After having played the second episode greatness that is Strong Badia the Free, I was really looking forward to my monthly helping of Strong Bad and crew with Baddest of the Bands. Unfortunately, while this third episode was overall entertaining and fun to play, it doesn’t improve from the previous one. In fact, it takes a step back, which is obviously a bit disappointing.

The story begins when Strong Bad’s beloved Fun Machine (suspiciously resembling an Atari 2600, with controllers that look remarkably like those from the NES) breaks, preventing him from playing Limozeen’s Hot Babelian Odyssey. He takes the Fun Machine to Bubs to get it fixed, but is flabbergasted when Bubs tells him that it’ll cost a “big sack o’ cash”. Naturally, the boxing-gloved antihero thinks of the most indirect, harebrained idea to earn the money – by putting on a “Battle Royale of the Bands”. But first he must recruit some celebrity judges, and who better to judge a rock face-off than the greatest band in the world, Limozeen?

There are a few new additions to Baddest of the Bands. One is that in the PC version, the pictures you take in the photo booth can now be shared with friends via email. Also, another room in the illustrious House of Strong is available for public viewing (and clicking). Strong Mad’s bedroom is now open, and I nearly spewed water all over my laptop after examining his closet, so you have been warned. The Limozeen game is playable once you get the Fun Machine fixed. Like the previous playable minigames, Limozeen’s Hot Babelian Odyssey is a tribute to 8-bit arcade classics. This time, you’re tasked to saving hot groupies from being abducted by evil aliens.

Unfortunately, there are also some differences in this episode that aren’t so great. There’s no Teen Girl Squad minigame, which is disappointing since those are entertaining and the highlights of the previous two episodes. The unlucky girls still make an appearance as part of an item in Strong Bad’s inventory, but it’s fleeting and you can’t even re-click on that item to re-experience it. The Extended Play session is less appealing this time around since even more trophies and achievements aren’t obtainable after you finish the game. This forces completionists to replay the entire game. While it’s not very long – a typical episode is about four hours – some people may not wish to spend time replaying the game just to discover every form of Strong Bad Abuse or Sign of Affection.

The worst part of Baddest of the Bands is that not only does it not improve upon Strong Badia the Free, but it actually takes a step back. The puzzles seem too random, the jokes and one-liners aren’t quite as funny, and overall the game just doesn’t flow as smoothly. In fact, some of it was kind of annoying, such as Coach Z’s obsession with Marzipan.