Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition (N64)
Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition is a highly addicting puzzle game. It's great for all ages because of it's rather simple gameplay. But that doesn't mean it has no challenge. In order to be a master of this game, you have to learn to do combos. Once learning small combos, you want more combos, BIGGER combos...
Graphics 6 out of 10
The graphics on Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition don't look any better than in the arcade or on the Playstation. Everything moves smoothly and there are some nice character animations that are sometimes pretty funny. The bubbles are colorful and there are a variety of backrounds to play on. The graphics don't blow you away, but they shouldn't, it's a puzzle game and the gameplay definitely makes up for this.
Music and Sound 7.5 out of 10
The music suits each level nicely. There are obvious repeats if the level takes a while to complete. The music may be too cute for some, but it's good to hear a fast tempo for a puzzle game. The sound effects were way too cute for me (there's a girl that makes this annoying high-pitch giggle sound when she completes a combo).
Game Challenge 8 out of 10
The game has challenging puzzles where if you just look at it for a little bit, you'll notice a quick way to complete the puzzle. It starts out with really easy levels, and slowly gets harder. There are for main modes: Adventure (one player completes over 125 levels); VS. computer (player challenges computer to see who loses first); Time Attack (complete puzzles the quickest way possible); and 2 Player VS. (same as VS. computer, except against another person). The VS. computer mode is easy at first, but after four or five levels, it gets a little too hard, causing the game too be a slightly unbalanced.
Game Play-Fun 9 out of 10
Fun is the high point for Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition. Connect three same colored bubbles, and they drop. Sure, it doesn't sound fun, but once you try this game, you'll play it all day (I stayed up past 1:00 AM playing this). Using the cross pad or analog stick to aim where to shoot the bubble easy. The R and L/Z buttons can be used for precise aiming, and other than that, control never gets too hard to ruin the fun.
Replayability 9 out of 10
The game, as said before, is highly addicting. With so many puzzles, you'll be busy with this game for a long time. The 2 Player mode is well designed and seems to make the game last forever. There's something exciting about sending bubbles to your friend.
Overall 8.2 out of 10
Overall, the game is great. The gameplay is simple and addicting. So, should you buy it? Actually, I don't suggest it. If you do buy it, it's worth your money. But here's what I think you should do: Rent Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition, and if you like it, wait until Bust-A-Move 3 is released. That game will be in high-resolution, and it will feature a four player mode. If you need a puzzle game now, then try Wetrix or Tetrisphere. They're both great games, and will fill your puzzle needs.
