Marble Blast Gold

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Marble Blast Gold
Developer(s)	Monster Studios and GarageGames
Publisher(s)	GarageGames
Engine	Torque Game Engine
Release date(s)	2003
Genre(s)	Puzzle and Platform
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone
Platform(s)	Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Xbox
Media	1 CDs
System requirements	400 MHz processor (x86) /G4 processor (PPC), 64 MB RAM, Sound Card, SVGA Graphics Card, DirectX/OpenGL
Input	Mouse / Keyboard / Xbox game controller / Joystick

Marble Blast Gold is a 3D puzzle game involving a marble, available for the PC (namely Windows, Mac OS X and Linux). It gained popularity when it came pre-installed on many new Apple computers including the Mac mini and iMac G5.^[1]

It was also released for the Xbox (via Xbox Live Arcade) adding 28 new levels and introduced "gold times" for players to beat. This version is available on GameTap. A graphically enhanced sequel, Marble Blast Ultra, was released for the Xbox 360 on January 25, 2006, via the Xbox Live Arcade service. This new game sports new levels, spruced-up graphics, and a multiplayer mode. A trial version is free of charge, and the full version is available for 800 Microsoft Points.

Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Power-ups 3 Controls 4 Obstacles 5 Gold times 6 Critical reception 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Gameplay

The basic gameplay involves rolling a marble around a 3D obstacle course from start to finish, avoiding the many hazards littered about. The obstacles are normally intended to throw the marble off the edge of the level, thus causing the player to "lose" and be forced to restart the level. Some levels also involve collecting gems, which must be collected before the level can be completed. Other levels may have a time limit which must be beaten. Power-ups are available on some levels which provide help to the player. The levels are completed once the player reaches the blue finish pad. There are 100 levels, which are divided into three different difficulty levels. Levels must be played in order and the player must "qualify" for the next level to be available. Custom levels are also available to download from 2 places: GarageGames custom levels page and from Project C.L.A.

[edit] Power-ups

There are many power-ups in the various levels. They are:

• Super Speed: Gives the marble a single burst of extra horizontal speed.
• Super Jump: Gives the marble a single higher vertical jump.
• Super Bounce: Gives the marble a larger rebound.
• Shock Absorber: Stops the marble from bouncing.
• Time Travel: Pauses time, normally for five seconds, and helps the player qualify to "win" the level or surpass the "gold" time.
• Gyrocopter: Allows the marble to glide for a short period of time.
• Gravity Modifier: Rotates the playing field, enabling the marble to roll on what would have otherwise been the wall.

[edit] Controls

There are two main controls to learn in the game, the ball's control and the camera control. By default the ball is controlled by the W, A, S, D keys while the camera is controlled by the mouse or arrow keys; a setup similar to that of popular first-person shooters. Pressing the mouse button activates power ups. Settings can be configured to the user's preferences. Buttons like jump and use PowerUp can be held down, eliminating the need for repeatedly pressing them.

A joystick can be used in this game, but first must be enabled. To enable the joystick, press the ~ (tilde) key and type EnableJoystick(); Then, you must go into the Options screen and set the joystick controls.

[edit] Obstacles

There are many obstacles in the game. They are:

• Level's edge: If the marble falls off a platform and nothing is there to catch it, it will go out of bounds and the level will automatically be restarted.
• Moving objects: The marble can get bumped off its course and sometimes the level itself by any moving object.
• Tornadoes: These suck in, lift, and release the marble, often depositing it in bad places.
• Trapdoors: These open up shortly after the marble rolls over them, dropping the marble to an undesirable place, often out of the level.
• Mines: These explode on contact, throwing the marble up and away from the explosion, potentially into another obstacle.
• Fans: These blow the marble in the direction the fan is facing, often off the edge.
• Bumpers: These repel the marble on contact, in the manner of a pinball machine bumper.
• Surfaces: Along with normal terrain and regular traction, there is also grass, characterized by high traction (which is often an advantage), slippery oil, even more slippery mud, and 'outer space', terrain where there is no traction at all. There are also terrains made for aesthetic purposes, which vary from standard terrain in appearance but not in physical properties.

[edit] Gold times

In Marble Blast Gold, each level has a gold time. Players may choose to take on the additional challenge of completing each level in under the gold time. Some of these times are very difficult to achieve, meaning the player must completely master the level. Knowing how to properly use power-ups and when and where to jump is the key to success. Other times, expert players must find creative "shortcuts" to bypass some (or, occasionally, the majority) of the level's obstacles.

[edit] Critical reception

On GameRankings Marble Blast Gold received a 8.4/10 rating, "Addictive gameplay and appealing levels lead to some of the best fun that $14.99 can buy".^[2] On Gametunnel, the game was rated 9/10 overall, "Marble Blast Gold is another great entry into the marble genre and a showpiece for the Torque engine. Highly recommended!".^[3] On GamersInfo, the reviewer noted "The game can be a lot of fun, especially if you are the type that likes to challenge your eye-hand coordination".^[4]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Marble Blast Gold
• Marble Blast Custom Levels