Welcome to a brand new episode of Defunct Games Decides, the show that isn't afraid to get to the bottom of classic video game arguments. Today we're looking at Bust-A-Move ... or should I call it Puzzle Bobble? First released in 1994, this was a competitive puzzle spin-off of Bubble Bobble, one of Taito's biggest hits. For whatever reason, the company decided to change the name from Puzzle Bobble to Bust-A-Move when moving it from Japan to the United States and Europe. Which name is better? We decide in this episode of Defunct Games Decides.

Puzzle Bobble vs. Bust-A-Move

PUZZLE BOBBLE: By combining the game's new genre with the familiar Bubble Bobble brand, Puzzle Bobble becomes a clever play on words. Fans of Bub and Bob will immediately know that this is not your typical Bubble Bobble adventure, but rather a unique puzzle experience featuring the dinosaurs we love. Of course, none of this makes any sense if you haven't heard of Bubble Bobble before, but in 1994 the chances of that were slim.

BUST-A-MOVE: Western gamers know Puzzle Bobble by a completely different name, Bust-A-Move. Bub and Bob remain, but you wouldn't know that by the perplexing title. Instead of being a clever play on words, this Westernized title suggests our dinosaur heroes are going to get a little funky, both on the dance floor and under the sheets. The whole thing is a little underwhelming when you realize the whole game is about shooting colored orbs at the ceiling.

VERDICT: As a fan of this series, I have always been a little perplexed by the title. While not everybody remembers the original Bubble Bobble, the Japanese title definitely makes more sense. On the other hand, Bust-A-Move is a more exciting (and misleading) title. But when it comes right down to it, I prefer the name Puzzle Bobble. Taito's name change had other repercussions, such as forcing Metro to alter the title of their legitimately fun dancing game from Bust-A-Move to Bust-A-Groove. I don't necessarily hold that against Taito, but it's certainly not a notch in their favor.

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