Facebook – Top 100 FAVORITE Video Games: 47

47: Bubble Bobble (Arcade/NES/others, likely)
Developer: Taito
Year: 1986

Calm down, Justin; the reason its better will fall under a new entry at the bottom of the entry, here, under “Classic Moment:” so take a deep breath and wait it out! But, moving forward, Bubble Bobble is an arcade style game (which it should be, since thats where it first debuted) that is so enjoyable, I constantly want to play it even when thinking about it. A 2-player blow-and-pop adventure spanning countless levels (literally, in regards to the systems’ memory ability) with such a high fun factor it puts other games to shame. Let’s talk about Bubble Bobble.

The story is really, really simple. Twin dragons Bub and Bob venture into the Cave of Monsters to find their lost loves and rescue them from a giant wino, whom they may or not be aware is holding them captive… that much is never really explained. But, as a mid-80’s arcade game, the story really wasn’t all that important, was it? It allowed for a reason for the blue and green dragon guys to go from level to level, and provided reason to keep shoving quarters into the machine; resolution. In the time of Mario games, where rescuing a princess was all that mattered, getting to save your girlfriend was a totally viable reason to go into a never-ending “Cave of Monsters”, in my opinion.

Graphically, this game had the right stuff in all the right places; bright colors, tons of things moving and happening on screen, and distinctive sprites for friends and foes alike. Remember, this was 1986, so the game wasn’t going to have the greatest of sprite graphics, really. But with a wide color-palette and proper utilization of colors, everything worked out fine. And don’t even get me started about the music in the game. Its really only one long, winding song that never ends. There is really only one moment of severe difference, and that when Baron Von Bubla shows up, complete with two-second musical cue to usher his menace into the game. But the catchy-yet-simple tone of the single song makes the game that much more fun, providing for something easy to listen to, and something to keep the game fresh in your mind, drawing you back for further play.

Speaking of the play, let’s talk about how awesome and fun this game is. As stated, its an almost never ending series of levels, each more seeming than the last. Strange patterns and shapes populate the maps for you to jump on and tons of beasts roam the terrain for you to simply blow bubbles around and then pop. Its rather straightforward, really; shoot bubble, jump on bubble, eat food. Not that difficult. But as the levels become more complex, the jumping and timing of getting to certain monsters requires such skill and patience that would likely have devoured months upon months worth of allowances in the arcade. Fortunately, if you had the NES version, a password system meant you could start up at any level, at any time. Playing with a second player was essential, too, to get the full enjoyment out of the game.

All in all, Bubble Bobble is one of the all time greats in regards to both the arcade and home console gaming. Simple to learn, difficult to master, the game creates fun moment after fun moment with effortless grace and sheer determination. Never once does it get old and never once does it get so frustrating you have to quit. Moments of panic, aggravation, and pure strife will deter you from finishing, but the conquest is all you’ll crave. Well, that and bottles of unlimited lighting bubbles in the final level with the – I shit you not, now – giant wino. A classic, through and through, Bubble Bobble is a game that will likely never fall in the back half of any 100 list I ever do. And with good reason.

Classic Moment:
Near the end of the leveled maps (and before the fall under a lettering system) comes the moment having a second player is seriously important. One person has to be in place in time to get the crystal ball power up. Doing so presents a book power up to appear on the other side of the map which, if the second player can aim and collect, trasnsports the players a vast number of levels ahead. Its one of those secrets that you couldn’t know about and would have to play 100 times to even figure out, and a moment of pure skill and expert timing. Failure to do so, of course, means dying on purpose to start again, but all the time wasted is worth it when you hear the chime of success and move forward, closer to the giant wino and your loves.

Why Bubble Bobble > Super Mario World:
This one is easy, Justin: re-playability and addictiveness, paired with the joy of playing with a second player. While it would be fair to say that Mario World has equally addictive gameplay, the turn-taking style of two-player Mario titles means that someone is always sitting there, watching the other player try to get through a level. There is no team work involved. In Bubble Bobble, though, two people work together – sometimes completing a level can depend on it! – and sometimes race to get power ups and what have you. It creates a much more fun gaming experience, in my opinion.

the wino in question

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Added February 2, 2017
Man, I love Bubble Bobble. I hope there is a version on Switch that I can buy and play because I will destroy that shit like it is nothing. LIKE IT IS NOTHING.