Tecmo Stackers
{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Tecmo Stackers
|image = Tecmo_Stackers_Cover_art.jpg
|image_size = 250px
|caption = US Cover art
|developer = Tecmo
|publisher = Tecmo
|engine =
|released = Arcade{{vgrelease|JP/AS|1995}}PlayStation{{vgrelease|JP|December 29, 1995|NA|September 1, 1997}}{{vgrelease|JP|July 8, 2009 (PSN)}}SEGA Saturn{{vgrelease|JP|January 26, 1996}}
|genre = Puzzle
|modes = Single player, multiplayer
|platforms = Arcade, PlayStation, SEGA Saturn, PlayStation Network
}}
Tecmo Stackers, known as {{nihongo|Dero~n Dero Dero|でろ～んでろでろ}} in Japan, is a puzzle video game released first in 1995 by Tecmo to arcades and ported to both the Sony PlayStation and SEGA Saturn. The gameplay is similar to Puyo Puyo.{{cite magazine |title=Tecmo Stackers: It's All in the Chains... |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=98|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=September 1997|page=119}}
Gameplay
Players try to connect sets of four blocks so that their colors match, causing the blocks to be removed. Remaining blocks may then fall and complete other sets of four blocks. The main difference between Tecmo Stackers and Puyo Puyo is that blocks in Tecmo Stackers stretch in various directions after adjacent blocks are removed, and the "arms" they send out can complete sets of blocks and be removed; this allows for longer chain reactions.
In arcade mode, players try to keep their stack of blocks from reaching the top of the screen. Long chain reactions send blocks to the opponent's screen. Arcade mode is available for one or two players, with players able to choose their difficulty independently of one another.
Chain reaction mode centers on getting as many chain reactions as possible.
In time trial mode, players try to keep their screen from filling with blocks for as long as possible.
Development
Tecmo Stackers was developed by Tecmo for arcades, and later ported to other consoles. The mechanic where blocks "stretch like slime" was conceived by Hiroaki Matsui.{{cite web |url=https://soleilgamestudios.com/en/careers/interview/06/ |title= Hiroaki Matsui |work=SoleiL |accessdate=May 10, 2023}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| EGM = 6.125/10{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Tecmo Stackers |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=100|publisher=Ziff Davis |date=November 1997 |page=198}}
| IGN = 7/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/17/tecmo-stackers |title=Tecmo Stackers |date=September 16, 1997 |work=IGN |access-date=August 25, 2017}}
}}
Tecmo Stackers received mostly mixed reviews. GamePro called it "a highly addictive, Tetris-style puzzle game that's easy enough for anyone to play, yet complex enough to transfix even the best gamers for hours at a time." However, they criticized that the single-player mode is dull and easy, the visual of the blocks stretching out to grab other blocks is "disturbing", and the music is annoying enough to "[make] you want to rip the speakers out of your TV." They gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for both control and fun factor, but a 3.0 for graphics and a 2.0 for sound.{{cite magazine |author=Johnny Ballgame |title=PlayStation ProReview: Tecmo Stackers|magazine=GamePro |issue=110 |publisher=IDG |date=November 1997|page=151}} Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly likewise found the block stretching disturbing, and co-reviewer echoed GamePro{{'}}s strong criticism of the music. Both Hsu and John Ricciardi described it as a second-rate Puyo Puyo clone, and Sushi-X, while likening it instead to Columns but with more technique, agreed that chain reactions are mindlessly easy to accomplish. Contradicting both EGM and GamePro, the reviewer for IGN said that the music is great. They also highly praised the gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer, but also remarked that the game didn't differentiate itself enough from other Tetris-like games, though it would be enough to satisfy fans of the genre.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/tecmo-stackers}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation (console) games