Control:  
But aside from that visual complaint, Zoocube plays just fine.

Players use both control sticks to rotate the cube in various directions. Pieces come in from, at first, three sides. Shapes arrive one by one, but the time in between decreases as the game gets harder.

Players can lock a piece to any particular side by pressing A, and then continue to rotate in preparation for the upcoming piece.

L and R can juggle the stacks of pieces to get those next to the cube out to the surface where they can be paired off with incoming objects.

The only other control issue is the Z button. This game uses the Z trigger as a smart bomb that clears off any pieces directly touching the cube. Players begin with three of these.

Gameplay:  
Basically it all boils down to rotating a cube to match the pieces on it with those flying in.

"Rotate, match, stack, and react." That's Acclaim's tagline for the game and it fits.

As levels are cleared of all pieces and the game progresses, players unlock new areas which in turn offer many new pieces to crowd the action. The game also picks up the pace and eventually still more pieces come in towards different sides of the cube.

When pieces start coming from below, for instance, it adds a whole new level of challenge. Now players need to be able to match up the underside of the incoming piece to the top view most easily seen on the cube sides facing the camera.

It's a test to see how long one can last despite the ever increasing difficulty. Vintage puzzle in that aspect.

Throw in a barage of bombs, missiles, and speed modifiers to obtain, and the game offers players more leeway and depth when it comes to clearing the cube.

Multiplayer:
Zoocube features two multiplayer modes, co-operative, and versus.

In versus, players race to see who can clear the level of all pieces first and get the highest score.

That's pretty standard, but it's the co-op mode where Zoocube's multiplayer stands out.

Players are working together to progress through levels and build the highest cumulative score.

Occasionally objects will enter a player's field that cannot be paired. These objects must be juggled to the cube itself in order to transport them to the other player's screen. Once there the pieces become active and can be removed.

Sound:
Sound is the one place where Zoocube falls flat.

There's really nothing of note for the game which is too bad. In puzzle games' past, a game like Tetrisphere was greatly improved by a fitting soundtrack.

Perhaps for its next title, PuzzleKings will be able to focus more on this aspect of the game.

OVERALL:
Overall, Zoocube is a simple concept that stays simple just long enough for the player to think he's any good. Then too many elements are added and the player breaks down, stacks a cube face too high, and the game ends.

Before that happens, though, Zoocube is a quick way to escape the real world for what easily becomes a half hour, or an hour's time.

For players looking for the occasional quick, gaming fix, Zoocube might just fit the bill.

 

The Lowdown on  Zoocube (GCN) Aesthetics: Average Control: Average Gameplay: Above Average Multiplayer: Average Sound: Below Average Innovation: 5/6 Lasting Appeal: 3/6 Overall: Above Average! "A Quality Game"