M&M's Break' Em

Last updated

M&M's Break' Em
M&M's Break' Em Game Boy Advance Cover Art.jpg
Game Boy Advance version cover art, featuring the five different-colored M&M's characters
Developer(s) Frame Studios Interactive
Publisher(s) Destination Software
Producer(s) Aeron Guy [1]
Programmer(s) Marco Pacifico
Thomas Maniero [1]
Composer(s) Simone Cicconi [1]
Platform(s) Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
ReleaseGame Boy Advance
  • NA: February 6, 2007 [2]
Nintendo DS
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

M&M's Break' Em is a 2007 puzzle video game developed by Frame Studios Interactive and published by Destination Software for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. The game is similar to Gem Smashers , a 2003 title by the same developer, featuring tile-breaking gameplay.

Contents

The game's story mode revolves around controlling one of five M&M's with constant vertical movement, completing various levels—by destroying crystals to free other M&M's, avoiding hazards, and fighting bosses—in order to defeat Mr. Runch, a rotten and dangerous peanut determined to become an M&M. In addition to this single-player campaign, the game has a local multiplayer mode, wherein two players compete to break more crystals.

M&M's Break' Em is the fifth M&M's video game, succeeding M&M's Blast!, a 2001 title for the Game Boy Advance. [5] The game received mixed reviews from critics and was followed by M&M's Kart Racing , a racing game released for the Wii in 2007 and the Nintendo DS in 2008. [6] [7]

Gameplay

In the game's single-player mode (left), one player completes a series of levels under a time limit. In the multiplayer mode (right), two players compete to break more crystals. M&M's Break' Em.jpeg
In the game's single-player mode (left), one player completes a series of levels under a time limit. In the multiplayer mode (right), two players compete to break more crystals.

M&M's Break' Em is a puzzle video game with gameplay based on that of Gem Smashers , another puzzle game developed by Frame Studios Interactive. [2] [8] To complete the single-player game mode, the player must clear a series of levels in areas such as a forest, an underwater environment, and a tropical island. Areas and levels are chosen from a map, with orange spots representing normal levels and blue spots indicating levels that feature a boss, which must be unlocked by completing every normal level in the area. Extra levels, represented by pink spots, can be unlocked by finding hidden keys in other levels. [9]

The player character is one of five different-colored M&M's (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, or Orange), which vary in speed and power. [10] [11] The controls are the same regardless of which color is chosen: the M&M constantly moves vertically and bounces off objects, eliminating any crystals that match its color and freeing the M&M's trapped inside. [8] [10] [12] The color of the player's M&M can be changed by bumping into color pots or blocks, which can be hidden, [10] especially in later levels. In both the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS versions of the game, the player uses the console's D-pad to move left and right, with the latter allowing the player to also use the touch screen to control their M&M's horizontal movement. [8] The sensitivity of the touch screen can be adjusted in the menu. [10] Pressing the A button or R button speeds up the M&M's movements, while pressing the B button or L button slows them down. [13]

To complete each level, the player must reach the exit door, [8] which must first be opened by knocking out every crystal. [12] The player can collect power-ups with positive or negative effects, such as increasing or decreasing the speed of their M&M or temporarily reversing its controls. Skull blocks must be avoided, [8] as bumping into one causes the player to instantly lose a life. [14] The player begins the game with a set number of lives and continues, and once all of them have been used, each loss results in a game over, after which the game can be resumed with only one life. Extra lives can be earned by collecting a large number of points. [10]

Each level features a timer, [8] and if the player does not complete the level in time, a bouncing skull begins pursuing their M&M in an attempt to destroy it, which results in the loss of a life. [12] [14] Occasionally, a level ends with a battle against a large boss that must be defeated. [8] [10] Bosses can only be damaged by colliding with one of its physical aspects, such as an anglerfish's lure, while it matches the color of the player's M&M. [8]

In addition to the single-player campaign, there is a local multiplayer game mode in which two players compete to break more crystals in two stages. [15] This mode requires each player to have their own copy of the game. [8] [10]

Plot

A dangerous outlaw known as Mr. Runch has landed on planet Crunch, determined to become one of the M&M's. As Mr. Runch is declared "much too bitter" to be an M&M and belongs "in the reject bin", five M&M's board ships and blast off to the planet. Upon landing, the M&M's discover that Mr. Runch is using a device to trap the planet's inhabitants in crystals, supposedly to kidnap the M&M's and use them to coat his rotten skin in a special chocolate coating. After the M&M's defeat Mr. Runch in a boss battle within the final level, the group leaves him trapped in a crystal, saving the rest of the M&M's.

Development and release

M&M's Break' Em was published by Destination Software. [12] The game was developed by Frame Studios Interactive, [10] [16] an independent video game developer located in Belluno, Italy. [17] Frame Studios had previously created Gem Smashers, an action puzzle game first released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003, [8] [16] which revolves around completing single-screen levels by destroying gems that match the color of the player character. [18] [19] Much like M&M's Break' Em, Gem Smashers involves controlling a vertically bouncing orb and avoiding hazards to complete each level. [8]

M&M's Break' Em was released in North America for the Game Boy Advance on February 6, 2007, and the Nintendo DS on March 25, 2007. [2] [3] The game was also published by Zoo Digital in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2007. [4] It is the first M&M's game to be released for the DS. [10]

Reception

On the video game review aggregation website GameRankings, M&M's Break' Em received a 56% ranking based on four critic reviews. [20] Reception toward the gameplay was mixed. IGN 's Chris Adams wrote that the gameplay "is still a nice blend of casual controls and deeper gameplay mechanics", and complimented the inclusion of boss battles as being "pretty unique" for a puzzle game, despite noting repetition in the fights. [8] Aaron Roberts of Nintendojo praised the "exciting gameplay and the familiar charm of the M&M's characters", [10] whereas Mike David of GameZone criticized the gameplay as being "too easy". [12]

Critics were also divided on the game's visuals and audio. IGN offered a more negative response toward these subjects, describing the art as "half-assed" and the sprites as "ugly and poorly rendered", in addition to deeming the music and sound effects "barely noticeable". IGN further noted that every time an M&M is knocked out, it flies toward the screen and briefly obscures the player character, potentially causing the player to lose track of them. [8] GameZone also criticized the graphics and audio, stating that the former were "pretty poor to look at" and referring to the latter as "more of an afterthought than anything", as well as noting an absence of voice acting for the characters. [12] Nintendojo also acknowledged the lack of voice work in the cutscenes, though wrote that "[t]he background music is quite appropriate and actually fairly enjoyable".

Miscellaneous criticism was directed toward the multiplayer game mode, which IGN referred to as "not very creative" and criticized for its requirement of multiple game cartridges, [8] as well as the game's continue system, which Nintendojo believed was "[t]he only real flaw in the game" due to difficulty in obtaining lives. Both IGN and Nintendojo stated that the touch screen controls offered by the Nintendo DS version were less precise than the D-pad, [10] with the former believing that the bottom screen could have instead been used to expand the levels and avoid repetition. [8] Moreover, IGN noted that aside from the player character being an M&M, an M&M character appearing on the right of the top screen, and a large image of candy appearing on the bottom screen, the game "has almost nothing to do with M&Ms candy". [8] GameZone wrote that the game "has no redeeming qualities" and was "not much more then[ sic ] a video-game commercial". [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Pac-Man Vs.</i> 2003 video game

Pac-Man Vs. is a 2003 maze video game developed by Nintendo and published by Namco for the GameCube. In the game, one player takes control of Pac-Man, who must eat all of the pellets in the maze, while the others control the ghosts to try to catch them. The objective is to be the first to reach a set number of points, selected before the game begins. The player controlling Pac-Man uses the Game Boy Advance to play, while the others use the television to control the ghosts. The game requires the GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable in order to play.

<i>Super Mario 64 DS</i> 2004 video game

Super Mario 64 DS is a 2004 platform game developed and published by Nintendo as a launch game for the Nintendo DS. Super Mario 64 DS is a remake of the 1996 Nintendo 64 game Super Mario 64, with new graphics, characters, collectibles, a multiplayer mode, and several extra minigames. As with the original, the plot centers on rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser. Unlike the original, Yoshi is the first playable character, with Mario, Luigi, and Wario being unlockable characters in early phases of the game.

<i>Pokémon Puzzle Challenge</i> 2000 video game for the Game Boy Color

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge is a puzzle video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. Released in Japan on September 21, 2000; in North America on December 4, 2000; and in PAL regions on June 15, 2001, it is the second Pokémon-themed entry in the Puzzle League series. While its Nintendo 64 counterpart Pokémon Puzzle League is visually based on the Pokemon anime, Puzzle Challenge instead draws inspiration from the Pokémon Gold and Silver games. The game features multiple modes of play and support for competitive play between two players. Puzzle Challenge was later digitally re-released via the Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console line on November 6, 2014.

<i>Mr. Driller Drill Spirits</i> 2004 puzzle video game

Mr. Driller Drill Spirits is a 2004 puzzle video game developed and published by Namco for the Nintendo DS. Controlling one of six characters, the player must make it to the bottom of each stage by destroying, colored formations of blocks while preventing their oxygen meter from depleting. Multiple different gamemodes are present, including a single-player campaign, a time-attack mode, and a competitive multiplayer mode. It is the sixth entry in the Mr. Driller series.

<i>Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time</i> 2005 video game

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is a role-playing video game developed by AlphaDream and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console in late 2005. It is the second game in the Mario & Luigi series, and is the prequel/sequel to the 2003 Game Boy Advance game Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. The game was later re-released for the Wii U as a Virtual Console title in 2015, available for purchase from the Nintendo eShop.

<i>Tetris DS</i> 2006 video game

Tetris DS is a puzzle video game developed and published by Nintendo. It was released for the Nintendo DS on March 20, 2006, in North America, April 13, 2006, in Australia, April 21, 2006, in Europe, and April 27, 2006, in Japan. An installment of the Tetris franchise, the game supports up to ten players locally, and supported online multiplayer of up to four players using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection prior to its discontinuation.

<i>Star Fox Command</i> 2006 shoot em up game

Star Fox Command is a shoot 'em up video game, the fifth game in the Star Fox series, published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS in 2006. Star Fox Command was announced at the E3 2006 conference, under the name Star Fox DS. Command is the first Star Fox game for a handheld, and supports the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, making it the first online Star Fox game. The game was re-released for the Wii U Virtual Console service in 2015.

<i>Bionicle Heroes</i> 2006 video game

Bionicle Heroes is a 2006 video game published by Eidos Interactive and TT Games Publishing and based on Lego's Bionicle line of constructible action figures. The game was released in November 2006 on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS; a Nintendo Wii version was later released in April 2007. The home console and PC versions were developed by Traveller's Tales, while Amaze Entertainment developed the handheld versions. A version of the game for mobile phones, developed by Universomo, was also released. The home console and PC versions of the game are third-person shooters, while the Game Boy Advance version is a run 'n' gun shoot 'em up and the Nintendo DS version is a first-person shooter. The story of Bionicle Heroes, where the player seeks to liberate the island of Voya Nui and its inhabitants from the villainous Piraka, is not canon to the official Bionicle story.

<i>Planet Puzzle League</i> 2007 video game

Planet Puzzle League, known as Puzzle League DS in Europe, and as Panel de Pon DS in Japan, is a video game for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console in the Puzzle League Panel de Pon visual matching puzzle game series. In North America, Planet Puzzle League is part of the Touch! Generations brand; in Japan, Panel de Pon DS is marketed in the general Touch! brand. The publisher for the game is Nintendo, and the developer is Nintendo's second-party developer Intelligent Systems, creator of the original Panel de Pon and its cult classic English-language adaptation Tetris Attack. The game was released in Japan on April 26, 2007 in North America on June 4, 2007, and in Europe on June 29, 2007.

<i>Picross DS</i> 2007 video game

Picross DS (ピクロスDS) is a puzzle video game developed by Jupiter and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is the second Picross game to be released by Nintendo in Europe and North America after Mario's Picross suffered a commercial failure in regions outside Japan, where many Picross games have been released for several Nintendo consoles. Like other Picross games, it presents the player with a series of nonogram logic puzzles to solve. It was first released in Japan, and was later released in North America, Europe and Australia.

<i>Worms: Open Warfare 2</i> 2007 video game

Worms: Open Warfare 2 is a 2007 2D tactical artillery and strategy video game developed by Team17 and Two Tribes, and published by THQ. The game is a direct sequel to Worms: Open Warfare and was released for the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS in 2007.

<i>Ben 10: Protector of Earth</i> 2007 video game

Ben 10: Protector of Earth is an action-adventure video game developed by High Voltage Software and published by D3 Publisher and is based on the animated television series Ben 10. This is the second Ben 10 game following the HyperScan game, is the first official game in the franchise, and it was released for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii in late 2007.

<i>Mario Party DS</i> 2007 video game

Mario Party DS is a 2007 party video game developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It is the second handheld game in the Mario Party series, as well as the last game in the series to be developed by Hudson Soft, as all subsequent titles have been developed by Nintendo Cube. The game was re-released on the Virtual Console for the Wii U in 2016.

<i>Break Em All</i> 2005 video game

Break 'Em All, known as Brick 'Em All DS in Europe, is an Arkanoid clone released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS. The game features several single-player modes, as well as single-cart multiplayer for up to 8 players. The game utilized the system's touch screen to control the paddle, as well as activate power-ups. Power-Ups can be activated by pressing up on the D-Pad or by pressing the X Button.

<i>Space Bust-a-Move</i> 2008 video game

Space Bust-A-Move is a puzzle video game developed by Lancarse and published by Taito in Japan, and Square Enix worldwide for the Nintendo DS. It was first released in Japan under the title Space Puzzle Bobble on December 18, 2008. It was later released in North America under the title Space Bust-A-Move on July 28, 2009, and in Europe under the title Puzzle Bobble Galaxy on August 28, 2009. As with Arkanoid DS, Space Invaders Extreme and Space Invaders Extreme 2, the game is compatible with Taito's paddle controller.

Multiple video games based on the 2000 Nick Jr. television show Dora the Explorer have been released. Most of these games have received a mixed critical reception. Unlike other video games, these were not released in Asia, due to the TV show having less interest in that continent than North America and Europe. A number of other video games were released exclusively for the Nick Jr. website, such as Dora's 3D Driving Adventure, and Dora's 3D Pyramid Adventure.

<i>The Lion King 1½</i> (video game) 2003 video game

Disney's The Lion King 1½ is a platform game based on the film of the same name, the third and final traditionally-animated film in The Lion King franchise. It was developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Disney Interactive, whilst THQ distributed the game in Europe. The game was released worldwide for Game Boy Advance on October 7, 2003 4 months before the film came out.

<i>Wiffle Ball</i> (video game) 2009 video game

Wiffle Ball is a 2009 Wiffle ball sports game developed by Skyworks Technologies and published by Destination Software Inc. in the United States. The game was also released in Europe, where it was published by Zoo Digital Publishing. Released on March 12, 2009, Wiffle Ball received "generally unfavorable" reviews from critics, who stated that "every step of [the game's] execution [was] a failure".

<i>Toon-Doku</i> 2007 puzzle video game

Toon-Doku is a 2007 sudoku puzzle video game developed by Dragon's Den Unlimited and published by Majesco Entertainment for the Nintendo DS. Directed by Joseph Sutton, the game was first released in North America and Europe in April 2007, with an Australian release following in October later the same year.

<i>Snood 2: On Vacation</i> 2005 video game

Snood 2: On Vacation is a 2005 puzzle video game developed by Gravity-i and published by Destination Software in the United States for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS and Cybiko for mobile phones. Gameplay consists of clearing patterns of 'snoods' by matching pieces of the same color, in a manner similar to Puzzle Bobble or Bust-a-Move. The game is a sequel to the 1996 title Snood, ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2001. Upon release, Snood 2 met a mixed reception from critics, with praise directed to the game's variety of modes and criticism of its presentation and lack of originality.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Destination Software 2007, p. 12.
  2. 1 2 3 "M&M's Break' Em". GRYOnline.pl (in Polish). December 10, 2007. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "M&M's Break' Em". Nintendo Life . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Riley, Adam (May 23, 2007). "Nintendo News | Zoo Digital Reveals Extensive Wii/DS Line-Up". Cubed3. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  5. ↑ "M&M's Blast!". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  6. ↑ "M&M;'s Kart Racing". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  7. ↑ "M&M;'s Kart Racing". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Adams, Chris (May 17, 2007) [May 14, 2012]. "M&M's Break' Em Review". IGN . Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ Destination Software 2007, p. 7.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Roberts, Aaron. "M&M;'s Break 'Em". Nintendojo. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ Destination Software 2007, p. 6.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 David, Mike (May 3, 2007). "M&M;'s Break'Em". GameZone. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  13. ↑ Destination Software 2007, p. 10.
  14. 1 2 Destination Software 2007, p. 8.
  15. ↑ Destination Software 2007, pp. 10–11.
  16. 1 2 "Frame Studios". IGN . Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Company". Frame Studios. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  18. ↑ Tierney, Adam (December 13, 2018) [December 3, 2003]. "Gem Smashers". IGN . Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  19. ↑ Kaplan, Zach (November 6, 2011). "Gem Smashers Review (3DS)". Nintendo Life . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  20. 1 2 "M&M;'s Break' Em". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2023.

Booklets

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.