2005 was much bursting at the seams with Zuma - style puzzle game in which you strategically jibe dark testicle to slow their procession down a meandering rail . One of the more recent variations on this theme is Gamehouse ’s very cute tumblebug . While Tumblebugs does n’t exactly break new ground , it does offer some nice additions that make it deserving checking out . It ’s also trusted to be a mob pleaser .

The game puts you in the role of Tumble , a glitch who calls the backyard home . Your multicolored glitch brother have been enslave by the Black Bug Empire , and are being force in long queue into the enemy ’s subterranean lair . To free your acquaintance , you must equal three or more bug of the same color . Fortunately , you ’ve got an endless supply of bug you’re able to throw from your back to make the match .

Although the basic gameplay wo n’t bid a destiny of surprisal for fans of the musical genre , there are some pleasant embellishments here . For example , a special Lob king - up let you use ballistic hemipteran to lob your shots over course so you could match colors further away in the waiting line . In some point you could even jump between multiple platforms to take shots from different angle — a fun sport that I have n’t check before .

As you clear each grade , Tumble progresses to another area of the backyard . Every few levels culminate in a bonus level , which let you rack up additional points by completing undertaking such as prepare all the germ on the screen disappear within a time limit .

One thing Tumblebugs has in spade is cuteness . Not only are Tumble and the other bugs on the CRT screen cute enough to squeeze , but the track layout are imaginative and fun , making full use of the microbe ’s eye purview theme . The game ’ s well-grounded effects and medicine are attention-getting and memorable . It ’s just the kind of game the whole family will enjoy . My five- , eight- and ten - year - old have all taken turns playing it .

If you ’re not indisputable whether Tumblebugs is for you , you’re able to download a free trial demonstration , which lets you play for an hour before insisting that you pay up the $ 20 adjustment fee .

The bottom line

It wo n’t win points for originality , but tumblebug is a precious mutation on the mate - three elan game popularized by Zuma , and more lately , MacPlay ’s Luxor (; $ 20 ) .

TumblebugsRATING : PROS : Cute graphics ; interesting variations ; appeals to all age . CONS : Luxor and Zuma devotee have seen this before . PRICE : $ 20OS COMPATIBILITY : 10.2 and laterCOMPANY : Gamehouse