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Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: [Xbox Live Arcade] Poker Smash is an action-packed puzzle game with a poker twist. Poker Smash expands on the traditional match-three puzzle mechanic with elements of one of the world's most popular card games: poker. Make vertical and horizontal matches by forming poker hands, and play in seven different game modes, including multiplayer. Fast and fluid controls paired with radical features such as super-slow motion and card-blasting bombs make this game a whole new puzzle experience! Match-three gameplay with a twist. Create poker hands and form chains to rack up the big score. Seven game modes: Intense game modes include action, timed, puzzle levels (55 of them), practice, custom playlist, split screen head-to-head, and multiplayer tournaments. In addition to the traditional leaderboards, Poker Smash features never-before-seen rivalry tracking and even movie recording with shared playback. The next-gen 3-D graphics feature eleven different highly detailed environments and background themes, coupled with thirteen new original soundtracks for play. [Microsoft] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. 100
    From the cleverly designed puzzles to the ability to speed up or slow down the scrolling of the cards at will, every part of this game feels painstakingly adjusted for maximum enjoyment.
  2. You won’t regret investing in this game and adding it your Arcade collection, because I can guarantee whatever you thought was your favourite Arcade game just got knocked down a notch.
  3. The unique gameplay and deep strategy make this the ultimate test of both brains and reflexes, and if you've been looking for poker with a twist, then this might be right up your alley.
  4. The presentation and graphics are actually damn good. The general graphics of the board, backgrounds, and cards are all pleasing to the eye, and the card clearing effects look great.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Poker Smash is really interesting, is very addictive, because the gameplay is awesome, this mash up with the poker and the puzzles is amazing. The controls, graphics, music are amazing, this title is a jewel, amazing game. Expand
  2. Sean
    9
    First off, don't listen to the 'Eurogamer' review. Second, this game is easily one of the most addictive XBLA games I've played. But, then again I am a fan of the puzzle genre. The premise is simple: Colored card tiles start at bottom and move to top. You need to make poker hands with the before they reach the top or it's game over. Of course, like any puzzle game, each level gets faster and faster, but they do give you a "slow mo" meter that you can use if you're in trouble. And bombs, which can be placed on any one card to eliminate it. More bombs are earned by filling up a "combo meter".
    That's really the basis of the game. There are other game modes such as 'Puzzle' (in which you have to solve puzzles to eliminate all the cards on the board), timed mode, and multiplayer. The Trial Game gives you a good idea of what you're getting, so give it a try. I'm definitely putting this one up there with Lumines and Hexic HD.
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  3. Odog4ever
    8
    I didn't know how to play poker before trying the demo but now I'm hooked! This game is polished, nice clean graphics, decent music. The multiplayer is really fun although I don't like how they handle it when you lose. (You just sit there will the remaining players continue to play instead of being guided back to the lobby) Expand
  4. HarveyWallbanger
    5
    Poker Smash is fun to play until you watch the top 100 videos posted by the best players in the world, and you realize how pathetic your own skills are. The scoring system is entirely biased towards creating long chains, which is more easily done with simple "match 3's". Spending time developing skill at creating higher value hands is totally worthless compared to chaining a long string of 3-of-a-kinds together. Expand