Chu Chu Rocket

Straight from Japan comes the latest in crazy game entertainment, Chu Chu Rocket, mixing mice, cats and rockets into a puzzle scenario that will literally blow your mind.

The basic principle is so simple - in a race against the clock, guide the mice (Chu Chus) into the rocket before the cat (Kapu Kapu) can sink its teeth into one of them or reach the rocket itself. You're equipped with a series of tiles that direct which way both the cat and mice will travel as they travel over them. More complexities are thrown into the proceedings, such as more feline enemies, black holes and increasingly complex puzzle layouts. Sounds simple, eh? Now realise that the mice scurry around at lightning speed, and trying to collectively co-ordinate their every movement requires reactions that would make even Jackie Chan proud.

In a single player game, there are a couple of different modes to keep you riveted to the frantic action. First comes the stage challenge, putting you within various puzzles where you have to successfully guide all the mice to the rocket within the time limit. You're given unlimited arrow tiles to direct the rodents, although only three can be placed at any one time. Occasional breaks from the norm are provided when you have to direct all of the mice to feed the cat as quickly as possible, or you may have to go up against the computer to direct more cats into its rockets than your own.

Alternatively, you may opt for the puzzle game, which requires a more strategic outlook on the action. Here, the mice won't move until you've strategically placed a set number of directional tiles to co-ordinate their movement. When you're ready, just sit back and let the mice do their thing. Of course progression increases complexity and you'll soon be racking your brain, planning out every movement to ensure a safe route. It's worth mentioning here that every time the mice run into a wall, they'll automatically turn right. I finished this mode within 30 minutes, although there is also a create-a-puzzle mode for added longevity.

Just like one of my all time favourite games, Bomberman, you really have to experience the gaming delights offered with four players at the controls. Based within similar arenas, each player has to capture as many mice as possible into his or her rocket. Each player's rocket occupies one corner of the arena and the mice flow out from the centre. However, matters become tantalisingly competitive when an opponent begins directing your mice into their rocket. Naturally this provokes a harsh exchange of words and a corrective measure. Before long, you'll be caught in a war of trying to spoil your opponents' success rate, while desperately ensuring that your own mouse-trapping route remains intact. If you're unlucky enough to capture a cat, you lose a chunk off your mouse tally. Speed ups, slow downs and rocket switching power-ups will have your eyes dazed with confusion as the action spirals into seriously confusing proportions.

Graphically, Chu Chu Rocket could have easily been created on a lesser console, but that's not really the point. Achieving a fine blend of strategy and lighthearted puzzle madness, the awesome gameplay more than makes up for any graphical moans you may wish to air. With the much touted possibility of linking up to the Internet to challenge fellow gamers, this is multiplayer fun at its greatest.