Where to get it

Steam

2007 · HipSoft · Business simulation · Simulation

Build-a-lot

Nintendo console exclusive

Send the housing market through the roof as you build, buy, and sell houses in the new strategy game, Build-a-lot! You can flip houses for quick cash or sit back and watch the rental income pile up. Become a real estate mogul as you visit scenic towns, earn huge profits and perform special favors for the colorful local mayors. Can you build a new cinema for the local movie star?

Released: 3 October 2007
Platforms: Android Nintendo DS Windows macOS
Genres: Business simulation Simulation
Developers: HipSoft
Publishers: HipSoft MumboJumbo
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Country: United States
Age ratings: GRAC ALL ESRB E
Languages: English
Time to beat: 6hmain story9hcompletionist

About

Build-a-lot is a 2007 casual video game for Microsoft Windows. The object of the game is to construct, upgrade and sell houses for profits. They can flip houses for quick cash or collect rent to make funds go up. Players help mayors from eight different areas and through 35 different levels to complete the game.

Build-a-lot was created by HipSoft. It has also been ported to Mac OS X by Red Marble Games. In 2009 it was ported to mobile phones, iOS systems and BlackBerry's by Glu Mobile. It was ported to the Nintendo eShop and DSI shop on August 18, 2011.

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The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

There are two game modes in Build-a-lot: career mode and casual mode. In career mode, the object is to complete levels in which the player is assigned a set of tasks. In casual mode, the object is to meet a cash balance goal in the shortest time possible.

In career mode, the player's object is to complete a set of tasks in an individual game scenario, or "level". After doing so, they can advance to the next scenario. Once a level is completed, that level is available for play to that player on a continuing basis. Career mode has a total of thirty-five different levels, which are grouped together in eight different "neighborhoods" of between three and five levels.

Reception

Build-a-lot was the #1 Action/Arcade game of 2007 on Big Fish Games. Build-a-lot was Casual-Game-of-the-Week at killerbetties.com, who highlighted the simple but smooth and pleasing animation, sound effects and surprisingly fun micromanagement. It was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Yahoo! Games users.

It was named Big Fish Games "Action/Arcade Game of the Year", and RealArcade named it "Strategy Game of the Year". It received a nomination for "Downloadable Game of the Year" during the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.