Let's start from the very beginning. It's a very good place to start. When you read, you begin with "A-B-C"; when you sing, you begin with "Do-Re-Mi". Or when it's musical block puzzles that you're talking about, there's no better place to start than with Gunpey.

North America and Japan have already been able to shift some blocks around in the game since it's been released for quite some time now. But for those of you in Europe, the game's yet to be released in March. If you're still trying to figure out the ABCs of this game, then worry no longer. Study how the blocks are switched around in these gameplay vids. The object is to successfully connect threads of music from the left wall all the way to the right. Now, start singing:

The other vid is behind the "Full Article" link!

Gunpey, Atari's adaptation of port of the classic musical puzzle Gunpei Yokoi for the DS and the PSP, will finally be available in Europe in March.

Gunpey's music-based puzzle action gameplay involves rows of panels climbing upwards from the bottom of the screen. Players must flip and move pieces to connect the lines inside the panels. The moment a line spans the width of the screen, the panels will explode making space for more. Game ends if the panels reach all the way to the top of the screen.

Gunpey (for the two handhelds) features wireless head to head play and various game modes including Single screen, Double screen, new Break Rule, and Time Attack. Exclusive to the PSP are up to 40 vibrant collectible skins in the Challenge Mode. In the DS version, players can launch special attacks to temporarily disrupt their opponent’s game and use the Sound Sets and Patternizer to create their own unique musical compositions.

Namco Bandai has announced that their latest puzzle title for both the PSP and DS, Gunpey, is now winging it's way to retail stores, fulfilling its promise of a November 14 release date. Gunpey may look pretty shallow, with gameplay aiming to just build intricate designs that connect one side of the screen; but it has in fact quite an infectious side to it as as shown by the DS screens above.

When you have a go at Gunpey, you'll encounter a blend of enticing tunes and good old school gameplay with a bit of art thrown in. Gunpey will also include several modes of gameplay along with multiplayer wireless capability, which makes the game a worthwhile purchase.

In a style comparable to Lumines, the game takes on an addictive form. As players clear lines across the screen, they can continue to add more lines into the mix, creating increasingly complex designs. Gunpey also allows you to play against friends, family, or AI, so your never too far away from mind-bending challenges and that addictive puzzle gameplay.

Great news to all Gunpey (DS, PSP) enthusiasts (including us here in QJ), it's time to bring out the disco lights 'cuz Q Entertainment has just announced that their psychedelic puzzle game has gone gold.

For those wondering what the deal is with the whole gold status thingamajig, it only means that Q Entertainment is done putting the finishing touches on the game and is now all set to hit the shelves pretty soon. And with the psychedelic visuals and original music that Gunpey will feature on both the DS and PSP versions, this extraordinarily funky puzzle game is definitely one of the most-awaited titles for both handhelds.

Q also says that both the PSP and DS versions will be unique and distinct from one another in terms of soundtrack and visual presentation. The way Q described it (and we quote) is that "The PSP system version of Gunpey will deliver a more sophisticated, techno-futuristic experience, while the DS presents a whimsical and lighthearted theme."

With support for two-player multiplayer via wireless Ad-Hoc for the PSP and the touch screen interface and music composer of the DS, Gunpey for DS and Gunpey-R for PSP will both be lighting up your local retail stores on November 14th.

Gunpey is Q Entertainment's puzzle game with a musical and visual twist. In the game, you have to make a horizontal line using various shapes and bars that ascend across five columns. The speed of the game (and the challenge) goes up as time goes by. But it's not your usual puzzle game: it's a sensory overload of lights, sounds, images, and music.

No amount of talking about it or putting up screenshots will do it justice. You just have to watch the videos (I recommend the first and third video). The first video shows a fast-paced level with pop music. The second video sounded a lot like a 1980's space-invader arcade game (which annoy some but impress others). And the third video has an African feel to it. Check them out, but turn down your player's volume first.

And for those who are interested, there's a PSP version, too. You can compare them here.

Download: [Gunpey Video 1]
Download: [Gunpey Video 2]
Download: [Gunpey Video 3]
Buy: [Gunpey]

Coming to the PSP and DS, Q Entertainment's take on the original Gunpey, released for the WonderSwan handheld by Bandai, is a homage of sorts to its creator Gunpei Yokoi. Gunpey, is derived by cleverly changing the I in Gunpei by the Y in Yokoi The same seamless connection, done with Yokoi's name, is the very essence behind Gunpey. You'd have to make a complete line from left to right, with the variety of angular shapes and bars ascending over five columns. As time passes, the tempo increases and it is up to you manage the five columns. No matter what happens, you don't want those lines to reach the top or it's game over for you.

Anoyo Records' talented techno artists provide the magnificent selection of music for the game. As with the music, expect nothing less from the game graphically. It offers more than 40 exciting skins, ad hoc wireless play and a monstrous Super Gunpey mode. Although, some might speculate that PSP owners might be getting the better deal on the two releases, the DS has an ace up its sleeve. Included within the tiny cartridge, is an awesome sound sequencer. It allows you to customize the levels much like in a professional 16-track mixer. A great idea is to hook up two DS' and create a live versus mix. Gunpey also features a versus CPU mode in addition to the standard Challenge mode.