I'm going to start off a little backward with this review and mention something I rarely do - sound and graphics. Handhelds are rarely known for either, but the latest generation of machines has the ability to produce quality in both areas. Meteos takes advantage of both. The graphics aren't earth-shattering as in pixel shaded, normal mapped, movie quality images; but neither are they 8-bit, GBA-like. They're crisp, clear and the animations even give you a giggle if you pay attention. The music fits the moment and isn't monotonous (until you've played 146 hours like I have - and it keeps your stats so I know I've played that long). I did eventually turn it off but only because after 90 or so hours I didn't need it at 3am in the morning to enhance my enjoyment. If I'm playing at 3am, by definition I'm enjoying the game!

So, what is Meteos? Well, the evil planet Meteo for reasons I don't remember from 146 hours ago or weren't explained, has launched a stream of phantasmagoric (it actually uses this word) matter at the planets of the Universe. This matter, called Meteos, destroys life on any planet and steals the sparkle from the Universe (yes, it actually says this, too - stick with me here!) However, by sheer accident, three Meteos of the same element fused and when this occurred they launched themselves into space, sparing the inhabitants below. The peoples of the planets realized, if they could arrange the falling matter into blocks of three, fuse them and hurl them back at Meteo, they just might have a fighting chance. And so the Metamo Ark, built from Meteos ore, was built and set out through the Universe as the last bastion of hope to try and save the planets. (Ok, dorky story done but you'll see why it's there in a moment…)

You begin with four planets at your disposal. Each planet is made of elements: air, water, iron, herb, glow, fire, soil, zap, zoo, dark and two special - soul and time. Once you choose a planet and the conditions of your combat (timed vs. deaths, difficulty, opponent difficulty, etc) you begin to battle Meteo by using the elements on the planet and launching them into space. So…

The Meteos fall onto your screen, progressively faster and you can move them vertically only into horizontal or vertical groups of three or more. This will launch that group and everything above it upwards. It will also scorch the grouping that you made and you get no credit for launching scorched Meteos. Launching Meteos isn't quite as simple as it sounds for you see, planets have gravity, Meteos has weight, other Meteos are falling AND you're fighting against the planet Meteo who is launching their own attack at you so periodically large groups fall upon you. Just launching the Meteos doesn't ensure it will even make it to the top of the screen much less reach escape velocity to get into space. You can make a second match while it's in orbit and launch that…

Remember how Meteo is launching back at you? Well, you've got weapons as well (so do they). Some are weights; some bombs; some are smoke screens that make it impossible to see to even match up groupings. And filling the entire screen isn't a good thing - you just end up with a screen full of scorched Meteos. So far, I've only given you the basics - group three and launch. But, you see, you actually have to fuse those weapons, and there are considerably more than 4 planets in this universe so now you've got to earn the right quantity of elements to build planets and weapons. This adds an entirely new twist to the "match three and launch" theme.

You won't know what the formula for building all of the items and planets available are. They unlock over time. But as they do, you'll learn exactly where you're short in each element. Need more soil? You'll probably want to work with the planet Anasaze quite a bit; but, now instead of launching any three blocks you're going to make an effort not to scorch blocks that are made of soil because you don't get credit for scorched blocks and determining what blocks are soil isn't always the easiest. There may be another planet in your retinue that has a better soil content but it may have higher gravity, terrible wind (it pushes the Meteos back down) or - and this always got me - it may not even use blocks but some funky animated symbols that you've got to match up and for some reason your brain just can't wrap itself around it and make the matches as quickly. When I needed to earn 5000 herb I nearly threw my machine several times - planets with plants rarely use green blocks!

There are several game modes available. Simple mode is just that - pick a planet and blast a way. Star Trip (one of my favorites) gives you three different routes you can travel on your way to attack Meteo while working to defend and seal off the planets in your travels. Time War - just what it sounds like, beat the clock or you can beat a pre-set number of Meteos launched. And Deluge - there's nothing like it - raining Meteos at a ridiculous pace; but, this works well when you need to quickly build up a stockpile of one element.

Meteos also has a multiplayer option using one card and two machines where you square off as the same planet against another player. It's rather fun to see who can burn each other out first. Warning: your kids are probably better at this than you - even after 140 hours.

I've looked back at this review and realized that I've really rambled on a bit. But that's the thing about this game; it's something you can ramble on about because it's simply THAT fun. I've beaten the game. I've also wiped my scores and started over. I plan to again. And again. In my opinion this is the best "block matching" game built since Bejeweled - and who ever thought anyone would top that?