Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition
Reviewed by Nate
I hate this game! Not because it's necessarily a bad game, but...well,
I'll get into it later. Bust-a-Move 2 is very similar to the Super NES
game and the arcade game. The only difference is the rendered backgrounds.
You play as the two little dinosaurs in Bubble Bobble (remember that
game?), who shoot multi-colored bubbles, which have to connect three
or more bubbles of the same color to pop them. Pop the entire screen and
you win. Sound like Tetris? There's no doubt that Tetris inspired this game.
Graphics 6 out of 10
The graphics are nothing spectacular. The graphics on this game could
easily be made on the Super NES. Some of the rendered backgrounds (of
which there are few) are interesting, but that provides the only variety
graphically. Some of the short cut-scenes (if you call them that), where
two characters meet in player vs. computer mode, and the characters'
actions at the bottom of the screen occasionally yank a laugh out of me.
Music and Sound 7 out of 10
Personally, I rarely notice music in a game, and if the music isn't spectacular,
I just listen to the radio while I play. That's what I did with this game, too.
The few tunes are upbeat and match the mood of the game well, but there
aren't enough of them. The sound effects are the same way, appropriate,
but nothing great.
Game Challenge 9 out of 10
Despite the cute appearance, this game can be very challenging, especially
against the computer. The 1-player puzzle mode isn't especially hard, but
some of the stages are tough. The player vs. computer mode I found to be
very hard. It's not balanced as it should be, though. The order you fight
the computer characters (which look cool, and makes you wish you could
play as them) goes like this: very easy, easy, very hard, very easy, easy,
very hard, and impossible. But, enough of my griping.
Game Play-Fun 9 out of 10
The puzzle mode is very addicting. I could play it for hours. In player vs.
computer mode, the computer (which I suspect of cheating) toughness takes
some of the fun out of it. But the very best is two-player mode. I've had lots
of fun demolishing the rest of my family in that mode. It's great fun.
Frustration
This is why I hate this game! Some of the computer players are incredibly
tough when they should be easy (I only got past the third challenger twice
on easy). I judge the frustration of a game by how much damage my controller
sustains. I almost broke mine. And the most frustrating thing for me is that
everybody else can do it but I can't! I hate it!
Replayability 9 out of 10
This isn't a game where you beat it over a course of several weeks. This
is a single sitting beater. But you'll keep coming back for more, no matter
how much you hate it (I know I did).
Game Value 8 out of 10
It really depends on your taste. I, personally, wouldn't spend the money on
it because I feel that I would get tired of it before long. But if you really
like puzzle games, this is the one for you.
Overall 8 out of 10
I think that this is a good game to add to the N64's library of good games. I
can be frustrating and sickeningly cute, but you won't be able to stop playing
it. Believe me.