ZUBO

by Electronic Arts

Product Features

• Challenge your friends as you put your team of Zubos to the test in ad hoc multiplayers through DS multi-card play.
• Explore the 10 playable worlds of Zubalon including: Wild West, Fairytale, Pop and Horror.
• Befriend Over 50 Zany characters as you create your dream team of Zubos to battle the Big Head's army of Zubo clones - the evil Zombos.
• Take on the Zombos on in style via the accessible strategy and rhythm action systems in more than 100 animated battle moves and 10 custom musical themes.
• Partake in mini-games like blow away cobwebs via the DS mic, playing drums, escaping the heart maze, balloon popping, dig for treasure, whack-a-zombie and much more.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0019R4VDK
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 10, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,167 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #40 in Video Games > Nintendo DS > Trivia

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

A brand new, original property from Electronic Arts' Bright Light Studio, Zubo redefines handheld role-playing battle games and is a perfect match for any kids seven and up. Within the world of Zubo players are treated to an irresistible and irreverent set of characters to befriend, skill based musical battles based on hilarious combat animations to master and an exquisite, colorful 3D world to explore. Zubo Players: 1-2 Wireless options: DS multi-card play. More than 50 different Zubos. View larger. 100+ comic battle moves. View larger. 2-player multi-card support. View larger. Gameplay Launched into the fully 3D world of Zubalon, players meet the colorful and zany stars of the game, the Zubos. The land of Zubalon is under siege by the evil Big Head and his army of Zubo clones, the dastardly Zombos. While traveling through the game in human form, players can befriend any Zubos they meet along the way, feeding and nurturing them, helping them gain skills and strength, assisting them in chasing off the evil Zombos and in the end persuading them to join your team in strategic battles with an innovative rhythm action mechanic. Action in Zubo is turn-based, with your team of up to three Zubos facing off against an AI or human-controlled team in multiplayer, of three Zubos. Each Zubo on your team begins the game with a particular set of battle moves. Most of these can be learned by any Zubo, but each character also possesses a unique move that can only be used by that character, making the strategy of the makeup of your team important as the game progresses. Executing battle moves is where the rhythm aspects of Zubo come into play. As a player begins a move an outline appears around the active Zubo which moves in tandem with the in-game music. As this outline meets the Zubo's body the player taps out the rhythm with the stylus to execute the move. More powerful moves require more complex use of the stylus, increasing the difficulty of the game as times goes on. With over 100 fully animated comedy battle moves, 10 areas with Zubalon to explore, plus a wealth of interactions and mini-games, Zubo offers a deeply rewarding Nintendo DS experience. This stylus-tapping adventure promises hours of entertainment kids (and adults) are sure to love. Meet the Zubos Zubo features over 50 Zubos spread across the game's ten play worlds that players can interact with on all levels. Each of these has a personality and story all its own. Just a few of the Zubos player will meet are: Rising Dragon Team Hero's kung fu king, Rising Dragon packs a punch and is always ready for action and has sworn to rid Zubalon of evil. Alice Team Fairytale's party girl, Alice has a few tricks up her sleeve. Her favorite Zubo pet is Pink Rabbit. Boltz Team Horror's gentle giant, Boltz is always excited to make new friends, but watch out if he tries to hug you. He doesn't know his own strength. Pinky Team Pop's punk superstar, Pinky takes her guitar everywhere. Can you guess what her favorite color is? Chip The youngest Zubo on Team Fairytale, Chip is warmhearted and sees the best in everyone (except Zombos). He's often found chasing butterflies in the East Woods. Key Game Features: Explore the 10 Worlds of Zubalon - Get lost in the multiple lands, including Wild West, Fairytale, Pop and Horror. Befriend Over 50 Zany Characters - Create your dream team to battle the Big Head's army of Zubo clones- the evil Zombos. Take the Zombos on in Style - Master the accessible strategy system and rhythm action mechanic across more than 100 hilarious animated battle moves and 10 custom composed team musical themes. Engage in a Variety of Mini-games - Blow away cobwebs via the DS mic, play the drums, escape the Heart Maze, pop balloons, dig for treasure, Whack-A-Zombie, and much more in order to proceed to the next exciting level. 2-player Multiplayer Support - Battle against a friend in ad hoc multiplayer action through DS multi-card play and earn experience points that transfer to your single player character.

Product Description

Features include:

•Challenge your friends as you put your team of Zubos to the test in ad hoc multiplayers through DS multi-card play.
•Explore the 10 playable worlds of Zubalon including: Wild West, Fairytale, Pop and Horror.
•Befriend Over 50 Zany characters as you create your dream team of Zubos to battle the Big Head's army of Zubo clones - the evil Zombos.
•Take on the Zombos on in style via the accessible strategy and rhythm action systems in more than 100 animated battle moves and 10 custom musical themes.
•Partake in mini-games like blow away cobwebs via the DS mic, playing drums, escaping the heart maze, balloon popping, dig for treasure, whack-a-zombie and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Call me crazy but I'm enjoying this one, March 19, 2009

By 

AlexJouJou (D.C.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: ZUBO (Video Game)

This game is actually pretty fun. I would classify it as a very beginning RPG for kids who are ready to get into RPG's and teens or adults that can appreciate the quirky humor. The story is just as basic as it comes. You get quests to fulfill and you go about completing them. The control is entirely stylus driven and, for the most part, works pretty well. There are times when I would have preferred to have button controls as well but I did not find it so frustrating that it impacted game play (although I do need to point out it *is* noticeable).

Where this game shines is in gameplay and sound. The battles are quite funny and the music is truly amazing. It is definitely more kind of hip-hop/rock and overall its got some really great beats. The animations of the characters in battle are quite funny. They would get old if you weren't allowed to switch out the characters in your party but you can. The rock/paper/scissors battle combat system is as basic as it comes and standard for a lot of RPG's or action game. Zubo goes the extra mile and puts a + or - on characters so you can tell which of your party will "beat" the enemy--no guesswork needed. Want to do the most damage--use the character that has the +. Adults may find this a bit juvenille but I didn't mind at all.

In terms of the rhythm type stylus action--that was just o.k. You are not doing it to the beat of the music (EA--next time if you throw this in make sure it relates to your music) but it never gets to a point where it is so frustrating--I'm a little less than 1/2 way through and I'm having no problem getting the hang of it.

In terms of game length it seems fine. I've only played about 5-6 hours. If I remain on track that means I could complete in as few as 13-18 hours (assuming I take the same pace) and that's not too much for someone just getting into RPG. Please keep in mind folks this is NOT Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy and it really doesn't set out to be so that's o.k.

I am finding it a very enjoyable funny game that does not take a ton of concentration or planning (like those others I mention). The music is a blast, characters are pretty funny (even if they all look pretty similar), and I'm motivated to continue.

Verdict: Funny game, good music, enjoyable. It's not deep or engrossing but I'm happy to go forth and complete the quests and have a good time doing it. I should note that this is NOT the same type of 5 star rating I'd give to something like TWEWY---but that would be an apples to oranges comparison. I'd probably actually give it about 4.5 stars--but I want to support new IP's---so I'm giving it a 5.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun but flawed, March 20, 2009

By 

Suz in Seattle (Seattle, of course!) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: ZUBO (Video Game)

As a huge fan of Patapon for the PSP, I was glad to see a rhythm-RPG come out for the DS. Overall, this is a fun little game - probably better suited for the younger set. But there are a few annoying elements to the game that hinder a nice concept.

Pros:
- great concept
- the attack moves are truly funny
- the fast fwd through the enemies' attacks is a much needed feature
- the characters (ie Zubos) are great. They're cute and clever and the special move stay very much in keeping with the character's theme

Cons:
- The in-game camera is sub-par. Too often, you center high on your character so that you can't see what you're walking towards. This is a hassle when you want to find or avoid an enemy
- The stylus control is convenient, but your character can get "stuck" on environment pieces. For example, in Pinky's house - there's a narrow space to get the the bed (to heal) and the front door. I continuously get stuck on the drumset blocking the way.
- the background design is pretty boring and I think poorly executed.
- the attack tapping does not match the rhythm of the music. I didn't find this too distracting, but others might.
- game is a bit short and a bit easy (which may be a good thing for younger players)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zubo is Fun!, January 17, 2010

By 

Masha (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: ZUBO (Video Game)

Written by my young child, approved by me:
This game is super fun. You can collect 55 Zubos, including the bonus ones. It's fun because you can play through worlds, and the Zubos are cool, and each one has an exclusive move. My favorite is Snappy; his main move is a field goal, and it's pretty fun, in fact, the whole game is funny.
Written by the teenager in residence, approved by me:

I agree with my little brother. This game is super funny! However, unlike other funny games Psychonauts and Disgaea (neither of which I have played, but both of which I aspire to), its story is seriously lacking. However, it makes up for it by pure charm, although all replay value dies once you get 10,000 on Practice Mode and beat the story. But enough banter; let me explain!

Story: 7/10 - Unlike other rhythm RPGS or funny games, this one has only an exoskeleton of the story - recruit Zubos, blah blah blah, defeat Big Head, save the planet, whoopee. Of course, the Zubos have enough character per Zubo to make up for it, although they don't show it as often as they could.

Gameplay: 10/10 - In contrast, the gameplay of this game is SUPERB. It's a rhythm-based masterpiece, where you use rhythmic beats to execute super-funny attacks. There's also a Rock-Paper-Scissors system to add strategy to the game, and the moves are super-customizeable.

Characters: 9/10 - There are 55, each unique, but don't get to show it. Enough said.

Fun: 10/10 - This game is pure gold on DS, with rhythm-based mechanics (a la Patapon), a funny concept (a la Disgaea), and an array of customization.

Overall: 36/40. There are some glitches. Especially in Wild West.