Tumble Pop

Tumble Pop is a portable port of an arcade game by Data East, in which two heroes with a magic vacuum/lasso hunt bizarre creatures screen by screen, turning them into harmless bubbles along the way. The principle is simple and instantly readable – an enemy must first be hit with the beam, turning it into a ball, which can then be kicked or thrown into other enemies to score chain combos. On the Game Boy's small display, this mechanic works surprisingly well, since each screen is a self-contained micro-puzzle with a clearly defined goal.

The level design builds by gradually adding new types of enemies and obstacles, so the player must constantly think about the order in which to neutralize them and where to throw the transformed bubbles so as not to hit themselves. Besides pure action, there's also a light element of route planning across platforms and ladders, which pushes the game closer to a logic puzzle than a pure brawler. The graphics are simple but colorfully legible even in the shades of gray of the original Game Boy, and the pace stays brisk from start to finish.

Tumble Pop never belonged among the platform's flagship titles, but for fans of arcade classics from the turn of the 80s and 90s, it's a solid addition to the collection – shorter but intense fun that can be played in small doses. The short levels also fit well with the character of the handheld, which back then was mostly played on the go or during short breaks, so the game never forces the player to devote continuous hours to it.

Why play it: Fans of arcade games with a "catch and throw" element will appreciate this compact, easy-to-read version of the beloved arcade concept.