The most addictive puzzle game on DS. Even better than Zoo Keeper.
I haven't played a Bust A Move game since Bust a Move 2 on the N64, since I was keen on all the 'updates' of 3, Super and Ultra, however Bust A Move DS brings back the simple gameplay that made Bust A Move 2 so addictive, including a few of the decent extra's implied in later games.
The back of the box rather stupidly lies to you, it says there are 2 modes, when in fact, there are 4. Typucal Puzzle mode which asks you to pop your way through 250 puzzles (And I've just unlocked an even harder set of another 250), and my personal fave, the Endless mode which is forever bringing more bubbles down on top of you as you franticly try to clear them. as time goes on, you get less and less time to line up your shot and more different coloured bubbles are added. Theres a Vs. CPU mode which is the same as the final mode, Multi-Play, only with stupid opponants that lose every time.
Special bubbles include the Star Bubble which will elliminate all of the cloured bubbles it touches. Rainbow Ball which will get rid of the same cloured bubbles it is attached to, and the Metal Ball which destroys everything in its path. The latter is a little too powerful and when used in Endless Mode can completly clear screen if used right, however you won't recieve any points. Also, new to the DS version is the ability to store a bubble, which is handy to keep if you have a metal bubble for anytime your about to bite the bullet.
The final feature of the game is the Chain reaction which with keep any excess bubbles you drop off by popping the bubble its attached to, then flies back up on the screen popping the appropreate coloured bubble in a chain, much like the classic Coloums. this is great fun to watch especially when the bubbles get dangerously close to the bottom and you spot a chain reaction which keeps going further then you had noticed to clear the screen in 6x chain.
The use of the touch screen is very accurate, unfortuantly, the same can't be sad for the D-Pad. And while riding in a car, the bumps of the road can oftern compermise your aim. However this won't be a problem if your driving the car since you shouldn't be playing the DS anyway. Switching to D-Pad controls wll fix this, but again, its just not quite as accurate. When not in the car however, the touch screen is seriosuly the only way to play the game, and it makes you wonder how you ever managed with a D-Pad.
Overall, B-A-M DS is bright, enjoyable and most of all what you want froma good puzzle game - addictive. Out of my 9 game collection for the DS, this is the one I can't put down, allways striving to beat my 2,000,000 high score on endless mode.