Bust-a-Move Universe

Bust-a-Move Universe, known in Japan as Tobidasu! Puzzle Bobble 3D^[a], and in the PAL region as Puzzle Bobble Universe,^[2] is a puzzle video game developed by Taito and Arika and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo 3DS. It was released in Japan as a launch title on February 26, 2011, and was released in North America on March 27.

Bust-a-Move Universe
North American version cover art
Developer(s)	Taito Arika
Publisher(s)	Square Enix
Series	Puzzle Bobble
Platform(s)	Nintendo 3DS
Release	JP: February 26, 2011 NA: March 27, 2011 EU: April 22, 2011[1] AU: April 28, 2011
Genre(s)	Puzzle
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

See also: Puzzle Bobble § Gameplay

Bust-a-Move Universe is similar to its predecessors in that the goal is to connect three bubbles of the same color to make them disappear. Different modes of play include boss battles, 100-second, 300-second, or Challenge Mode.^[3] Bubble dragon duo Bub and Bob travel the universe in a spaceship as doors open on planets, which release bubbles that turn into space debris. Bub must save Bob from being captured.^[4]

Development

First shown at Nintendo World 2011,^[5] it was later revealed to be a Japanese launch title.^[6]

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	49/100[7]

Review scores

Publication	Score
1Up.com	D+[8]
Famitsu	24/40[9]
Game Informer	6/10[10]
GamePro	[11]
GameRevolution	D+[12]
GameSpot	5/10[13]
GameTrailers	4.6/10[14]
IGN	6/10[15]
Nintendo Life	[16]
Nintendo World Report	4.5/10[17]
Official Nintendo Magazine	60%[18]
Pocket Gamer	[19]
Common Sense Media	[20]

Reception

The game received "generally unfavorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[7] Nintendo Life said that the game was "a disappointingly thin package as it offers virtually nothing new to the series or long-time fans."^[16] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four sixes for a total of 24 out of 40.^[9]

Notes

1. Japanese: とびだす!パズルボブル 3D, Hepburn: Tobidasu! Pazuru Boburu 3D

References

1. James Orry (February 16, 2011). "Puzzle Bobble comes to 3DS on April 22". VideoGamer.com. Resero Network. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
2. James Orry (January 21, 2011). "Puzzle Bobble Universe confirmed for 3DS". VideoGamer.com. Resero Network. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
3. IGN staff (January 20, 2011). "Square Enix Announces Bust-A-Move Universe for Nintendo 3DS". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
4. "PUZZLE BOBBLE UNIVERSE BURSTING ONTO NINTENDO 3DS". Gamasutra. Informa. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
5. Anoop Gantayat (December 28, 2010). "Nintendo World Playable Lineup Announced". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
6. Richard George (January 8, 2011). "Nintendo's 3DS Software Arsenal". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
7. "Bust-A-Move Universe for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
8. Jeremy Parish (March 30, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe 3DS Review". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
9. Henry Gilbert (February 24, 2011). "First 3DS game reviews have hit Japan". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
10. Annette Gonzalez (March 27, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe Review". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
11. Ray Barnholt (March 28, 2011). "Review: Bust-a-Move Universe". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on May 2, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
12. Josh Laddin (April 12, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
13. Justin Calvert (March 30, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
14. "Bust-a-Move Universe Review". GameTrailers. Viacom. March 28, 2011. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
15. Audrey Drake (April 1, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
16. Jon Wahlgren (March 31, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
17. Neal Ronaghan (March 28, 2011). "Bust-A-Move Universe". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
18. "Puzzle Bobble Universe review". Official Nintendo Magazine. Future plc. May 2011. p. 88.
19. Mike Rose (April 27, 2011). "Puzzle Bobble Universe". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
20. Marc Saltzman (2011). "Bust-a-Move Universe". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.

External links

• Bust-a-Move Universe at MobyGames
• Bust-a-Move Universe (YouTube)