Nintendo’s recent trend of re-releasing full retail games through digital download continues with Mumbo Jumbo’s Build-A-Lot real estate simulation for the Nintendo DSi. It’s become common place to see titles that were released ten, fifteen and even twenty years ago get the digital download treatment, but seeing a game that just hit the Nintendo DS a couple years ago become a downloadable title is interesting. It shows just how much Nintendo is really embracing digital content.
Build-A-Lot released as a regular cartridge for the Nintendo DS back in early 2009 from the small independent publisher Mumbo Jumbo. The game was more than just a clever title with a double meaning and still is after remaining completely intact in this downloadable version.
The goal in Build-A-Lot is to progress from being a green property developer to becoming the next Donald Trump. A property building game isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about fun and addictive gameplay, but Build-A-Lot is designed with entertainment in mind instead of being an actual simulation or focusing on the boring realism of real estate. The game throws you into the action right away and does away with all the boring bank loans, surveys and reality of land development.
You begin with Meadow Dale as your neighborhood development. This works as both the first level and a tutorial. Meadow Dale’s Mayor gives you three missions and each helps explain the basics of the game. Things seem simple at first with you placing your first rambler on an open lot and building a house. There’s no real construction here outside of waiting for the house to be completed. Time and management become increasing difficult to manage after this initial level, but in a challenging way; not in a frustrating manner.
There’s another 7 neighborhoods, complete with demanding Mayors, for players to manage. Each level has a more demanding town leader than the last. The management comes into play with your building materials. You won’t be able to build anything without materials and your budget tends to be rather low at the start of each neighborhood. It becomes an amusing race against time as you build houses to either sell or rent and raise more money to buy more materials. It’s a simple concept, but one that works quite well. It’s fun to see if you’ve made the right decisions in building choices and whether you should rent or sell. You also have to maintain the buildings you still own if they get damaged over time.
Build-A-Lot’s presentation isn’t flashy by any means, but doesn’t have to be. The solid gameplay is supported pretty well by the simple and basic graphics. Everything is presented from a top-down viewpoint. There is a little animation sprinkled in here and there to let players know a house needs repair or something is happening that requires your attention. The same can be said for the audio in Build-A-Lot, except with a little less positivity. The music can begin to grate on your nerves after a while with the repetitive simplicity of a 1980’s midi tune. Thankfully the game is so simple and addictive, sound isn’t really necessary. I turned the volume down after 10 minutes and forgot about it.
Build-A-Lot is one of those games that will (and has) go overlooked because it’s not a flashy name and offers relatively simple gameplay. It could have used a few more unlockables revolves around build, build, build, but, this high quality downloadable game provides so much entertainment for a low price that any fan of simulations should pick it up for casual fun on the go.
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Graphics |
5.5 |
Build-A-Lot isn’t flashy by any means, but doesn’t have to be. |
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Audio |
5.0 |
Repetitive music is annoying, but you can turn it off. |
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Single Player |
8.5 |
Pinpointing the addictiveness is hard, but the fun is definitely there. |
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Multiplayer |
N/A |
|
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Replay |
8.5 |
You have to keep coming back to try different choices and decisions. |
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Overall |
8.0 |
Build-A-Lot might seem simple, but there's a lot of fun to be had. |
