Trioncube (2007). Play online

Summary

Trioncube drops you in the captain’s seat of the Penko, a tiny spacecraft tasked with rescuing a princess across eight distant planets. By snapping tromino pieces into overlapping 3 × 3 squares—called cubes—you ignite a chain reaction that fuels the ship and pushes it toward the goal.

The game offers four modes: a story campaign of 45 levels with cutscenes and bronze, silver and gold time thresholds; an arcade mode that spirals upward in difficulty; an endless mode boasting 99 preset stages; and a VS mode that works via DS Download Play. Each combo you string together not only moves the vessel farther but also drops coins, which unlock extra graphics and sound effects. The extra modes let you practice combos without the narrative pressure.

Designer Kouji Asuna conceived Trioncube after a bathtub epiphany, choosing a “cute” visual style to attract younger and female players while deliberately avoiding the DS touchscreen for a more natural feel. A flash demo was posted on Bandai Namco’s website before launch, accompanied by promos and an official manga. Critics gave the title mixed scores, citing a gentle learning curve and a lack of lasting tension compared with more hardcore puzzlers.

Storyline

Trioncube (often just called Trioncube) follows The Captain, the lone pilot of the quirky penguin‑shaped ship Penko. He sets out across the game's colorful worlds to rescue a captured princess. The princess has been taken by the sinister duo Hell Metal and King Pluto, who rule the realm with iron claws. Along the way The Captain battles bizarre enemies and solves puzzles, all while the Penko’s unusual design provides both comic relief and unexpected abilities. The story drives the player’s quest to free the princess and thwart the evil pair.