Puzzle & Dragons Z/Super Mario Bros review: an addictive experience for match-three puzzlers

3DS, Nintendo, cert: E

First released in Japan in 2012, Puzzle & Dragons has proved to be a phenomenal success and is presented here as a double pack of two versions on the 3DS. The game combines puzzle gameplay (similar to Bejeweled) with an RPG element (akin to Poki(C)mon). Players must build a team of monsters, level them up, develop their abilities and use them in battles. These battles take the form of match-three puzzles, and monsters will only unleash their attacks if gamers can combine the correctly coloured orbs.

It's a compelling template that has inspired multiple rivals and, while the Mario edition boasts familiar characters and locations, it lacks the variety and depth of Puzzle & Dragons Z. However, Z in turn gameplay does become bogged down in a rather tedious story in places but when the game gets going, it's an addictive experience. With hundreds of levels to discover, this is a really generous package for fans of match-three puzzlers. Out on Friday.