Orb-3D
System: NES
Release Date: October 1990
Developer: Software Toolworks
Publisher: Hi-Tech Expressions
Genre: Puzzle
The fate of the entire universe is in your hands in Orb-3D! Apparently an evil space wizard, Krohn, is using a black hole to swallow up whole solar systems. Your Millennium Orb is the only space craft able to withstand the energy forces of the black hole. It’s up to you to find your way through 30 of his Enigma Chambers, solving puzzles, to save the universe!
You directly control two forcefield paddles on either side of the stage. You need to bounce the ship back and forth, and through obstacles on the board. The ship bounces to the foreground and background as it hits the paddles. You can manually have it switch by pressing the A Button, but it will also turn back to the previous paddle, so make sure you’re in position. You will have to bounce it near the edges of the paddle to get diagonal movement to hit those hard to reach obstacles.
Each level has a gimmick of some sort and they all require precision timing with changing Z-planes. Ones that stick in my head are bowling pins that knock down everything behind where you collide. A slide puzzle that isn’t too difficult if you don’t hit the wrong ones. I had to beat the game at tic-tac-toe. I also needed to get a bingo. There were plenty of other levels that I had no idea what I was supposed to do, so I just tried hitting everything.
Sometimes you can get an extra ship if you hit the right enemy. You also have a fuel gauge that counts down and takes huge dips if your ship misses the paddle. You can refuel by pressing the B Button. This sends you to Vern’s Orb-O-Rama to get some gas. In order to fill up, you have to be precise in moving through small holes.
Graphics: 1.0
I give it credit for sprite scaling on the ship. That’s all.
Sound: 1.0
The looping song isn’t enjoyable and the sound effects are plain.
Gameplay: 1.5
Getting the angle of the ship right to go where you want was not intuitive.
Difficulty: 2.0
Some puzzles are easy to understand. Others are not so much.
Fun Factor: 1.0
Very quirky, but not very fun.
Overall Rating: 1.3
Orb-3D earns a D+. If you really want a puzzle game that is kind of Pongish, give it a try, but don’t expect a masterpiece. This is akin to Krohn’s Disease.