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Lumines (PSP; $39.99; Rated E10+; ubi.com)

(four stars)

When Nintendo released the first Game Boy, it brought “Tetris” into the palms of my hands which entranced me so much that visions of falling blocks danced before my closed eyes as I drifted off to sleep. To this day, “Tetris” is still one of my all-time greatest time-wasters.

And now, “Lumines,” the spiritual successor to the Russian puzzle game, appears on Sony’s brand new PlayStation Portable- Serendipity? Calculated marketing? Money well spent?

Yes. Yes. And most certainly, yes.

The simple “eliminate falling blocks” puzzle aspect of the game has an instant nostalgic familiarity to it that sets the stage for hours of addictive entertainment. Players must form a square of four blocks of the same color in order for the falling blocks to be eliminated. Once the blocks reach the top of the screen it’s “game over.” Simple, right? Yes, and that’s why it’ll suck you in so quickly.

Adding to the experience is a colorful display and fantastic soundtrack that interacts with gameplay. Each song has a different rhythm designated by a line that sweeps from left to right across the screen. The line sweeps away completed squares, and depending on the song, that means squares can be cleared quickly, or at a nerve-wracking slower pace. This requires careful strategy and forethought.

Single player modes include a standard “last as long as you can” mode as well as a “vs. CPU,” both of which unlock new skins and songs while progressing deeper into the game. Two-player multiplayer over the PSP’s local Wi-Fi connection is also available when you don’t feel so solitary.

A nearly perfect portable game for nearly perfect portable system? And within the first month of the PSP’s release? Can’t wait to see what the future holds.