Buzz! Master Quiz

By Sam Collins

After a successful series of titles on the PlayStation 2, Sony and developers Relentless Software are bringing everyone’s favourite quiz-show game to the handheld arena with Buzz! Quiz Master for the PlayStation Portable. Replacing the previous titles’ game show-themed controller will be the four PSP face buttons with gameplay similar to that of the console series – you hit the button that corresponds with the onscreen answer.

The essence of this Buzz title remains faithful to the tried and tested formula with its game-show presentation, talking Muppet-like host and a slew of questions played out in six all new rounds like Picture This, a picture recognition round; Quickfire Challenge, which - as the name suggests - revolves around rapidly answering questions; and Virus Challenge, where players race against the clock to answer questions correctly while a deadly game-show virus eats away at their point total. This time around questions will be based on general knowledge so be prepared to rack your brain on a variety of topics from sports and nature to film and music.

Single-player is set up with a branching quiz structure starting with a series of three rounds where players will need to obtain bronze, silver or gold medals to advance and unlock up to twelve additional rounds. Also unlocked during solo play are trophies marking specific accomplishments such as answering a question in less than half a second.

As with any Buzz title, multiplayer is where it’s at and the PSP version is no different. Up to six players can participate in quiz-filled goodness by passing around one PSP in the aptly named Pass Around round (no I didn’t just make that up) that allows you to select which player is up next after checking the question's subject matter. Alternatively you will be able to activate wireless local play which supports game sharing for up to four different players and go at it with the Fastest Finger and Quiz Host game modes.

Boasting 5000 unique questions, of which 1000 will have images or videos accompanying them, Buzz! Master Quiz is set to be the largest Buzz game to date and looks to be a solid addition to any quiz / game-show / puzzle gamers collection. Buzz! Master Quiz is estimated to show up in NZ stores sometimes around the latter half of June, stay tuned to NZGamer.com for more Buzz! coverage featuring a full review in the future.

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