Software:Ultra Bust-a-Move

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Ultra Bust-a-Move
North American Xbox box art
Developer(s)Taito
Publisher(s)
SeriesPuzzle Bobble
Platform(s)Xbox, PlayStation Portable
ReleaseXbox
  • NA: November 4, 2004
  • JP: January 27, 2005
  • PAL: May 19, 2006
PSP
  • JP: March 23, 2006
  • AU: March 30, 2006
  • EU: March 31, 2006
  • NA: April 4, 2006
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ultra Bust-a-Move[lower-alpha 1] is a puzzle video game developed by Taito for the Xbox in 2004. The game was later ported to PlayStation Portable as Ultra Puzzle Bobble Pocket (ウルトラパズルボブル ポケット, Urutora Pazuru Boburu Poketto) in Japan, Bust-a-Move Ghost in the PAL region, and Bust-a-Move Deluxe in North America in 2006. In line with other online-enabled games on the Xbox, multiplayer on Xbox Live was available to players until April 2010. Ultra Bust-a-Move is now playable online again on the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia.[1][2]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PSPXbox
Eurogamer6/10[6]N/A
Famitsu24/40[7]24/40[8]
Game InformerN/A7/10[9]
GameSpot6.4/10[10]7.1/10[11]
GameZoneN/A7.4/10[12]
IGN7.8/10[13]7.3/10[14]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[15]N/A
OXM (US)N/A8.8/10[16]
Pocket GamerStarStarStar[17]N/A
TeamXboxN/A7/10[18]
Aggregate score
Metacritic(US) 73/100[3]
(UK) 67/100[4]		74/100[5]

Ultra Bust-a-Move and Bust-a-Move Deluxe received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3][4][5] In Japan, Famitsu gave both the Xbox and PSP versions each a score of 24 out of 40.[7][8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Ultra Puzzle Bobble (ウルトラパズルボブル, Urutora Pazuru Boburu)

References

  1. ↑ "Insignia - Ultra Bust-A-Move" (in en). https://insignia.live/games/4d4a000c. 
  2. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2023-11-16). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Bust-A-Move Deluxe (psp: 2006): Reviews". CNET. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psp/bustamovedeluxe. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Bust-A-Move Ghost (mislabeled as "Bust-a-Move Deluxe""]. Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/bust-a-move-deluxe/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Ultra Bust-A-Move". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/ultra-bust-a-move/. 
  6. ↑ Reed, Kristan (June 5, 2006). "Bust A Move Ghost [date mislabeled as "June 6, 2006""]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-bustamoveghost-psp. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "ウルトラパズルボブル ポケット" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8302&redirect=no. Retrieved December 22, 2024. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "ウルトラパズルボブル" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=10721&redirect=no. Retrieved December 22, 2024. 
  9. ↑ Mason, Lisa (December 2004). "Ultra Bust-A-Move". Game Informer (GameStop) (140): 183. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-140-december-2004/page/182/mode/2up. Retrieved December 22, 2024. 
  10. ↑ Davis, Ryan (April 21, 2006). "Bust-a-Move Deluxe Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bust-a-move-deluxe-review/1900-6148125/. 
  11. ↑ Gouskos, Carrie (November 22, 2004). "Ultra Bust-A-Move Review [date mislabeled as "June 1, 2005""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ultra-bust-a-move-review/1900-6113790/. 
  12. ↑ Surette, Tim (November 24, 2004). "Ultra Bust-A-Move - XB - Review". https://gamezone.com/reviews/ultra_bust_a_move_xb_review/. 
  13. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (June 25, 2007). "Bust-a-Move Deluxe Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/26/bust-a-move-deluxe-review. 
  14. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (November 9, 2004). "Ultra Bust-A-Move". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/09/ultra-bust-a-move. 
  15. ↑ Jongewaard, Dana (August 2006). "Bust-a-Move Deluxe". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (107): 83. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-107-august-2006/page/n81/mode/2up. Retrieved December 22, 2024. 
  16. ↑ "Ultra Bust-a-Move". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 66. October 2004. 
  17. ↑ Sanches, Joao Diniz (April 14, 2006). "Bust-a-Move Ghost". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/game-reviews/bust-a-move-ghost-review/. 
  18. ↑ Semsey, Rob (November 17, 2004). "Ultra Bust-A-Move Review (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/843/Ultra-BustAMove/p1/. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari





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