Space Bust-A-Move Review for Nintendo DS

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Taito Corporation	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Square Enix	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: July 29, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Other single-player modes will have you fight against CPU characters (Versus), play for as long as you can in order to set new records (Endless), chart your daily progress / overall results (Challenge), and play mini-games that you purchase at the game's virtual shop. While the story mode is the most engaging one, it's fun to use special items against the enemies and kick them out one by one in Versus mode. Things such as the Eraser (hides arrow), Chakkun (speeds up the counter), or the Blind (hides bubbles for a short period of time) certainly make things hairy for the opponents!

Space Bust-A-Move screenshot

The mini-games you buy at the shop are not too exciting. They are simple puzzle challenges that require quick thinking and strategy. Spending the points on the custom bubbles and pointers seems like a better deal, at least for me.

In addition to the mentioned gameplay modes, you can compete against other friends locally via Download Play (your friends don't even need a game cartridge). Also, you can go online and battle against your friends or other random users (up to three others), though I haven't been able to make this work yet on my DSi. My Internet connection is just fine, but the game keeps giving me the same error code and not connecting to the servers. Hopefully this problem will be addressed in the very near future; otherwise the game might lose some clout, which would be unfortunate now that it's finally been made the way it should be. Nonetheless, at the time of this review, I can't confirm everyone is having this problem, so maybe it's just me, and that's what I'm assuming.

From all the Bust-A-Move games and other variants I've played lately, I find this one to be the most solid offering, especially when it comes to portable entertainment. Space Bust-A-Move contains hours upon hours of addictive play, a notably updated visual style that's pleasing to the eyes, and fun multiplayer gameplay. The storyline is very basic and nothing to die for, but I still recommend the game to all Bust-A-Move fans looking to expand their library of addictive puzzle games.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
The game has cute and updated visuals with nice anime-style illustrations. It's missing animated cutscenes, but that's not a big deal.

4.5

Control
The game works just like it should, and players can use either buttons or touch controls to aim and shoot the bubbles.

3.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Classic arcade music and sound effects are cute but get a bit tiresome after a while. At least there's nice variety!

4.2

Play Value
Single-player modes galore, multiplayer action, unlockable bubble and arrow designs, and tight controls make this game very addictive and entertaining.

4.0

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Play with up to four players through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or DS Download.

Multiple gameplay modes.

Collect points to unlock special shop items.

Customize your own bubbles and arrow designs.

Select from a diverse array of mini-games.

Travel to several different worlds to battle intergalactic bosses.

Select and play as your favorite character.