Bub
A bubble-dragon hero who operates the launcher.
Documented for this version
Control Stick | Aim the bubble launcher. |
|---|---|
A | Fire the loaded bubble. |
Start | Pause the game or open the pause menu. |
Control names refer to the Nintendo 64 controller.
How it plays
The player views each puzzle from the front and controls a launcher at the bottom of the screen. Aim with the Control Stick and fire bubbles into the hanging formation. Connecting three or more bubbles of the same color makes them burst; unsupported bubbles then fall as well.
Stages introduce increasingly awkward layouts, narrow gaps, and limited firing angles. The player progresses by clearing each arrangement, while a ceiling or pressure line can make mistakes more dangerous. Depending on the mode, the game supports solo puzzle play and competitive or cooperative matches.
Plan your run
Plan bank shots before firing, especially when a direct path is blocked. Target groups that support large sections of the formation so one match can drop many bubbles.
Use nuisance bubbles and awkward colors carefully. Clearing a small cluster may be less valuable than preserving a clean angle for the next shot; when possible, attach bubbles to the same color already near a large overhang.
Meet the cast
A bubble-dragon hero who operates the launcher.
Bub's bubble-dragon companion and the second playable character in multiplayer modes.
Before you begin
Look for shots that remove a supporting bubble and drop an entire section.
Use wall rebounds to reach sides and spaces hidden behind the central formation.
In competitive play, clearing large groups quickly can send pressure to the opponent.
Bust-A-Move 3 DX is a color-matching action puzzle game developed and published by Taito for the Nintendo 64. Known as Puzzle Bobble 3DX in Japan, it follows Bub and Bob as they clear formations of colored bubbles by firing matching bubbles from a launcher. The game combines arcade-style timing with deliberate planning, since shots can bounce off the side walls and missed bubbles can make later stages much harder. Its main attraction is a broad collection of puzzle rounds, supported by competitive and cooperative play depending on the selected mode. The Nintendo 64 version brought Taito's established arcade formula to a home console with colorful presentation and accessible controls. Reception generally valued its faithful, addictive mechanics, although the core formula remained intentionally familiar rather than radically different from earlier entries.
Catalog entry maintained by EmuGamers Editorial Team
Community discussion
What are players saying? 0