Bubble Bobble Part 2 (NES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete
552A playthrough of Taito's 1993 platform-puzzle game for the NES, Bubble Bobble Part 2.
Bubble Bobble wasn't just a game back in the 1980s. It was a phenomenon. You could go into any arcade, no matter how noisy, and always immediately pick out that earworm of a theme song from the din. The addictive, challenging play rightfully made Taito money hand-over-fist, and thanks in no small part to its excellent 1988 NES port, its popularity has endured like few others. I loved it so much that I even had an original Bubble Bobble arcade cabinet in my bedroom when I was in high school. To call me a fan would be an huge understatement.
It was so popular, in fact, that Bubble Bobble had not just one direct sequel, nor even two: there were actually *three* unique games referred to as Bubble Bobble 2. The first was Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble II (1987). Then there was this video's game, released on the NES and Game Boy in 1993, and finally, the last of the trio, Bubble Symphony (or Bubble Bobble II as it was named in Europe), appeared in arcades in 1994.
I'm actually a bit surprised that Magical Puzzle Popils didn't also get the Bubble Bobble label attached to it, given that both were designed by Taito's utterly genius on-staff game designer MTJ.
Taito really seemed to revel in confusing their fans as much as possible. Is there a *true* Bubble Bobble 2? Is one version "canon"? Well, if I had to guess, I'd say that Bubble Symphony is the *official* official sequel, but I have no idea if Taito ever addressed that question. Does anyone know if there is a definitive answer?
Anyways, all three Bubble Bobble 2s were good games, but this NES game (and its slightly different Game Boy port, called Bubble Bobble Jr. in Japan) is probably the most conservative attempt at a follow-up. It's probably a bit too derivative and it doesn't do much to evolve the mechanics of the original, unlike Bubble Symphony.
The gameplay will immediately be familiar to anyone that spent a moment or two with the first game. You blow bubbles to capture enemies and pop the bubbles to remove the encased baddies from the play field. Items regularly appear on every stage, and picking them up can boost your mobility and firepower, grant point bonuses, destroy every enemy on screen, or transport you to one of three minigames. Your dragon buddy has a couple of new moves this time as well: by holding up you can inflate yourself and float, and holding B will allow you to charge up the bubble shot.
It didn't need to reinvent the wheel, but it does feel all a bit too familiar. The mechanics are all sound and the controls are much improved, but the level design is much more mundane this time, and there are fewer stages, no multiple endings, and the simultaneous two-player option has been axed. Ouch.
The game is fun, for sure, but it doesn't really have that timeless quality that Bubble Bobble and Bubble Symphony nailed so expertly. It feels a bit too rote to feel special and a bit too accommodating with the low difficulty level, but overall it is too good to merely write off as a waste of time.
The graphics really stand out, though. I'm surprised I don't see more people praising this game's looks - for an NES game, they're amazing. The characters are big and well-animated, the larger sprites allow Bub and the enemies to show quite a bit of personality, and the use of color is fantastic. It reminds me a lot of Kirby's Adventure in that regard - it doesn't look 16-bit, but the pastel color palettes and the attention to small details make it one of the best looking games to be released on the NES. The sound is alright, but forgettable. The background music is pleasant, but you won't find yourself humming it after the game is over. I did loved that oddly depressing intro theme, though.
Bubble Bobble Part 2 might not do anything to boost the stock of the series, but if you can go into it without too many expectations, you'll probably enjoy it a fair amount.
If you are considering coughing up the $300-$500 asking price for a copy on eBay, let me give you a quick word of advice. Collectors might spend that because it's a rare title, but if you are looking just to play and have fun, don't waste your money. The quality of the game in no way justifies such an inflated price tag. You'd be far better off getting a flashcart and playing it from there, I promise.
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No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
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