3DS is receiving its fair share of massive-selling, action-packed franchises – we've already played Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries and Pro Evolution Soccer – but what about something a little more sedate and thoughtful? Square Enix is lining up just the thing with a new entry in its venerable bubble-popping series, with Bust-a-Move Universe heading to 3DS in Spring.
We had chance to spend a little time with the game in Amsterdam this week, and what do you know – it's Bust-a-Move in 3D! While the basic gameplay benefited little from the shift to a third dimension, the rotating stages and backgrounds brought a little extra visual panache to proceedings.
Judging from the press release below the game won't be making use of any of the 3DS's more advanced features, but with a retail price set at $29.99 you may not mind so much. Plus, y'know, it's Bust-a-Move – if it's not broken, don't fix it.
SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE FOR NINTENDO 3DS
Classic Puzzle Series Includes Enhanced Features and Vibrant 3-D Effects
LOS ANGELES (January 20, 2011) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in North America, today announced BUST-A-MOVE® UNIVERSE for the Nintendo 3DS™ hand held system. The popular puzzle game will be reborn in full 3-D on the Nintendo 3DS system and will be available this spring.
BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE is the next iteration in the popular puzzle series that has remained a fan favorite since it first appeared in 1994 as a TAITO® arcade game. While the standard gameplay mechanics remain the same – connect three or more colorful bubbles to make them disappear – several enhanced features will also make their debut in BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE.
Features
ENDLESS BUBBLE-POPPING FUN: Clear round after round in Puzzle Mode with its explosive boss battles, or take on 100-second, 300-second or Nonstop Bubbles in Challenge Mode
SIMPLE GAMEPLAY MECHANICS: Shoot, connect and burst bubbles of the same color
FULL 3-D EFFECTS: Engaging gameplay in a vibrant, 3-D universe
FAMILIAR CAST: Iconic characters Bub and Bob are instantly recognized by gamers as the heroes of BUST-A-MOVE and BUBBLE BOBBLE®BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE is rated "E" (Comic Mischief). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE will be available in Spring 2011 for a suggested price of $29.99.
Comments 15
Puzzle Bobble fan here. BUT, I'm a bit puzzle bobbled out from long play sessions on Puzzle Bobble Galaxy DS. This is top of my, "buy when cheap" list
Looks amazing. I haven't played a Puzzle Bobble since number 4. I demand chain reactions!
So far this is the only game I will pick up when it comes out for the 3DS.
Absolutely love these games, but I'm not sure I'd pay full price for it. I've already got a version of it on just about every system I own...
Square made these games?...o_0
lol
Hmm, been a while since I've played Bust-a-Move/Puzzle Bobble. That last one I played was a PC port of Bust-a-Move 2 if I recall correctly. Maybe I'll look into this.
@BellGoRiing: Square Enix now owns Taito, which had originally developed them.
Yeah, I like Puzzle Bobble, but not at $29.99. At $19.99, I may consider it.
Oh, ok makes sense...haven't touched these kinda games in a while...never knew about that. xD
Possible bubble bobble reference?
Never played Puzzle Bobble. Played Bubble Bobble, but still.
FUDGE YEAH, I am gonna love this. I haven't played a puzzle boblle in years and now a really awesome one is coming out?
BOOYAH.
Does anyone know if this has a download play or online component to it?
Methinks $30 is the budget price range for 3DS- but I'm sure $20 will indefinetly pop up. May consider this since I only own one version and it's the 99 Edition for N64. Good times
One of the first game i played and probably the only game that my mother liked.
Call me pessimistic, but if that's the full set of features, it sounds like this is going to be an early example of phoning in an old game and just adding some 3D effects as an afterthought. Still, nice to hear they're bringing back the boss fights from Space Bust-a-Move. Those were cool.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...