Bubble Bobble -- Tatio (Arcade) 1986, Firebird 1987

Game Analysis

Graphics (10/10)
Sound (9/10)
Controls (8/10)
Game play (9/10)
Overall (10/10)

    In Bubble Bobble, you play the lovable dinosaurs Bub and Bob.  You aid them in their quest to find their girlfriends who were kidnaped and put deep into the "Magical Cave of Monsters."  You have to "blow" your way (with bubbles of course) through one hundred levels of baddies to rescue your companions.  When you reach level 100 be prepared for a big surprise!  That is if you can ever make it there...  Good Luck!

    Bubble Bobble was originally a successful arcade game released way back (has it been that long?) in 1986.  Bubble Bobble has been ported to other systems and game machines, including Nintendo, Playstation, IBM PC, Amiga, and of course the C-64.  The CO-OP version may be the best, but the Commodore 64 version comes close to delivering the excitement of the arcade.  Most elements of the CO-OP version are ported over (secret rooms),  but a few details (Super Bubble Bobble Cheat) are missing from the C-64 incarnation.

    Bubble Bobble's graphics are "cartoonish" but the suit the game well.  The whole story of Bubble Bobble would fit well into a Saturday Morning Series.  The animation of the characters is well rendered.  Bub and Bob's eyes move up when you jump.  Their tails wag (I thought they were supposed to be dinosaurs!)  back in forth to your delight.  The graphics are bright and colorful, and add to the "fun" tone that the game revolves around.  (Graphics -- 10/10)

    You can't really play this game for more than five or ten minutes before the main tune begins to get stuck in your mind!  The music is fantastic in all circumstances, especially the opening song.  I can remember when I used to crank the monitor up when Bubble Bobble was loading.  The other sounds in the game consists of "boings, beeps, and bells,"  My only complaint would be that the enemies have more sound effects.  (Sound -- 9/10)

    Controlling Bub and Bob is relatively simplistic.  You push one button to blow bubbles and up to jump.  The tricky part comes when jumping on top of bubbles.  This can get especially difficult when you have multiple bubbles stacking up.  It presents a challenge to the player, but at times it can be frustrating. (Controls -- 8/10)

    The gameplay in Bubble Bobble is fantastic.  As you move along in the game you encounter new enemies that will force you to change your strategy.  In the earlier levels you can walk up to a Bubble Buster (most basic enemy), blow a bubble, jump up and pop it.  As you progress to the higher levels, you have to worry about enemies that carry their own artillery.  Grumple Grommits, for example, will hurl their canes at you.  Colley (a sort of caterpillar looking creature with a spring on the end) will bounce up to avoid your bubble blowing attack.  This is what has made Bubble Bobble the classic that it is.  The programmers paid great attention to detail.  The game is appealing to children, but it also challenges the older game player as well.  It loses one point for the annoying bubble jumping and that Baron Von Blubba (He will interrupt your game play and guarantee a quick demise for Bub and Bob.)  (Game play -- 9/10)

    Bubble Bobble is one of the classics for the C-64.  Even today this game is still played in arcades, and it is as entertaining now as it was in the 80's.  With a hundred challenging levels, how can you go wrong?  This game will keep you coming back for more, until you defeat it.  After owning this game for eight years, I've never gotten past level 88.  It's one of the most challenging and "cute" games you will ever play.  (Overall -- 10/10)

Title Screen                                                                 A secret place?

The Final Boss (Level 100).... or is it?

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