Bustin’ Modes

The original Bust-A-Move was an arcade classic and massively popular in the U.S. and especially in Japan. The game shows its Japanese origins in weird cartoon characters with bizarre names, freaky techno music (that gets in your head and turns it into a pachinko machine), and, of course, an explosion of color and light. Now Majesco, the folks behind previous Xbox® games like Drake of the 99 Dragons, brings an all-new incarnation of the puzzle game hit to Xbox with Ultra Bust-A-Move. The game adds online competition via Xbox Live™, incredibly addictive single-player gameplay, and a wealth of new game modes alongside the classic ball-popping original. All that—and a game that’s possibly more addictive than Tetris—is yours for a puny $19.99. So what new modes await Bust-A-Move veterans, and how does the classic game stack up, so to speak? Read on …

The freaky character on the right is in trouble.

The Classic
Hey, here’s a bit of trivia: According to deity-who-walks-as-a-man Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi’s car—seen in films ranging from Army of Darkness to Spider-Man 2—is nicknamed “The Classic.” But fun as his movies are, I’ll take theUltra Bust-A-Move Classic Game over Mr. Raimi’s “Classic” any day of the week. For one, Bust-A-Move doesn’t require gasoline. Secondly, the Classic mode trains you on the basics and lays the ball-busting groundwork for the remaining game modes, which offer simple twists that give you whole new games.

You can play Classic alone or against another player on the same box or via Xbox Live. In the Classic Game, your goal is to score points by stringing together balls—sorry, ”bubbles”—of the same color, and when you get three together they burst. Try to pop them as evenly as you can; it’s easy to take out a large wedge in the middle or on the side and then end up with a tendril of bubbles you didn’t pop reaching the ground and ending your efforts. And, even though this is the Classic mode, all the new ball types like Rainbow, Star, and Metal are available as well.

Balance is key with the See-Saw game.

More than Classic
The other Ultra Bust-A-Move game modes are variations on the Classic game.

• The Color Game: This unique variation pits two players head-to-head on the same screen, taking turns trying to be the first to pop a row of a randomly-chosen color. If you can’t do it yourself, you can block the shot for your opponent and try again on your turn, since you know what’s coming up (you get to see one ball in advance).
• The See-Saw Game: This challenge is truly insane. It plays just like the Classic game, except that the bubbles are filled with lead. If you don’t burst the bubbles evenly (a skill you’ll want to practice anyway), the whole game board lists to one side or the other on a central fulcrum. If the board tips too far to one side, you lose all the bubbles and the game. The toughest new mode by far, and the most creative.
• The Shot Game: Hope you brought your aim—you get one, count it, one shot to wipe out the bubbles. Admittedly, it’s a small set of bubbles, but if you miss, you’re done. This one is almost best used to improve your aiming skills.
• The Count Game: This two-player mode is similar to the Color Game, in that you share a board with your opponent, but your goal isn’t to get a single color. You play as with the Classic Game, except that every time you burst a row of bubbles you get a point. You can easily screw up your opponent, but be sure to leave a shot for yourself and pay attention to the bubbles that are coming down the pipe.
• The Blind Game: This mode is only slightly less challenging than the See-Saw Game. All of the bubbles begin transparent, and only reveal their true colors when you strike them with a shot. So unless you’re very lucky, you won’t pop anything until at least your second shot.

The Blind Game hides colors until bubbles are hit.

Ultra Bust-A-Move deserves a look from every gamer, and may well be the first Majesco game this reporter purchases with his own hard-earned scratch. Underestimate the addictiveness of this game at your own risk!

By Danny Chihdo