Cosmo Gang the Puzzle

Arcade version screenshot.

Cosmo Gang the Puzzle is a falling-tile puzzle game. Using the joystick, the player must stack groups of blocks and pink-colored aliens, known as "Jammers", onto the game board, the objective being to clear as many possible before they stack to the top of the screen.[1] Blocks can be cleared by matching them into horizontal rows of six, while Jammers can be defeated by blue-colored balls, which will point in the direction they will move and clear any Jammers in its path. A meter located at the middle of the screen will fill up each time a Jammer is cleared - once this meter is filled, a star will drop from the top of the screen and clear all Jammers on-screen. The game becomes progressively more difficult as it progresses, increasing the speed of the dropping blocks and Jammers. Once the blocks and Jammers reach the top of the screen, the game will be over.[2]

Alongside a single-player option, a multiplayer option is also available. The second player's screen will replace the Jammers with white-colored robots named 'Pipopapo-Tai", which behave the same as regular Jammers. In the multiplayer mode, the objective is to fill up the other player's screen, which can be accomplished by clearing more Jammers than the other player, causing the other's enemies to fall onto the opponent's side. The game will end once a player's blocks and Jammers reach the top.

Cosmo Gang the Puzzle was only a moderate success in arcades.[8] It was awarded the 16th Annual Hit Game award from Gamest based on reader vote.[8] A writer for Sinclair User enjoyed the game for its addictive quality and mechanics. They wrote that while it wasn't an original concept by any means, Cosmo Gang the Puzzle was still an enjoyable game in its own right, and made for a solid take on the Tetris formula.[5]

Reviewers weren't as enthusiastic about the Super Famicom version. One common complaint was that the gameplay wasn't as gratifying or well-designed as other puzzle games already on the market.[3][4][6] The four reviewers of Famitsu felt that it lacked the same level of refinement as Puyo Puyo or the simplicity of Tetris.[3] Andy Lowe from GamesMaster stated that while he felt Cosmo Gang the Puzzle possessed more "involved" gameplay than Tetris, it lacked substance and didn't have as many features that other similar games had.[4] Super Play's Matt Bielby disliked the difficulty for being too easy and the gameplay for becoming tedious after a while, writing that its quirkiness couldn't save it from becoming "cupboard-fodder".[6] Andy and Bielby both found the price too expensive for a game that offered little in the way of content.[4][6]

Critics showed appreciation towards Cosmo Gang the Puzzle for its novelty and some of its concepts.[3][4][6] Lowe said that the game had a wider scope than other Tetris clone games did, and that it "features some devilishly strategic touches" that other titles lacked.[4] Biebly agreed and said that what little depth that Cosmo Gang had was very innovative, finding some of Namco's additions to be creative.[6] Writers for both Famitsu and Super Famicom Magazine liked the multiple gamemodes for offering a different take on the falling tile gameplay.[3][7] Famitsu staff in particular were fond of the Vs. Mode for its more relaxing pace, writing that it was a necessity for games of its kind.[3] Lowe and Bielby both enjoyed the puzzle mode for its layer of strategy and depth;[4][6] Lowe in particular believed that it was the best aspect of the game.[4] The game's graphics, character animations, and soundtrack also received praise.[4][6] Super Famicom Magazine concluded their review by writing that Puzzle made for a nice addition to the console's library, and outclassed the arcade original with its new features.[7]

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