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Boulder Dash-XL 3D

SCORE: 90

Boulder Dash-XL was extremely well received here at Family Friendly Gaming. The rule of thumb is the hand held versions of home console games are usually a little worse. Boulder Dash-XL 3D has thumb wrestled that rule and won hands down.

Boulder Dash-XL 3D is the best version of Boulder Dash-XL I have ever played. My biggest concern about Boulder Dash-XL 3D relates to the ESRB. They list the game twice. Once with Mild Cartoon Violence, and once with no descriptors. The home console version has the Mild Cartoon Violence descriptor so it is really odd that it would vanish on the Nintendo 3DS version.

Boulder Dash-XL 3D looks fantastic in 3D. I am astounded at how good this game looks. Well not the old retro levels, but the current modern day levels look amazing. I could just sit there and enjoy the depth of the graphics. But I knew I had to find those gems to unlock the exit.

I also enjoyed listening to the music while playing Boulder Dash-XL 3D. It did not matter which of the four game worlds. Nor did it matter any of the five game play modes (Arcade, Puzzle, Zen, Score Attack and Retro). I enjoyed the sounds of all of these caves.

The one hundred new caves (on top of previously played levels) are amazing to play through. I am still in awe of how much replay is in Boulder Dash-XL 3D. To make matters even better for families, Boulder Dash-XL 3D costs $4.99. That is crazy low for all of the different levels in this game.

The violent content in Boulder Dash-XL 3D comes from having a boulder drop on you. Or the boulders can drop on the enemies. This is actually something you can plan if you choose to. Boulder Dash-XL 3D allows players to choose a non-violent route in almost every situation though.

I am very surprised at how well Boulder Dash-XL 3D looks, sounds, and plays on the Nintendo 3DS. In my opinion this version is better than the home console version. Both are downloadable, but Boulder Dash-XL 3D wins out. Please note there is a retail version of Dash-XL 3D as well.
- Paul

Graphics: 88%
Sound: 90%
Replay/Extras: 98%
Gameplay: 90%
Family Friendly Factor: 82%

System: Nintendo 3DS
Publisher: Reef Entertainment
Rating: ‘E' - Everyone
{Mild Cartoon Violence}
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