Metoes (universe)
| Meteos (universe) | |
|---|---|
 
| |
| Developer(s) | Q Entertainment Platinum Egg Aspect Co. |
| Publisher(s) | Bandai (JP) Nintendo (Worldwide) Disney Interactive Studios (Meteos: Disney Magic) |
| Designer(s) | Masahiro Sakurai |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Console/platform of origin | Nintendo DS |
| First installment | Meteos (2005) |
| Latest installment | Meteos Wars (2008) |
The Meteos universe (メテオス, Meteos) is a series of puzzle games designed by Masahiro Sakurai where players match same-colored blocks, or "Meteos," to launch them upwards and clear them off the screen, with unique planetary gravity and physics affecting gameplay. Players must strategically match blocks to survive increasingly difficult stages, clear planets under attack by the evil planet Meteo, and eventually defeat Meteo itself. The series is known for its unique physics, diverse alien and planet designs, and engaging gameplay that combines strategy with luck.
Meteos received critical acclaim and reached number one in DS sales in the UK market during its first week, according to research company Chart-Track. It was compared to other puzzle games, such as Tetris (1985) and Lumines (2004). The game received awards and nominations from several publications, including the CESA Game Awards' Outstanding Performance Award. Versions were released for mobile phones and the Xbox Live Arcade in 2006 and 2008, respectively. A sequel, Meteos: Disney Magic, was released for the Nintendo DS in 2007.
Franchise Description[edit]
The core gameplay of Meteos, described as a "shoot-and-lift-up puzzle" game, requires players to use a stylus to move colored blocks—the eponymous "meteos" that fall from the top of the screen. Creating a vertical or horizontal line of three or more blocks causes the meteos to ignite and rise; they, or any blocks above them, disappear once they leave the screen. The speed and frequency of falling blocks can be adjusted with the "speeder" gauge. Power-ups may help or hinder the player or opponents; one example is a giant hammer that destroys multiple blocks with a few swings. The game ends if the blocks reach the top of the screen. Each block sent out of the playing field is cached in a virtual bank, from which the player can unlock new planets, aliens and sounds. The player can play as one of thirty-two aliens and their respective planets, each of which has a unique gravitational pull that affects the way the blocks launch.
On September 7, 2005, the mobile-game publisher Gameloft announced they would bring Meteos and Q Entertainment's other puzzle game Lumines to cell phones. The game was released on March 30, 2006, as Meteos Astro Blocks. In 2006, Buena Vista Games announced they would publish four Q Entertainment games, including the then-unannounced sequel Meteos: Disney Magic, for the Nintendo DS.
Meteos: Disney Magic, developed by Platinum Egg and Aspect Co., follows Meteos' basic concept with a number of changes—most notably replacing the game's alien species with Disney characters. Mickey Mouse, Jack Sparrow, Winnie the Pooh, and Pixar's Woody and Buzz Lightyear are featured in the game, whose plot involves restoring order in a storybook vault after its contents are mysteriously rearranged. This sequel added a significant change in gameplay; the Nintendo DS was held sideways, creating a taller playing field on the touchscreen. Also, tiles could now be dragged left and right, whereas in Meteos tiles could only be moved vertically. Meteos: Disney Magic was released in North America on February 27, 2007, and in Europe on June 1 that year. It had a less-enthusiastic reception than its predecessor, with a score of 74 out of 100 from Metacritic. Nintendo Official Magazine's review said that, "If you're after a puzzler that's easy to get to grips with then this is a good choice," but added that, "the original is still the definitive version," and said that the new Disney animations were pointless.
In 2007, Hangame released Meteos Online for PC in Japan. The free-to-play game, which offered online play for up to four players, was also planned for release on SoftBank cell phones. In 2008, Meteos Wars was released for the Xbox Live Arcade. Meteos Wars was nominated as Best Family Game and Best Competitive Multiplayer Game for the second annual Xbox Live Arcade Awards. In January 2015, the rights to Meteos were bought from Q Entertainment by the Japanese smartphone developer Mobcast.
Gallery[edit]
Media with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Meteos[edit]
The behavior of the X Bomb is similar to the the item of the same name and the Cross Bomb
