Bubble Bobble also featuring Rainbow Islands

aka: Bubble Bobble/Rainbow Islands
Moby ID: 788
DOS Specs
Buy on SEGA Saturn
$62.62 used on eBay
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/28 8:45 AM )
Original

Description official description

Bubble Bobble: One or two players attempt to save their friends in this re-release of the 1987 classic puzzle/action game. Players blow bubbles to trap enemies. When they pop the bubbles, fruit comes out and the players compete for the points. If they don't pop the bubbles in time, the enemies escape and become faster.

Rainbow Islands: One or two players. Rainbow Islands is the sequel to Bubble Bobble. Instead of bubbles, you create rainbows. The highly versatile rainbow can be used as bridges, as platforms, or as a weapon. You can shoot a rainbow at an enemy, you can trap it inside, or you can drop a rainbow on an enemy from above.

Groups +

Screenshots

Credits (SEGA Saturn version)

49 People · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 69% (based on 17 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.9 out of 5 (based on 25 ratings with 2 reviews)

Two of Taito’s classic hits in one box

The Good
Bubble Bobble featuring Rainbow Islands is the collection of the two hottest games ever to hit the arcades, and is a compilation designed for both PSX and PC. There is actually a third game included as well, but I’ll discuss this game later.

In Bubble Bobble, you play one of two dinosaurs that must rescue their girlfriends. You have to survive all 100 rounds trapping several enemies in bubbles, and then popping them. When you do this, they turn into fruit, which you can pick up for points. Help is always on its way, with bubbles containing thunderbolts, fire, and water, which can be used against your enemies. Get bubbles with the letters EXTEND separately to be awarded an extra life. The last round features a boss that takes quite a number of hits from thunderbolts to destroy, and the ending you’ll receive will be either good or bad, depending on whether you played with a friend. Highly addictive.

In Rainbow Islands, there are seven islands consisting of four rounds each. In each one of them, you must make your way towards the top of the screen, shooting all living wildlife with rainbows. In every last round, there is a nasty boss waiting to wipe you out. An enemy will leave behind a gem if you manage to wipe out two or more enemies at once. Collecting seven gems will not only gain you an extra life, but you’ll also be able to collecting one of the seven huge gems. Collect them all to reveal the seven hidden islands, where you will be able to collect three mirrors. Like in Bubble Bobble, you have a good and bad ending. If you follow my advice, then youÂ’ll receive the good ending, otherwise it’s the bad ending.

I stated earlier that there is a third game. This third game is basically an enhanced version of Rainbow Islands. The difference between this and the original game is that the graphics are a lot better, and there are detailed backgrounds rather than the blue or back background or whatever color Taito decided to use. For the sounds overall, there is sound support for Adlib, Sound Blaster, and MPU-401. The version of Bubble Bobble that you’ll get to play is almost identical to the coin-op version, regardless of which sound card you choose. In fact, all the games have the same sounds that you’ve heard from the coin-op version.

The Bad
As a result, the sounds became all static whether I run the pack from Windows or MS-DOS, but other than that, there were no bugs found, and the game was playable.

The Bottom Line
The only thing I have to say about this pack is that I hope you play better than I did. I’m absolute crap at Rainbow Islands. Since Taito developed the Bubble Bubble/Rainbow Islands compilation, I’d like to see another one containing Chase H.Q., Bonze Adventure, and Operation Wolf. And not just for the PSX 2.

DOS · by Katakis | カタキス (43092) · 2003

A perfect remake.

The Good
This is without a doubt one of the best computer game retouches ever. Screw Rainbow Islands; I'm talking about Bubble Bobble - Rainbow Islands was just a bonus. But Bubble Bobble was one of my favorite games on the XT, and boy did I play this one to death.

The remake is simply amazing: revamped graphics that still stay true to the original, excellent music, good controls and the gameplay retains the charm of the original game without taking anything away from it. Simply magnificent!

The Bad
The addition of Rainbow Islands was really stupid (as was the game)... more importantly, I never find it in stores and was forced to play a pirated version. Oh well, life is tough :-)

The Bottom Line
A faithful and overall excellent remake of a true classic. Just make sure you stay away from Rainbow Islands.

DOS · by Tomer Gabel (4539) · 2000

Trivia

Secret levels

On the PC, neither Bubble Bobble nor Rainbow Islands contain the secret levels found in the arcade versions.

Treasure rooms

In levels 20, 30 and 40, you will get an item that transports you to one of three treasure rooms -- if neither of the two players lost a life up to then. Reaching the first chamber is easy with some experience, no. 2 is a lot harder, and the final one is virtually impossible to get to. If you're one hell of a player and reach level 50 without life loss, a secret door transports you straight to level 70.

Each treasure room features a message written in code. The first room text is "IF YOU WANT TO BECOME THE OLD FIGURE, USE THE POWER OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP, AND FIGHT WITH ME!", which means that you should fight the end boss with two players.
Room 2 reads "I ENCLOSED THESE MAGICAL MEDICINE HERE, BECAUSE THOSE ARE MY WORST FEARS" and hints to the way the end boss can be beat.
The last message is "IF YOU WANT TO GET BACK YOUR LOVE OF TRUTH, YOU MUST HELP EACH OTHER UNTIL THE LAST", which most likely again refers to using two players.

Analytics

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Rainbow Islands
Released 1988 on NES, 1993 on SEGA Master System
Rainbow Islands
Released 1990 on Amiga, 2001 on Game Boy Color, 2004 on Windows...
Rainbow Islands Extra
Released 1988 on Arcade, Genesis, FM Towns
Classic Bubble Bobble
Released 1999 on Game Boy Color
Bubble Bobble
Released 1988 on SEGA Master System
Bubble Bobble Revolution
Released 2005 on Nintendo DS
Bubble Bobble: Part 2
Released 1993 on Game Boy
Bubble Bobble Part 2
Released 1993 on NES
Bubble Bobble
Released 1988 on DOS, 1990 on Game Boy, Windows...

Related Sites +

  • The Bub and Bob Page
    Site containing information about Bubble Bobble and related games, such as the Bust-a-Move/Puzzle Bobble series.

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 788
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by bubandbob.

PlayStation added by Roedie. SEGA Saturn added by Terok Nor.

Additional contributors: Patrick Bregger, piltdown_man.

Game added January 24, 2000. Last modified March 19, 2024.