The more cryptic puzzles don't make up the majority, though, and most are quite fun. One challenge features Homestar preparing to audition for Pom-Pom's band, but his stage fright is holding him back. Strong Bad assures Homestar to sing the lyrics he does know, and when he gets stuck, to glance at Strong Bad for guidance. When you're ready, place a record (which you must find) on Pomp-Pom's sound system, wait for Homestar to take the dance floor, and listen closely to his lyrics. The last word he says will rhyme with a particular food item found on different tables in Pom-Pom's club. Click on the appropriate food item that most closely matches Homestar's last word to make Strong Bad dash over and point at it. If correct, the armless wonder will continue his soothing serenade.

Unlike the first two episodes, Baddest of the Bands doesn't offer many side quests or distractions until the narrative has run its course. You won't be able to repair the Fun Machine until the end of the story, so those feeling frustrated with a puzzle can't go to Strong Bad's house for a bit of mindless gaming until the solution pops up in their head. Walking around with a metal detector and visiting the photo booth are still options, but those have more or less run their course in these games -- it really is time for something new.

Just as long as that "something new" is fun, of course. One new addition to Strong Bad's inventory is a microphone. When selected, Strong Bad rocks out by wailing incoherently. If you happen to be standing in the right spot in a particular scene, a box containing a secret item such as instruction manual pages or a shot glass will appear. Sorry, but walking around shrieking into a microphone isn't my idea of a good time.


The Fun Machine's featured game, Limozeen: Hot Babelian Odyssey, is a good deal of fun, and is worth sticking around after the credits roll. A scrolling shooter, Hot Babelian Odyssey challenges you to shoot aliens intent on capturing helpless humans. The up and down arrow keys control the ship's movement, while the right arrow key fires a laser, the left arrow key drops a bomb, and Control initiates a tractor beam used to pull humans up to safety. It's arguably the best video game featured in a Strong Bad episode yet -- until the Trogdor arcade machine in Strong Bad's basement gets fixed, of course.

Baddest of the Bands is a fine addition to the Strong Bad series, but it's just not as interesting as the first two entries, especially Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free. There aren't too many obtuse puzzles, but those that are present are overly aggravating, and the lack of side quests only compounds frustration, as distractions in adventure games are great when you need a break from over-thinking a puzzle. The premise of Episode 4 looks excellent, and will surely appeal to devoted "sbemail" readers who have anticipated a new entry in a certain fictional movie series, but as it stands, Baddest of the Bands is the first mediocre entry in the series.