Maniac Square cover art

Maniac Square

Maniac Square is an action puzzle game with gameplay similar to Columns, but with pieces of only two parts and colours. Blocks drop down from the top of the screen and can be rotated. To create a match and…

31 December 1996

Maniac Square is a video game developed by Gaelco, released 31 December 1996 on Arcade.

Verified Sources: IGDB

What Maniac Square is

Maniac Square was developed by Gaelco and released in 1996. It is available on Arcade only.

The premise, in the publisher's words

Maniac Square is an action puzzle game with gameplay similar to Columns, but with pieces of only two parts and colours. Blocks drop down from the top of the screen and can be rotated. To create a match and make them disappear, at least three identical pieces need to be lined up horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Every now and then blocks contain a star piece that can be matched with any piece. The game is played at a fast pace with a time limit. To extend the time and continue playing the player has to form a certain number of lines. Progress is shown through a vertical Goal bar in the top right side of the screen. Multiplayer is supported for two players simultaneously, racing each…
Description from the publisher · source

What it launched against

Maniac Square launched on 31 December 1996, within three weeks of Mario Kart 64, Wild Arms, Mega Man 8 and Money Puzzle Exchanger.

Released around the same time: Mario Kart 64, Wild Arms, Mega Man 8, Money Puzzle Exchanger.

Official trailer

Gameplay Video thumbnail

Sourced from the publisher’s YouTube channel.

Screenshots

All media

Quick answers

Maniac Square — frequently asked questions

When did Maniac Square come out?
Maniac Square was released on 31 December 1996 for Arcade.