Software:Bit Boy!! Arcade

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Short description: Video game for the Nintendo 3DS
Bit Boy!! Arcade
Developer(s)Bplus
Publisher(s)Bplus
Platform(s)Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • NA: April 17, 2014
  • EU: April 24, 2014
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

Bit Boy!! Arcade is an action video game developed by Austrian indie studio Bplus for Nintendo 3DS' eShop service. It was released in the United States on April 17, 2014 and in Europe on April 24, 2014. It's a sequel to the 2009 released Bit Boy!! for Nintendo's WiiWare service and the second installment of the Bit Boy!! series.[1] It uses a 3D, isometric playing field, with polygon characters.

According to Bplus two more sequels would be released in an undefined future.[2]

Gameplay

Players control a red cube named Kubi (from Greek: κύβος (kubos) [3]), who they must navigate through a series of worlds. The game follows the principle of rescuing Kubi's friends and avoid monsters that roam the levels.

The main goal in each phase, each level consists of 10 normal and 10 action phases, is to rescue seven of Kubi's friends.

The publisher denoted the game with the terms "Hide + Seek", "Avoid + Collect" and "Action + Puzzle".[2] Each level is based on a square floor plan. On this grid-like basis Kubi is moved. The camera is oriented isometric.[4] The players define how fast Kubi is moving by pressing the control pad and the buttons at the same time. Depending on how fast they are pressed Kubi moves fast or slow. The game uses the 3DS featured play coins to give the player the ability to purchase continues like it would be in a real arcade machine.

Plot

Characters

ZeLeLi is a mighty gearwheel-shaped being created out of the essence of our dying sun 7 billion years in the future. ZeLeLi is the origin of time, life and light, so it possesses power over these universal forces. Travelling through time and space, ZeLeLi spreads the seed of life and light in all time in the whole universe. Its counterpart is the black Shadow Plättchen. Forcefully cut out of the negative space of a black hole, the black Shadow Plättchen represents exactly the opposite of ZeLeLi. Like the ZeLeLi, Plättchen is not limited within the constrains of time and space. Wherever it comes along it spreads massive havoc. Central to the plot of the game are two main characters, the game's hero Kubi and the game designer Bernd. He appears as a through the air floating pixel head and talks to Kubi during the game's sequences.

Story

At the beginning of the game Kubi gets killed by a monster created by the black Shadow Plättchen. Bernd is devastated and pleads ZeLeLi for help. ZeLeLi turns back the time and gives Kubi and Bernd the ability to speak to each other. In the meantime Bernd deleted the game in which Kubi died to create another one in whom his hero doesn't have to suffer this fate. Kubi thinks that Bernd is the one who has kidnapped all of his friends and refuses to be the hero unless Bernd designs the game exactly like Kubi wants it to be. As the story continues it is hinted that Bernd, even if he is the developer of the game, is not almighty. The Shadow Plättchen gained power by killing small fairies called Pixel Flies and by kidnapping their king. With this power they got the ability to take influence on the game. So Kubi and Bernd are forced to work together to save Kubi's friends and the game itself.

Development

Bit Boy!! Arcade was produced by Bplus. The first announcement was made via press release on February 16, 2012, stating that the game was halfway done.[5] A first playable demo was shown at E3 2012.[6]

Bit Boy!! Arcade 2

Bplus announced that a reimagining of Bit Boy!! Arcade was in development for the Nintendo Switch 2 on April 16, 2025.[7] A release date has yet to be announced.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic53/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Hardcore Gamer2/5[9]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStar[10]
Nintendo World Report8/10[4]
ONM57%[11]

The game received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8] Nintendo Life praised the overworld, saying it was one of the most interesting on the gaming history; they also said it had an excellent soundtrack, but criticized the gameplay as broken and hard to play.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Bit Boy!! ARCADE". https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/jf92XfxZZMDhKsJ5jZ2whWa6dGyW2_0D. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "#BitBoyARCADE". http://bitboy.bplus.at/story.htm. Retrieved 2014-05-07. 
  3. ↑ English cube from Old French < Latin cubus < Greek κύβος (kubos) meaning "a cube, a die, vertebra". In turn from PIE *keu(b)-, "to bend, turn".
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Miller, Zachary (2014-04-29). "Bit Boy!! Arcade Review". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/37296/bit-boy-arcade-review. Retrieved 2014-04-29. 
  5. ↑ Newton, James (2012-02-16). "Bit Boy!! ARCADE for eShop is Halfway Done". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/02/bit_boy_arcade_for_eshop_is_halfway_done. Retrieved 2014-05-07. 
  6. ↑ Kaluszka, Aaron (2012-06-17). "Bit Boy!! Arcade (Preview)". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/30671/bit-boy-arcade-nintendo-3ds. Retrieved 2014-05-07. 
  7. ↑ "Insert Coins again: Bit Boy!! Arcade 2 announced for Nintendo Switch 2". Games Press. April 16, 2025. https://www.gamespress.com/Insert-Coins-again-Bit-Boy-Arcade-2-announced-for-Nintendo-Switch-2. Retrieved June 13, 2025. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Bit Boy!! Arcade for 3DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/bit-boy-arcade/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds. 
  9. ↑ Carlson, Alex (2014-05-09). "Review: Bit Boy!! Arcade". Hardcore Gamer. https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-bit-boy-arcade/84370/. Retrieved 2023-05-14. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Reed, Philip J. (2014-04-19). "Bit Boy!! ARCADE Review". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/bit_boy_arcade. Retrieved 2014-04-19. 
  11. ↑ "Bit Boy!! Arcade review". Official Nintendo Magazine (Future plc): 87. August 2014. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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