Thursday, June 20, 2013

Say hello to my copy of Nazo Puyo: Arle no Roux (aka a Japanese Game Gear puzzler I won't be playing anytime soon)

For once, I'm not saying that I won't be playing (insert name of random Japanese game here) anytime soon because I don't yet own the system needed to play it. That's because I recently bought a used--"thoroughly used" may be a better way to describe it, sadly--Game Gear from a local shop for just 30 big ones.

So what's keeping me from popping the Nazo Puyo: Arle no Roux cartridge seen in one of the photos below into my newly acquired Game Gear and taking it for a spin?



Animal Crossing: New Leaf, of course. Seriously, the latest iteration of Nintendo's world-conquering "community simulation" has taken over my gaming life--actually, it could be argued that it's taken over my non-gaming life, too--to the extent that the only other title I'm considering playing at the moment is THE "DENPA" MEN 2, and even that's only getting a passing glance from me at the moment.

At some point, though, this whole Animal Crossing: New Leaf front that's clouding up my gaming skies will pass, and when it does Nazo Puyo: Arle no Roux will be there waiting to be enjoyed.


In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few photos of this weird little Puyo Puyo spin-off, which is based on the "puzzle" modes that were included in some of the series' earlier installations.

An interesting note about this particular Nazo Puyo title (two others were released for the Game Gear prior to this one): it includes an RPG-ish mode that's akin to the ones found in Arle no Roux's Super Famicom-based counterparts.



Also worth mentioning: Arle no Roux has a short, but sweet, instruction manual that features a number of completely adorable illustrations (such as the one in the photo above).

Don't worry, I plan on devoting a "Manual Stimulation" post to this sucker soon. Until then, though, you'll just have to imagine how cute Arle and her puzzle-loving compadres look while inhaling copious amounts of curry.

7 comments:

Zaphod65 said...

I'm near the end of The Last of Us, but I probably would've beaten it days ago if I wasn't constantly playing Animal Crossing. So much fishing... so much bug collecting...

thegaygamer.com said...

Actually, I'd love it if this were a Puyo Puyo-themed cooking game, Michael! I'm not sure what that would be like, of course, but it appeals to me anyway :)


That said, I quite like its current form--or at least I think I'll like it when I finally sit down and play it.


That's great that you're enjoying Mighty Switch Force 2, by the way. Did you like the first one, too?

thegaygamer.com said...

Yes, yes, I'm sure New Leaf is keeping a LOT of people busy at the moment.


I'm obsessed with bug collecting, fishing and planting flowers at the moment--in that order...

michaelstearns said...

I sure did like the first MSF! It was the good times I had with the first game that have led to my rapid purchase and consumption of the second! :) Besides having everything going for it that the original did, I've really "warmed" to the new firefighting theme. It's got such an optimistic, Sega-like "blue skies future" theme (even a hokey love song at the end) that it really reminds me a lot of Burning Rangers, which is absolutely a good thing. "Switch it up!" :D

thegaygamer.com said...

Damn, I really need to get both games sometime soon.

Have you played Mighty Milky Way, BTW? That's another WayForward game that's always interested me...

michaelstearns said...

That answers the question I forgot to ask! I think they're both great and obviously recommend them. :)

I haven't played Milky Way. I did do Flip Champs, which I didn't like very much, it just got to a point rather quickly where the puzzles got too hard for me (and the play wasn't as interesting). Probably I should have grabbed Milky Way instead!

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, yes, that was my problem with Flip Champs, too--just became too tough, too quickly.


I've heard mixed things about Milky Way, too, by the way, but I still want to try it sometime.