M&M's Break' Em: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|2007 video game}}

{{good article}}

{{infobox video game

|title=M&M's Break' Em

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|alt=Five cartoon depictions of M&M candies with gems surround a cloudy planet with brown continents. The M&M's logo covers most of the planet and the words "BREAK' EM" appear below the logo.

|developer=Frame Studios Interactive

|publisher={{Video game release|NA|[[Destination Software]]|UK|[[Zushi Games|Zoo Digital Publishing]]}}

|producer=Aeron Guy{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=12}}

|programmer=Marco Pacifico<br>Thomas Maniero{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=12}}

|composer=Simone Cicconi{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=12}}

|platforms=[[Game Boy Advance]], [[Nintendo DS]]

|released='''Game Boy Advance'''<br>{{Video game release|NA|February 6, 2007<ref name="GRYOnline"/>}}'''Nintendo DS'''<br>{{Video game release|NA|March 25, 2007<ref name="nintendo life"/>|UK|July 27, 2007<ref name="cubed3"/>}}

|genre=[[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]

|modes=[[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]

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The game's story [[Game mechanics#Modes|mode]] revolves around controlling one of five [[M&M's]] with constant vertical movement, completing various [[Level (video games)|level]]s—by destroying [[crystal]]s to free other M&M's, avoiding [[hazard]]s, and fighting [[Boss (video games)|boss]]es—in order to defeat Mr. Runch, a rotten and dangerous [[peanut]] determined to become an M&M. In addition to this [[Single-player video game|single-player]] campaign, the game has a [[Multiplayer video game#Local multiplayer|local multiplayer]] mode, wherein two players compete to break more crystals.

''M&M's Break' Em'' is the fifth [[List of M&M's video games|M&M's video game]], succeeding ''M&M's Blast!'', a 2001 title for the Game Boy Advance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/m-and-ms-blast/|title=''M&M's Blast!''|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=November 21, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121145449/https://www.metacritic.com/game/m-and-ms-blast/|archive-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref> The game received mixed reviews from critics and was followed by ''[[M&M's Kart Racing]]'', a [[kart racing game]] released for the Wii in 2007 and the Nintendo DS in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/942032-mms-kart-racing/|title=''M&M;'s Kart Racing''|websitepublisher=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[Paramount Streaming|CBS Interactive]]|access-date=November 21, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012301/https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/942032-mms-kart-racing/|archive-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ds/942033-mms-kart-racing/|title=''M&M;'s Kart Racing''|websitepublisher=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[Paramount Streaming|CBS Interactive]]|access-date=November 21, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012306/https://www.gamerankings.com/ds/942033-mms-kart-racing/|archive-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref>

==Gameplay==

[[File:M&M's Break' Em.jpeg|thumb|left|In the game's [[Single-player video game|single-player]] [[Game mechanics#Modes|mode]] (left), one player completes a series of [[Level (video games)|level]]s under a [[time limit]]. In the [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] mode (right), two players compete to break more [[crystal]]s.]]

''M&M's Break' Em'' is a [[puzzle video game]] with [[gameplay]] based on that of ''[[Gem Smashers]]'', another puzzle game developed by Frame Studios Interactive. To complete the [[Single-player video game|single-player]] [[Game mechanics#Modes|game mode]], the player must clear a series of [[Level (video games)|level]]s in areas such as a [[forest]], an [[underwater environment]],<ref name="IGN"/> and a tropical island.<ref name="GRYOnline">{{cite web|url=https://www.gry-online.pl/gry/mms-break-em/zd7ea|title=''M&M's Break' Em''|website=GRYOnline.pl|language=Polish|date=December 10, 2007|access-date=October 23, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023175306/https://www.gry-online.pl/gry/mms-break-em/zd7ea|archive-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref><ref name="IGN"/> To complete the [[Single-player video game|single-player]] [[Game mechanics#Modes|game mode]], the player must clear a series of [[Level (video games)|level]]s in areas such as a [[forest]], an [[underwater environment]], and a tropical island. Areas and Levelslevels are chosen from a map, with orange spots representing normal levels and blue spots indicating levels that feature a [[Boss (video games)|boss]], which must be unlocked by completing every normal level in the area. [[Level (video games)#Bonus stage|Extra level]]s, represented by pink spots, can be unlocked by finding hidden keys in other levels.{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=7}}

The [[player character]] is one of five different-colored [[M&M's]] (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, or Orange), which vary in speed and power.<ref name="nintendojo"/>{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=6}} The controls are the same regardless of which color is chosen: the M&M constantly moves vertically and bounces off objects, eliminating any [[crystal]]s that match its color and freeing the M&M's trapped inside.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="nintendojo"/><ref name="gamezone"/> The color of the player's M&M can be changed by bumping into color pots or blocks, which can be hidden,<ref name="nintendojo"/> especially in later levels. In both the [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[Nintendo DS]] versions of the game, the player uses the console's [[D-pad]] to move left and right, with the latter allowing the player to also use the [[Touchscreen|touch screentouchscreen]] to control their M&M's horizontal movement.<ref name="IGN"/> The sensitivity of the touch screen can be adjusted in the menu.<ref name="nintendojo"/> Pressing the A button or R button speeds up the M&M's movements, while pressing the B button or L button slows itthem down.{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=10}} The sensitivity of both the touch screen and the in-game audio can be adjusted in the menu.<ref name="nintendojo"/>{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=5}}

To complete each level, the player must reach the exit door,<ref name="IGN"/> which must first be opened by knocking out every crystal.<ref name="gamezone"/> The player can collect [[power-up]]s with positive or negative effects, such as increasing or decreasing the speed of their M&M or temporarily reversing its controls. Skull blocks must be avoided,<ref name="IGN"/> as bumping into one causes the player to instantly lose a [[Life (video games)|life]].{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=8}} The player begins the game with a set number of lives and continues, and once all of them have been used, each loss results in a [[game over]], after which the game can be resumed with only one life. [[Life (video games)#Extra lives|Extra lives]] can be earned by collecting a large number of points.<ref name="nintendojo"/>

Each level features a [[Time limit|timer]],<ref name="IGN"/> and if the player does not complete the level in time, a bouncing skull begins pursuing their M&M in an attempt to destroy it, which results in the loss of a life.<ref name="gamezone"/>{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|p=8}} Occasionally, a level ends with a battle against a large [[Boss (video games)|boss]] that must be defeated.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="nintendojo"/> Bosses can only be damaged by colliding with one of its physical aspects, such as an [[anglerfish]]'s lure, while it matches the color of the player's M&M.<ref name="IGN"/>

In addition to the single-player campaign, there is a [[Multiplayer video game#Local multiplayer|local multiplayer]] game mode in which two players compete to break more crystals in two stages.{{sfn|Destination Software|2007|pp=10–11}} This mode requires each player to have their own copy of the game.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="nintendojo"/> ''M&M's Break' Em'' provides three [[Saved game|save file]]s and preserves the player's progress via an [[autosave]] feature.<ref name="IGN"/>

==Plot==

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==Development and release==

''M&M's Break' Em'' was published by [[Destination Software]].<ref name="gamezone"/> The game was developed by Frame Studios Interactive,<ref name="nintendojo"/><ref name="IGN frame studios">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/companies/frame-studios|title=Frame Studios|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=November 22, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529102711/http://www.ign.com/companies/frame-studios|archive-date=May 29, 2016}}</ref> an independent [[video game developer]] located in [[Belluno]], Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.framestudios.com/index.php?pag=company&numpag=1|title=Company|publisher=Frame Studios|access-date=December 2, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305054216/http://www.framestudios.com/index.php?pag=company&numpag=1|archive-date=March 5, 2009}}</ref> Frame Studios had previously created ''Gem Smashers'', an [[Action game|action]] puzzle game first released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003.,<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="IGN frame studios"/> Much like ''M&M's Break' Em'', ''Gem Smashers''which revolves around completing single-screen levels by controlling a vertically bouncing orb to collect items, avoid hazards like skull blocks, and defeat large bosses;destroying [[Gemstone|gem]]s that match the color of the orbplayer must be broken to free the animals trapped insidecharacter.<ref name="IGN"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Tierney|first=Adam|date=December 13, 2018|orig-date=December 3, 2003|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/04/gem-smashers|title=''Gem Smashers''|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=November 28, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425175057/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/04/gem-smashers|archive-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Zach|date=November 6, 2011|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/11/gem_smashers_3ds|title=''Gem Smashers'' Review (3DS)|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Nintendo Life]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=December 2, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602070034/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/11/gem_smashers_3ds|archive-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> Much like ''M&M's Break' Em'', ''Gem Smashers'' involves controlling a vertically bouncing orb and avoiding hazards to complete each level.<ref name="IGN"/>

''M&M's Break' Em'' was released in North America for the Game Boy Advance on February 6, 2007, and for the Nintendo DS on March 25, 2007.<ref name="GRYOnline"/><ref name="nintendo life">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/ds/mandms_break_em|title=''M&M's Break' Em''|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Nintendo Life]]|publisherdate=[[GamerJuly Network]]29, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602035416/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/ds/mandms_break_em|archive-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> The game was also published by [[Zushi Games|Zoo Digital Publishing]] in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2007.<ref name="cubed3">{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Adam|date=May 23, 2007|url=https://www.cubed3.com/news/7616/1/nintendo-news-zoo-digital-reveals-extensive-wii-ds-line-up.html|title=Nintendo News {{!}} Zoo Digital Reveals Extensive Wii/DS Line-Up|website=Cubed3|access-date=November 30, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215174239/https://www.cubed3.com/news/7616/1/nintendo-news-zoo-digital-reveals-extensive-wii-ds-line-up.html|archive-date=December 15, 2018}}</ref> It is the first [[List of M&M's video games|M&M's game]] to be released for the DS.<ref name="nintendojo"/>

==Reception==

{{Video game reviews

|GR=56%<ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/937792-mms-break-em/index.html|title=''M&M;'s Break' Em''|websitepublisher=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[Paramount Streaming|CBS Interactive]]|access-date=September 3, 2023

|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909122853/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/937792-mms-break-em/index.html|archive-date=September 9, 2015}}</ref>

|IGN=5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Chris|date=May 17, 2007|orig-date=May 14, 2012|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/17/mms-break-em-review|title=''M&M's Break' Em'' Review|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=August 12, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023175304/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/17/mms-break-em-review|archive-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref>

|rev1=''GameZone''

|rev1Score=3.4/10<ref name="gamezone">{{cite web|last=David|first=Mike|date=May 3, 2007|url=http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32270.htm|title=''M&M;'s Break'Em''|website=GameZone|access-date=November 21, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621092336/https://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32270.htm|archive-date=June 21, 2009}}</ref>

|rev2=''Nintendojo''

|rev2Score=7.9/10<ref name="nintendojo">{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Aaron|url=https://www.nintendojo.com/archives/reviews/NDS/view_item.php?1179181562|title=''M&M;'s Break 'Em''|website=Nintendojo|access-date=November 20, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912055732/https://www.nintendojo.com/archives/reviews/NDS/view_item.php?1179181562|archive-date=September 12, 2015}}</ref>

}}

On the video game [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[GameRankings]], ''M&M's Break' Em'' received a 56% ranking based on four critic reviews.<ref name="gamerankings"/> Reception toward the gameplay was mixed. ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Chris Adams gave the game a "mediocre" score of 5/10, believing it to be inferior to its inspiration, ''Gem Smashers'', which he recommended purchasing instead. However, Adams wrote that the gameplay "is still a nice blend of casual controls and deeper gameplay mechanics", and complimented the inclusion of boss battles as being "pretty unique" for a puzzle game, despite noting repetition in the fights.<ref name="IGN"/> Aaron Roberts of ''Nintendojo'' gave the game an overall rating of 7.9/10, praisingpraised the "exciting gameplay and the familiar charm of the M&M's characters".,<ref name="nintendojo"/> whereas Mike David of ''GameZone'' gave the game an overall rating of 3.4/10, criticizingcriticized the gameplay as being "too easy".<ref name="gamezone"/>

Critics were also divided on the game's visuals and audio. ''IGN'' offered a more negative response toward thethese game's visuals and audiosubjects, describing the art as "half-assed" and the [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s as "ugly and poorly rendered", in addition to deeming the music and [[sound effectseffect]]s "barely noticeable". ''IGN'' further noted that every time an M&M is knocked out, it flies toward the screen and briefly obscures the player character, potentially causing the player to lose track of them.<ref name="IGN"/> ''GameZone'' also criticized the graphics and audio, stating that the former were "pretty poor to look at" and referring to the latter as "more of an afterthought than anything", as well as noting an absence of [[voice acting]] for the characters.<ref name="gamezone"/> ''Nintendojo'' also acknowledged the lack of voice work in the [[cutscene]]s, though wrote that "[t]he background music is quite appropriate and actually fairly enjoyable".

''IGN''Miscellaneous notedcriticism thatwas asidedirected fromtoward the player character being an M&M, an M&M character appearing on the right of the top screen, and a large image of candy appearing on the bottom screen, themultiplayer game "has almost nothing to do with M&Ms candy". Moreovermode, which ''IGN'' referred to the game's multiplayer mode as "not very creative" and criticized for its requirement of multiple [[Nintendo Game Card|game cartridge]]s.,<ref name="IGN"/> ''GameZone''as wrotewell thatas the game's "hascontinue nosystem, redeeming qualities" and was "not much more {{sic|then}} a video-game commercial".<ref name="gamezone"/>which ''Nintendojo'' criticizedbelieved the continue system, believing it to bewas "[t]he only real flaw in the game" due to difficulty in obtaining lives. Both ''IGN'' and ''Nintendojo'' stated that the touch screen controls offered by the Nintendo DS version were less precise than the D-pad,<ref name="nintendojo"/> with the former believing that the bottom screen could have instead been used to expand the levels and avoid repetition. Moreover, ''IGN'' noted that aside from the player character being an M&M, an M&M character appearing on the right of the top screen, and a large image of candy appearing on the bottom screen, the game "has almost nothing to do with M&Ms candy".<ref name="IGN"/> ''GameZone'' wrote that the game "has no redeeming qualities" and was "not much more {{sic|then}} a video-game commercial".<ref name="gamezone"/>

==References==

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===Booklets===

*{{cite web|ref={{sfnRef|Destination Software|2007}}|url=https://archive.org/details/kirklands-manual-labor-nintendo-game-boy-advance-usa-4k-version/M%26M%27s%20-%20Break%27%20Em%20%28USA%29/mode/2up|title=''M&M's Break' Em''|publisher=[[Destination Software]]|year=2007|access-date=November 30, 2024|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}

==External links==

*{{IMDb title|31639188}}

*{{MobyGames|id=/mms-break-em}}

{{Portal bar|Video games|2000s}}