During each stage, players can hit additional power-ups that float across the screen, such as gems that make all the similarly coloured bubbles disappear from the screen or flame icons that act as explosives. Most stages do not have a time limit and it is a simple (or not so simple) case of destroying all the bubbles before they connect together to reach you at the bottom of the screen.

With any type of game that is translated from other formats to the Wii's unique control system, the first question is "Does the control system work well?" The answer, rather unfortunately, is "Only sometimes". Although the Wii controls appear to offer a greater deal of sensitivity to your movement, in reality they are overly sensitive and a very steady hand is needed to get the balls exactly where you want them. This can lead to huge frustration when you are attempting a particularly tricky combo. Too often, hand movements won't be read, forcing the player to shake the remote in order to regain control. Different configurations can be messed around with, but the problem arises with each one. It still works, but not nearly as smoothly as players would like.

Bash! introduces a couple of new modes to the series. Multiplayer has been completely redesigned. Instead of the traditional versus game with two players on separate grids, the game features all the players together on one game grid. Players then indulge in constant shooting action across one huge bubble field, with the players' cannons scattered across the bottom. While shooting at the bubbles on-screen, icons can be shot to aid in the formation of bigger combo counts. The player with the biggest eliminated count of bubbles and collected gems wins the round. This mode can be loads of fun with several friends (it supports up to eight players), but it relies more on blind luck than skill. Even with excellent aim a player can get cheated out of a win by someone just waving and shooting without an ounce of thought behind their actions. The inclusion of the original multiplayer mode would have been a huge plus here.

The game also includes additional modes, including Endless (where bubbles just keep coming until the game ends), Puzzle (with several pre-made stages) and Shooting, which is one of the weakest additions to the series. Players merely aim their remote like a light gun and shoot at bubbles on the screen, while using the D-pad to switch between different coloured bubbles. The problem with Shooting runs two-fold: each round ends in a matter of seconds and trying to switch colours and keep precise aim over the on-screen cursor at the same time becomes incredibly frustrating. Even as a bonus game, this is simply annoying and rather pointless.

Those familiar with previous Bust-A-Move games will at least be happy with the presentation. The cute anime-style artwork remains intact, with characters showing enthusiasm when the player performs a big combo and going nuts when the bubbles stack up too closely to the cannon. The music, although not completely annoying, does become repetitive quickly and the sound effects do little for the game.

While the eight-player party mode delivers plenty of short-term fun with friends and family, the lack of traditional modes and tightened controls hurt Bust-A-Move Bash! in the long run. Most games of this type rely on repetition for their longevity. After all, Bomberman and Tetris were classic originals that were messed with unnecessarily during the 'next-gen' years and suffered because developers added on bells and whistles where none were needed. Conversely, Bust-A-Move Bash! feels like it could do with an extreme makeover.