Using the L or R shoulder buttons, you can utilise these skills in-game, though you have a power bar that depletes the more you spam them, so don't forget to keep an eye on that too. Once you have the word in full, you are gifted successions of gimmicky devices to make the gameplay more varied. E-X-T-E-N-D mode allows you to collect various power-ups throughout the level hubs by simply collecting the word EXTEND across the sub levels. I found it rather jarring as the levels could quite honestly have just been set anywhere since their theme bore zero relation to what you had to do bubble up enemies and mindlessly collect fruit.Ģ020's incarnation of the franchise includes a couple of fresh additions that aim to enhance the gameplay somewhat. The game kicks off in a child's bedroom, with stages named after the bedside furniture, but when the stages start you simply have the blurred out image of the bedroom in the background, with generic level-themed platforms placed on top of this. The inclusion of the original 1986 coin-op game is a welcome one, so that you can directly compare the original, quirky, bottled-lightning title that inspired so many games over the years. But in comparison, looking directly at this 2020 incarnation, you can't help but feel that it really doesn't push itself far enough. Bubble Bobble 4 Friends builds on the original's arcade legacy by offering 100 levels split into two tiers: 50 fun, light-hearted levels and 50 challenging versions of those stages, making it harder than hard in some cases.
I wondered how this game would modernise and update the three-and-a-half decades-old formula, and how it would remain relevant in 2020. Now, 34 years after the original's release, Taito have rolled out Bubble Bobble 4 Friends for the Nintendo Switch, but will it prove to be as incredible now as the original was then?įiring it up, I was immediately taken back to the Commodore 64 days, a simpler time with simpler games. Honestly, I had kind of forgotten about this series, which consistently released almost 20 spin-offs or sequels, up until around 2009, where it all but seemingly dropped off of everyone's radar. The original Bubble Bobble came out to rapturous praise, with reviewers enthusiastic that the fast-paced and colourful arcade magic had been successfully captured for home consoles and portables, with its challenging and addictive gameplay set across a hundred levels. With its highly acclaimed "milestone gameplay" thanks to the determination of developer Fukio Mitsuji, Taito strove to up the ante of their gaming credentials in comparison to those of their direct peer Namco's incredibly high-quality output.
Amongst a multitude of notable releases that year including Castlevania, Arkanoid, Wonderboy, Outrun, and Rampage, Taito unleashed Bub and Bob on the world. 1986 in specific was the year when arcade gaming had really rooted deeply into the societal psyche and exploded into a cultural phenomenon that would endure decades, and home consoles such as the Sega Master System were starting to deliver arcade ports to your living room. Hardcover book, providing fascinating insights into Bubble BobbleĢ sheets with a stylish marquee and artwork stickersĪs we mentioned, pre-orders don’t go live until next week, but you can bookmark the standard edition here, and the collector’s edition here.Īre you keen to pick either of these up? Let us know down in the comments.The mid to late '80s were a wondrous time for gamers. Original soundtrack from TAITO's legendary "House Band" Zuntata (includes the soundtrack from Bubble Bobble 4 Friends and the original music from Bubble Bobble) High-quality collectors box with magnetic closure The standard edition is currently listed at 39.99, while the collector’s edition will set you back 89.99.Įxclusive cover with individual numbering It releases on 19 November in Europe and Australasia, with an unspecified 2020 release date pencilled in for North America.įans looking to pre-order these physical versions of the games will be able to do so from next week, with pre-orders going live on 27 October.
The latest entry in the series will feature 100 brand new levels, and will come with another 100 stages in the form of the original Bubble Bobble arcade game.
Upcoming Swith exclusive Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is getting a physical release - along with a collector’s edition set - courtesy of Strictly Limited Games.