When I first purchased the Nintendo 3DS, one of the features I was most excited about was the inclusion of the eShop, which allows gamers to purchase and download classic GameBoy games, as well as small-budget yet innovative new titles. Since the 3DS launched, a steady stream of games have appeared on the eShop, but none of the releases were particularly notable. That was until the release of the first entry in a brand-new series, Pushmo, produced by Nintendo and developed by Intelligent Systems, the studio responsible for several entries in such popular series as Paper Mario, Fire Emblem and Advance Wars.

Pushmo is a clever puzzle game that puts players in the role of Mallo, the small, red, possibly human protagonist who, dressed as a sumo wrestler, attempts to save kids who have become trapped in the Pushmo, a collection of large block structures. These structures can be climbed if manipulated properly.

It is Mallo's task to solve the puzzles, free the children and reach the children at the top. While the story is a bit convoluted, it is fortunately not a particularly important aspect of the game.

Pushmo stands out from other eShop releases because of its addictive puzzles, clever gameplay mechanics and quirky style. The graphics are simple and the color palette is almost entirely pastel, but this adds to the game's charm and character. The puzzles, however, are not so simple: They will challenge some of the most experienced veterans of the genre. The game introduces new block types with special attributes, as well as new tactics that gamers will need to employ to traverse the Pushmo. It's easy to lose yourself in the puzzles, which typically take no more than a couple of minutes to complete once you've figured out the level's trick.

I frequently found myself wanting to play through just one more stage. This level format is great for a portable system because it doesn't require a massive time investment for the gamer to get their entertainment fix. It's perfect for on-the-go players who just want to get through a puzzle or two on the bus or train, which is really what a portable system is for, but which the 3DS has mostly lacked to date, with a large number of games that are structured more for a home console experience.

While Pushmo gets a lot of things right, it is significantly hampered by its pacing—like many Nintendo games, it is simply too slow to start. The first several levels are incredibly easy, and it takes a significant amount of time to get to any level that truly poses a challenge. The makers of the game also felt compelled to include explanations for every control, which becomes frustrating quickly and is entirely unnecessary for a game this simple and easy to play. Nintendo obviously caters to gamers of all ages and abilities, but an option to skip the tutorial levels, or at least reduce their number, would go a long way towards keeping advanced gamers engaged. Beyond this, Pushmo simply has a limited appeal. The gameplay only changes so much throughout the game, and at certain points, I found my interest waning. The game is definitely best played in short intervals over an extended period of time.

Despite these few flaws, Pushmo is a very solid downloadable puzzler for the 3DS, and a game that I would recommend to any owner of the system who has an interest in the genre. This is the type of game that really sells the idea of using the 3DS as a portable gaming system as opposed to a home console that just happens to be handheld. At just $6.99, Pushmo is a great value, costing significantly less than a full retail game, though it is still a bit more expensive than an iOS or Android game.

I am looking forward to seeing more titles like Pushmo launch on the eShop.

I give Pushmo a 7/10.