When the Bejeweled series first graced DSiWare, it was in a form that not everyone was expecting. Bejeweled Twist offered a new way to play that differed from the traditional match-three gameplay gamers have become used to for years. In an almost-similar move, Teyon has brought Super Swap to the DSiWare platform. And just like PopCap's unique take on the overused formula, Super Swap offers players with a new, unique way of playing that dares to envelop, rather than innovate. Although you might think Bejeweled to be one of the best games of its kind, Teyon's puzzler is a great download that I highly recommend to fans of this genre.

    Naturally, the idea of the game is to make matches using multiple items of the same colour. But what makes this game stand out from others is its structural setup. Rather than being limited to making a single move where players must make links, you have the freedom to move on-screen items just about wherever you want without overstepping the stack boundaries. To make a move, you can do one of two things using your stylus. The first control system makes use of a tap system where you simply choose the item in question and then choose one that's adjacent to it to make the swap. The second system is easier and quicker. All you do is drag your stylus along the items you'd like to swap, and if desired, you can do this repeatedly. And it's not always about making matches of three either. You can even make a line of 5 items of the same colour, resulting in a combo bonus. But unlike other games, this is easier to come by if you plan carefully.

    The shapes that are used in the game is dependant on what the player wants. You have such choices as squares, spheres, 3D pentagons, triangles, and even candy that resemble Life Savers. Now the reason why I keep using the word "items" is because you'll quickly notice that shapes are just part of what falls into the playing field. For one, there are score multipliers that can be connected with shapes or even other multipliers of the same colour for increased points. Next you have Bombs, which will eliminate a good number of items within a small area. There's also a Dynamite item which can eliminate all shapes of the same colour once it's been linked. I personally think it looks more like a candle, but I digress. The variation in items is great to work with and it definitely makes the game even more interesting as you try to incorporate these into your movements.

    Because of the way the game is set up, Super Swap is much more fulfilling than other games belonging to the same genre. While Bejeweled may be 75% luck-based, Super Swap is more about skill and strategy, and this is one of the biggest things that I admire about this release. Depending on the mode you play in and the settings you use, when you find yourself tested to keep up with the pace of the game, thinking on the ball to make strategic swaps - this is when the game is at its best. As if there wasn't enough in the form of challenge, X-shaped blocks will also randomly drop from the top of the screen, making things even more difficult. Since they can only be removed by linking three of these together or with the use of a bomb, you'll need to maneuver around them if you hope to survive in the face of rapidly-descending items.

    The game features four different modes where you can get your matching fix. First up, there's Classic Mode, the standard mode of play. Here, new items will only rain down from above with each move you make, allowing you more time to think with less pressure. In Speed Mode, items will descend constantly, requiring the player to stay on their toes all the time. In both these modes, upon completion of a level, any rows that are free of items will earn you 100 bonus points each. And then there's Death Mode - a survival-style method of play where you forget about leveling up, and just try to last as long as you can, with the game getting faster and faster. In all of these modes, the highest point of the top screen will display your score, current level, and, in the case of Classic and Speed Mode, there's also gauge that measures how close you are to advancing to the next round.

    There's also one more mode that's deserving of a paragraph all on its own. Rows Mode is the most unique of all four modes, offering an experience with similar mechanics, but a completely different way of playing. Here, the screen is full of shapes and it's your job to move entire rows and columns in hopes of lining up multiple colours for a match. Sometimes, those menacing X-shaped blocks will pop up, restricting you from moving a whole line and requiring you to take a different approach. The idea is to try to get enough points to get to the next level before the timer runs out. The gauge on the top screen measures how much time you have left but unfortunately, you're left to wondering how many points are required in order for you to progress. In spite of this minor complaint, I thought this was quite interesting, simply because it vies for something different. That being said, it was close to being my least favourite of them all.

    What you may not know about Super Swap is that it's actually a "port" of 'Super Swap Deluxe'. But the thing is, if you didn't know otherwise, you would not be able to tell that this was originally a PC game. In fact, by comparison, the DSiWare version looks better. With all of the cartoony, yet flashy effects, the consistent framerate, and the sleek look, Super Swap is very well-made. There's a great use of colour, the shapes look great, and even the X-Blocks look like something out of Art of Balance for WiiWare. As for the in-game music, I really liked the song used for the Main Menu, and I thought it was very nice to listen to. The theme used for gameplay is decent at first, but can be annoying after a while. Furthermore, it's a shame there are no other music tracks to choose from (something other DSiWare releases have neglected as well).

    Although you're not able to customize the music, Teyon has given you the ability to adjust pretty much everything else about the game. You can choose from 6 different shapes, 4 different coloured backgrounds, and you can even toggle the grid on and off. I really appreciated the level of customization in this title. Of course, you can also choose from 3 difficulty settings, which makes this game so appealing to multiple age groups. Whether you're 8 or 18, if you enjoy these kinds of games, you should feel challenged enough to suit your own style of play. Ambitious players who play on the Hard difficulty may have a harder time surviving, but you'll also earn more points as a result, something I was impressed to see.

    High-scores in this game offer great motivation for players to continue playing and even trying to best the records of those within the same household. However, I was surprised that a battle mode of some sort wasn't included in this release. As I was playing, at times I kept thinking to myself that this could've been a really fun multiplayer game. Had Teyon included the ability to battle against friends using Wireless or Download Play, the game would've been even more successful.

    Overall, I'm really pleased with the effort put forth with this release, and it's definitely Teyon's best release yet. It's a game that carries a great sense of addictiveness and replayability that totally make it worth the asking price. The presentation, unique structure, along with the compelling and varied gameplay elements all make Super Swap a great addition to your DSiWare library.