Based on the popular manga about a clumsy yet lovable bull terrier, Heisei Inu Monogatari Bow: Pop'n Smash!! is a Super Famicom exclusive that transforms a license into a surprisingly tight puzzle experience. Unlike many "falling block" clones of the era, the game places your character in the center of a grid, tasking you with clearing incoming tiles from all four cardinal directions. It’s a frantic, reflex-driven affair that demands spatial awareness and quick finger work, all wrapped in the charming, bright aesthetic typical of mid-90s Takara releases.
To Western players, the core loop will feel instantly familiar as it serves as a mechanical sibling to the cult classic puzzle game Zoop. While Zoop saw a massive multi-platform push across North America and Europe in 1995, Japan never received an official Super Famicom port of that specific brand; instead, they had Pop'n Smash!! to fill the void a year earlier. The inclusion of Bow and his cast of characters adds a layer of personality that the abstract Zoop lacked, with comical animations reacting to your successes and failures on the periphery of the playfield.
Technically, the game is solid, featuring a catchy soundtrack that complements the increasing speed of the tile waves without becoming grating. The difficulty curve is well-managed, offering enough of a challenge for puzzle veterans while remaining accessible to fans of the anime. It may not reach the legendary status of Panel de Pon or Puyo Puyo, but it remains a highly playable import that offers a fascinating look at how regional licensing shaped the puzzle genre during the 16-bit era.
