We’re going back a full decade for this one.  Back in ’97, Sony put out a puzzle game called Intelligent Qube (IQ for short) that just didn’t have the graphical “oomph” to find a market in the States.  Sadly, those who ignored this title because of the visuals missed out on an intense, addictive that still plays well today, despite its dated graphics.


Intelligent Qube puts playes in command of a human avatar on a floating platform.  Large blocks steadily roll from the far end of the platform towards you, trying to crush you or force you off the edge into the black nothingness below.  Your job is to set red floor traps in front of the oncoming blocks, then detonate them when they are on top of the traps.  Most of the blocks are grey.  When eliminated, these blocks simply disappear.  The green blocks that appear leave green traps in their wake upon elimination.  These green traps destroy everything around them when detonated.  There are also black boxes that punish you by removing a row from your platform when they are destroyed.  

  


The key to this game is knowing when to set off red traps and when to set off green traps.  A misplayed green trap can significantly shorten your platform if it’s close to a couple of black cubes.  In later levels, this becomes more difficult and stressful as the speed increases and the platforms get shorter.  Serious strategic thinking is required to advance into the final few levels, and supreme patience, timing, reflexes are needed to beat the game in its entirety.

Unfortunately, those who missed the game when it was new for the PS1 will find it difficult to procure this title nowadays.  Not available in retail stores, IQ is most easily found on eBay, though you should expect to pay at least $60 for the 10-year old title.  It’s a shame that this game didn’t take off, as it is an innovative and unique title that deserved to be the first iteration of a franchise.  Final Fantasy VII came out shortly before IQ, so I guess that’s where all of gamers’ money was headed that month.