Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 41
  2. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. Fast-paced multiplayer with a dash of strategic depth gets Madballs rolling, but stuttering visuals and lag issues may bring your fun to a screeching halt.
  2. As a single player experience Madballs isn’t a terribly exciting offering, serving a pretty much run of the mill gaming experience we’ve all seen before. However, it’s multiplayer component more then makes up for its shortcomings providing one of the most fun and frantic playing experiences I’ve encountered lately.
  3. Edge Magazine
    70
    A simple, finely tuned and comprehensive shooter that only rarely wobbles. [Sept 2009, p.100]
  4. The game is simply a blast to play and it’s one of those games where you can drop hours into and not even realize it.
  5. X-ONE Magazine UK
    70
    In short, it's competent. [Issue#49, p.103]
  6. Madballs is very enjoyable, but also very simple. While the singleplayer delivers with funny characters and great variety in weapons, the multiplayer is a letdown thanks to the fact that not enough people are online playing the game. It’s a shame, because it could have made the lasting appeal of the game that much longer.
  7. Madballs in Babo: Invasion is a fun shooter that won’t last too long. And after finishing the main mode, there is no reason to get back to it apart from the Online mode, that won’t also last forever.
  8. If you and three of your Live friends are looking for a game to pickup that allows you to blow a lot of stuff up with fun weapons you can’t go wrong with this purchase.
  9. Arcade shooter fans may enjoy taking this one for a roll and a spin.
  10. Madballs in Babo is as the name implies a quirky arcade shooting game. It doesn't bring anything really new to the table, and what's offered is in no way innovative or especially impressive. But if you're in the market for an oddball shooter, this title will entertain, if only for a little while.
  11. A relatively decent shooter that is better than it has the right to be, but certainly won't be considered a classic of the XBLA platform. If you absolutely love shooters and want to play every last one, then this will be worth a purchase.
  12. Altogether, Madballs in Babo: Invasion is a pretty decent shooter for XBLA, but it's something that I could only see myself playing as a temporary distraction from the heavy hitters available on the system.
  13. Official Xbox Magazine
    65
    It basically boils down to Marble Madness with guns. [Oct 2009, p.80]
  14. There's just not enough depth and nuance here to sustain prolonged play.
  15. Unless you're a die-hard shooter fan, it's really hard to recommend picking up Madballs in Babo: Invasion. While the game controls like a dream, it just isn't much fun to play.
  16. AceGamez
    60
    Invasion manages to veer wildly over the okay line; occasionally brilliant, oft times frustrating and more often than not simply dull, there's a decent game somewhere beneath the surface, but it's lost amidst bad decisions, repetitive gameplay and a drivelling mythos that very few people will care about.
  17. Boomtown
    60
    Madballs in... Babo: Invasion isn't going to blow anyone away. The name is fairly ridiculous and the whole Madballs fad is long-gone, but there beats an enjoyable shooter underneath the bland, uninspired exterior.
  18. A standard action/platform. An old fashioned formula, with the twist of Multiplayer (partially ruined by lag).
  19. The campaign is mediocre at best and the game is pretty ugly, but the online game modes are fun and bring plenty of entertainment. For what you get, even with the standard price of 800 MS points, it may hurt your wallet just a little too much though.
  20. Madballs in: Baboo Invasion's main problem is that it feels generic, even though the characters are so different than you would expect in a shooter.
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. May 17, 2012
    10
    I remember the Madballs, the funny toys, in some moments some weird, but now appear a videogame and is a bigger sorprise, is funny, theI remember the Madballs, the funny toys, in some moments some weird, but now appear a videogame and is a bigger sorprise, is funny, the avatars have a big importance in the game. Great job. Full Review »
  2. Sammywalls
    Oct 10, 2009
    10
    This game is ignored because its made by an indi dev and not ea, also the name. This game, As far as xbox live arcade games go, is a masterThis game is ignored because its made by an indi dev and not ea, also the name. This game, As far as xbox live arcade games go, is a master piece in its own right.
    This game can get REAL competitive. Over 20 maps, 4 player coop campaign. Multiplayer death matches, team, ctf, invasion mode, and an avater mode. Great graphics (for an arcade title/800 point game) that will shine.

    I'm not saying this is halo or cod but put things in perspective, this is a ten dollar/800 point game in the marketplace that is pretty damn deep as far as multiplayer/features are concerned and gives more than your moneys worth.
    Full Review »
  3. JacobA
    Aug 18, 2009
    9
    For an Xbox Live Arcade game, this game is worthy of your 800 ms points. I had never heard of the "Babo" games, but i instantly fell in love For an Xbox Live Arcade game, this game is worthy of your 800 ms points. I had never heard of the "Babo" games, but i instantly fell in love with the demo, and bought the game 10 minutes later. The game is oustanding, probably one of the best arcade games i've ever bought, period. The campaign was decent, but the real fun is in the multiplayer. Although I wish there were more of a online community for this game. The graphics are outstanding, the gameplay is smooth, everything in this game comes together perfectly, like a puzzle. can't give this game a perfect 10, only because of the lag issues the game has, anyone that plays it knows what i'm talking about. Full Review »