Boogie Bunnies!

By: Eric M. Martin

Tuesday May 13, 2008

Colorful, marshmallow-filled rabbit puzzle solver now available on Xbox Live Arcade and PC
Taking a page from the casual games genre, Sierra Online has recently released Boogie Bunnies onto the PC and Xbox Live Arcade. Artech Studios, the minds behind several trivia and board game console and computer releases, has a hand in helping you to smooth your groove in this stylized rabbit slinger.

The Boogie Bunnies have been invited to a dance competition in recognition of their fancy footwork. It’s a premise that doesn’t have much to do with the game itself, but it’s a premise nonetheless. With three modes to choose from, you can quickly begin your blazing trail of gelatinous bunny fur all the way to Hollywood. Starting with the Arcade Mode, an integrated tutorial offers tips as you begin the first stage. You’d be best to ignore the mouse control options and stick with your keyboard. The arrow keys allow you to move your rabbit and the space bar launches it into place.

Unlike most “match X” puzzle games, Boogie Bunnies is not content with keeping you at the bottom. You can place your rabbit anywhere on the right or left side of the scrolling puzzle board as well as the front. Match three or more colors to get points and clear pieces. As you clear pieces, a Bunny Meter on the bottom will spike full, then gradually decrease. Keep the points coming to keep the Bunny Meter full and get you to the next stage (in Arcade Mode). Combos result in more points and a greater boost on the Bunny Meter. Every few seconds, a new line of rabbits will come marching forward. The trick here is that the two outermost columns will not march forward once placed. So, be ready for a few unexpected combo surprises as a new line comes forward.



As bunnies get closer to the trench line, they risk falling in. The more bunnies that fall in, the greater your Bunny Meter drops. If a bunny falls in while the Bunny Meter is empty, take off your boogie shoes. It’s easy enough to do during the first four or so stages. Afterwards, you risk a lot of playtime if all you end up doing is nickel-and-dime moves. Clearing individual sections does no good in this game. Master combos or die! The outward column placement is essential to advancement, yet is incredibly difficult to predict. It’s much easier to score domino effect combos with the ability of side placement. Since the camera stays fixed, lining up those side shots will take some practice.

As you play Boogie Bunnies, you may find yourself tuning out the music if you’re one to focus on what you’re doing. It‘s a great soundtrack, but it won’t add much to your gameplay experience if you have a one track mind for puzzle games. Same goes with the chattering sound effects and the bunny vocals, such as “In da cluuuuuub!” You don’t have to reach for your mute button, since paying attention will largely take care of that. The graphics do the job and only the job. Picture quality is clean and the tiny animatics are a nice aesthetic touch.

Free one-hour trial, great! Purchase price of $19.99? That’s asking quite a bit for a puzzle game with a different wrapper. Knocking off ten clams will easily draw in bigger sales. Gamers are more than willing to risk half of a Jackson on whether or not a casual game will be worth their time. Although the game works, it’s already targeted to a specific crowd and you can already find similar addictions for the grand total of “Free” on the IntarWeb. Boogie Bunnies may get more than they bargained for unless they’re willing to drop ticket prices on their big venue. If you want to weigh in its value, go to www.boogiebunnies.com and download the trial version.