Game Review: Big Bang Mini (DS)
Now it’s OK for your kids to play with fireworks…on the Nintendo DS, at least! In Big Bang Mini, launch fireworks at targets while avoiding projectiles in this classic styled 2-D shooter.
Big Bang Mini is a totally unique shooter because play control is entirely done with the stylus and touch screen. Drag your icon around to avoid projectiles and bullets. To launch fireworks at targets on the top screen, just flick the stylus upwards, like how you would strike a match. You don’t even have to be close to your craft to shoot, just fire anywhere on the touch screen so long as your icon doesn’t get hit by a bullet. You can even aim your shots by flicking in different directions. Aim carefully, though, because if you miss a target, you’ll have to avoid debris from your own fireworks! Collect enough falling stars from downed targets to win the level.
Big Bang Mini has several different play modes. Go through all the levels in Arcade mode, or challenge a nearby friend in single cart multiplayer, or upload your high scores from Challenge Mode to online Wi-Fi leaderboards. Each world in Big Bang Mini has a different theme and feel, and usually adds a new gameplay twist or power-up. The windy snowstorms in the ice world will blow your fireworks projectiles off course, for instance.
The only problem with Big Bang Mini is a play control blip. Sometimes when flicking the stylus a certain way to aim your shots, your fireworks projectile will unexpectedly go off in a different direction, which can be frustrating. But at only 20 bucks, Big Bang Mini is a nice little gameplay diversion anyway.
Kid Factor:
Big Bang Mini is rated E for Everyone with an ESRB descriptor of Mild Fantasy Violence. Even though you’re shooting fireworks, the only things you hit usually are abstract objects like balloons, lanterns, or cutout pictures of pandas or snowmen. Reading is helpful for the text instructions, but most kids should be able to figure things out just by playing. Younger gamers may get bored of the slightly repetitive gameplay and frustrated at the quickly climbing challenge level.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:36 am
Good review and great Kid Factor Cary. This one looks good.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Disagree with the notion that there’s any kind of “play control blip”. I’ve played through the entire game and never had a shot go off wrong *except* through my own fault. I feel like saying this is the fault of play control is like faulting a fighting game for not blocking, even though you hit the wrong button.
Agree with the kid bit. The challenge level can get pretty high–too high for my own kid. 🙂 Just right for me though, and there’s nothing objectionable about the content itself; fun for her to watch.
February 15th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I just had a go on this game. In UK we got a demo that we can download from our Nintendo Channel. And i have to say the game is fun but oly for a short time. I got bored to fast.
I guess this is just not my sort of game. To bad it does look very cool with all the fireworks going off and all. Very colorful.
Nice review.