Developer: ITL Co. Publisher: Taito Release: 08/93 Genre: Action
The NES enjoyed a longer life than almost every system on the market save the PlayStation 2. While we enjoyed many a classic with the little grey box it was only a matter of time before it would walk into the sunset. While it is usually sad to see console die at least it went out with its head held high. Games like Mega Man 6 and Kirby’s Adventure were true greats as well as unexpected hits like Mighty Final Fight. One of the last games I expected to get a sequel was Bubble Bobble. Bubble Bobble Part 2 was five years removed from the first game. But time did not dull its gameplay making this another great reason to dust off the NES.
Mechanically little has changed from the original. Bub and Bob blow bubbles to trap enemies at which point a head butt or simply running into it will send them flying. There were small nuances such as bouncing as bubbles but that was as complex as it got. New to this game is the ability to take a deep breath and inflate. Once full you can float or unleash a torrent of bubbles in one shot. For those that had trouble performing the bubble bounce this is a god send. The game works around this at times by placing spikes and other hazards in your path but it is still insanely cool. The bubble blast (my personal name for it) helps defeat the stronger enemies that require a multitude of hits to destroy, saving you precious time. With these mechanics the game feels more complete.
Although Bubble Bobble Part 2 did not release in the arcade Taito has still given the game a major visual overhaul. All of the sprites are larger and more detailed with more frames of animation. There are bigger mechanical enemies that occupy large portions of the level that are impressive as well. Taking a cue from similar games like Snow Bros. and Joe and Mac 3 every ten rounds the backgrounds change. The plain black backgrounds have given way to gorgeous environments like forests, castles, and what could pass for the Bubble Bobble version of Hell. The game stretches the NES color palette to the limit to appear vibrant and it works beautifully. Like most of their other late Nintendo titles Bubble Bobble 2 shows their mastery of the hardware.
The visual overhaul is more than just for show. The level design has seen a drastic shift for the better. Rather than a simple collection of platforms there is a greater variety in set pieces. The four themed worlds each have their own unique environmental hazards. The initial giant tower is the closest to the original game. Boomtown introduces large mechanical enemies like Snagger and Twizzer, wind currents that affect gravity, and giant fans that can help or hinder your progress. Shining Lake complicates its layouts by placing enemies in precarious positions. The time limit is strict here making for a harrowing time. The Castle of Fire is a true test of how much you have mastered the mechanics. Some of the toughest enemies inhabit this space and I found myself making suicide runs to complete these stages. The game is generous with its extra lives for a reason.
It is clear that the designers of Bubble Bobble Part 2 were paying attention to the many titles that hit in the wake of the original’s release. Changing the environment every ten or twenty levels does wonders for holding your interest. The introduction of new enemies and mechanics such as moving platforms and invincible enemies like a monster truck wildly change your approach to a level. Even the bosses have seen an overhaul. These encounters are more frequent and take place in unique arenas. The game gets insanely creative with some of these fights and I almost wish the game were longer just to see what they would come up with next. However this is slightly shorter and easier than its predecessor. This is probably why there are no passwords to save progress. While you can blast through the game quickly this is still a massive oversight.
Surprisingly the bigger exclusion is two-player coop. This is a huge omission and one that I am surprised was removed. Blasting through levels with a buddy was one of the best parts of the first game. Requiring two players to see the true ending was a dick move but whatever, we all make mistakes. I suppose I can see the rationale; the game chugs in many of its levels when too many sprites are present. With two players blowing bubbles as well as many as 7-8 enemies the system might explode. Regardless of the reason it is still a big blow to the game.
In Closing
Bubble Bobble Part 2 is a worthy sequel to the classic original and one of the better NES games released late in its life. This would easily have stood up as an arcade game; the fact that it is a home exclusive and still so good is even better. Unfortunately this is one of the rarest titles for the system; good luck finding it at a decent price. If you do it is worth it.
