Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition

I’ve been a fan of the original Puzzle & Dragons since it came out, and I think it’s finally met its match. The stories in Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition (whew!) are a bit hokey, but both games are so strong overall that I may be able to finally clean out some space on my iPad.

What I have to emphasise here is that the base puzzle game of Puzzle & Dragons is so, so addictive. Backed with a simple, pleasant aesthetic and speedy mechanics that mobile games specialise in, it's easy to watch the hours fly by without really realising you've been playing for so long.

Trying to merge an RPG with a puzzle game might seem a complicated task but Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition handles that perfectly. With an immense amount of content, a very long lifespan and its easy-to-learn mechanics, this is set to become a landmark in how to join two different genres, as well as how to bring the elements of two series together.

GungHo Entertainment knew perfectly well how to make a match-three that was different from its predecessors, it added depth by using RPG elements and took advantage from tactile technology that, obviously, adapted greatly in the Nintendo 3DS.

This is the most creative match-3 game since the good old PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords. As usual you are depending on luck a little too much, but nonetheless the tactical possibilities when it comes to matching your orbs are huge. Plus: Gong Ho managed to replace the micro transactions from the phone version with well suited mechanics.

The best way to spend your 30-minute train commute to work. [Issue #15; May/June 2015, p.70]

It’s a nice addition to the 3DS library, a game for a wide audience that might help some people to discover Puzzle Dragons and some others to discover Super Mario.

On the surface of it , Puzzle & Dragons Z and the Super Mario Bros. edition of the game are mindless match 3 puzzle games -but that casual, family-friendly aesthetic belies a pair of deep and complex strategy RPGs.

This "two in one" is the ultimate answer for those seeking quality puzzle games on Nintendo 3DS. You will be engaged with the different styles and possibilities of both.

All together, especially if you already know you enjoy Puzzle & Dragons, I think this is a package worth checking out.

Gung Ho has done a truly admirable job introducing Puzzle & Dragons to non-mobile players. I actually went and downloaded the original after playing these two games just to get an even broader understanding of the series, and I can honestly say that Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition perfectly replicate and evolve the core concept into something bigger and better.

This is the best version of the popular puzzle-rpg that we have seen. ​The Mario-version feels a bit like an easy choice, but again it offers easy to play, deep gameplay that is solid as a rock. Without microtransactions but including a new storyline plus a lot of Mario, this is the ideal way of getting to know the Puzzle & Dragons-phenomenon. ​

Persistent fun and an abundance of content.

Easy to learn, hard to master, incredibly addictive, and most importantly, mocrotransactions-free: this is, in a nutshell, Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition for 3DS. A unique blend of puzzle and RPG that will keep you busy for at least thirty hours.

This game is ideal for 3DS. The two games in this bundle are different enough to make them both fun to play. The gameplay is just as strong as it was on mobile phones, so we can forgive the game for being so awfully difficult at some moments.

The elaborately designed monsters are often gorgeous to behold and have great pop-up book style animations.

While the stories may not set the world on fire, the compelling gameplay is very accessible but tough to master.

A fantastic package, containing two meaty match-3 RPGs and hours of quality content without a single microtransaction. Accessible, deep and involving, it's great for killing a few minutes or an entire evening at a time.

While Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition might seem like another tile-based puzzle game that doesn’t go beyond what’s on the surface, it’s far deeper than what you would expect. It has RPG elements and a bevy of options to engage and motivate the addiction it creates.

While the games won’t be everyone’s cup of tea – not to mention that the dialogue and characters in Puzzle & Dragons Z are mind-numbingly boring – the discounted combo pack that features both of these titles is certainly worth checking out.

Paying a reasonable price for dozens and dozens of hours of satisfying and balanced puzzle play – and no temptation to spend more on in-app purchases – seems like a no-brainer to me.

Puzzle and Dragons Super Mario Edition offers more immediate gameplay, while Puzzle and Dragons Z adds a storyline and RPG elements. Ultimately, both offer puzzle action that's addictive, fun and surprisingly deep.

Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition is a great way to get to know the Puzzle & Dragons gameplay, and gives the 3DS another great game to play on the go.

Puzzle and Dragons Z is worth the price of admission alone, making this a more than worthy addition to any puzzle fan's 3DS library.

If you enjoy Pokémon mechanics and Match 3 puzzles, this pack is a very recommendable option for you.

Fun and addictive, Puzzle Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition moves the saga successfully on 3DS. The unique blend of puzzle game and RPG will fascinate lovers of both genres. The exorbitant amount of collectible will keep them busy for a long time.

This pack with two great games brings to the West the powerful and successful Puzzle & Dragons series. There aren't microtransactions. You'll find a deep and addictive gameplay with Super Mario or with the lovely dragons. Good fuel for Nintendo 3DS these months.

The transition from mobile isn't wholly successful, but the puzzling itself is near-perfect. [July 2015, p.70]

There’s plenty of content in both, and I’ll be back for more Mario, at least.

Two complementary products that work great together.

Surprisingly addictive.

The game might sound like little more than a gimmick complicate a simple n’ successful puzzle formula, but it’s surprising how well the battle system works on it’s own terms.

Whether its channeling your Khaleesi or rescuing Princess Peach from danger, Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition keeps the adventure fresh and exciting, and even if I'm easily resurrected from death a thousand times over, I'm more than happy to spend a little more time in the Mushroom Kingdom.

While the Mario version is inferior, it’s still a nice bonus game to have with you on the go.

Remedial as it may be, it has some challenging spots, and it's still worth playing if you dig puzzle games.