If it weren't for handheld platforms, the puzzle game would more than likely all but disappear. Fortunately, Nintendo keeps cranking out new versions of the GameBoy and has introduced the DS, so it would seem that the fate of the puzzler is safe for the time being. Since a new version of Puyo Pop hadn't been released for at least five minutes, it's no great surprise to see Puyo Pop Fever arrive on store shelves, as colorful and addictive as ever. It's just sort of a shame that despite being on the DS, it's not really a DS game.

A puzzle game by any other name would still be Puyo Pop

For those members of our reading audience who think they're not familiar with the phenomenon that is Puyo Pop, think again. Played Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine? How about Snood? They're just slightly different spins on Puyo Pop's basic game mechanic of matching like-colored falling blobs. For those few readers who haven't played any of the aforementioned puzzlers, congratulations on being released from prison, enjoy this complimentary carton of smokes. Seriously, anyone who in any way considers themselves a gamer has played some clone, copy, or knock-off of Puyo Pop, but I guess if Jeff Probst can go over the rules for voting someone off at each and every damn tribal council on Survivor, I can certainly explain the gameplay one more time. Brightly colored blobs in groups of two, three, or four, drop from the top of the screen to the bottom, and players can rotate the groupings either clockwise or counter-clockwise, or shift them from left to right. Matching up four blobs of the same color makes them disappear, thus scoring points and clearing a portion of the board. Setting up and setting off chain reactions scores major points, dumps blobs on an opponent's side of the screen, or, in this particular flavor of Puyo Pop, starts filling the "Fever" meter. Simple, no?

The Fever mode of Puyo Pop Fever is little more than an excuse to jack up the score and speed up the game, but it does add some frenzied variety to the basic gameplay. Once enough chains have been set off, the meter fills, and the game enters "Fever Mode," which then drops blobs specifically meant to help the player set off more chains. The expected game modes, such as Endless, in which a single player plays until the blobs are a smothering force, and Versus, which lets players face off against a virtual or human opponent are present and accounted for. Although single player is always fun, Puyo Pop is meant to be played head to head, with nimble players rushing to bury each other under a barrage of colorless blobs.

Don't fix what ain't broke
With simple controls, and bright, fun graphics, Puyo Pop Fever is a perfect game for a handheld platform. It's easy to learn and offers varying difficulty levels so that players of all ages and abilities can still enjoy themselves. There's a story linking it all together, but it's so sparse and random that it really isn't worth mentioning or paying much attention to. I've personally never understood why developers try to invent a story for a puzzle game, anyway. I don't really need to identify with a character or understand my avatar's motivation in order to make droplet-shaped bits of goo go "poof". Especially not when said story is accompanied by voice acting that makes the cast of Pokemon sound like they studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company. But I digress.

Technically, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Puyo Pop Fever, nothing. It's quick, easy, fun, and charming. Sure, it's still the same basic game we've been playing for years, but that's ok. People have been playing chess for centuries, that doesn't keep new chess games from coming out. No, Puyo Pop Fever is a perfectly good puzzle game that DS owners can feel satisfied owning. There's just one small problem. It's not really a DS game. Ok, it does take advantage of the wireless capabilities of the DS to make versus play a bit easier, and players can use the touch screen to move the blobs around if they so choose, except they probably won't choose to. Using the stylus and screen to drop the blobs is far more difficult than it should be and inevitably leads to things ending up in the wrong place. There's nothing more frustrating than setting up a tasty chain reaction, then having it fall to pieces because the blob group was one rotation off or dropped into the wrong spot. Using the D-pad and the buttons works perfectly and is infinitely preferable to using the touch screen.

Everything Puyo Pop Fever does, it could do as a GBA game, usually just as well, if not better. So why is it a DS game? To bolster a thus far underwhelming DS lineup, or to try and get just that bit more out of the Puyo Pop franchise? Probably a bit of both. Ultimately, I don't suppose it really matters. The fact that it doesn't take great advantage of the DS' capabilities is a little disappointing, but doesn't really hinder or negatively affect the gameplay at all. The bottom line is, any fan of puzzle games is sure to enjoy this one.