Klax
System: TG-16
Release Date: August 1990
Developer: Tengen
Publisher: Tengen
Genre: Puzzle
It’s a conveyor belt of stress waiting for you in Klax! Your goal is to complete missions and rack up the highest score possible. The only thing standing in your way is you and your ability to move and think quickly enough.
At the top of the screen is a conveyor with five belts. Colored blocks are regularly sent down the belt, which you then catch on your paddle. You drop the top block of your stack with the press of Button I. You have a 5 by 5 box that you drop them in. You can clear the blocks by having 3, 4, or 5 in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Sometimes the block on top isn’t what you want, so you can throw it back on the conveyor belt by pressing Up. Be careful though, because your paddle can only hold five blocks at once.
If a block falls off the conveyor belt, but not on to your paddle, it’s counted as a drop. Too many of these leads to a game over. Before you lose too many blocks, you have to complete the goal of the wave. This might be to score a certain number of Klaxes. Three in a row counts as 1 Klax, 4 in a row counts as 2, and five in a row counts as 3. You may need to earn a certain threshold of points. Or you may need to earn a number of a specific orientation of Klax, like diagonal.
As the number of colors of the blocks increase, it becomes more difficult to manage your gameplan. There are wild color blocks that can help you out in a pinch. It’s very easy to start a plan and then mess it up with one mistimed placement. You can start on higher waves right away for bonus points and more allowed drops.
Graphics: 1.5
There’s not a lot going on in the graphics department. Blocks are colorful and there are varied backgrounds.
Sound: 1.0
There’s no music while playing, but each different colored block makes a unique sound as it comes down the belt.
Gameplay: 2.5
There’s an addictive charm to the proceedings. You want to try one more time to get a big Klax for huge points.
Difficulty: 3.0
You need to pay attention in order to do well. Quick thinking is your best friend in this situation.
Fun Factor: 2.5
I enjoyed myself, but it’s not my favorite puzzle game out there. I got confused by the top block getting dropped more than once.
Overall Rating: 2.1
Klax earns a C. It’s a different kind of puzzle game that I’ll say is worth a shot. It might scratch the itch you have.