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In case you missed the phenomenon known as Klax in the early 1990's, it is basically a game that gives the challenge of matching up three colors vertically, horizontally, and even diagonally, all while making a unique experience that sets this game apart from all the other puzzle games of the time. The colored blocks come down on what looks like a conveyer belt, making a variety of sounds as they tumble down towards a paddle that you move from left to right in order to catch the colored tiles.

The game doesn't have a timer, so there is no need to worry of a clock running down, but if you miss too many pieces, or let them stack up to high, then it is game over. Unlike other color matching games like Puyo Pop or Columns, you can actually hold onto the tiles and plan your moves. Eventually the tiles will be coming so fast, you will only have a split second to plan where to drop the tile.

On unique trait about Klax is how you play and score, each "wave" has you reach a different goal. On one level you may be required to get three "klax", or more specifically 3 diagonal Klax. Sometimes you will only be required to reach a certain score by any means. These goals actually make the game less enjoyable, Since you know that after you make three tiles in a row a certain amount of times, you must move on.

The sound of Klax couldn't me more comical, with boings, and all. There are even sampled voices of people cheering you on. The opening theme is worth a listen in its self. Other then that, there is no real soundtrack to speak of. I'm kind of glad there isn't background music during the levels, it leaves you to completely focus on your objective.

The control of this game is rock solid, zipping from left to right with no problems, the only time there is any slowdown is then there are a ton of tiles flipping there way to you. I would actually go as far to say that the control is one of the best aspects of the game. If you end up missing a piece, it is generally your own fault, there isn't a single time that I felt cheated by the computer as I have with past puzzle games.

I fell like Klax was Atari's answer to the Tengen Tetris debacle, problem is, I don't fell that this game can really stand up to the greatness of Tetris. It is however a very fun, frantic puzzle arcade port that any Lynx owner shouldn't be without.

At first glance, you might just give Klax the cold shoulder, dismissing it as nothing more than a Tetris-like puzzler in 3-D. Sure, it's the same type of hybrid action/mental puzzle game as the Pazhitjov creation, but the similarities end there. In Klax, players control a Breakout-esque paddle that can move side-to-side at the bottom of a conveyer belt, down which tumble square tiles of varying colors. The object is to catch each tile and then drop them down in an area below you to make "Klaxes" so that they disappear from the screen. A Klax is accompished in various ways, with each stage indicating before the round the methods in which they can be achieved. You start off by lining up three or more tiles of the same color so that they form a horizontal, diagonal or vertical line. Later in the game, players are required to perform increasingly difficult Klaxes. The game ends when the bottom pit fills up with tiles.

As you progress to higher levels, tiles will come at you at blinding speeds. Thankfully, your paddle can hold up to five tiles in reserve, so you're not necessarily required to drop each tile before catching the next one. Although utlizing this feature is mandatory to survive, it's not always wise to do so. When it's time to drop a tile, the top tile of the stack is the one that goes first, and that might not be the color you want to drop. One way around this is to push up on the joypad and throw the top tile back onto the conveyer, giving youself a few extra seconds to drop the tile you want. As you'd expect, however, you'll most likely be tossing tiles back onto the conveyer along with other tiles already coming your way, making the task of catching them even more difficult. This higher levels in Klax are so fast that it almost becomes an exercise in "Zen," because you'll basically be playing on instinct and reflexes alone.

Complementing the addicting play-action are absolutely top notch sights and sounds. The graphics are nearly identical to the arcade version and retains all of the charm and animation found in the original. The blocks are large and colorful, and scale in nicely as they approach you. The music and sound effects are just as spectacular. All of the digitized sounds are on the Lynx version, with the highlights being the female voice that tells you what kind of wave it is and goes "ooh!" and "yeah!" when you make a big Klax, the scream of a tile as it falls off the conveyer without being caught, and the sound of the audience that applauds your successes and chants "Awww" when you blow it. And it's all done in crisp stereo sound!

Make no bones about it, Klax is a winner.


Title Klax
Publisher Atari
System Atari Lynx
Graphics 9
Sound 10
Gameplay 9
Overall 9
Reviewer Keita Iida