that stage. And even cooler, is that if you have headphones, and you close your DSi, you can still listen to the music just as you would with DSi Sound; even Rhythm Heaven doesn't let you do that!

Also included are a nice series of video tutorials, which can be really helpful if you're not fully understanding the mechanics of PiCTOBiTS' unique gameplay. So in the end, you're not just getting a fun, pick up and play puzzle game on your DSi for five dollars, but you're also getting a 30+ track, 8-bit remix soundtrack of your favorite NES tunes (albeit one you'll have to play to unlock, but still).

Final Thoughts
I was pretty glad I spent my last 500 free points on PiCTOBiTS, as it was really a spur of the moment purchase because I just needed a pick up and play game that wasn't something I've played before. I also feel that the utilization of familiar Nintendo characters is an appealing way for gamers like myself who have not played an entry in the Art Style series, to finally do so, and come away with a satisfyingly new experience. If you wanted a reason to call DSiWare a legitimate platform, PiCTOBiTS is your answer.

Overall Score: 8.8/10

Wii Shop Channel - 10/27/08

A pretty excellent week for the Wii Shop Channel, in my opinion.

WiiWare
Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,000 Wii Points): Rock and roll! Hurting for cash, Strong Bad sets out to dominate the “Battle Royale of the Bands.” Can he rule the stage and win the big prize? Or will he be drowned out by the competition? Find out in this high-voltage episode.

Art Style: ROTOHEX™ (Nintendo, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Use colored triangular panels to create a vibrant mosaic of stained glass in Art Style: ROTOHEX. As triangles fall from the top of the screen, rotate them to group six panels of the same color and create a matching hexagon, or HEX. Once the HEX has been formed, it will disappear, allowing the existing panels to shift and more panels to fill the playing field. A clear-cut goal and two different styles of intuitive controls allow you to focus solely on the game play-which is vital, as the playing field will be full of panels before you know it. With multiple modes (unlock more as you progress further in SOLO mode), special item panels at your disposal, and the ability to play cooperatively or competitively with a friend, there will always be another HEX to create.

Virtual Console
Earthworm Jim (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Jim was an ordinary earthworm who did very earthworm-like things, such as flee from crows and eat dirt. One day, during an outer space fight, a suit drops to Earth and falls around Jim. It mutates him into a large and intelligent (at least by earthworm standards) superhero. Play as Jim in this Sega Genesis classic. When Jim learns of the evil plans of Psy-Crow and Queen Slug-for-a-Butt, he decides to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name. Run, gun, swing on hooks by your head and launch cows at the interesting characters you meet along the way, such as Major Mucus, Chuck and Fifi, Evil the Cat, and Bob the Killer Goldfish.

Seriously, how can you say no to Earthworm Jim?! As for WiiWare, the Strong Bad series is pretty enjoyable, and the Art Style series seems to be quite the sleeper hit, this new entry, ROTOHEX is a deluxe version of bit Generations' DIALHEX.


See? Same logo and font.

Wii Shop Channel - 10/13/08

Another four item Wii Shop week, and there looks to be a lot of good, worth your money, titles!

WiiWare
World of Goo (2D Boy, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone—Comic Mischief, 1,500 Wii Points): World of Goo is an award-winning, physics-based puzzle/construction game made entirely by two guys. Grab living, squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins and giant tongues. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore—but they don't know that they are in a game, or that they are extremely delicious. World of Goo Corporation is contractually obligated to state that everyone is a winner, and is enthusiastic to celebrate everyone's Goo building opportunities equally.

Art Style: CUBELLO (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Art Style: CUBELLO mixes the strategy and feel of a traditional puzzle game with the precision and reflexes required in a shooter. As each stage begins, various colored cubes form into one large object called a Cubello, which floats and rotates as you play. Launch additional cubes from your magazine and try to connect four or more of the same color, removing them from the Cubello and eventually leaving only its core. Take on the challenge of either Stage or Endless mode and watch what happens when Bonus Time is activated. The straightforward controls and goal ensure that anyone can play, while offering enough depth that even advanced players will find themselves quickly addicted to the unique world of Art Style: CUBELLO.

Virtual Console
SECRET OF MANA (Super NES™, 1-3 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 800 Wii Points): Good and evil battle for a young warrior's heart. There is one force in the universe that keeps good and evil in perfect balance. It is called the tree of Mana. But a magic sword has tricked a young warrior into upsetting this balance, spreading evil throughout the land. Thus, the warrior must undertake a dangerous journey to find the seeds of the Mana tree, which have been hidden for centuries. Only then can perfect harmony be restored. In this incredible adventure, things are not as they seem. Magic swords release evil as well as fight it. Treasure chests hold booby traps. Monsters are friends and friends are enemies. Potions give power, black magic takes it away. Dragons fly, weapons change. It's a world turned upside down that you must help the warrior make right. And the only way to succeed is to solve the Secret of Mana.

STREET FIGHTER II': SPECIAL CHAMPION EDITION (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Violence, 800 Wii Points): STREET FIGHTER II': SPECIAL CHAMPION EDITION was the first STREET FIGHTER game released for the Sega Genesis console. The STREET FIGHTER series can be considered one of the first fighting games to popularize competitive video game fighting. This version of the game contains both the CHAMPION and HYPER rule sets, from the two editions released in the arcades. It also introduced an exclusive Group Battle mode that is now a general feature in most fighting games. Play as one of 12 different characters, each with their own distinctive fighting style. Try single-player mode or challenge a friend in this legendary, classic fighting game.


First off, World of Goo has been getting a lot of praise, and may be the best thing to hit the WiiWare service yet. Art Style: Cubello seems to be the 3D rebirth of bit Generations' COLORIS. As for the Virtual Console, one of the system's highest praised RPGs, Secret of Mana, has arrived, so RPG gamers on the Wii looking for a classic title should definitely look at that. And Street Fighter II' is about the 4th Street Fighter title available on the VC, however this is the first one on Sega Genesis.

If you have the points and the memory space, I'd say BUY BUY BUY.

Have we seen ORBIENT before?

I'm actually pretty interested in Art Style: ORBIENT, why? Because its a new Nintendo franchise that was seemingly, previously, unannounced. And two, it looks a heck of a lot like a GBA title in the Japan only bit Generations series, even in its logo. That game of course is ORBITAL.

You tell me:

I think we have us a match! And as Nintendo stated: "Art Style™: ORBIENT™ is the first in a new game series from Nintendo, combining deep game play with atmospheric flair and simple, elegant controls that anyone can pick up and enjoy". I think it's a pretty safe bet that Art Style is actually the WiiWare version of the bit Generations series. All I can say is ... FINALLY.