Bust-A-Move

aka: Puzzle Bobble, Puzzle Bobble: Bust-A-Move
Moby ID: 5518
Windows Specs
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Description

The home version of Bust-A-Move is not a straight adaptation of the arcade game. It greatly increases the number of levels, has new gameplay features, and introduces new modes.

The general concept remains the same: the player controls a catapult at the bottom of the screen that shoots bubbles of random colors. When three or more bubbles of the same color touch on the playfield, they are removed, with any bubbles falling away that are not attached to the ceiling, sidewall, or another bubble. The ceiling periodically descends, pushing the bubbles downward. The game is lost if any bubbles touch the bottom.

In single-player mode, the goal is to clear pre-set bubble patterns. The game consists of 100 levels, more than tripling the number from the arcade game. Some arcade levels are reused, but most are entirely new. Also new are gameplay elements in the form of special bubbles: explosive bubbles destroy bubbles in a small radius around them if hit. Lightning bubbles move sideways if hit, clearing a horizontal line. Water bubbles burst, with the downward stream recoloring all bubbles it touches. Another new element is a boss fight in the final level.

The two-player mode from the arcade version also reappears, but optionally adds a series of ten computer opponents with different playing strategies. In two-player mode, the goal is to make the other player fail. Instead of the ceiling descending, new bubbles are added from the top. Removing more than the required three bubbles at a time sends bubbles to the opponent's field.

The final mode is Challenge mode: it is an endless unwinnable mode where new bubbles are continuously added from the top. It is played for the high score: both the score and the number of bubbles popped are counted.

Spellings

  • パズルボブル - Japanese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (Windows version)

10 People (6 developers, 4 thanks)

Special Thanks To
  • Presage Software
Executive Producers
Project Management
Developed By
Special thanks to

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 76% (based on 27 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 31 ratings with 1 reviews)

Quite fun, but doesn't live up to Bubble Bobble.

The Good
In fact, Puzzle Bobble doesn't have much to do with the original game besides the name, the monster and the bubbles. While the original Bubble Bobble was a sort of a puzzle game, Puzzle Bobble is an eccentric Columns. Regardless, it's still quite fun for a while, as a typical "minesweeper"-esque time waster.

In short: simple graphics and sound that get the job done and fun gameplay, at least for a while.

The Bad
It wears out fast and I doubt you'll play it again after it does. It isn't nearly as addictive as the original, and just builds on the franchise (unfortunate, because personally I'd expect anything BB to be great).

The Bottom Line
A pretty fun game for a little while; play it and you'll see what I mean.

Windows · by Tomer Gabel (4539) · 2001

Analytics

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Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 5518
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Gabriel.

WonderSwan added by Kabushi. Game Gear added by Игги Друге. SNES added by Chris Chidester. 3DO added by Indra was here.

Additional contributors: Terok Nor, Roedie, Lance Boyle, Grandy02.

Game added December 17, 2001. Last modified January 18, 2024.