Summary
Bubble Bobbleis easily one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking about arcade gaming. This franchise achieved great commercial success during the 80s and 90s thanks to its addictive gameplay formula and the unique charm of the series' protagonists, the little dragons Bub and Bob, who still get their own merchandise.
Over time, the franchise spawned numerous sequels, many of which failed to live up to the excitement of the original game. However, there are some good entries in the series that should be played by all fans of this franchise. But which Bubble Bobble games are the best?
Bubble Bobble Plus!is aremake of the first game in the series, released in 2009 for the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. The game plays exactly the same as the original game, with virtually no differences in the core gameplay, which provides the same, endlessly addictive arcade fun. The main difference lies in the number of playable characters, as the game does allow for 4-player multiplayer, as new female dragons Peb and Pab join the adventure as the yellow and pink-purple dragons respectively.
Other than that, the game offers hundreds of new stages, which feature new boss fights and new hazards. Overall, the game is much more difficult to complete compared to the original, whichmakes it a perfect challengefor veterans of the franchise.
Bubble Symphony,also known asBubble Bobble II, was originally released in 1994 for arcades, and in 1997 for Sega Saturn. Over time, the game received only one official port, which is featured in the collectionTaito Legends 2, released on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 2.Bubble Symphonykeeps the sameaddictive gameplay formula as the original game, but it brings some new elements to the table. For starters, there are four playable characters in this game, as Kululun and Cororon join Bubblun and Bobblun from the first game.
Each character now has unique characteristics instead of playing exactly the same. For example, Bobblun has faster shooting but lower range, while Kululun is the exact opposite, having the longest range at the price of being the slowest character. There are multiple boss fights throughout the adventure, branching paths that lead to different sets of levels, and there’s evena whole secret worldthat requires players to collect specific items to be unlocked.
Bubble Memories: The Story Of Bubble Bobble 3was originally released for arcades in 1996, and has so far received only one home console port, which can be found inTaito Memories II Volume 1,a Japan-exclusive PlayStation 2 release. This game builds on the foundations set by its predecessor, and it doesn’t really add much new to that. There’s a new art style, which is incredibly cute, and there are some new power-ups, such as the ability to create giant bubbles, which are mostly used against giant enemies.
Other than that, the game lacks some of the new features introduced by its predecessor, such as Kululun and Cororon, who are absent in this game, and character traits, as Bub and Bob play exactly the same once again. Despite this, the better level selection and art direction give this game a slight advantage over its predecessor.
The latest release in the series,Bubble Bobble 4 Friendsoriginally came out in 2019 on Nintendo Switch, while a PlayStation 4 version followed in 2020. The game returns to the original game’s formula, losing all the additions made by later sequels. There are 50 new stages, which can be played on two levels of difficulty, and there’s even the original game featured as a bonus mode.
The biggest draw for this gameis the multiplayer functionality, which allows for up to 4 players to play simultaneously. Bub and Bob are once again joined by Peb and Pab, and even when playing along, the player is allowed to choose whatever dragon they want. A free update, dubbedThe Baron is Back,was released to coincide with the PlayStation 4 launch of the game, which introduced new stages, some of which include new types of hazards never before seen in the franchise.
The originalBubble Bobblestill holds the crown as the best game in the franchise. Originally released in 1986 for arcades, this game has received countless ports over the years, and there’s a reason why. Its arcade gameplay, while certainly very outdated by today’s gaming standards, is still as fun and addictive as it was back in 1986, and it’s so easily accessible that it can draw in players of all ages and skills.
The game’s concept is so simple on paper yet so challenging that it’s impossible not to love it, and there’s a unique charm to the game’s 8-bit aesthetic. WhileBubble Bobblewill probably never beremembered as fondly as other 80s classics,such asPac-Man,it will always be one of those safe releases capable of providing everlasting fun for every gaming generation to come.
