Pop-Up!

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs

GAME DESIGNER:
GAME DEVELOPER:Infogrames
GAME PUBLISHER:Infogrames
Copyright 1990, Infogrames

Pop-Up! is a fun action/puzzle blend with an elegantly simple premise: bounce the ball around the screen to collect all the required items to expose the exit and progress to new levels. Gameplay is also deceptively simple: controlling your ball is limited to arrow keys and spacebar (press and hold the spacebar for higher “bounce”). Like other good puzzle games, however, getting ahead requires both careful planning and good timing, as you can get irrevocably stuck if you bounce the ball too fast down to the bottom with no means of collecting anything far above. Levels become difficult fast, with new obstacles and special devices to complicate your task, such as platforms that disappear after one bounce, walls that can be broken down, fiery platforms you cannot fall into, and so on. The game even includes a good level editor you can use to create your own levels and save them to torment friends. Overall, Pop-Up! isn’t ground-breaking by any means, but it’s great fun while it lasts.