Crunchyroll Ponpu for iPhone

Blast your way through this entertaining puzzle game

Crunchyroll Ponpu is yet another addition to Crunchyroll’s list of game titles. This unique puzzle game is a fresh and explosively entertaining title, delivering an experience reminiscent of classic arcade games but with a modern twist that keeps you hooked. With hand-drawn graphics that exude personality and a nod to retro aesthetics, this bomb-throwing action game hatches an appealing visual experience suited for its quirky gameplay. 

While it is free to download, much like the other titles in Crunchyroll’s roster—including River City Girls and Crunchyroll inbento—Crunchyroll Ponpu requires an active subscription to the anime streaming service to play it.

Explore an intricately designed world

The single-player campaign is where Crunchyroll Ponpu shines brightest. Each stage is crafted carefully, introducing unique challenges that demand quick reflexes and strategic foresight. It also ruffles feathers with its other game mode. Deathmatch is a furiously fast-paced brawl where up to four players scramble in an arena, vying to be the last one standing. It's absolute chaos in the best way and promises hours of fun, especially when shared with friends.

Control-wise, the game is quite accessible so players can jump right into the action. The touchscreen controls are intuitive, and there is full support for game controllers, which is a great note for those who prefer more tactile feedback during intense gameplay. One of the greater aspects of the game is its broad language support, which is playable in an extensive range of languages. 

This inclusivity means that more players worldwide can enjoy the game in their native tongue, which is a bonus for widespread adoption. As already mentioned, though, it requires a Premium subscription to play. Unfortunately, users who are new to Crunchyroll can have trouble creating an account from within the game and subscribing from there. Players are recommended to subscribe directly through the Crunchyroll app or website instead.

Worth trying out

Crunchyroll Ponpu has a rich, engaging campaign and thrilling multiplayer action. It's a game that offers enough nostalgia to appeal to fans of the classic puzzle games while delivering fresh elements and challenges that keep the gameplay feeling new. Despite the barrier to entry, which is further reinforced by a difficult account creation process, the game’s numerous appealing features are enough to reel players in.