Zuma Deluxe

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,849 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Zuma Deluxe Game Cover
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"Zuma Deluxe" is an action-packed puzzle game featuring 3D graphics and sound tracks with temples to explore. The goal is to clear a deadly chain of colored balls by firing balls from your stone frog idol to make matches of three or more. With over 20 temples, Adventure and Gauntlet mode, and the opportunity to rack up huge combos and special bonuses, Zuma Deluxe provides a challenging and entertaining experience.

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Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,849 reviews
gameplay27 positive mentions
story4 negative mentions
  • Zuma Deluxe is a nostalgic classic that brings back fond childhood memories for many players.
  • The game features simple yet addictive gameplay, with increasing difficulty that keeps players engaged.
  • It offers a fun and relaxing experience, making it a great time-killer for casual gamers.
  • The later levels can be extremely difficult and frustrating, often relying on RNG, which can lead to a sense of unfairness.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, such as low resolution and problems with fullscreen mode on modern systems.
  • Some players find the gameplay repetitive, as it often requires replaying earlier levels with increased difficulty.
  • gameplay75 mentions

    Zuma Deluxe features simple yet addictive gameplay that combines intuitive mechanics with increasing challenges as players progress through various modes. The vibrant graphics and catchy sound effects enhance the experience, while the game's nostalgic charm and engaging level design keep players returning for more. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive, particularly in later stages, which may detract from the overall experience.

    • “Developed by PopCap Games, it combines simple yet challenging gameplay with vibrant graphics and captivating sound effects.”
    • “The intuitive controls and addictive mechanics make every level a thrilling challenge, rewarding precise aim and quick thinking.”
    • “Its engaging gameplay, charming visuals, and variety of content make it a must-play for puzzle enthusiasts looking for an addictive and entertaining experience.”
    • “There's just something I dislike about the gameplay; it really has little to do with any specific version of the game, it's applicable to all of them.”
    • “I played through 8 stages and honestly I felt many times I was playing the same level with the same mechanics over and over.”
    • “Its gameplay is monotonous, lacks development, and gets boring pretty fast.”
  • graphics71 mentions

    The graphics of Zuma Deluxe are characterized by vibrant and colorful visuals that evoke a nostalgic charm, despite showing their age since the game's original release in 2006. While some players appreciate the engaging art style and lush backgrounds, others note that the graphics can appear outdated and lack modern resolution options. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received for their aesthetic appeal, but they may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to contemporary graphics.

    • “Developed by PopCap Games, it combines simple yet challenging gameplay with vibrant graphics and captivating sound effects.”
    • “Zuma Deluxe takes us on a delightful journey back to the era of classic games with its charming and vibrant visuals.”
    • “The game features colorful and detailed graphics, with lush jungle backdrops and whimsical animations.”
    • “One issue with Zuma Deluxe is that its visuals look dated, as it was originally released in 2006.”
    • “As you'd expect from a game from 2006, the graphics are not too grand and the scaling to a computer monitor in 2022 makes it look a little naff; with that being said, you don't necessarily play Zuma Deluxe for the graphics, more for the gameplay loop.”
    • “All in all, it's a shame they didn't update the visuals or even just upscale the whole thing; otherwise, this game would be perfect.”
  • music61 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, nostalgic quality, enhancing the overall experience with a vibrant and immersive soundtrack that complements the gameplay. Many players find the tunes both enjoyable and fitting, evoking memories of childhood while providing an engaging backdrop to the action. However, some users note that the music can become repetitive or annoying over time, though it remains a significant aspect of the game's charm.

    • “The background music has been created with the happy tears of Mozart himself.”
    • “The satisfying 'pop' sound when balls are eliminated, the joyful chimes of level completion, and the energetic background music create an immersive audio experience.”
    • “Not only that, but the visuals and music stand out because they work in tandem to support each other, sporting a wonderfully pleasant jungle-themed soundtrack while you explore ancient Aztec temples, with dusty and surprisingly varied tracks.”
    • “Those skulls when they open their mouth, it's so creepy and the music ughhhhhhh.”
    • “The OST is quite scary though...”
    • “Zuma takes the puzzle formula and adds a surprising amount of stress with the slow creep toward a game over and the increasingly frantic music.”
  • story30 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the story aspect of the game, with many users noting a lack of depth and engagement in the narrative. While some mention a moral or personal reflection tied to the gameplay, others criticize the absence of a coherent plot or character development, describing the story as minimal or forgettable. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game prioritizes mechanics over storytelling, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative content.

    • “The gripping story changed my life.”
    • “A beautiful story revolving around a small and insignificant frog who must traverse the many hidden temples in order to uncover the secret of Zuma.”
    • “Now, that's a game that has one of the most unique art styles around and jaw-droppingly gorgeous animation to boot and a cute story.”
    • “Either way, your stone frog shooting at a conga line of malicious marbles doesn't contain any story elements.”
    • “You do progress through ancient temples, but there's no plot or explanation for what's going on.”
    • “There's no story, just some text that is forgettable.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is centered around a whimsical and amusing frog character, with players finding joy in its antics, such as shooting balls and engaging in silly behaviors. Many users express nostalgia and fond memories associated with the game's comedic elements, contributing to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience.

    • “Haha, funny frog going brrrrr!”
    • “Buying it on Steam brought me so much nostalgia and many funny memories.”
    • “Funny frog shooting a ball is just hilarious!”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Zuma Deluxe is praised for its endless replayability, making it a must-have for gamers. While some users note that the overall replay value may not be the highest, features like Gauntlet mode and random map practice mode provide enjoyable alternatives that enhance replayability.

    • “Zuma Deluxe offers endless replayability, making it a staple in every gamer's collection.”
    • “Playing the random map in practice mode is a great, replayable alternative for the career mode.”
    • “The replay value isn't the best, but Gauntlet mode has a lot of it!”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express that the game evokes strong emotional responses, bringing back fond memories and a sense of nostalgia. Many find it heartwarming, highlighting the joy and simplicity of classic gaming, with some even reporting it moved them to tears.

    • “This just brought back so many wholesome and fond memories.”
    • “It serves as a heartwarming reminder of the joy and simplicity that old games brought to our lives.”
    • “I cried for the first time this year.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed; while some users report smooth performance on certain platforms, others experience significant issues, including glitches, bugs, and a critical "fatal error" when attempting to enter full screen, necessitating forceful termination of the application.

    • “Runs great on my deck so far.”
    • “Another PopCap port to Steam with glitches and bugs.”
    • “When you try to go full screen, the window freezes with a 'fatal error' and there's no way to close it other than killing it in the task manager.”
    • “I have found no troubleshooting tips that would fix this.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating and tedious, with some levels featuring hidden sections that hinder gameplay and make it difficult to progress. Additionally, the need for extra lives to effectively grind adds to the overall annoyance.

    • “This game was fun at first but then turned into a frustrating, tedious slog where sometimes you can't even shoot orbs because the track they're running on has an entire section hidden from view, making it impossible to contact those orbs with others.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.

    • “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so bad that loading times are unacceptably long, even for simple tasks.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is praised for its simplicity, featuring no online play, updates, or in-game purchases, allowing players to enjoy the game without distractions or additional costs.

    • “No annoying online play, no updates, no in-game purchases, just a game.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is enhanced by fitting music that complements the visuals, which, while considered average for their time, contribute to an overall immersive experience.

    • “The graphics are okay for its time, while the music fits the atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
    • “The haunting sound design and stunning visuals create a truly captivating atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
4-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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