Bubble Bobble Part 2, known in Japan as Bubble Bobble 2 (バブルボブル2) is a game in the Bubble Bobble series. While it was never released in the arcade, two versions of the game were developed independently from each other (for the NES and Game Boy systems), with each game receiving a different story line as a result. The Game Boy version is known in Japan as Bubble Bobble Junior (バブルボブルジュニア).
| Bubble Bobble Part 2 | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | ITL Co., Ltd. (NES) Taito (GB) OLM |
| Publisher(s) | Taito |
| Director(s) | Takashi Shiokawa |
| Designer(s) | Yoshihisa Akashi Tiger Kawano |
| Programmer(s) | Kenichi Hiza |
| Artist(s) | Hirotogu Ichisumi Yoshihisa Akashi |
| Composer(s) | Kenichi Kamio |
| Platform(s) | NES/Famicom, Game Boy |
| Release | NES/FamicomGame Boy |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer (NES only) |
Plot
edit
NES version
editAccording to the NES version's manual, this game stars Bub and Bob, the original duo.[1] On the game's back cover, they are also said to be Cubby and Rubby, Bub and Bob's descendants.[2]
As seen in the game intro, Bub, and a girl named Judy,[1] were sitting in a park. Suddenly, a floating skull character, who is one of the Skull Brothers,[1] captures Judy into a bubble, and sends her and Bub into the air. Two characters named Drunk (from the original Bubble Bobble) follow the skull and take Judy away. Bub turns (or is turned) into a bubble dragon and heads off to rescue his girlfriend.[3] There is also a two-player mode, implying that Bob has suffered the same events as Bub had, but the manual states that Judy is a friend of both.[1]
Game Boy version
editIn the Game Boy version, a character named Robby has to rescue people from a village, who, according to this version's intro, have been captured by a skull character.[4]
Gameplay
editThe blank backgrounds of Bubble Bobble were replaced by background graphics such as trees and the sky.[5] The backgrounds change every ten levels, possibly inspired by contemporary platform games such as Snow Bros. and Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics. Some reviewers say this helps to keep the game feeling fresh during longer sessions.[6]
For both the NES and Game Boy versions, the gameplay remains largely unchanged from the other games in the series, but the player has the ability to float upwards by holding down the B button.[1]
NES version
editIn the NES version only, there are three bonus games which are located after the player defeats a boss, or through a certain door.[1] This version also includes new items to pick up, such as clocks, which cause enemies to freeze, and bottles of wind, which create wind bubbles. The dragons can also blow Super Bubbles, which can trap multiple enemies.[5]
Game Boy version
editIn the Game Boy release, unlike the original Bubble Bobble and many other games in the series, the 2-player mode has players take turns across levels, rather than cooperatively play through them simultaneously.
Reception
edit| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Power Unlimited | 75/100(Game Boy)[7] |
Power Unlimited gave the Game Boy version a score of 75% writing: "This kind of mind sport is ideal for the Game Boy. It can seem a bit simple at times, and sometimes gets a bit boring, but you have to use your head if you want to get through it. A fun game if you persevere".[7]
The NES version can be difficult to find on the second hand market due to the low volume of production.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Bubble Bobble Part 2 (NES) instruction manual
- ^ Bubble Bobble Part 2 (NES) back cover; see Bubble Bobble Part 2 - NES - Retro Game Guide[permanent dead link]
- ^ Taito. Bubble Bobble Part 2 (NES). Scene: Opening.
- ^ Taito. Bubble Bobble Part 2 (Bubble Bobble Junior) (Game Boy). Scene: Opening.
Our village friends have been captured by the evil king Great Skall!! Robby! Please rescue them!! Good luck!!
- ^ a b c Weiss, Brett (2012-11-12). Classic Home Video Games, 1985-1988: A Complete Reference Guide. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-0141-0.
- ^ lordmrw (2022-12-12). "Bubble Bobble Part 2 review". Classic-Games.net. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
- ^ a b "Power Unlimited Game Database". powerweb.nl (in Dutch). 1993. Archived from the original on October 19, 2003. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
