Marble Blast Ultra

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34

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  1. Nerpco
    Apr 23, 2014
    8
    Have you ever felt like you wanted to play something, but you wanted to get away from those first-person shooters and highly-active action games? Well fear not, because this is what this game is like. Its for when you want to just chill out and have fun with a game that is challenging and chill. You'll have a blast on this game, with it's single player levels and fun and competitiveHave you ever felt like you wanted to play something, but you wanted to get away from those first-person shooters and highly-active action games? Well fear not, because this is what this game is like. Its for when you want to just chill out and have fun with a game that is challenging and chill. You'll have a blast on this game, with it's single player levels and fun and competitive on-line matches, this game is addictive. It is definitely a fun game, and I highly recommend it to recreational gamers.… Expand
  2. Daz
    Feb 26, 2006
    10
    I wondered whethe to spend my first microsoft points on this game and now i've played it for ages i'm glad i did. The 60 levels are divided into 3 groups of 20. the first are easy and require only a few 'second attempts'. the second intermediate set are tougher but except for a few of them they didn't cause me any particular headaches. The third set, which i have I wondered whethe to spend my first microsoft points on this game and now i've played it for ages i'm glad i did. The 60 levels are divided into 3 groups of 20. the first are easy and require only a few 'second attempts'. the second intermediate set are tougher but except for a few of them they didn't cause me any particular headaches. The third set, which i have just started are distinctly harder and take about 10 to 15 mins to go through each one. How you are supposed to do these in par times of 1 min 20 secs i've no idea. On top of the regular single player game there is the option to try to find 20 hidden eggs scattered about through the levels. Currently i've found 17 of these with the help of a guide from the internet. I did enjoy the challenge of getting them though. The multiplayer is acceptable and i have played it for only about 30 mins in total. Overall though this is a great xbox live game and for the money it might give you some variation from PDZ, project gotham or call of duty. Recommended.… Expand
  3. SpencerH.
    Mar 7, 2006
    10
    This game is great. none of my friends who have 360's have this game and when they come over, it's like they are addicted becase they always want to play Marble Blast. If you are into ARCADE games, this game is a must.
  4. FreelanceJournalist
    Feb 6, 2006
    9
    Best graphics and most in-depth engine of any Xbox Live Arcade game yet. It plays like Monkey Ball with power-ups in place of the cute characters. Lots of variety and tons of boards, and the addition of a decent multiplayer cements it as a must-have Live Arcade download.
  5. squarewindow
    Jan 7, 2015
    9
    This one slipped under the radar a little bit. One of the first offerings on the 360's fledgling Xbox Live Arcade service, time has proven it to also be one of the best. Marble Blast Ultra bears more than a passing resemblance to SEGA's classic Super Monkey Ball. The difference is that in this game you control the ball/marble directly rather than tilting the environment.

    The physics are    This one slipped under the radar a little bit. One of the first offerings on the 360's fledgling Xbox Live Arcade service, time has proven it to also be one of the best. Marble Blast Ultra bears more than a passing resemblance to SEGA's classic Super Monkey Ball. The difference is that in this game you control the ball/marble directly rather than tilting the environment.

    The physics are the sturdy foundation upon which the game is built and if that had been its strongest card then maybe it would have been nothing remarkable. Luckily however, some of the level design is profoundly inspired. The "just one more try" feeling of obligation when you fail a level is strong, as is the desire, when successful, to shave a small amount off your best times. As in many great games, there are a number of hidden techniques and tricks which will enable you to do just this. In addition, there is a small selection of inventive powerups which facilitates your voyage through each braintwister of a stage, including the gyrocopter, which enables a brief period of hovering, mega marble, which changes the physical size and weight of your marble, and the gravity modifier, which can change left to up or right to down.

    The puzzle focus of the solo mode is complemented extremely well by the mad dash action of the surprisingly enjoyable multiplayer mode. And fair enough, the music is ridiculous, but it just adds to the charm. Sadly, Marble Blast Ultra can no longer be purchased following the reformation of GarageGames and their loss of the rights to the Marble Blast IP. This is digital distribution.    … Expand
  6. mfpwnsall
    Apr 16, 2014
    10
    Marble Blast Ultra, with a wonderful shader engine, great gameplay mechanics, fun and creative levels, enjoyable multiplayer, and more, packs a punch and can be called one of the best XBL Arcade games out there. Sixty levels of different difficulties to choose from and a great multiplayer make this an experience that will last for months. Though, it's not going to last TOO long for you.Marble Blast Ultra, with a wonderful shader engine, great gameplay mechanics, fun and creative levels, enjoyable multiplayer, and more, packs a punch and can be called one of the best XBL Arcade games out there. Sixty levels of different difficulties to choose from and a great multiplayer make this an experience that will last for months. Though, it's not going to last TOO long for you. I've played all of this game through and have more than 50 hours in the multiplayer, and this is definitely a great game. A lot of memories were put into my head from playing this when I was younger, and you can have the same fun too for just $10.… Expand
  7. Untitled94
    Nov 6, 2017
    8
    This is a really fun game, and it disappoints me that it's no longer on the Xbox Live store (at least to my knowledge as of November 2017). This game provides some great challenges, though some can be a bit frustrating. Most of the levels are fun though. I never got to play the DLC packs, but the main game is good enough. If you have some way to access this game, go for it (unless it'sThis is a really fun game, and it disappoints me that it's no longer on the Xbox Live store (at least to my knowledge as of November 2017). This game provides some great challenges, though some can be a bit frustrating. Most of the levels are fun though. I never got to play the DLC packs, but the main game is good enough. If you have some way to access this game, go for it (unless it's illegal, cause it's not worth the trouble, it's just fun).… Expand
  8. Daniel_N
    Feb 7, 2021
    8
    Although I’ve only played about four levels, Marble Blast Ultra is fun and requires problem solving!
  9. FLInfinite
    Jul 7, 2021
    8
    This was a great game. I say "was" because you can't play it anymore. Or at least I can't, and now I'm sad.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
63
#63 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
60
#60 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. IGN
    69
    While Marble Blast Ultra is an entertaining distraction, it's not much more than that. There are plenty of unique physics to how the ball performs on different surfaces and flies through the air, lots of different textures you can apply to the marble with distinctive, appealing effects, and a few cool sound effects, but the game will get old faster than you'd like.
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  2. WHAM! Gaming
    80
    The single player levels start off simple enough but become almost epic in scope (well, for a marble game!) later on.
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  3. GameSpot
    68
    Offers a decent challenge, but boring multiplayer a lack of variety drag it down a bit.
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