Roogoo Hands-On

Roogoo's simple design and addictive gameplay seem to be a perfect match for the Nintendo DS so that people can take this puzzler on the go. The game was released via Xbox Live Arcade this summer and is now making an appearance on Nintendo's handheld in addition to the Wii. SouthPeak came by our office to let us get a feel for Roogoo on the DS in the single-player mode as well as multiplayer. As easy as this game might look right off the bat, it takes a lot of quick reflexes and precision to get those blocks into their respective holes.

Stuffing colored blocks into holes that are star-shaped, square-shaped, or triangle-shaped is something that children as young as 6 months can figure out. Roogoo takes this basic concept and turns it into a fast-paced puzzler that is easy to understand but can take a while to master. As the colored shapes fall out of the sky, you control the rotating platforms with the L and R buttons so that you have the properly shaped hole lined up with the block. There are multiple platforms to go through and sometimes your blocks will stack, and as the levels get progressively harder, you'll have platforms with five holes instead of the three holes you initially have. Somehow by doing all of this, you'll help save the planet Roo from the pesky meemoos, who will periodically show up on your platforms to hinder your progress.

There is a map-overview screen on which you can see your path of progression through the nearly 100 levels in Roogoo. We were told by SouthPeak that there will be content that is shared between the Wii and DS versions of Roogoo. You can bring your DS to people who have the Wii version to help them unlock extra levels and vice versa. There are many variations to the standard game of Roogoo, and we had a chance to play only a few of them. What we did get to play was the multiplayer match, in which up to four players can compete for first place by clearing blocks and keeping competitors at bay. Currently the game supports multicard play, but the SouthPeak people said that they would like to have single-card play instead.

Normally, you would make it through the 100 levels in single-player mode and hone your Roogoo skills before competing against other players. Multiplayer adds a lot of other things to the mix that can change up the gameplay, such as attacks, and the fact that you're trying to complete the level before anyone else does. On the top right corner of the touch screen, an available attack will appear, and you use the X button to unleash, for example, an anvil that will speed up the pace of play for all other players. You can also drop meemoos onto their platforms, and to get rid of the pesky critters, your opponents have to hold the A button and bop meemoos on the head with their blocks. Furthermore, you can mess up the colors for your opponents so that the colored blocks will no longer match the color of the hole, causing them to have to pay close attention to the block's shape. Your position is displayed in the bottom left corner, and to help out those who might be in fourth place, the game will provide more attacks to whoever may be lagging behind.

To make things even harder, your blocks can reverse, so instead of watching the blocks fall down, you'll have to rotate the platforms as the blocks move upward. For example, blocks will have two shades of blue later on, and you'll have to match the block with the correct shade on the platform. With 100 levels to play through, there will be more than enough content to keep you busy. Roogoo retains the colorful feel from the XBLA version, and the cheerful music will keep you company as you play through some of these levels again and again.

Roogoo's addictive gameplay can be enjoyed by anyone who likes a frenetic challenge. The game is scheduled to be released sometime in February 2009, so stay tuned for more information.