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View Full Version : Turning The Spigot - Year 2: Week 13 - Big Bang Mini


Spigot
08-23-2009, 08:50 PM
This one goes out to everyone who bought Fantavision AND LIKED IT!
Big Bang Mini

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3847790429_d3db43c704.jpg

Year: 2009
Platform: DS
Rating: Explosive
# of Players: 1-2

If Boom Boom Rocket, Fantavision, Ikaruga and Rhythm Heaven had their way with each other on a sultry summer evening, Big Bang Mini would be the strange little result of their mystical union.

Playing out like a drug-addled trip around the world, Big Bang Mini puts you in control of a little... blob... that wants nothing more than to put all of the stars back into their proper constellations using the power of fireworks. Ok, that may sound hackneyed, but there's really no plot to speak of in BBM, just pure game.

At its core, Big Bang Mini is a kind of shooter wannabe. Using your stylus, you move your little blob around the touch screen dodging incoming fire. With a flick of your wrist, you send fireworks spiraling up into the sky. You'll have to collect stars that drop from the enemies and engage in crazy boss battles.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/3847790447_6e10672925.jpg

Of course, things aren't as simple as all that. Each firework that you send up towards the enemy will follow an arc and can be blown around by the wind. If you miss with your shot, it will explode and send sparks down towards you, the merest touch causing you to detonate. Each stage tends to have a twist that keeps you from easily wiping the floor with the strange beings that come down from the sky. Some episodes will have clouds that cause your fireworks to fizzle while others send ice blasts across the screen that need to be dodged.

Along with the trippy visuals is a fantastic, upbeat soundtrack. As you travel around the world, blowing up space sharks and flying kittens, you'll hear a constant driving beat that makes it hard to relax and catch your breath. And best of all, you can download the soundtrack for free (http://www.bigbangmini.com/)!

There is also a multiplayer component that is mildly entertaining but it's rather limited.

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If you like flashy games with trippy visuals, fast-paced action and awesome music, give Big Bang Mini a try. As far as I'm concerned, it's about as close as you'll get to Rez on the DS. And the best thing about the game is that it's only $20 (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Bang-Mini-Nintendo-DS/dp/B0018RWMOQ)!

Camel
08-23-2009, 08:54 PM
For some reason I always assumed this game was about the cars, like Beetle Adventure Racing only with Minis.

I freaking LOVE Boom Boom Rocket and Rhythm Heaven, so I really need to check this out, don't I?

maharahaj
08-23-2009, 08:57 PM
Whoa, this looks awesome. Thanks for the write up and video link. I had never heard of this before, but will hunt it down now.

It definitely has a Rez look to it and with 80 or so levels, looks pretty long.

Spigot
08-23-2009, 08:58 PM
I freaking LOVE Boom Boom Rocket and Rhythm Heaven, so I really need to check this out, don't I?Yes. Yes you do.

Agentgray pointed me at this game waaaaay back in the winter and it was a total surprise, but a great one, esp. for the price.

BLeeP
08-23-2009, 09:20 PM
As I said when this came out: I bought this game, for the most part, because it had a lenticular cover that featured an exploding pig. That was worth 20 bucks right there. Other than that, though, it is an extremely fun game.

WITH ONE SAVE FILE >_<

Spigot
08-23-2009, 09:22 PM
As I said when this came out: I bought this game, for the most part, because it had a lenticular cover that featured an exploding pig. That was worth 20 bucks right there. Other than that, though, it is an extremely fun game.

WITH ONE SAVE FILE >_<Yeah... but since you can play the levels at random once you've opened them up, does it really NEED a second file?

Or you could pretend it's a Square game and buy a second copy :)

I need to have another look at the cover of my copy of the game. I don't think I have the exploding pig... boo.

Purple Santa
08-23-2009, 09:27 PM
I need to have another look at the cover of my copy of the game. I don't think I have the exploding pig... boo.

That's cause Peta stepped in and complained ;)

BLeeP
08-23-2009, 09:35 PM
Yeah... but since you can play the levels at random once you've opened them up, does it really NEED a second file?

Or you could pretend it's a Square game and buy a second copy :)

I need to have another look at the cover of my copy of the game. I don't think I have the exploding pig... boo.

Does your copy have slipcover on it? That's where the linticular artwork was, and it featured an animation of a rocket hitting a pig as it floats down and then it explodes into firework magicks.

Spigot
08-23-2009, 11:17 PM
Does your copy have slipcover on it? That's where the linticular artwork was, and it featured an animation of a rocket hitting a pig as it floats down and then it explodes into firework magicks.Alas, no. Just the standard case. Sigh.

BLeeP
08-23-2009, 11:46 PM
Alas, no. Just the standard case. Sigh.

I'll try and take a picture some time and post it back here. Who knows how that will look on camera, though!

Camel
08-24-2009, 04:31 AM
Just got this for 14 bucks shipped from Gamefly. Woo woo!

Spigot
08-24-2009, 07:01 AM
I'll try and take a picture some time and post it back here. Who knows how that will look on camera, though!I'll tilt my head back and forth while looking at the picture :)

agentgray
08-24-2009, 08:12 AM
This is now $15 at Wal-Mart new in their "budget" section.

I almost bought another just to give it away. I love this game.

ElektroDragon
08-24-2009, 10:19 AM
This is one of the games that is sitting on my list of games that don't fit on my Gamefly queue. I just moved it up a bit. :)

MagGnome
08-24-2009, 09:35 PM
Wow, this looks like fun! I might have to hunt it down sometime.

Lon Lon Rabbit
08-25-2009, 07:26 PM
Didn't like this one so much...

It felt like it started too slow and easy, so it was a bit of a slog to get to the more challenging levels, but by the time I got there I was bored of the game mechanic.

I love all the games you mentioned that it is quite probably inspired by, but this one just didn't do it for me.

EDIT: At its now budget price, I could excuse a lot of the problems I had with it.

Spigot
08-26-2009, 06:19 AM
I thought it was always super cheap. Maybe it launched higher in Japan...

maharahaj
08-26-2009, 07:41 PM
So, I picked this up today. Its interesting. I like how it can be played in really short spurts. Ideal for my recent gaming style. I haven't died yet, but I expect that is because I'm still playing the easier levels.

I don't understand the purpose of the Bonus Game after each round. All it is is "Connect the Dots" to reveal a constellation picture. The music is catchy though.

Spigot
08-27-2009, 06:01 AM
Yeah, most of the first world is incredibly easy. It starts to get tricky starting the second when they throw new things into the mix.