Jelly Dash

My favourite thing about the first PlayStation was the number of kitschy, but eminently playable puzzle games that was released for it. Puzzle Bobble is a perfect example - it was fast, boldly coloured, and relentlessly cheerful.

Jelly Dash feels like it comes straight from this Taito-shaped mould, albeit with some modern sensibilities. It's not ground-breaking, and it's certainly not going to rock anyone's world, but it might wobble it if given half a chance.

Strawberry, orange, and lime

This is a simple but compulsive puzzler. You've got 60 seconds to set the highest score possible, and at the end you're awarded experience points to build on your player level. The higher your level, and the more items you have access to, the higher your score, and by extension the more you can brag about your position on the online leaderboards.

How do you get this score? Easy: you try to connect as many of the same jelly icons as possible in one continuous line.

Combine five or more jellies and an adjacent one will turn into a Square Bomb, removing surrounding jellies by exploding after you include it in a scoring line. Line-up six and it turns into a cross-shaped Bomb. Get seven and it's a Color Bomb, which takes out all the same-coloured jelly.

When your minute of play is up you're awarded a Last Dash: one final move that you can strategically take your time over for maximum gelatinous carnage.

Keep eating

This is where the game's energy system comes into play: you're given five tries before you need to wait and let the energy recharge, or you pay a little fee using the currency of coins. Your energy recharges quick enough, so if you're a frugal sort you needn't worry about this freemium aspect of the game.

You'll never feel like you've been ripped off, though, as the controls are accurate and smooth, and the presentation is first class. There's plenty of positive visual feedback, and lining up high numbers of jellies - in which sound effects increase in pitch for each additional jelly - is an auditory treat.

Online leaderboards and friend support is managed via Facebook, and there are Game Center achievements too. The main game may be straightforward, then, but there's plenty to do if the jelly-destroying fever grabs you.

Ironically, considering its subject matter, Jelly Dash is a substantial and rock-solid offering. You've probably played games like it before, and the hyper-bright visuals won't be to everyone's tastes, but its strong asynchronous multiplayer and faultless gameplay should find a dedicated audience.