It’s been a while since I played a crash game (or even seen one as a matter of fact), and that raises the good old question; where are they now? This question should be asked to Interactive Universal publishers of the Crash Bandicoot series. He’s not exactly dead but not really alive with his latest game is for the DS called Crash Boom Bang.

Crash Boom Bang is Crashes first attempt at a party game a la Mario Party, however it is far away from begin as fun as Mario Party is. Although it is not a bad attempt from Vivendi’s side crash boom bang can be fun at times.

There are 3 modes, well actually 2 since My Room does not technically count. So lets do this again there are 2 Modes in CBB Adventure mode which is for 1 player only and Festival Mode which is 2 or more players. In adventure more you can travel from different levels AKA boards that span from the Jungle to the City collecting Key Items which are located somewhere around the board. Key Items are like Stars in Mario Party but this game is not only about collecting Key Items. You must also collect apples if you want to be crowned the winner.

Unlike Mario party where you only complete one board and finish CBB keeps on going until you reach the end of the game. There are a total of 40 mini games but in order to access them you must either challenge someone to a one on one match or wait until there is a 4 player mini game. Waiting for a 4 player mini game can take from as little as 1 turn to as much as 10 turns. While other characters are fighting each other you can place bets before the game starts and if the character whom you place a bet on wins then you win.

The Mini Games are all Touch Screen Based. Meaning that while you are using the D-pad and buttons to play you must have the stylus on hand just in case a mini game where to spawn. Some mini games work great with the stylus while others are just a hassle trying to get your character to where you want to go. Some mini games are actually Broken meaning that even if you point you stylus to a certain point does not mean that your character is going to do what you want it to do. This can cause you to loose a mini game until you figure out your own system of completing the mini game with as little anger as possible.

Every one has a chance to win in this game. Not all of it is based on how many mini games you win but how many apples you have. Yes this game is based on how many apples you have collected through out the game in order to win and even though you might think you is ahead someone comes out and beats you by just 2 apples.

Just like Mario Party you can use items in this game however unlike Mario Party you are not limited to a certain amount of items. You can have as many items as your inventory allows you to have which is normally 15 items or less. You can use items to locate the Key Items, Change places, Move everyone around, etc.

In Party mode you can choose you play by yourself in any board from the game or play against or up to 4 friends, but first you must find some friends with the same game. If not then you can use DS download and play but you are limited to what you can do in the game. In Multiplayer you need to collect the most apples to win. You can also send messages to you friends while you play which unless this was an online game is kind of pointless seeing as how you are probably sitting 10 feet away from him.

The Graphics in CBB are inferior to what the DS has to offer. I would probably say that the graphics are a bit better than the first crash game, but even though the graphics suck the game does run smoothly there are no lags in between courses.

The same wackiness of the crash series follows it through its life even on the DS. The Music and sound effects may be the same as they were back on the PSX era so I’m really getting bored of hearing the same music over and over again. I whish they could come up with something new for the next crash game.

There are only 6 levels in total in CBB. You can run through the game within an hour and a half at the most making this a short game however it does have multiplayer and you can duke it out with your friends whenever you want. However at the most you can play this game and get bored of it within a couple of days.

Closing Comments:

Although there are many things wrong with this game I hope they don’t stop making more crash games like these. Hopefully they will work out the bugs and flaws that bring this game down and replace it with better graphics, sound, and more mini games that are easy to understand and work fine with the game. The game is less than $20 bucks but its best if you borrow it from a friend or rent it first.

Game Play: Confusing at first but once you get the hang of it you can master it, although mastering does not guarantee a win. 7/10

Graphics: Just as good as the first Crash game but I know the DS is capable of more. 5/10

Sound: Same sound effects and Music from the old days. 2/10

Controls: Only a stylus is needed but you have the option to use the D-pad and buttons. Mini games are only stylus compatible with an exception of a few. 6/10

Life Span: 40 mini games and 6 levels are not enough to keep anyone entertained. 4/10








NightHawk. Console Central Network