Space Bust-a-Move (DS with NWC): BNOWTAI #3

BTP

http://www.spacebustamove.com/

BNOWTAI =

Because No One Will Talk About It. I've done this before with Nanostray 2 and Pinball Hall of Fame.

So in case you haven't noticed, it seems the DS is getting another Bust-a-Move game, and very soon (July 28).

I can't find much info about it besides the website above and IGN, but there's probably three key points about it that separate it from all of the other Bust-a-Move games out there: 1) IT HAS ONLINE MULTIPLAYER! 2) Price appears to be $19.99 US/$24.99 CAN 3) It supports the GBA-slot using Taito Paddle! (.......unless that only goes for the Japanese version.)

As for the game itself, it seems different compared to the branching paths of other games. There's some kind of story mode to this one which include boss battles, and perhaps some kind of a challenge mode(?). The website seems to show something involving time limits. I have no idea because I can't find any real info because....wait...."BNOWTAI". There, new term offically starting here. Anyway, it seems like this could be more than just your average Bust-a-Move game.

Anyone else considering this game or had their eye on it? Or have any info they can contribute?

dclee

I've been considering getting this game, but unfortunately I also know barely anything of it. But I enjoy the original, and with the multiplayer and $20 price tag, it's hard to resist.

Bartholamue

I didn't even know this game was coming out. I'll keep an eye out.

BTP

So did anyone get this? Did it come out today or was today the shipping day and it's actually out tomorrow?

What's kind of scary is that there's nothing about the game on Amazon Canada. There is for Amazon USA though. Would this generally mean there's a low shipment? I'm really only looking forward to it because of online so I hate to get it at/near launch only to find out there's no one else that even owns the game.

BTP

Got the game. Have only read the manual and had a taste of Story Mode so far.

Actual initial impressions will have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest (and the same goes for my friend code if I can get off my ass and get my comp running again).

To make a future long post short, this game looks fucking LOADED and is making me think I should be glad there was a 200 point discount on WiiWare's Bust-a-Move Plus because that game seems so half-assed compared to this. I said "wow" just reading the manual.

MISCELLANEOUS STUFF ABOUT THE GAME:
-You can play this game one-handed. There are also stylus controls where you touch left and right arrows beside the cannon to move it, and then touch the bubble inside the cannon to launch it. Can't find anything about the Taito Paddle.
-Friend Code roster has a 16 player limit.
-Classic Puzzle Mode is an unlockable in this game, but Story Mode appears to have 105 puzzles divided across 7 planets, with each planet having a boss battle.
-Other unlockable modes include "Pressure Mode" where you have to clear the stage with one bubble/five seconds, and "Factory Mode" where you have to clear the stage with a finite number of bubbles you can fire.
-There is Endless Mode and a Challenge Mode where you try to get a high score with a time limit. Either 3 minute and 5 minute limits.
-Online connecting is done by either selecting a 2 player match, or by selecting a 2-4 player match and the system will connect as many people as possible within a time limit.

Edit: More Misc. Stuff
- METAL BUBBLES DO NOT BOUNCE OFF WALLS! NO MORE CHEESE-CLEARING THE STAGE!
-I'm guessing IGN's initial disappointment of the speed of the cannon is actually due to the size of the stages. They are relatively square shaped, compared to the standing rectangle shape of other Bust-a-Move games. It's because of the square shape that it feels longer to go from one direction to another, especially if you have to do a bank shot.

Bartholamue

Hmm, this looks like a buy for me. Since Bust A Move DS kinda sucked and what you're saying about this, this looks to be a whole lot better than that game.

Eteric

Ever since SE bought Taito, they've been making some awesome games. I mean hell, Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid DS, and now this.

PeteL

I just picked up a copy, Best Buy had 'em in the stock room.

I really hope this supports the paddle controller; I'll find out later when I get home.

BTP

A couple of other things that I've noticed about the game:

- I said that each planet has 15 puzzles. What I didn't say is that they're divided into 3 sets of 5 puzzles. If you lose and need to use a continue, you restart from the beginning of the set you were on.
- Vs. CPU tracks which characters you've used at which difficulties. 8 characters * 3 difficulties = 24 times you're playing this mode. I wouldn't be surprised if getting them all unlocks something. And you do get points to spend in the shop by playing this mode....you probably get points playing any mode.
- If you don't care about using the other bubbles and arrows/cannons you can buy in the shop, and you only want the extra game modes, you'll only need to go about halfway through Story Mode to get enough points to buy them.
- Boss battles are actually pretty fun.

Damagemanual

BTP wrote: »

A couple of other things that I've noticed about the game:

- I said that each planet has 15 puzzles. What I didn't say is that they're divided into 3 sets of 5 puzzles. If you lose and need to use a continue, you restart from the beginning of the set you were on.
- Vs. CPU tracks which characters you've used at which difficulties. 8 characters * 3 difficulties = 24 times you're playing this mode. I wouldn't be surprised if getting them all unlocks something. And you do get points to spend in the shop by playing this mode....you probably get points playing any mode.
- If you don't care about using the other bubbles and arrows/cannons you can buy in the shop, and you only want the extra game modes, you'll only need to go about halfway through Story Mode to get enough points to buy them.
- Boss battles are actually pretty fun.

Question: Does this support single cart multiplayer?
If so, it's be a buy for me.

PeteL

Well, unfortunately it does not support the paddle controller.

I'm somewhat disappointed.

Still, it's a really fantastic game. Very fun.

BTP

Damagemanual wrote: »

BTP wrote: »

A couple of other things that I've noticed about the game:

- I said that each planet has 15 puzzles. What I didn't say is that they're divided into 3 sets of 5 puzzles. If you lose and need to use a continue, you restart from the beginning of the set you were on.
- Vs. CPU tracks which characters you've used at which difficulties. 8 characters * 3 difficulties = 24 times you're playing this mode. I wouldn't be surprised if getting them all unlocks something. And you do get points to spend in the shop by playing this mode....you probably get points playing any mode.
- If you don't care about using the other bubbles and arrows/cannons you can buy in the shop, and you only want the extra game modes, you'll only need to go about halfway through Story Mode to get enough points to buy them.
- Boss battles are actually pretty fun.

Question: Does this support single cart multiplayer?
If so, it's be a buy for me.

Of course it does. Up to 4 players. Now go and buy it!

If all goes well today, I'll have a friend code by tonight and hopefully I'll have some people to add to the roster. I'm really interested to see if the items used in Vs. CPU are also used online. If so, they will be swift and brutal matches.

Bartholamue

I bought it dude. I'll get my friend code later. The story is a little corny, but that's not what I'm after with a game like this.

BTP

FRIEND CODE GET!
017398 403043

Just played a couple of matches online using "2-4 players, but only had a 2 player match. Everything is smooth except for when you shoot. It seems to take a second for the bubble to fire. Same thing with using items. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about too much.

Yes, items can be used online. Some of us will be screaming bullshit because of them from time to time. :P

Bartholamue

Yeah, I really hate how laggy it feels online, which is a shame.

BTP

Bartholamue wrote: »

Yeah, I really hate how laggy it feels online, which is a shame.

If you've been online, why don't you post your friend code? :P

Vegan

PeteL wrote: »

Well, unfortunately it does not support the paddle controller.

I can't find the damn things anyway. Play Asia doesn't seem to sell them anymore. If anyone knows where I can one for a decent price...

PeteL

Vegan wrote: »

PeteL wrote: »

Well, unfortunately it does not support the paddle controller.

I can't find the damn things anyway. Play Asia doesn't seem to sell them anymore. If anyone knows where I can one for a decent price...

http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/TCPP-20018.html

Vegan

PeteL wrote: »

Vegan wrote: »

PeteL wrote: »

Well, unfortunately it does not support the paddle controller.

I can't find the damn things anyway. Play Asia doesn't seem to sell them anymore. If anyone knows where I can one for a decent price...

http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/TCPP-20018.html

Update: May 12, 2009
We are sold out of the silver paddles; only pink paddles are available.


What to do, what to do....

Cheesechick

I only just found out about this game today! I fucking love the original Bust-a-Move DS. How does this one compare?

Bartholamue

It's way better. Puzzle Bobble DS doesn't even compare.

I beat the story mode yesterday. It was nice.

Cheesechick

Bartholamue wrote: »

It's way better. Puzzle Bobble DS doesn't even compare.

I beat the story mode yesterday. It was nice.

WELL I'm sold. What makes it so much better?

Bartholamue

It's just easier to play and touch screen controls aren't forced on you (yeah, I know you can change it in PB DS, but it isn't as fun). It just feels like more of a complete package.

Cheesechick

Bartholamue wrote: »

It's just easier to play and touch screen controls aren't forced on you (yeah, I know you can change it in PB DS, but it isn't as fun). It just feels like more of a complete package.

I preferred the touch screen controls actually. You can go SO much faster with the stylus than with buttons. Whenever I'd play against anyone who used buttons and I was on stylus I would own.

BTP

Cheesechick wrote: »

Bartholamue wrote: »

It's just easier to play and touch screen controls aren't forced on you (yeah, I know you can change it in PB DS, but it isn't as fun). It just feels like more of a complete package.

I preferred the touch screen controls actually. You can go SO much faster with the stylus than with buttons. Whenever I'd play against anyone who used buttons and I was on stylus I would own.

Yeah, Bust-a-Move DS is all about stylus controls. The first thing I tested out when I first got that was how far you can go left/right for bank shots between button and stylus controls. You have such noticably less range using button style that no one should ever use them. If you like Bust-a-Move games, but couldn't get into the stylus controls, definitely go get Space Bust-a-Move and get the portable bubble-busting you've always wanted.

As for this game's story mode, the ending made me go "Awww......."

Anyone buy any of the bubble sets from the shop? How do you switch between bought sets and the default set?

Bartholamue

I've used the classic set for some time, they're probably my favorite.

BTP

Anyone else out there still enjoying the game?

Enjoying it enough to play it online?

And to give me their friend code?

:P