Marble Blast

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

An updated version, Marble Blast Gold , was also released adding more levels and introduced gold times for players to beat. In addition, a new version, Marble Blast Ultra , will be available for the Xbox 360 s launch, via the Xbox Live Arcade service. This new version sports new levels, spruced-up graphics, and a multiplayer mode.

=Gameplay=

The basic gameplay involves rolling a marble around a 3D obstacle course from start to finish, avoiding the many hazards littered about. 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 purple finish line. 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.

=Power-ups=

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

*Super Speed: Gives the marble a single burst of extra speed. *Super Jump: Gives the marble a single higer jump. *Super Bounce: Gives the marble a larger rebound. *Shock Absorber: Stops the marble from bouncing. *Time Travel: Pauses time, normally for five seconds. *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.

=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.

=Obstacles=

There are many obstacles in the game. They are:

The 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 after a few seconds, dropping the marble to a undesirable place, often out of the level.

Mines: These blow up on contact, throwing the marble in random directions.

Fans: These blow the marble in the direction of the fan, often off the edge.

Bumpers: these repel the marble on contact, again, usually off the edge.

Surfaces: Along with normal terrain and regular traction, there is also grass with high traction (often an advantage), slippery mud, and outer space, where there is minimal traction. There are also terrains made for aesthetic purposes, like asphalt.

=Gold times=

With the Gold version of the game, there was the introduction of Gold Times . Some of these times are very difficult to accomplish, meaning the player must completely master the level in order to beat it. Sometimes, knowing how to properly use power-ups and when and where to jump is the key to success.

=External links=

*[http://www.garagegames.com/pg/product/view.phpid=15 Marble Blast Gold ]