Groovin' Blocks
{{Short description|2008 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Groovin' Blocks.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Empty Clip Studios
| publisher = Zoo Publishing
Sony Online Entertainment
| released = WiiWare
{{vgrelease|NA|September 8, 2008}}Wii
{{vgrelease|NA|August 11, 2009}}iOS
{{vgrelease|NA|October 24, 2009}}PlayStation Network
{{vgrelease|NA|March 18, 2010}}
| genre = Puzzle
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = iPhone OS, Wii, WiiWare, PlayStation Network
}}
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.[http://wii.ign.com/article/908/908367p1.html Wii-kly Update (September 8, 2008)]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} It was also released as an expanded retail of the game in North America on August 11, 2009.[http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=83342 Groovin' Blocks finally hitting Europe via retail disc, North America getting the same package]{{Dead link|date=January 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} The game was later released for the iPhone OS platform and on PlayStation Network on March 18, 2010.
Gameplay
Groovin' Blocks is a falling block-type puzzle game with gameplay that has been likened to Columns and Lumines.[http://wiiware.nintendolife.com/reviews/2008/09/groovin_blocks Groovin' Blocks (WiiWare) Review] 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.
The game also features offline two player competitive and co-operative modes, as well as an option for colorblind players that turns the different colored blocks into shapes.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PS3: 68/100
Wii: 75/100
| GR = PS3: 75.17%
Wii: 75.46%
| IGN = PS3: 7.5/10{{Cite web |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/107/1078925p1.html |title=Groovin' Blocks Review - PlayStation 3 Review at IGN |publisher=IGN |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |date=19 March 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323072356/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/107/1078925p1.html |archivedate=23 March 2010 |access-date=21 December 2017}}
Wii: 7.6/10
| GamePro = 4/5{{Cite web |url=http://www.gameproarcade.com/article/103740/groovin-blocks-review/ |title=Groovin Blocks - Review |publisher=GamePro |last=Ramsey |first=Andrew |date=2 October 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106194240/http://www.gameproarcade.com/article/103740/groovin-blocks-review/ |archivedate=6 January 2009 |access-date=21 December 2017}}
| NLife = {{Rating|7|10}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2008/09/groovin_blocks |title=Groovin' Blocks Review - WiiWare |publisher=Nintendo Life |last=Dillard |first=Corbie |date=8 September 2008 |access-date=21 December 2017}}
}}
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,{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/groovin-blocks/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Groovin' Blocks for PlayStation 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=21 December 2017}} and 75/100 for the Wii version based on 13 reviews.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/groovin-blocks/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Groovin' Blocks for Wii Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=21 December 2017 |archive-date=11 May 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250511121142/https://www.metacritic.com/game/groovin-blocks/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |url-status=live }} On GameRankings, the game holds scores of 75.17% for the PlayStation 3 version based on 6 reviews,{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/991497-groovin-blocks/index.html |title=Groovin' Blocks for PlayStation 3 |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=21 December 2017 |archive-date=22 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052912/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/991497-groovin-blocks/index.html |url-status=live }} and 75.46% for the Wii version based on 13 reviews.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/953361-groovin-blocks/index.html |title=Groovin' Blocks for Wii |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=21 December 2017 |archive-date=22 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052323/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/953361-groovin-blocks/index.html |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/908/908965p1.html |title=IGN: Groovin' Blocks Review |publisher=IGN |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |date=9 September 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914071854/http://wii.ign.com/articles/908/908965p1.html |archivedate=14 September 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=21 December 2017}} Siliconera called it "a deceptively addictive, fun little gem" that is "a great hybrid of the puzzle and music genres".[http://www.siliconera.com/2008/09/11/getting-into-the-groove-with-groovin-blocks/ Getting into the groove with Groovin' Blocks]