Peggle

Peggle is a casual puzzle video game developed by Sukhbir Sidhu and Brian Rothstein of PopCap Games. Initially released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X systems in 2007, it has since had versions released for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, the Nintendo DS (with the help of Q Entertainment), Windows Mobile, iOS, Zeebo and Android; the game has also been ported as a Java application, and an extended minigame incorporated into the massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft. A sequel was released in September 2008, titled Peggle Nights.

Inspired by pachinko and bagatelle, each level of Peggle challenges the player to shoot a limited supply of balls at a field of colored pegs to clear out specifically marked pegs while attempting to achieve a high score through skilled shot planning. Special powers associated with a number of cartoon "Peggle Masters" can be activated to aid the player in this task. Peggle initially sold slowly but was boosted by the inclusion of a specially designed demonstration in Valve's The Orange Box, and has since enjoyed over 50 million downloads from the Internet. Both its release on Xbox Live Arcade and iOS have enjoyed similar success. PopCap, now a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, have announced Peggle 2 at the E3 2013 convention.

Peggle 2

Peggle 2 is a puzzle video game developed by PopCap Games. It was announced during the Electronic Arts E3 2013 press conference. PopCap Games announced Peggle 2 as a timed exclusive for the Xbox One. It expands on the original Peggle by featuring new levels, challenges, environments, Peggle Masters and special powers. An Xbox 360 version of the game was released on May 7, 2014.

Announcement

Peggle 2 was announced by PopCap co-founder John Vechey at E3, and was considered one of the most humorous moments of the entire conference. After announcing Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, Vechey announced they had one last thing to show. He then made an exaggerated leap into the air and slammed his hand on the ground while shouting "Peggle 2!". Videos and remixes of the announcement, and the consequent lack of applause, became instant hits on YouTube.

Reception

GameZone's Mike Splechta gave the Xbox One version a 9/10, stating "Despite it being a casual gamer's best friend, there is still something completely addicting about Peggle 2."