''Trioncube'', fully titled in Japan, is a

puzzle video game Puzzle video games make up a broad genre of video games that emphasize puzzle solving. The types of puzzles can test problem-solving skills, including logic, pattern recognition, sequence solving, spatial recognition, and word completion. ...

developed by

Bandai Namco Games is a Japanese multinational video game publisher headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Entertainment America and Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California an ...

and released for the Nintendo DS.

Gameplay

The game is a 'falling block' title, a la ''

Tetris ''Tetris'' (russian: link=no, Тетрис) is a puzzle video game created by Soviet Union, Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. It has been published by several companies for multiple platforms, most prominently during a dispute o ...

'', and features many similar blocks. The objective of the game is to form 3×3 squares to clear blocks and reach a set objective (unless playing in endless mode). Once a 3×3 square has been formed, more pieces can be attached to form more 3×3 squares and clear other blocks on the screen. These chains will remain on screen until a piece is placed which does not add to it. The single-player section features an arcade mode, a story mode which adds concepts such as useless blocks, and an endless mode. The game also contains two player multiplayer via WiFi, which supports both single-cart and multi-cart play.

Development

''Trioncube'' was developed by

. The game was chiefly designed by Kouji Asuna and was

produced Producer or producers may refer to: Occupations *Producer (agriculture), a farm operator *A stakeholder of economic production *Film producer, supervises the making of films **Executive producer, contributes to a film's budget and usually does not ...

Hideo Yoshizawa born September 2, 1960, is a Japanese video game director, screenwriter, and producer, most famous for his work on the ''Ninja Gaiden'' and ''Klonoa'' series of video games. Prior to being employed by Namco, he worked for Tecmo and was involved ...

, known for his work on the '' Mr. Driller'' series of puzzle games. The idea for the game came to Asuna while he was at home, watching television after a bath. He had been working on a separate puzzle game at the time and was stuck on how to bring the project together. "Something just clicked in my head as soon as this certain shape appeared on the screen," he explained. "That was the moment ''Trioncube'' started to aterialize/nowiki> in my head." Asuna wanted to make ''Trioncube'' unique by emphasizing large combos rather than clearing lines. Asuna considered utilizing the DS touchscreen for moving blocks, but chose not to because "it didn’t really feel natural or make things easier". The game's "cute" aesthetic was also intentional, evolving from a more basic interface to one the design team hoped would appeal to both younger and female players.

Reception

The game is said to be far too easy, with the slow pace of the game giving a lack of challenge and making it dull. ''

ONM ''Official Nintendo Magazine'', or ''ONM'', was a British video game magazine that ran from 2006 to 2014 that covered the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, and Wii U video game consoles released by Nintendo. Originally published by EMAP as ...

'' mentioned that the game was not as addictive as

, and there were better puzzle games on the DS.

References

{{Reflist 2006 video games Bandai Namco games Nintendo DS games Nintendo DS-only games Puzzle video games Multiplayer and single-player video games Video games developed in Japan