Ludography
74/100
Critics4 reviews
Groovin' Blocks cover

2009 · Empty Clip Studios · Puzzle · Rhythm

Groovin' Blocks

Timed Nintendo exclusive

A rhythm based puzzle game for Wii, WiiWare, iPhone, and PSN.

Released
11 August 2009
Platforms
PlayStation 3PlayStation PortablePlayStation VitaWiiiOS
Genres
PuzzleRhythm
Developers
Empty Clip Studios
Publishers
indiePub
Modes
MultiplayerSingle-player
Perspective
First person
Themes
Educational
Country
United States
Age ratings
ESRB EGRAC ALL

About

Groovin' Blocks is a puzzle video game for Wii by Empty Clip Studios. It was released in North America on September 8, 2008 as a downloadable WiiWare game. It was also released as an expanded retail of the game in North America on August 11, 2009. The game was later released for the iPhone OS platform and on PlayStation Network on March 18, 2010.

Keywords

  • blocks
  • music and rhythm
  • wii classic controller support
  • wiiware

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Groovin' Blocks is a falling block-type puzzle game with gameplay that has been likened to Columns and Lumines. The game sees players having to clear lines of three or more blocks of the same color, and like Columns players can cycle through the falling lines of blocks, with adjacent blocks of the same color also disappearing with the matched lines. In addition, extra points can be scored when players bring their falling blocks down to the downbeats (called "Superbeats") of the game's electronica soundtrack, adding to a score multiplier.

By setting high scores, players collect stars to unlock new songs and power-ups. Unlike most puzzle games which are played to infinity, each stage in Groovin' Blocks lasts for the duration of the song if the player has not yet failed the stage by filling their play area with blocks.

Reception

Groovin' Blocks received mixed reviews from critics upon release, with the Wii version getting more positive reviews compared to the PlayStation 3 version. On Metacritic, the game holds scores of 68/100 for the PlayStation 3 version based on 6 reviews, and 75/100 for the Wii version based on 13 reviews. On GameRankings, the game holds scores of 75.17% for the PlayStation 3 version based on 6 reviews, and 75.46% for the Wii version based on 13 reviews.

IGN gave the Wii version of Groovin' Blocks a 7.6/10, calling the game a fun "one trick pony" and a "pretty impressive" first effort from the developers. Siliconera called it "a deceptively addictive, fun little gem" that is "a great hybrid of the puzzle and music genres".

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Wii8 September 2008Worldwide · Worldwide 11 August 2009
iOS24 October 2009Worldwide
PlayStation 318 March 2010North America · Europe 7 July 2010
PlayStation VitaUnreleased

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Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.