Zuma Deluxe

Survive the ancient temples of Zuma, the critically acclaimed action-puzzler from PopCap, Deep in the jungle lie hidden temples bursting with traps and trickery, and it's up to you to uncover their treasures. Fire magical balls from your stone frog idol to make matches of three or more and clear the 
deadly chain before it reaches the golden skull, Explore all the temples, if you're good, you'll rack up huge combos and special bonuses that'll help you on your way. But think fast and aimsmart, or you'll be history in this action-packed puzzle challenge.
Zuma is a 2003 tile-matching puzzle video game developed by Oberon Media and published by PopCap Games. It was released for a number of platforms, including PDAs, mobile phones, and the iPod.
An enhanced version, called Zuma Deluxe, was released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X as well as an Xbox Live Arcade download for the Xbox 360 and a PlayStation Network download for the PlayStation 3. It is also included with the PlayStation 3 retail version of Bejeweled 3, along with Feeding Frenzy 2.
Zuma received the 2004 "Game of the Year" award from RealArcade.
== Gameplay ==
The objective of Zuma is to eliminate all of the balls rolling around the screen along a given path (the path is clearly visible in all of the levels except for the last level) with other balls before these balls reach the yellow skull structure, which will open to varying degrees as a warning of oncoming balls. The player can carry two balls at a time and can switch at any time. As soon as one ball reaches the skull, the others follow and the player loses a life. To prevent the balls from reaching the skull, the player can eliminate the balls by firing a colored ball from the stone frog idol's mouth towards the chain of balls that will continue to push forward until the player fills the yellow bar, which is when the balls will stop producing off-screen. When three or more of the same color come in contact, they explode, possibly triggering other explosions as part of a chain reaction. The level is completed when after the bar is filled, the player eliminates all of the balls on the screen.
There are bonuses for collecting coins (usually through gaps), for causing explosions through gaps of other balls, and chains for having a streak of always causing an explosion with each consecutive ball (coins and chain bonuses are a quick way to fill the bar). Time bonuses are also awarded if a player completes the level within ace time – ranging from thirty seconds to four minutes depending on the level.
Four different types of power-ups show up in the balls, which can be activated by exploding the ball with the power-up. The backwards ball pushes the furthest-out chain (depending on if all of the balls are connected) backwards for a short length of time. The slow-down ball slows the speed of the chain of balls for a short length of time. The accuracy ball allows quicker shots and points an arrow at where the ball will be shot (this stays active for about the same amount of time as the slow-down ball; however, the size of the balls must be considered). The explosion ball explodes all of the balls within a small radius of the ball at the spot and time of its explosion. If not exploded quickly, power-up balls will return to their regular state after some time.
=== Adventure mode ===
Each regular adventure begins with three lives (represented by frogs in the upper-left hand corner of the screen), but extra lives are earned with every 50,000 points. Shooting a coin with a ball, making multiple groups of balls explode with a single shot, earning chain bonuses, shooting through gaps in the balls, or finishing a level within a certain period of time (called ace time) will give extra points.
The levels are organized into temples, and the initial temple consists of three "worlds" of five levels each (the fifth level in each stage is unique in having two tracks of balls instead of the usual one). No level in the first world contains tunnels, and the first level of each world is tunnelless.
Worlds one to three have four colors of balls: red, blue, green, and yellow, worlds four to six add purple, and from world seven on, white is added in the variety. Levels are eventually added to worlds: The second temple, which contains worlds four to six, has six levels, while the third temple, which contains worlds seven to nine, has seven levels. The fourth and final temple (which is hidden until a player unlocks world ten for the first time) contains worlds ten to twelve, which also consists of seven levels each. Worlds ten to twelve are essentially the same as seven to nine, but for each level, 5,000 points must be scored to completely fill the Zuma bar. Also, the balls come out further at the start of the level, and the chain of balls moves along slightly faster. If the player loses all of their lives, the game ends, and they must start again at the beginning of the last stage they advanced up. However, if the player is able to beat all 12 worlds and 4 temples, they are taken to the 13th and final world where it has only one level which is the "Space" level where it is longer than all previous levels, has less color-grouping among the balls, and has no visible path for the balls to follow. This level and the 13th world cannot be accessed without first completing world twelve which is because there is no associated temple for world 13. Upon beating this level, the player wins the game (if a player fails to beat the Space level (13–1), they must beat all of world twelve again before getting another chance to win). All the remaining lives at the end of a game are each worth 50,000 additional points to add on to the final score.
=== Gauntlet mode ===
Zuma also offers the gauntlet mode, where a player can choose to play in a level they have already reached in adventure mode, and either practice to beat the level, or play in survival mode, where the difficulty in colors and speed of balls will gradually increase. The level classifications of the gauntlet mode, in order, are Rabbit, Eagle, Jaguar, and Sun God. A player is required to fill seven stages in practice mode or seven yellow bars in survival mode before advancing to the next level. Upon reaching Sun God, in which the balls move in constant speed even when nearing the skull, a player can continue endlessly, since the level classification has no limit in both stages and bars.
Zuma Deluxe/Game Mechanics
== Stages/Temples ==
=== Temple of Zulkulkan ===
==== Stage 1 ====
* Spiral of Doom
* Osprey Talon
* Riverbed Mosaic
* Breath of Ehecatl
* Dark Vortex
==== Stage 2 ====
* When Spirals Attack
* Mud Slide
* Rorschach
* Mouth of Centeotl
* Snake Pit
==== Stage 3 ====
* Landing Pad
* Altar of Tlaloc
* Codex of Mixtec
* Shrine of Quetzalcoatl
* Mirror Serpent
=== Quetzal Quatl ===
==== Stage 4 ====
* Spiral of Doom
* Osprey Talon
* Riverbed Mosiac
* Breath of Ehecatl
* Dark Vortex
* Switchback
==== Stage 5 ====
* When Spirals Attack
* Mud Slide
* Rorschach
* Mouth of Centeotl
* Snake Pit
* Sand Garden
==== Stage 6 ====
* Landing Pad
* Altar of Tlaloc
* Codex of Mixtec
* Shrine of Quetzalcoatl
* Mirror Serpent
* Sun Stone
=== Popo Poyolli ===
==== Stage 7 ====
* Spiral of Doom
* Osprey Talon
* Riverbed Mosiac
* Breath of Ehecatl
* Dark Vortex
* Switchback
* Long Range
==== Stage 8 ====
* When Spirals Attack
* Mud Slide
* Rorschach
* Mouth of Centeotl
* Snake Pit
* Sand Garden
* Lair of the Mud Snake
==== Stage 9 ====
* Landing Pad
* Altar of Tlaloc
* Codex of Mixtec
* Shrine of Quetzalcoatl
* Mirror Serpent
* Sun Stone
* Zumaic Exodus
=== Secret Shrine of Zuma ===
==== Stage 10 ====
* Spiral of Doom
* Osprey Talon
* Riverbed Mosiac
* Breath of Ehecatl
* Dark Vortex
* Switchback
* Long Range
==== Stage 11 ====
* When Spirals Attack
* Mud Slide
* Rorschach
* Mouth of Centeotl
* Snake Pit
* Sand Garden
* Lair of the Mud Snake
==== Stage 12 ====
* Landing Pad
* Altar of Tlaloc
* Codex of Mixtec
* Shrine of Quetzalcoatl
* Mirror Serpent
* Sun Stone
* Zumaic Exodus
==== Stage 13 ====
* Space
== Development ==
The development of Zuma Deluxe, released in 2003, was initiated by the game development company PopCap Games. The specific inspiration or catalyst that led to the creation of Zuma Deluxe is not widely documented, but it can be understood within the broader context of PopCap Games' focus on casual and accessible gameplay experiences.
PopCap Games, known for creating addictive puzzle games, aimed to develop Zuma Deluxe as a captivating and engaging title for a wide audience. The game drew inspiration from various classic puzzle concepts and combined them with unique mechanics, colorful visuals, and a simple yet addictive gameplay loop.
Zuma Deluxe's gameplay revolves around shooting colored balls from a stone frog's mouth to create matches and eliminate chains of balls before they reach the end of the level. The game's mechanics, speed, and level progression were designed to provide a challenging and rewarding experience that kept players engaged.
Zuma Deluxe's success can be attributed to its intuitive gameplay, vibrant graphics, and the addictive nature of trying to create long chains and achieve high scores. It became one of PopCap Games' most popular and influential titles, leading to its availability on various platforms and subsequent sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations.
== Release ==
The game was released on December 12, 2003 for Windows, and January 11, 2006 for MacOSEvery 50,000 points you'll receive an extra life.
== Controversy ==
The Japanese developer Mitchell Corporation claims Zuma infringes on the intellectual property of their 1998 arcade game, Puzz Loop, which was released as Ballistic outside Japan. Mitchell re-released the design in 2006 as the Nintendo DS game Magnetica. PopCap asserted that Zuma was "not an exact clone", with PopCap founder Jason Kapalka saying that he was "happy" with the idea of games being cloned by other developers, so long as the new version added to the gameplay of the game it had copied.
== Trivia ==
* Data miners and modders of Zuma have discovered that levels with three paths are possible. While levels only have one or two paths in the final game, it is assumed that three-path levels were planned at some point in development.
* Zuma appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.
* If you scroll over the Main Menu selections from top to bottom, the notes played are the same 5-note motif from Close Encounters of the Third Kind Information also contributed by Sciere
** Hover on the main menu's buttons in order to play the aforementionned note sequence three times, and an UFO appears. Clicking on it shows the credits.
* The Zuma concept is not new. Popcap borrowed it from Mitchell Corp.'s 1998 arcade game Puzz Loop/Ballistic. In 2004, President Roy Ozaki intended to file a lawsuit against Popcap for IP infringement. The outcome is not known. Mitchell did however rework the game concept in the 2006 Nintendo DS game Magnetica.
* Every 50,000 points you'll receive an extra life.
* If you click on the picture of the frog, his eyes will start following the cursor around the screen.
* According to an interview video found in PopCap Hits Vol. 2, the name "Zuma" is not the name of the frog nor the name of the recurring statue character, but is actually the name of "the ancient civilization that you're exploring in the game".
== Popularity ==
Zuma Deluxe, the delightful tile-matching puzzle game developed by PopCap Games, gained immense popularity when it was first released. Let’s dive into its journey:
# Initial Release:
#* Zuma Deluxe was initially released in 2003.
#* It quickly captured players’ attention with its addictive gameplay and vibrant graphics.
# Gameplay:
#* In Zuma Deluxe, players control a frog-shaped idol that shoots colored balls from its mouth.
#* The goal is to match three or more balls of the same color to eliminate them before they reach the skull-shaped hole.
#* The game features various levels, power-ups, and challenging puzzles.
# Popularity Factors:
#* Addictive Gameplay: The simple yet engaging gameplay kept players hooked.
#* Casual Appeal: Zuma appealed to both casual gamers and seasoned players.
#* Colorful Graphics: The vibrant visuals and jungle-themed setting added to its charm.
#* Soundtrack: The catchy soundtrack enhanced the overall experience.
# Legacy:
#* Zuma Deluxe became a classic in the casual gaming world.
#* It inspired sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations for various platforms.
#* The game’s popularity led to its availability on platforms like PC, Xbox, and mobile devices.
# Nostalgia:
#* Even years after its release, players fondly remember Zuma Deluxe as a game that provided hours of entertainment.
In summary, while Zuma Deluxe may not dominate headlines today, its legacy endures, and it remains a beloved title among gamers.
== Gallery ==
see Zuma Deluxe/Gallery
== Sounds ==
see Zuma Deluxe/Sounds
Category:2000s
Category:2003
Category:Zuma
Category:PopCap Games
Category:Puzzle
Category:Tile-matching
Category:Deluxe
Category:Electronic Arts
Category:Controversial Media
Category:Video Games