Published by: Majesco
Developed by: Happy Happening
Genre: Puzzle Action
Number of Players: 1-8
Release Date: April 17, 2007

Puzzle games are always fun and seem to be a distraction from the normal rules of games. Less speed and more strategy. So now the Wii has gotten it's first puzzle game in Bust-a-Move Bash. They work on the DS. How about the Wii.

First off there is no story to the game. Nope. But really, does a puzzle game need one? If you've played Bust-a-Move in the past, you know how this works. You shoot jewels at the top of the screen and try to match three or more to clear them. Hitting ones that have other attached to will cause them to drop off.

So how does the Wii Remote fit in. Basically, it acts as the pointer where you will shoot your jewel. You move it left to move the target left and right to shoot right. Is it Intuitive? Not really. Is it intuitive? Not really. Does it work? Yeah, pretty much. It's not as accurate as the normal joystick configuration but isn't enough to screw you up. You can still play with it and play well.

There have also been a few gameplay changed. Now spaceships will fly by with power-up to help you. Just shoot them down with a Jewel and you'll get the treat it was towing. Some can clear a jewel of a certain color or allow your jewels to move along the top part till they find one of the same color. This is fine and good, but it really takes skill out of there game. It can make it a bit to easy at times. You also can't hold onto them for use later.

The number of modes of play are horrid. Basically, 4(one being multiplayer that I'll get to later). While many puzzle games offer a substantial number of fun modes to play, Bust a Move Bash gives you the basics, and the basics only and says "Enjoy". The first, Puzzle, has you trying to clear all the Jewels in a level. There are a lot of puzzles, around 200, but that doesn't mean you will want to play all 200. The next is Endless. Basically, you keep playing till you die. So, again, boring. The last is Shooting(which is also playable after 10 levels in Puzzle). Basically, you shoot Jewels with a time limit. Not much else. Sure, you have to change colors to hit certain jewels(can't hit reds if your color is blue) but overall it's a Mario Party mini game at best.

Shooting game! Wow[/sarcasm]

But the biggest hit is just how user unfriendly this game is. Basically, you better hope you have a player manual(sucks for those renting). The game explains NOTHING. No "How to Play" no description of the mode, nothing. It doesn't even out ley the option menu. Nope, nothing. That may have been acceptable 20 years ago, but sure as hell not now.

Of course, if the game wasn't user friendly and doesn't even have descriptions in the options how good will the graphics be. The graphics themselves aren't necessarily bad. They're simple, but in a game like this, you don't need bloom effect, fancy 3D graphics and Bump mapping. But the actual presentation is just awful. The menus have no life to them. They're just bland ways from point A to B. The characters are all lifeless drones and the in game backgrounds have no real soul. They're pretty lame to say the least.

The Music is OK. The overall tunes are a bit sugar coated but they can be quite catchy. Some of the sound effects feel a bit lacking and have no real punch to them. But, of course, it can slide.

The multiplayer allows you to play with 8 players. 4 Wii Remots, and 4 controllers(that the game doesn't bother mentioning WHAT those controllers are, and Gamecube ones don't work). So, how does it work. Sporadicly , and not in a good way. Rather then everyone have their own screen and send garbage like other puzzle games, you have to all play on the same screen. The idea is to try and destroy the most Jewels. Don't expect to consentrait though. Besides that fact everyone is playing on the same cluttered screen there are lot of spaceships. At least 5 every 15-30 seconds. Yeah, you can just shoot straight and win.

Can you tell what's going on here. If so the game may be for you

Closing Statements
So, in the end, what do we get? We get a game that;s gameplay works, but it just brought down by the shear lack of..............well, everything. It will be fun for a while, but in the end it's not worht the 50$ price tag. Or the rental fee. If your a Bust-a-move fan you can probobly figure everything out and still enjoy it. If you really want to get a game mom can play, get Cooking Mama or Rayman Raving Rabbids, or just download Snood.
Overall 2/5

Overview
Gameplay-It works. Not that fun though 3/5
Graphics-Graphics are good but presentation is just awful 1.5/5
Sound-sugery, but still catchy 3/5
Longevity-With not much to do it can get old fast 1/5
Multiplayer-Offers 8 players but is too sparatic to have any fun 2/5

Pros
+Wii Remote Controls work
+Over 200 puzzles
+8 player multiplayer

Cons
-Few modes of play
-Multiplayer too speratic
-Bad presentation
-No descriptions of modes, or "How to Play"

Should I buy this?
No. It's not worth it beyond a rental for Bust a Move fans. Much better casual games out there. Not even worth it for Bust a Move fans. Theres just so many better versions of this game.