![Cosmo Gang - The Puzzle [Model SHVC-CI] screenshot](images/game/61161_2.png "Cosmo Gang - The Puzzle [Model SHVC-CI]")
Cosmo Gang - The Puzzle © 1993 NAMCOT.
Cosmo Gang: The Puzzle serves as the third entry in the Cosmo Gang franchise. While the previous title was a fixed-shooter, this installment shifts the genre into a competitive falling-block puzzle game, tasking players with clearing the screen of the persistent, troublesome frog-like aliens before they stack up to the top.
![Goodies for Cosmo Gang - The Puzzle [Model SHVC-CI]](images/covermini160/61161_1.jpg)
GAME ID: SHVC-CI
Released on February 26, 1993 in Japan at a retail price of 7,900 JPY.
The "Ball and Arrow" Mechanic: The game’s standout feature is the inclusion of the blue ball and the red directional arrow. Unlike standard block-stacking games, players must strategically place blocks to guide the rolling ball, which destroys any aliens in its path. This mechanic adds a layer of indirect control, rewarding players who can plan chain reactions and "avalanches" rather than just simple line clears.
Narrative Continuity: The premise—the Cosmo Gang aliens are back, and this time they want to blow up the Earth—maintains the series' lighthearted, comedic tone. By transitioning from a shooter to a puzzle game, Namco successfully showcased the versatility of their Cosmo Gang characters, making them a fixture of the early 90s Namco library.
Diverse Play Modes: Beyond the standard competitive mode, the inclusion of a dedicated "Puzzle Mode" provided a welcome change of pace. These pre-arranged scenarios require precise planning, serving as both an excellent tutorial for the game's unique physics-based mechanics and a challenging experience for seasoned puzzle veterans.