Zoocube’s concept isn’t entirely unique, but it is new enough that it doesn’t feel like a stale rip off. In the center of the screen is a fully rotateable cube. When the game starts, there’s nothing on the cube. Soon enough, puzzle pieces will start floating from the outskirts of the screen. By pressing A, the pieces will move toward the cube at twice the speed, but on a locked path. When multiple pieces fall on the same spot on the cube, they become stacked. By pressing R, the positions of the pieces can be flipped. When two matching puzzle pieces touch each other, they disappear.

Those are the basics and from then on out, the game becomes a struggle to keep up with the increasing number of puzzle pieces that appear on the screen. In order to score the big points, you have to take advantage of the various multipliers and bonuses that can be earned by accomplishing special tasks in the game. What becomes problematic is that none of these bonuses are explained anywhere. The only way to figure out how they work is to start playing the game and pay attention. Even after hours of play, I find it easy to understand how to take advantage of bonuses when they do occur, but I’m still fairly clueless when it comes to triggering them.

Otherwise, Zoocube is fairly standard in every other area. The sound is nothing adequate, though nothing memorable. The visuals are varied enough to keep the eyes interested, but do not expect any fancy psedo-3D effects here. Zoocube isn’t quite as timeless as Tetris, but puzzle fans are sure to find themselves huddled in front of their GBAs for hours trying to make it to the next area.