It’s just not cricket
Quarthis a title that I haven’t thought about in eons, but the unique space shooter is making a grand return on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, as this week’s entry in Hamster’s Arcade Archives range. Oh, but it’s releasing under its original title ofBlock Hole…
…BLOCK HOLE.
Far from having anything to do with the cricket green, (look it up, Yank),Block Holeis a 1989 release from Konami that smartly attempts to combine the gameplay ofSpace InvadersandTetris. Players guide a small ship that is tasked with blasting away at an endless cascade of falling blocks, with the aim of creating squares and rectangles at the foot of the screen. Much likeTetrisbefore it, should the player fail to keep the ever-growing brick stack under control, the wall will topple, crushing – or “Quarthing” – the plucky ship. Game Over.
You can check out the puzzle-blastin’ action for yourself in the video below, courtesy of YouTubernick666101.
Admittedly a little dated today, there’s no denyingQuarth/Block Holeis an inventive, genre-blending idea. It also features some nice old-school visuals and some melodic chiptune music.Quarth/Block Holewould go on to become a quiet-but-respected part of Konami’s history, and would be ported to a variety of home platforms and feature on numerous compilations.
Block Holeis now available to download on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, priced at around $8.
