Peggle

Hey, whats up readers?

Not much? Yeah same here. Which is why I'm making another post. Another video game this time.

What game you ask? Did you not read the title? Peggle. Specifically, two of the three incarnations of Peggle I am aware of.

First up we have Peggle Extreme, which was formerly available free through Steam to buyers of the Orange Box for PC, and is now available to any schmuck with a Steam Account (which is free).

Peggle Extreme is essentially a demo of Peggle, but with unique levels, each level themed after one or more of the games included in the Orange Box (Half Life 2, Team Fortress 2, Portal). The object of this game is to launch a ball from the top of the screen at a bunch of "pegs" and "bricks" (read: circles and rectangles) on the screen. There's also a moving bucket at the bottom that you should try to hit if possible. You start each level with ten balls, and get a replacement balls by meeting certain conditions, such as a certain score in one turn, or getting a ball in the bucket. The level ends in failure if you run out of balls, and in success if you get rid of all the orange pegs and bricks.

Meanwhile, you are aided by a Scandinavian Unicorn who makes it easier to aim, but only if you hit a green peg (or brick) the turn before. Later levels make you flip your shit by including portals that send your balls flying all over the place.

HOLY CRAP, IT'S AFTER MIDNIGHT ALREADY?

Sorry about that. Moving on, we have Peggle Deluxe, which is basically the full version of Peggle. As far as I know, there is no plain ol' Peggle, so you have to wonder why they added the word Deluxe.

Peggle Deluxe gives you a much wider selection of levels than Peggle Extreme did, and additional masters, other than the aforementioned Scandinavian Unicorn, each of whom does something different. Among them, a gopher who seems to be a surfer dude from the valley, an Egyptian cat, a manic rabbit magician, and a one eyed dragon. Some of them are more useful than others.

And after you finish the "campaign," (the reward for which is a picture of a trophy), you can continue the game by playing the challenges, which consist of various levels with different goals than the normal levels. The differences vary from a few extra orange pegs to starting with only one ball, to having to get a certain score on the level.

There is also another Peggle called Peggle Nights, which comes in a darker box, and presumably features new levels, possibly darker ones.

Oh, I almost forgot. At the end of every level, it plays the Ode to Joy. That's worth a few bonus points, right?

The Bottom Line: Peggle is a highly addictive game that's worth a try, especially since anyone with an internet connection can download Peggle Extreme for free. And quite frankly, I'm assuming you have an internet connection, since you're reading this. At least, I'm assuming you're reading this.