Big Bass Arcade: No Limit

Genre: Sports (Fishing)

Players: 1

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Review:

Big Bass Arcade first saw release on the Nintendo DSi in 2011 via the DSiWare service, with an expanded version of the game with the new subtitle “No Limit” originally planned for release on Wii, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS, but only the 3DS version of this game would end up seeing the light of day, releasing in 2013 and alternately referred to by the aforementioned title Big Bass Arcade: No Limit and its other title, Big Bass Arcade 3D.

Whatever we’re calling it, the presentation in Big Bass Arcade does not seem to have evolved much from its Nintendo DSiWare release – it still features simple, low-poly 3D visuals with ugly muddy textures. At the very least the game has a soothing acoustic guitar soundtrack that works well with the theme, but this is all destroyed the moment you hook a fish and this music is replaced with a ridiculous fast-paced electric guitar theme and the game’s announcer’s cheesy voice instructing players repeatedly by saying “set the hook”, “rod down”, “rod left”, and so on.

This kinda’ leads into the issues with gameplay. While there are multiple different game modes here, all of them will have players doing the same thing – you move your boat left and right on the water in a limited environment until the cursor of the area you’re aiming at turns from red to yellow, cast your line with a Golf game-style power bar, ideally catch a fish, and then reel it in by holding down a button, keeping your eyes on a tension gauge, and following instructions you’re given on a D-pad like a Quick Time Event. It’s all so rote and empty, you don’t get the feeling like you’re fighting the fish, you’re just doing what you’re told until you succeed, and then you try again.

I suppose if we want to try to find the silver lining here, Big Bass Arcade is a simple and easy-to-play Fishing game that younger players may find an easy first entry in the genre. But this game is also lacking in challenge and devoid of any sort of feeling of engagement. Perhaps there aren’t any better choices for fishing games on Nintendo 3DS, but certainly there are better fishing games on other platforms. And really, if you’re that hard up for a better fishing game on Nintendo 3DS, I honestly think you’re better playing the fishing minigame in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. Don’t waste your money on this game.

tl;dr – Big Bass Arcade: No Limit is a Fishing game with ugly visuals, confused sound design, and simple, easy gameplay that’s devoid of any immersion or engagement. Throw this one back.

Grade: D+

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