Software:Pushmo

From HandWiki

Pushmo[lower-alpha 1], known as Pullblox in PAL regions, is a downloadable puzzle game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for its Nintendo 3DS handheld system, available on the Nintendo eShop. In the game, players must shift around puzzle blocks in order to create steps and platforms, ultimately to reach children who have been trapped within the giant structures. A sequel, Crashmo[lower-alpha 2], was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. A third game, Pushmo World[lower-alpha 3], was released for Wii U on June 19, 2014. A fourth game, Stretchmo[lower-alpha 4], was released for Nintendo 3DS in May 2015.

All games in the series for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U are no longer available due to the Nintendo eShop closure for those systems.[1]

Plot and setting

Pushmo is set in Pushmo Park, where Pushmos are made by a man named Papa Blox. He is the creator and caretaker of the park. While visiting the park, Mallo witnesses Papa Blox hurting his back while trying to rescue a trapped child. Mallo assists, and they discover another child who is trapped inside. Mallo then crosses the park, rescuing the remaining children. Reaching the end of the park, Mallo confronts the child, who presents himself as Corin, a new child who wanted friends. The children forgive him, and they leave the park alongside Mallo. The next day, Papa Blox expands his park with new Pushmo.

Gameplay

Basics

In the game, a Pushmo is a large, climbable playground structure made of blocks that can slide forwards and backwards.[2] The player controls Mallo, a red, round sumo wrestling creature visiting Pushmo Park, home to dozens of Pushmo. In order to rescue the children, Mallo must move the sliding blocks of the Pushmo in such a way to create a path to reach the child.[2]

Mallo can push and pull blocks a maximum of three steps forward, and can only do so while standing in front of the block or by standing to the side, provided Mallo has a platform on which to step while moving.[3] If Mallo becomes stuck, the player can either reset the Pushmo or use a rewind feature similar to games such as Braid and Catrap.[2] Also, difficult levels can be skipped and re-visited later, if desired.[2] Later levels add manholes that allow Mallo to travel within the Pushmo to reach other parts of the structure.[3]

Create and share

Along with the game's included 250-plus levels,[2] Pushmo also includes the Pushmo Studio, where players can create and share their own Pushmo puzzles.[2] In order to share puzzles, Pushmo generates a QR code that can be read by the 3DS' on-board cameras; the QR images can be posted on the Internet, printed or photographed from the 3DS's screen.[2]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic90/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comA[3]
Destructoid8.5/10[5]
Edge8/10[6]
Eurogamer9/10[7]
Game Informer8.25/10[8]
GameSpot8.5/10[9]
IGN9.5/10[2]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[10]
Nintendo World Report9.5/10[11]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarStarStar[12]
Metro8/10[13]

Pushmo received "universal acclaim" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] Lucas M. Thomas of IGN called the game "a beautifully original, absolutely charming and oftentimes devious little portable puzzler", "the 3DS eShop's killer app", and "the best downloadable game Nintendo's ever offered in any format."[2] Jeremy Parish of 1Up.com said Pushmo was "one of the 3DS's most outstanding offerings to date".[3] Patrick Barnett of Nintendo World Report said the game was "an ingenious puzzler that will consume the free time of anyone who gives it a whirl."[11]

Fourteen years after its release, it was named by Atari CEO Wade Rosen as his favourite game of 2025, describing it as a “beautiful non-dopamine loop gameplay that is just pure joy”.[14]

Legacy

Sequels

A sequel to Pushmo called Crashmo (known in the PAL region as Fallblox, and in Japan as Hikuotsu) was announced on October 4, 2012 by Nintendo in both North America and Europe. It was released in Japan on October 31, 2012, November 22, 2012 for the North American Nintendo eShop and November 15, 2012 for the European and Australian eShop. Using Mallo, players save birds rather than children and Mallo will be able to take on 140 new levels by pulling the blocks in any direction, causing some to fall. A third game, Pushmo World,[15] known in Europe and Australia as Pullblox World[16] and in Japan as Hikuosu World, was released for the Wii U in Japan, North America, Europe and Australia on June 19, 2014.[17] A fourth game, Stretchmo, was released for the 3DS in Japan on May 12, 2015, and in Europe, Australia, and North America on May 14, 2015.[18]

Appearances in other media

Super Smash Bros. series

In Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U, the main character, Mallo, appears as a collectable trophy. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mallo reappears as a Spirit[19] and the “Welcome Center” music from Stretchmo is present.

Super Mario Maker

Mallo appears as a costume for Mario after beating the "100 Mario Challenge" in Super Expert difficulty.

WarioWare Gold

One of the "microgames" is taken from Pushmo in which the player controls Mallo and must reach the Flag Pole in three sets of challenges.

Notes

  1. ↑ known as Pullblox in Europe and Australia and Hikuosu in Japan
  2. ↑ known as Fallblox in Europe and Australia, and as Hikuotsu in Japan
  3. ↑ known in Europe and Australia as Pullblox World and in Japan as Hikuosu World
  4. ↑ known in Europe and Australia as Fullblox and in Japan as Hikudasu Hippaland

References

  1. ↑ "Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation Q&A". https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Lucas M. Thomas (December 8, 2011). "Pushmo Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/08/pushmo-review. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Jeremy Parish (January 4, 2012). "Brilliant Pushmo Deserves Better Than to Languish in eShop Obscurity". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120124023059/http://www.1up.com/reviews/pushmo-3ds-eshop. Retrieved January 6, 2012. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Pushmo for 3DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pushmo/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  5. ↑ Jordan Devore (December 30, 2011). "Review: Pushmo". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-pushmo/. Retrieved August 31, 2021. 
  6. ↑ Edge staff (December 21, 2011). "Pullblox review". Edge (Future plc). Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120104045423/http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/pullblox-review. Retrieved December 28, 2022. 
  7. ↑ Jeffrey Matulef (December 21, 2011). "Pullblox Review". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/pullblox-review. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  8. ↑ Bryan Vore (March 2012). "Pushmo Review". Game Informer (GameStop) (227): 96. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/pushmo/b/3ds/archive/2011/12/22/intelligent-systems-makes-block-pushing-fun-again.aspx. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  9. ↑ Britton Peele (January 5, 2012). "Pushmo Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pushmo-review/1900-6348267/. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  10. ↑ Marcel van Duyn (December 12, 2011). "Pullblox Review". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/12/pullblox_3dsware. Retrieved August 31, 2021. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Patrick Barnett (December 12, 2011). "Pushmo". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/28656/pushmo-nintendo-3ds. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Mike Rose (December 12, 2011). "Pullblox". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/pullblox/pullblox/. Retrieved December 28, 2022. 
  13. ↑ David Jenkins (December 16, 2011). "Pullblox review – puzzling download". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2011/12/16/pullblox-review-puzzling-download-263524/. Retrieved December 28, 2022. 
  14. ↑ Atari [@atari] (Dec 26, 2025). "Wade Rosen (CEO) described his top 2025 game as a, "Beautiful non-dopamine loop gameplay that is just pure joy. The world needs more games like this." And on the 3DS: "...in an age when everything is converging into a single ubiquitous viewing experience, it's amazing to play on something that will never be able to be replicated again (although I guess if they did it for the Virtual Boy, who knows...)"". https://twitter.com/atari/status/2004673548267241476. 
  15. ↑ Kadu Bonamin (May 28, 2013). "Cat Mario e Cat Peach mostram Pushmo World (Wii U), e dão dicas para Mario Kart 8 em nova apresentação" (in pt). https://www.reinodocogumelo.com/2014/05/cat-mario-e-cat-peach-mostram-pushmo.html. Retrieved June 16, 2014. 
  16. ↑ Nintendo España [@NintendoES] (May 28, 2014). "¡Pullblox World se dejará caer en Nintendo eShop de #WiiU el 19/06! Para saber más" (in es). https://twitter.com/NintendoES/status/471573368052154370. 
  17. ↑ "Pushmo World". Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150214160829/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/lkWym2kww8uPlfhvKppcacBmaK6SG7nx. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  18. ↑ Tom Philips (May 14, 2015). "Nintendo's new 3DS Pullblox game is free to download". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendos-new-3ds-pullblox-game-free-to-download. Retrieved December 27, 2022. 
  19. ↑ Hernández, David (December 21, 2018). "Todos los espíritus en Super Smash Bros Ultimate". Hobby Consolas. https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/guias-trucos/super-smash-bros-ultimate/todos-espiritus-super-smash-bros-ultimate-347581. Retrieved January 26, 2024. 
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  • Official website
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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