Gunpey, Atari's adaptation of port of the classic musical puzzle Gunpei Yokoi for the DS and the PSP, will finally be available in Europe in March.

Gunpey's music-based puzzle action gameplay involves rows of panels climbing upwards from the bottom of the screen. Players must flip and move pieces to connect the lines inside the panels. The moment a line spans the width of the screen, the panels will explode making space for more. Game ends if the panels reach all the way to the top of the screen.

Gunpey (for the two handhelds) features wireless head to head play and various game modes including Single screen, Double screen, new Break Rule, and Time Attack. Exclusive to the PSP are up to 40 vibrant collectible skins in the Challenge Mode. In the DS version, players can launch special attacks to temporarily disrupt their opponent’s game and use the Sound Sets and Patternizer to create their own unique musical compositions.

Sigh. Apparently it's already a fact of life that when it comes to things like this, the Japanese will always have the better stuff.

In any case, it has just come to our attention that the PSP puzzle game Gunpey has just been released in Japan, and the main difference (other than the language, and the US$ 49.80 price tag, of course)? Check out the covers. According to Play-Asia, "One might argue that the Japanese version features a more appealing cover compared to the earlier released US version."

Yes, we might argue, and to be specific, the argument would most likely be along the lines of "Why do we get sparkly lines and they get a real girl?" But the difference should end there, right?

*Pout*

Namco Bandai has announced that their latest puzzle title for both the PSP and DS, Gunpey, is now winging it's way to retail stores, fulfilling its promise of a November 14 release date. Gunpey may look pretty shallow, with gameplay aiming to just build intricate designs that connect one side of the screen; but it has in fact quite an infectious side to it as as shown by the DS screens above.

When you have a go at Gunpey, you'll encounter a blend of enticing tunes and good old school gameplay with a bit of art thrown in. Gunpey will also include several modes of gameplay along with multiplayer wireless capability, which makes the game a worthwhile purchase.

In a style comparable to Lumines, the game takes on an addictive form. As players clear lines across the screen, they can continue to add more lines into the mix, creating increasingly complex designs. Gunpey also allows you to play against friends, family, or AI, so your never too far away from mind-bending challenges and that addictive puzzle gameplay.

What is it about the combination puzzles and sound-trips in games that just draws you in? You all probably already know what the gameplay in Q Entertainments Gunpey is all about. I mean, we've covered most of it already. But just in case you're new to this whole thing, here's a quick refresher:

The game challenges gamers to connect as many lines together as possible by moving set blocks with line parts on top. Gunpey gameplay has square pieces, each one of them has a diagonal line, rising from the bottom of the screen toward the top. You move the pieces up and down, trying to form a line from left to right, the panels then disappear. Just like most puzzle games, it all ends early if the pieces reach the top.

We know, it's a weird tower of babel complex. Don't Ask. Despite the impending ceiling of doom, It all gets less stressful if you solve the puzzles while hypnotized by a groovy sound-trip. It all feels so zen after some time. Anyway, just in case you guys want to get a better look, here are two new videos by IGN.

Great news to all Gunpey (DS, PSP) enthusiasts (including us here in QJ), it's time to bring out the disco lights 'cuz Q Entertainment has just announced that their psychedelic puzzle game has gone gold.

For those wondering what the deal is with the whole gold status thingamajig, it only means that Q Entertainment is done putting the finishing touches on the game and is now all set to hit the shelves pretty soon. And with the psychedelic visuals and original music that Gunpey will feature on both the DS and PSP versions, this extraordinarily funky puzzle game is definitely one of the most-awaited titles for both handhelds.

Q also says that both the PSP and DS versions will be unique and distinct from one another in terms of soundtrack and visual presentation. The way Q described it (and we quote) is that "The PSP system version of Gunpey will deliver a more sophisticated, techno-futuristic experience, while the DS presents a whimsical and lighthearted theme."

With support for two-player multiplayer via wireless Ad-Hoc for the PSP and the touch screen interface and music composer of the DS, Gunpey for DS and Gunpey-R for PSP will both be lighting up your local retail stores on November 14th.

Q Entertainment really does seem to have a thing for psychedelic, trance-y stuff. As if Lumines wasn't enough of a groovy thing for the PSP, they just have to push it a little bit more and develop Gunpey-R. Then again, not that we mind. After all, we do need more of that fun stuff going around nowadays.

Anyways, what we have here for you are two more gameplays for Gunpey-R. While watching it, this writer can't help but think, man, that's warped. And it really is. For a while back there, I was paying more attention to the swooping birds on the background of the Puzzling video more than the actual game itself. And when I turned to watch the Addictive vid, I had my eyes glued to the background yet again. Is it just me, or does that thing actually look like the devil?

Brr...gotta shake that Halloween left-over chill off. Nonetheless, gameplay's riveting, and it's nothing short of cool. You can download them right here. Enjoy!

Download: [Gunpey-R Puzzling gameplay vid]
Download: [Gunpey-R Addictive gameplay vid]

While Gunpey-R was based on an old game for the WonderSwan handheld by Bandai, some of you might not be familiar with this PSP game by Q Entertainment. It's sort of like your "indie" game that's working in the background.

The game is played by connecting lines from one side of the grid, to the other. And as puzzler games go, of course, it's not as simple as it gets. The blocks rise higher and higher, Tetris-style, and you're press for time. Once the lines reach the top of the grid, it's game over for you, pal.

Gunpey-R will also have Ad Hoc wireless play so you could connect to your friends and compete against each other. There's even going to be a "change-able skin" feature that allows you to interchange the visuals and music with every game that you play. In fact, one of the things that the game boasts is its musical score of techno beats and jazzy sounds - one trademark of executive producer Tetsuya Mizuguchi.

Now just so you get a feel for this game, you might want to check the screens below. PLUS! You can download two very small vids (2-7MB) below and see how hectic the game gets. Have fun, and better practice those fast thumbs!

   
   

Download: [Gunpey-R "So Many Lines" gameplay]
Download: [Gunpey-R "DJ Furry McRoo" gameplay]

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UPDATE: Q Entertainment's just released a bundle of joys for all you fans! You can now download some music track from Gunpey-R below! There's three tracks now available, including "Bird", "Blast", and "Rain Drop". Tetsuya Mizuguchi's exceeded our expectations once again. Great tracks!

Download: [Gunpey-R music bundle pack]

Developed by Q Entertainment, Gunpey is like a line-building puzzle game where you'll be required to connect as many lines together as possible. There are square pieces each having a diagonal line, so you move these squares up and down to connect the lines within them. But if you're not into the whole puzzle genre, you still might wanna give this game a try because it's not really the gameplay that'll set Gunpey apart, but rather the psychedelic lights and the fantastic tunes integrated into the game.

Gunpey-R will also feature the same "skin" concept from Lumines, which allows users to collect themes and skins as you progress through the game. Each skin will have its own background, animation, and "appropriate" music. Take the punk skin showed above for example, when you use this skin, the tunes that'll play will be, well, punk. Pardon the ineloquency, but you guys get what we're talking about, right? And with 40 skins that the game will have, imagine the beats and lights exploding on your screens!

And speaking of screens (yeah, lame segué, we know), what we're really here to do today is to give you more screens of Gunpey-R to give you a feel of the funkadelic experience you'll be getting from the game. The light shows and the rockin' music definitely help spruce up an otherwise blah puzzle game. This is our cue to stop talking and just let you be the judge, so here are the screens:

    

Coming to the PSP and DS, Q Entertainment's take on the original Gunpey, released for the WonderSwan handheld by Bandai, is a homage of sorts to its creator Gunpei Yokoi. Gunpey, is derived by cleverly changing the I in Gunpei by the Y in Yokoi The same seamless connection, done with Yokoi's name, is the very essence behind Gunpey. You'd have to make a complete line from left to right, with the variety of angular shapes and bars ascending over five columns. As time passes, the tempo increases and it is up to you manage the five columns. No matter what happens, you don't want those lines to reach the top or it's game over for you.

Anoyo Records' talented techno artists provide the magnificent selection of music for the game. As with the music, expect nothing less from the game graphically. It offers more than 40 exciting skins, ad hoc wireless play and a monstrous Super Gunpey mode. Although, some might speculate that PSP owners might be getting the better deal on the two releases, the DS has an ace up its sleeve. Included within the tiny cartridge, is an awesome sound sequencer. It allows you to customize the levels much like in a professional 16-track mixer. A great idea is to hook up two DS' and create a live versus mix. Gunpey also features a versus CPU mode in addition to the standard Challenge mode.

Q Entertainment and NAMCO Bandai announced that Gunpey-R for the PSP and DS (take note that its title for the DS is Oto wo Tsunagou!) is heading to retail shops in holiday 2006. The game features exciting and innovative challenging puzzles that can only be expected from the legendary Gameboy creator Gunpei Yokoi. It will test your reflexes and dazzle your senses with the combination of dynamic music and colorful graphics.

Based on the 1999 Wonderswan puzzle, the creative minds at Q Entertainment combine groundbreaking music integration that will purportedly excite both the hardcore and casual gamers.

In Gunpey-R, as lines of various angles climb up the screen, you have to flip the lines located in squares to connect them over five columns. If an incomplete line reaches the top of the screen, the game is over. The game features 40 varied backgrounds and stylized music - a known trademark of the game's executive producer Tetsuya Mizuguchi. It supports two-player multiplayer over wireless ad-hoc connectivity.