Review: Pixel Pig - Colorful Pachinko With A Pig
by Staff Writer
February 17, 2011
It’s time to play pachinko with a pig. In Pixel Pig you pull a lever to launch the pig, and then watch it bounce off a ton of pegs. The game is reminiscent of Peggle, but there is a gas button to launch the pig back up to the top of the board. Pixel Pig allows you to maneuver through pegs, and go back for more.
There are 40 peg filled levels, each offering a different arrangement. In order to advance to the next level you'll need to master the current level by earning a medal. You get two shots at the peg board, and your combined total determines your medal. To add to the challenge there are moving targets, blocking platforms, and even multipliers.
Once you launch the pig you use gas to steer it to the highest point potential on the board. This means you try to go through multipliers, peg clusters, and fruit. It’s quite a challenge to earn a gold medal on any of the level, which means Pixel Pig has tons of re-playability. Each level takes a considerable amount of time so making it through all 40 will keep you busy, in a good way.
The game offers an easy control method so that you’ll be hooked after the first couple shots. The game is all about points, and you get a bonus for how the pig lands after bouncing through all the pegs. There is a bonus whether it lands standing up, on it’s rump, or face first. The game is completely score based, and it’s great that Game Center is included. The achievements you earn allow you to upgrade your pig’s power. The pig can be a real winner with upgrades to make it bigger, contain more gas, and even become more responsive to tilt.
There is an adventure feel to the game with the levels and upgrades. It’s like playing Pachinko, but with the amazing ability to move your piece after launch. You can tilt and use gas to make it much more interactive, and fun. In Pachinko you usually just launch, and then passively watch the rest. In Pixel Pig you have hands on control after launch.
The game is pretty tough because the sheer number of stubborn pegs in each level. You have to hit each peg three times to get rid of it. Also using gas doesn’t offer the most control to get through all the pegs. The best way to score big is to use the gas a little at a time. Then try to get the pig within a cluster of pegs, and let it rack up points by itself. The board will slowly clear out to reach multipliers and fruit for huge points.
The game is bursting with colors just like you would expect from Pachinko. The pegs of each level form a different image too. The pig is rendered in 3D as it bounces around the splendid looking peg creations. The included soundtrack is nice to listen to as it mixes a farm type theme with some techno elements.
Pixel Pig ($2.99, iPhone) is a rarity in the App Store as it’s unique and enjoyable. Moving through the pegs to collect special items really reinvents Pachinko. If you're looking for an alternative to Peggle you've come to the right place. Pixel Pig is worth picking up for $2.99 as it’s entertaining throughout.
There are 40 peg filled levels, each offering a different arrangement. In order to advance to the next level you'll need to master the current level by earning a medal. You get two shots at the peg board, and your combined total determines your medal. To add to the challenge there are moving targets, blocking platforms, and even multipliers.
Once you launch the pig you use gas to steer it to the highest point potential on the board. This means you try to go through multipliers, peg clusters, and fruit. It’s quite a challenge to earn a gold medal on any of the level, which means Pixel Pig has tons of re-playability. Each level takes a considerable amount of time so making it through all 40 will keep you busy, in a good way.
The game offers an easy control method so that you’ll be hooked after the first couple shots. The game is all about points, and you get a bonus for how the pig lands after bouncing through all the pegs. There is a bonus whether it lands standing up, on it’s rump, or face first. The game is completely score based, and it’s great that Game Center is included. The achievements you earn allow you to upgrade your pig’s power. The pig can be a real winner with upgrades to make it bigger, contain more gas, and even become more responsive to tilt.
There is an adventure feel to the game with the levels and upgrades. It’s like playing Pachinko, but with the amazing ability to move your piece after launch. You can tilt and use gas to make it much more interactive, and fun. In Pachinko you usually just launch, and then passively watch the rest. In Pixel Pig you have hands on control after launch.
The game is pretty tough because the sheer number of stubborn pegs in each level. You have to hit each peg three times to get rid of it. Also using gas doesn’t offer the most control to get through all the pegs. The best way to score big is to use the gas a little at a time. Then try to get the pig within a cluster of pegs, and let it rack up points by itself. The board will slowly clear out to reach multipliers and fruit for huge points.
The game is bursting with colors just like you would expect from Pachinko. The pegs of each level form a different image too. The pig is rendered in 3D as it bounces around the splendid looking peg creations. The included soundtrack is nice to listen to as it mixes a farm type theme with some techno elements.
Pixel Pig ($2.99, iPhone) is a rarity in the App Store as it’s unique and enjoyable. Moving through the pegs to collect special items really reinvents Pachinko. If you're looking for an alternative to Peggle you've come to the right place. Pixel Pig is worth picking up for $2.99 as it’s entertaining throughout.
