Poker Smash (X360)
February 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade release is Poker Smash, a very cool game with the worst possible name. That’s not to say that the name doesn’t reflect exactly what’s going on in Poker Smash. But I just think it’s pretty likely that people will see the word “poker” and immediately think “I already have the poker game that was free, I don’t need another one” and move on.
![pokersmash[1]](http://blog.jeffgerstmann.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/pokersmash1.jpg)
Poker Smash is not a poker game. It takes the roles of poker hand ranks and applies it to the well-based puzzle game. Then it slaps on some good, evolved control mechanics. It’s a high-quality puzzle game that you should look at.
Rows of blocks with card ranks (10 through Ace) rise up from the bottom of the well, slowly at first. You use the left stick to move your cursor around, and the right stick lets you slide cards left and right. You can use the triggers to speed up or slow down the rising cards, though your slow-motion ability drains out if you use too much of it. You can also drop bombs on cards, causing them to pop and, if you’re using them properly, setting up fat chain reactions. Bombs also come in a limited supply.
The goal is to make poker hands, starting at three-of-a-kind and moving up to all sorts of straights, flushes, full houses, and so on. The nine flush, which kicks off if you can somehow manage to line up nine cards of the same suit, seems to be the game’s most rewarding (and most difficult prize.
The gameplay is broken out a few different ways, including a timed mode, a puzzle mode, and an online mode for up to five people. Online, the dealer button gets passed around amongst the players. When you’re the dealer, you can send garbage lines over to your opponents by setting off chain reactions. Also, the online game tries to work in a bankroll, so when you make hands, you gain chips, and you lose chips when other players make hands. It’s another neat push-pull concept that changes things up a bit by giving you another way to lose.
The graphics and sound are OK. The game rotates through music and visual themes in the same way Lumines does, though there are only 11 themes to work through. Also, a lot of the music is pretty hokey. They fit the theme, but every time I listen to the song about poker, I sort of want to just stop playing right there. A custom playlist option lets you cut out themes/songs that anger you, but you have to unlock the themes first by purchasing them (with in-game earnings) in an online store.
So you’ve probably already skipped over Poker Smash, but double back and check out the demo. It’s one of the better 800 point ($10) releases on Xbox Live Arcade.
In honor of 1up’s new review system and Mielke’s rise to power, this game gets a B+!
Also, watch this. Seriously.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Well, if it’s about saving the planet, then I guess I’d better get the game…
February 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Sweet trailer for destroy all . . . am wait what? Poker Smash? – Yeah I really see no connection between the game and the trailer, but still love it. I’m not a huge fan of puzzle games but I gave the demo a shot and it was good fun. Nice concept.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Woah. That trailer reminds me of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.
Speaking of movies, I heard about your romantic comedy. I found the secret film poster.
http://logemerson.wordpress.com/files/2008/02/grocerystorebehavior.jpg
You lady killer you.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Seems like a good game, I’ll give it a try.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:59 am
BTW, I’m one of those that thought this game was about poker… it’s name poker smash after all. Terrible name I guess. U.U
February 8th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
You’re definitely right about the name. I saw it in your gamertag and thought it was a plain old Poker game.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
thank you Jeff, because you played that game you have helped saved us all.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Thank god for XBLA. With few retail titles to pick from, Omega 5, Rez HD and now Poker Smash are doing a great job of feeding my gaming appetite.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
JEFF.. where is the points report? I thought it was gonna be a weekly thing. I remember either you or somebody else mentioning it.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Hmmm I still downloaded the trial despite the name. I almost always download the trials when a game comes out. It was pretty good, but I’m not much of one for puzzle games so I’ll probably have to pass.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
LAFF at the trailer and at the supermarket romantic comedy. Jeff looks rugged in that pic.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I must download Poker Smash! I must stop Xantu!!
February 8th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Smash is great fun for the whole family!!1!! (*Cue the: Did You Knooooooow Music*)
February 8th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
must…save…planet…must…play…poker..smash
February 8th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I thought it was going to say Zantu was near when your 360 flashed 3 red rings.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
nice the game is fun just need to get some points that ii can spare from my rockband fund, also jeff what do you think of the new system they have at 1up, my early guess is that you like it?
February 8th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Poker Smash is like the best arcade puzzle game out there.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Never in a millino years did i think that was a commercial for Smash Poker. Im temped now, what with the galactic survival premise. Id aquire the demo if my 360 power supply hadnt commited suicide yesterday.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Great video.
I’m really excited for Poker Smash. I heard about it on one of the 1UP podcasts a couple weeks ago and I’m so relieved that it came out so soon afterwards. Because you know how those XBLA games can be. Any of them could be out this wednesday or five months from now.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
When I was young, I saw a film. The name of that film was The Last Starfighter. Many saw this film–it is possible that even you, reading this comment, have seen this film–but what most people don’t know is that this movie was actually made for me and me alone, to communicate to me the important message that I must spend as much time as possible playing video games, for one day I will be called upon to save this planet.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Who in the jaysus was that fella?
February 8th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Those who made the trailer must’ve had issues.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hey Jeff, I didn’t find an e-mail adress or something similiar (duh) so I’ll post this here..
I was wondering what your thoughts are on the new 2D-fighter by Arcsys (Guilty Gear series) are?, apperently it’s the spirutual sequel to Guilty Gear XX and will feature high res 2D sprites about two times the size of GG’s with brand new characters etc.
I’ve heard you’re a bit of a fighting game nut but I’ve never heard you talk about Guilty Gear, so what do you think about BlazBlue (yeah stupid name)?
Official website:
http://blazblue.jp/
Article on Insomnia:
http://insomnia.ac/news/2008/01/blazblue-blay-blue-whatever-aka-guilty-gear-xxx/
Now, if only Capcom had gone the same way with Street Fighter IV. I mean look at this title, looks great (apart from the Tager character design, *ugh*).
February 8th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
THe game is tetris attack (panel de pon) only with poker.
Tetris attack is way better It has Yoshi in it.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Dude…Im Sold!
Save the earth!
February 8th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Great video, also that game is not half bad.
You hear about puzzle quest 2 coming out in the future? man thats going to sink me in hard.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
The concept is fairly simple but I’m so addicted
February 8th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
don’t know about the game but the video is brilliant!
February 8th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Your right I probably would have skipped this right over. With an advert like that one, how can I not at least try the demo?
February 8th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Well Jeff, I’m a puzzle kind of guy and since you have enlightened me on this whole poker smash thing, I bought it straight up. A friend says, “Do you just buy anything Gerstmann says is good?” Yes. Yes I do.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Poke smash is a fantastic puzzle game (a genre I usually shine at) but I just can’t get into it for some reason.
Maybe I have just overdosed on Puzzle quest recently.
Actually slightly off topic but I seem to be becoming more and more bored with games lately… Maybe its just that i’m so confused with all the good games right now that my brain can’t decide on what to play in what order…
Can I borrow someone’s gaming spirit to rev mine back up though??? Pretty please?!?
February 8th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
February 8th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
“In honor of 1up’s new review system and Mielke’s rise to power, this game gets a B+!”
If that dosen’t confirm that Jeff is in talks with IGN nothing dose.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Ok that add for Poker smash….umm I’m a bit lost for words on that one.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I downloaded the free trial version on XBLA since im all out of MS points. All I can saw is that im playing so much with this *short* demo that its starting to remind me of the demo of the very first tony hawks pro skater !!!
to anyone who might not remember this,,, that means Im playing it a lot… cant wait fr the stores to open so i can get a freaking points card in order to stay inside all day…
February 8th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I liked the demo but didn’t make the buy (most XBLA games are a bit overpriced IMO) until I saw some positive press. I’m enjoying it and saving the world.
February 9th, 2008 at 2:24 am
now thats advertisement!!
I was gonna walk away with yer approval of Poker Smash and nothing more, but now I’m compelled to save the Earth… damn you Jeff…
February 9th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Brilliant video
February 9th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Hmm.. interesting video. But since i don’t own a XBox360 i’ll stick to playing that “The Last Starfighter” game which appeared in my bathroom 10 years ago.
February 9th, 2008 at 5:55 am
The video is what sold it to me.
February 9th, 2008 at 9:17 am
good trailer, good game, bad review system, I prefer a 1-10 scale, too bad no points! coming soon
February 9th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
After watching that video, I NEED this game.
And did 1UP really switch to grades for their reviews? If so, then there is yet another reason to not listen to their reviews. (Besides them giving Unreal Tournament 3 a 6…Damn you, 1UP.)
February 9th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I heard about this game on the 1up yours podcast, and was intrigued. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of it. Fortunately, you reminded me of the name. At your recommendation, I downloaded the demo, by my own desire to play more, purchased the full version. I’m loving it now, thanks to your post!
February 9th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Caro,
that quote about starfighter,
is perhaps the greatest gaming quote ever,
and with your permission i would like to have it,
although u will probably never come back and read this,
i assume that i have ur permission
thankyou
February 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Jeff… you’re an “achievement whore”… jajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajaja
read here: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/850/850655p1.html
February 10th, 2008 at 1:42 am
I posted earlier on (second post) saying I’d tried the demo. Well I got hooked and decided to hand over 800 points for it. I usually don’t like puzzle games but this really has a “just one more game” thing about it. To all the sceptics; give the demo a go, well worth it.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I just wish I could have sat in during the meeting where they decided to make this video promotion. “Well Mr. Stevens, we have this great idea for a ‘viral’ video to help promote your product. Those videos, as you know, are a big hit with the young people.”
February 10th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
poker and saveing the world go great together
February 10th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Loving Poker Smash! Good to see a new developer getting amongst it. Xbox live has plenty of good quality games on the marketplace, my only ripe is that 800 points is a little too much for them. I’d like to se them reduce the prices a little.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Poker Smash is quite possibly the best puzzle game I’ve ever played. Well…it’s now my personal favourite, anyway. Most of them don’t do a very good job of straddling the line of simplicity and depth while keeping the whole experience fun (Puzzle Quest and Bejeweled are too simple, too monotonous, too slowly paced). The way that Poker Smash mixes a bunch of stuff together and places such an emphasis on combos and those instant challenges makes it addicting as hell. I can’t stop playing. I just wish I hadn’t made such a stupid mistake last night and bailed at 750,000 points.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I love me some puzzle games. But despite all the love from editors at 1Up and now Jeff Gerstmann, I don’t know, I’m just not feeling it.
I tried the demo and it feels like a $10 skin for Bejeweled 1.
I think I’ll stick to Puzzle Quest.