Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey

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When I used to go to the arcades back in the 90s, I used to see Bust-A-Move aka Puzzle Bobble on the Neo-Geo machines all the time. It proved to be a smash hit with its cutesy graphics and addicting puzzle-filled gameplay that spawned a few sequels that kept the fun coming. I would’ve never guessed the series would return and in 3D with Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey that brings back memories for old schoolers and fun challenges to newcomers.

via YouTube

Anyone familiar with the Puzzle Bobble franchise or “Match Three” games will know all about the simple to learn yet hard to master gameplay here. Your goal is to eliminate a mass of different colored bubbles by matching three or more of the same color to whittle the mass down to its core. You do this by using the cutest dinosaur heroes out there, Bub and Bob, to shoot a colored bubble at the mass using a slingshot-like device.

The trick is to clear the bubbles as fast as you can while using as least shots as possible, and sometimes it’ll be one or the other or a mix of the two. Now that it’s in 3D, this can be even more difficult as you’ll have to aim and gauge your shots carefully as the mass will flip around and throw you off-guard at times. Do well enough and you’ll earn three stars ala Angry Birds and move on to the next level, or you can replay the level again should you fall short of the perfect three star goal.

The main story mode shows off a series of slideshow pictures that tell the story of Bub and Bob being on an island paradise that some of their classic enemies are intent on ruining with these bubbles. So it’s up to you to help the dinos get rid of them. There’s also an arcade mode that pits you against the clock as you scramble to clear the bubbles, and thankfully there’s power-ups you can use in these modes such as bomb shots, a shot that lets you change its color, and more.

For those who have the PS VR, you can also play this title in VR, but thankfully it’s not necessary. I really wish more VR titles would give people this option so gamers of both worlds can enjoy the game without forcing expensive and cumbersome VR equipment on the players. No matter how you play it and on either the PS4/PS5, the graphics are cute and clean with a silky smooth framerate, and there’s plenty of happy-go-lucky tunes to keep you in the mood for busting those orbs.

Those looking for some cute and simple puzzle fun need look no further than Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey. With addictive easy-to-learn-but-hard-to-master gameplay, adorable characters and graphics, and upbeat happy music, this is one of the best games anyone in the family can enjoy.