Bust-A-Move DS

"Addicting fun in an addicting series"

Bust-A-Move DS is a puzzle game for the DS. Shoot colored bubbles, and groups of three or more will pop. Destroy them all and beat the level. It may seem easy, but it can be difficult. Endless can last hours, nonstop addictive bubble-bursting... And competition between you and your friends. What could be better?

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics don't need to be that great. The backgrounds are cute, and the bubbles for the most part are colorful enough to be completely visible. I, personally, have had a little trouble with the black bubbles blending into my background, but after a flash of the bubble, I immediately knew it was there. Your bubbles are bright and noticeable, and there is a lot of difference between the colors, so you can easily tell the difference. You character has some animation, and it can be cute, but there are very few frames.

Sound: 8/10
You may not be a fan of video game music, but this does have some nice music. It's upbeat and very catchy. I can often be found playing the game and whistling or humming along with the tunes, melody and even harmony. However, it's very happy. It's a happy game, though, so it does fit the mood. It can get annoying, and the sound effects are bothersome at times, but for the most part the sound is fine.

Control: 9/10
The controls are perfect, I must say. The bottom screen is for aiming and shooting, but if you're playing Endless Mode and have three seconds to shoot the bubble and you miss, you may be left unhappy. The start button MUST be used to pause/unpause, which can make it hard to shoot bubbles, but if you're good and quick it won't matter. The shooting with the stylus is easy, just tap, move left/right so the line aims to your target, then release.

Story: N/A
The instruction manual does have a story line, though it's a puzzle game, and the story line isn't mentioned. It's not relative to the game, but it doesn't need to be. If you'd like to know, however, the Evil Troll has used his sorcery to change two humans, Bub and Bob, into dragons. The one way to turn them back is by beating the puzzles. They have the help of a teddy bear (living thanks to the Evil Troll's magic), two sorcerer apprentices, and Lil' Dev, who's with the Evil Troll, but... Is still cool.

Gameplay: 10/10
The point of the game is to shoot bubbles. Like mentioned before, put three or more bubbles of one color to pop them. Bubbles bounce off walls (ceiling in Puzzle Mode), but stick to other bubbles (ceiling in Endless Mode and Multiplayer). After bubbles pop, any other bubbles no longer attached to anything drop, allowing you chains. Chains are when bubbles pop, then bubbles fall, some may shoot up and pop more bubbles, and so on. Take your time (but go quick enough that the game doesn't auto-shoot), as the playing field will drop only after a few bubbles are shot. When a bubble crosses the bottom line of the top screen, you lose.

Some cool bubbles include the classic Rainbow Bubble. When shot, it turns into the color of a bubble it sticks to. Metal Bubbles are indestructible, only to be removed by dropping in a chain. Fire Bubbles will explode in a one-bubble radius in all directions. Clear Bubbles are multiplayer only, and simply take up space. They are destroyed when bubbles adjacent to them pop. Star Bubbles will be in stock until you use them, and sometimes pup up in your slingshot. When shot, they destroy all bubbles of the color they hit. They can be very useful as a lifesaver, or to help get a high score by giving you lots of chains.

You use the stylus or buttons to aim and shoot bubbles. When you aim, a line will appear showing a short distance of where your bubbles will go. With a good eye, you can learn to bounce bubbles off the wall into small holes. The buttons take a little more time, but the stylus may not be as accurate.

Three game modes in the game are available, plus a Sound Test may be unlocked. They are Puzzle Mode, Endless Mode, and Battle Mode. Puzzle Mode has 500 puzzles, divided into 5 levels. Each level has 5 more levels labeled with letters, each consisting of 10 puzzles, adding up to 50 per non-labeled level! The levels are: 1-A, 1-B, etc. You must beat a letter (10 puzzles), and five to beat the level. Clearing a level 5 letter (even 5-A) will unlock you Sound Test. Puzzle Mode is the main game, and puzzles are set. They get hear very quickly, but once you master them, they're easy. Endless is a large puzzle board of random bubbles. It goes until you give up or lose. Rather than the playing field lowering, a new row of bubbles will appear. It's very fun, and will be the main addiction as you can play a long time. Battle Mode can be done single or multiplayer (Multiplayer or Download, not Wi-Fi). You can play against 1-4 opponents, trying your best to beat the others. Yellow jewels can be used on one player, or all of them, dropping Clear Bubbles on them. Save your jewels and use them in bug chunks! It's fun, but the AI of the computer is... Very low.

Replay Value: 10/10
Bust-A-Move DS is perfect for road trips. Whether you're in a hurry or have all day, you almost always have the time to play a puzzle or more. With so many puzzles, it rarely gets boring. It's fun to beat your records or play against friends. As there is no real story, you can play it forever if you'd like, without getting bored.

Final Recommendation: BUY!
Bust-A-Move DS is something you don't want to rent. Renting can cause late returns due to addictions or "forgetfulness" (a.k.a. forgetting on purpose so you can play longer). Buying will get you a game that you will love for a long time!

Overall: 9/10
Bust-A-Move DS is one of the best puzzle games out there. I haven't played the other games, but I'm sure it's just as good. You can play it a long time or a short time. Whatever you like to do, Bust-A-Move is a way to take a break. Once you play it, you'll never stop.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/10/07

Game Release: Bust-A-Move DS (US, 12/06/05)