Bust-a-Move Universe (3DS Review) by Carl B.

Bust-a-Move Universe
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Arika CO.
System: Nintendo 3DS
Release: March 27, 2011

March 29, 2011, by Carl B. - Bust-a-Move originally debuted on Taito arcade systems in 1994, and since then, the series has had a large following. Various iterations of the puzzle franchise have appeared in almost every system over the years, especially new handheld consoles. Is Bust-a-Move Universe, the new entry in the series released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS, different enough from other versions or is it a cash-in on a lacking launch line up?

Bust-a-Move Universe features two game modes: Puzzle and Challenge. In Puzzle mode, players go through tons of different levels as they pop different colored bubbles. Each stage has a differing theme from the last, and each has a spinning planet in the background. With the 3D effect turned on the spinning planets look really nice, and bars on either side of the top screen pop out. The effect is easy on the eyes, so most players won't have a problem with playing the game with the 3D slider turned all the way up.

2D image of Nintendo 3DS game.
Challenge mode is essentially the same thing as Puzzle mode, except players have to pop a wall of bubbles in 100 seconds, 300 seconds, or in an infinite time limit.

Bust-a-Move's style of puzzle solving requires players to shoot different colored bubbles at corresponding colors, while a wall slowly makes its way to the bottom of the screen. If the wall reaches the bottom or if bubbles pass up a line at the bottom of the top screen, players lose the level. To clear a level, they must shoot bubbles at bubbles at the same color and line up a series of three bubbles or more of the same color to pop them. The more that are lined up, the higher chance there is that surrounding bubbles will pop as well.

By popping several bubbles at the same time, players will increase their special meter, allowing them to unleash a special bubble popper with a variety of different abilities. Some change the color of a section of bubbles, while another one pops several bubbles in one area.


2D image of Nintendo 3DS game.
The gameplay in general is very similar to previous Bust-a-Move games – if not exactly the same – so veterans of the series may be let down that nothing has really been changed.

Bust-a-Move Universe starts off pretty easy early on in Puzzle mode, but as players get to the later stages, the difficulty really starts to ramp up. All the stages can be cleared in four hours at the most, but it's a perfect game to play in 15 to 30 minute intervals.

The Verdict

Sound
10/15 - Bust-a-Move features a nice soundtrack, but it isn't anything to write home about.

Graphics
11/20 - The 3D effect looks nice, but Bust-a-Move Universe hardly uses the advanced graphical capabilities of the 3DS.

Appeal
13/25 - There are only two game modes in Bust-a-Move Universe, but it's a great game to pick up and play for short periods of time.

Gameplay
26/40 - Bust-a-Move Universe really hasn't changed at all gameplay-wise from previous games in the series. Stages in Puzzle mode get pretty hard later on.

Overall
60/100 - Bust-a-Move Universe is more of the same as far as the series is concerned, but a nice 3D effect and fun gameplay make this title worth it to early adopters of the 3DS who are looking to get their puzzle game fix.