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> Results: Beyblade: Ultimate Blader Jam
Format For Printing | Tell A Friend Scroll down for our Kid Factor. 
'Let it Rip' on the go! The real life BeyBlade toys take inspiration from a classic toy concept—tops, and retool it for today's kids. It seems fitting that the Game Boy Advance BeyBlade game, then, takes inspiration from a classic video game.  While other BeyBlade video games on the GameCube and PlayStation have just been re-creations of the toy (meaning you bump around two tops in a circular arena trying to knock the other top out), the GBA version takes a different ‘spin' on these battle top toys. Taking a cue from the classic game Marble Madness, in BeyBlade GBA you maneuver your top over an obstacle-filled playfield, trying not to fall off the edge. Actually it's a lot like another Marble Madness clone that die-hard gamers may remember on the Super Nintendo called Spindizzy Worlds (which also featured a top). First you start a level by pressing the button just as the spin meter reaches its peak. If you can hit the button closer to where the meter is full, you'll have full spin capacity. As you spin around the level, your spin meter will decrease. It will also decrease if you hit something. If your spin meter is empty or you fall off the ledge, you lose and have to start the beginning of the level again. If you can make it to the finish line, you win. There are slopes, ramps, and other obstacles you have to deal with like speed up and jump tiles. You can also knock enemy tops off the edge. Push the A button to dash into an enemy top to push it around, and if you push off 5 tops, you can use a special Bit Beast attack. If you can find certain hidden capsules in the levels or bump out certain enemy tops, you'll get a new picture for your gallery, which includes different BeyBlade tops or characters from the BeyBlade cartoon show (yes they do have a cartoon about these tops). After a few rounds you'll face off against a boss top that is a bit more like the other games. Just bump the top out of the arena first. Between rounds you'll see more of the story unfold with characters from the cartoon show. But the story has nothing to do with the actual game—they don't explain why guiding a top through surreal isometric checkerboard landscapes advances the plot. Luckily you can just skip the pointless dialogue and cut straight to the game. Graphics are decent, but it's the music that shines in this game. Tunes feature lots of guitar riffs and some even have vocals. Not bad for the Game Boy Advance. Play control is a tad touchy, especially with the D-pad. Mulitplayer modes using the Link Cable round out the package. Kid Factor: Young BeyBlade fans looking for a portable version of their favorite battle top toys may be in for a disappointment with the GBA version. But if they like Super Monkey Ball, just tell them this is like a 2-D version of that. There certainly is a lot more gameplay variety in the GBA version than in the other BeyBlade games. With lots of levels and secrets to find, this GBA game will keep young BeyBlade fans spinning for a while. Reviewer Recommended Ages: 8+ Genre: Action ESRB Rating: E for Everyone Producer: Atari Developer: d-rights Format For Printing | Tell A Friend Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Beyblade: Ultimate Blader Jam |
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