The super-popular, long-running bubble bursting puzzle game is now popping on your 3DS. Choose from two games modes: Puzzle and Challenge, as you try to shoot and ricochet bubbles creeping down from the top of the screen. Match three of the same color bubble and they’ll pop. Any bubbles hanging underneath will go away, too, and this is how you set up chain reactions and high scores. If the bubbles reach the bottom, it’s Game Over.

In Puzzle Mode, you’ll tackle groups of ten stages each across a wide variety of planets. Some stages have special key bubbles that you can pop to help free a dinosaur friend. The trick is figuring out how to pop them without dropping the key bubble first! After each group of stages you’ll shoot bombs at a Bubble Bobble character boss. By making chain reactions, you can activate a meter that can give you special bubble-clearing shots when you need them. In Challenge Mode, you must clear bubbles in a certain time limit for a high score, or pop bubbles endlessly. You can earn awards that are like Xbox achievements in both modes of play.

The only problems with this puzzler is that there’s nothing new added to this latest entry, and the game could’ve used more modes of play. Like maybe a Vs. mode for more players or CPU opponents. But other than that, it’s still a pretty decent launch title for the 3DS, and the only puzzle game on the new system so far.

Second Sight

Since I’ve been blind in my left eye since birth, I can’t see 3-D effects like what’s on the 3DS. So I’ve gotten my younger brother Jeff to tell you about the 3-D graphics in Bust-A-Move Universe.

The 3-D graphics are mostly just in the background and some still pictures. You don’t really need the 3-D to enjoy the game. Not one of the titles you’ll want to show off the 3-D with.

Kid Factor:

Bust-A-Move Universe is rated E for Everyone with an ESRB descriptor of Comic Mischief. You pop cartoon bubbles that explode and that’s it. Reading is helpful for the menus and instructions, but not entirely necessary as the game is pretty easy to figure out. Kids will love the colorful graphics and simple gameplay. And it’s one of my favorite puzzle games right alongside Tetris and Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo.

Tags: Game Reviews