Bust-a-Move 3 DX
↗ 26%
(GameBoy - PAL, Puzzle)
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Complete
$35.22
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Developed_By:
Probe Entertainment Limited
Published_By:
Taito
Released On:
01 Jan 1998
Also available on:
Bust-A-Move 3 DX is a puzzle game for the GameBoy console. The game's story revolves around a single player who must clear the screen by matching bubbles of the same colour. With only two main game modes available, arcade and challenge mode, players are challenged to beat a series of levels or compete against an AI opponent.
Gameplay involves a stationary cannon at the bottom of the screen, which is loaded with one bubble at a time. The player can control the direction of the shot left and right. The objective is to clear the screen by matching bubbles of the same colour, making for a fun and addictive puzzle game experience.
EAN-13:
3455195116147 (United Kingdom)
Part #:
DMG-A3VP-EUR (Europe)
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Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Prices as of 19 Sep 2026
Typical $32.35–$35.22 (last 90 days)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
How to Play
LOADING
1. Make sure the power switch is OFF.
2. Insert the Bust-A-Move 3™ Game Pak as described in your NINTENDO GAME BOY® instruction manual.
3. Turn the power switch ON.
When the Bust-A-Move 3™ title screen appears, press START.
NOTE: Bust-A-Move 3™ is for one player.
THE STORY
One day...
Bubble World's magical master of mischief, DUNK, cast a mysterious spell. And with a sudden flash of light, eight characters from eight other game worlds found themselves suddenly transported to Bubble World.
It's up to you to send them home!!!
THE CONTROLS
REMEMBER...
Aim the pointer with ← or → on the Control Pad.
Fire Bubble with the A Button.
AND DON'T FORGET...
•
← CONTROL PAD + B BUTTON Shifts slightly to the LEFT with each press.
•
→ CONTROL PAD + B BUTTON Shifts slightly to the RIGHT with each press.
•
Keep Control Pad pressed in the UP position to lock pointer in the vertical position.
THE GAME MODES
There are two modes featured in Bust-A-Move 3™.
Press START while the title screen is displayed. Press ↑ or ↓ on the Control Pad to select a mode. Press either the A or START Button to start the selected mode.
ARCADE MODE
This mode offers you the arcade conversion of Bust-A-Move 3™.
CHALLENGE MODE
In this mode, you are given certain conditions for clearing each round. Your gameplay will be evaluated when you clear all stages.
OPTION MODE
This mode allows you to customize your game.
THE SCREEN
•
SCORE: Current total score.
•
DEADLINE: Your game's over once the bubbles on the playfield cross this line.
•
BUBLOCK: When a certain number of bubbles are launched, the whole set of bubbles will drop DOWN with this block.
•
GUIDELINE: Helps you aim your bubbles.
BASIC RULES
Fire bubbles from your launcher and eliminate bubbles before they push past the DEADLINE.
ELIMINATING BUBBLES
Eliminate bubbles by connecting three or more of the same bubble type/hue.
DROPPING BUBBLES
The more you drop at one time, the higher your score!
GAME OVER
The game's over once the bubbles push past the DEADLINE.
CONTINUE
During the Game Over sequence, if you push START while the countdown is being displayed, you can continue the current game.
NOTE: Set the number of CONTINUES in the OPTION MODE.
SPECIAL BUBBLES
The bubbles described below have special properties.
•
STAR BUBBLE: Contact with a bubble will eliminate all bubbles of the same type.
•
RAINBOW BUBBLE: When in contact with an eliminated bubble, it will adopt the color of that bubble.
•
BLOCK BUBBLE: Although blocks cannot be eliminated, you can still clear a round whether they are on the playfield or not.
•
METAL BUBBLE: Once launched, it will continue eliminating bubbles until it comes in contact with either a wall or Block Bubble.
•
BUBLOCK BUBBLE: Similar to Block Bubbles, a Bublock can be removed by eliminating all the surrounding bubbles in contact with it.
NOTE: You cannot clear a round if a Bublock is still on the playfield.
NAME ENTRY
You can record up to three letters. If you achieve a high-ranking score in Player Vs. Computer. Just choose a letter by pressing ← or → on the Control Pad, and execute your selection by pressing the A Button.
All high score entries are saved automatically until you turn off the Game Boy®.
THE CHARACTERS
Depending on the opposing character, bubble-attack combinations will vary.
•
BUBBLOON: A well-balanced character that attacks with a random combination of bubbles.
•
PRETTIO: A very persistent character that guarantees a pretty steady game.
•
TWINKLE: Not very strong on the defensive side. But beware this character's rainbow bubble-attack! Twinkle's tough when the pace of the game gets frantic.
•
MUSASHI: Strong and steady character that executes attack combinations from the top and bottom of the screen.
•
MARINA: An unpredictable character that attacks with a combination of bubbles.
•
LUNA: The longer a battle's drawn out, the tougher this character gets.
•
JACK: With an attack combination that includes BlocStar Bubbles, this is probably the most powerful character.
•
SUPER SONIC BLASTERMAN: Mixes block bubbles in his attack combinations. A vicious character that leaves little room for counter-attacks.
ARCADE MODE
Starting up
•
Select the desired mode of play by pressing either ← or → on the Control Pad and start the mode with the A Button.
GAME SELECTION
•
Puzzle (1 Player): Clear a round by eliminating all the bubbles on the playfield.
•
Player Vs. Computer: Compete against the CPU-controlled characters.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
There are three levels of difficulty from which you can select from. Press either ← or → on the Control Pad and decide your selection with the A Button.
CHARACTER SELECTION
Press either ← or → on the Control Pad to select a character and decide your selection with the A Button.
NOTE: When playing Puzzle (
Tips & Maps
STAGE EVALUATION
After clearing the stipulated number of rounds in a stage, an evaluation screen will be displayed, followed by the next stage of the game.
GRADE
When all stages are cleared, the player will be graded according to performance and technique.
OPTION MODE
In this mode, the player can modify the selections described below. Use↑ or on the Control Pad to make your selection and → or on the Control Pad to modify digits and other conditions such as difficulty level. Press the START BUTTON to play a selected sound or music sample.
GAME LEVEL
Choose from three difficulty levels (Easy/Normal/Hard).
CREDITS
Set the number of continues from 3, 6 or 9.
MUSIC TEST
Listen to the in-game music samples (0-10).
SFX TEST
Listen to the in-game sound effects samples (0-15).
EXIT
Returns to the GAME MODE selection screen.
HINTS & TIPS 1
Study the way the puzzle is constructed, and how the bubbles are suspended. Note which bubbles are "linchpin" bubbles (bubbles which have a string of bubbles suspended from them). Often, eliminating a particular strategically placed bubble will cause an entire puzzle to give way!
HINTS & TIPS 2
Practice bouncing/angling your shots off the sides. This is the true way to mastering the game. Once you're good at doing this, you'll be able to pull off the tough shots that save the day!
HINTS & TIPS 3
Fire rapidly! As soon as you have your shot lined up, don't hesitate, shoot! Fire one right after another when bubbles are the same hue.
HINTS & TIPS 4
Watch your indicator to see what the next bubble is. A big part of a successful strategy is aiming the current bubble in anticipation of where you'll shoot the next one!
LOAD
1. Check that the NINTENDO GAME BOY® is switched off. 2. Insert the Bust-A-Move 3-Game Pak into the NINTENDO GAME BOY® as described in the instruction manual. 3. Switch the device ON. After Bust-A-Move 3™ appears, press START.
NOTE
Bust-A-Move 3™ is a game for one player.
THE STORY
One day.... DUNK, the magical master of mischief, covered the world of bubbles with a mysterious spell. A gleaming beam of light, and with a single blow, eight strange characters from other game worlds found themselves back in the world of bubbles. Your task now is to send them home!!!
THE CONTROLS - Aiming
You aim the pointer with or on the Control Pad.
THE CONTROLS - Firing
With the A-BUTTON you fire a bubble.
THE CONTROLS - Fine Tuning
← CONTROL PAD + B-BUTTON for slight movement to the left, → CONTROL PAD + B-BUTTON for slight movement to the right.
THE CONTROLS - Lock Pointer
Hold UP on the Control Pad so that the pointer remains in the vertical position.
THE GAME MODES
Bust-A-Move 3 offers you two game modes. Press START on the title screen. Press or ↑ on the Control Pad to select a mode, and the A-BUTTON or START to start the selected mode.
Enemies & Characters
BUBBLOON
A well-balanced character that attacks with a random combination of bubbles.
PRETTIO
A very persistent character that guarantees a very stable game.
TWINKLE
Not very strong defensively, but beware of his rainbow bubble attack! Twinkle is very tough when the pace of the game becomes frantic.
MUSASHI
Strong and stable character, who executes attack combinations from the top and bottom edges of the screen.
MARINA
An unpredictable character who attacks with a combination of bubbles.
LUNA
The more exhausting a battle becomes, the harder this character becomes.
SUPER SONIC
Mix Block Bubbles in his attack combinations.
BLASTERMAN
A mischievous character, who leaves little room for counterattacks.
JACK
With an attack combination that includes Block Bubbles and Star Bubbles, he is probably the most powerful character.
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