Foregoing the Aquarium mode present in 'Action,'
Big Bass Fishing has only 3 main modes. Arcade puts you out in a boat with a time limit and a fish quota. Competition Mode is made up of 5 different sub-contests, and Challenge Mode is built on 3 different styles of play. The Challenge Mode like Arcade is timed, but with a specific goal for the type of fish and size. Once levels are opened up in Challenge, you can take them into Competition. Each choice in Competition Mode is based on different criteria for success. Generally speaking, you're either looking for the biggest amount of fish, the single biggest catch, or the lowest time with the most fish. Or, you can just practice, without the pressure of time.
I won't insult your intelligence by pointing out that all those modes sound pretty much exactly like one another, but I will say that I was shocked to find that once in my boat, I couldn't even troll around the lake. The boat has a mysterious way of only moving left and right, set to the requisite 'motor boat sound.' Once you feel you're far enough left or right, you pick a lure and cast. The casting mechanism is you watching the person on the boat pull her line back and hitting a button when you feel she's pulled back far enough. Imprecise? Sure it is! When the lure hits the water, you'll switch to an underwater view and see the fish float through water, rock, boats, docks...all thanks to the magic of poor edge detection. Once a fish bites, you set the hook and reel him in. Periodically, you'll be favored with a look at the fish jumping out of the water, and the caption, ''It's a jumper!!'' You have to keep track of line tension or risk breaking a line and going through the whole miserable process again. One incredibly realistic touch I noticed was the inclusion of power-ups underwater where you can snag them with your lure and give yourself 'super' reeling and luring power or a time bonus. Why oh why?
