Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands – The Future

SPOnG managed to be the first on the list this morning to get a chance to check out Rising Star Games’ forthcoming new versions of Taito Classics Bubble Bobble Evolution PSP and Rainbow Islands Revolution DS.

We managed to have a quick shot at both games and can report that both demonstrated some interesting and quirky new gameplay mechanics. However, you will be also be glad to hear that both also manage to remain true to the look and feel of the original games.

Bubble Bobble Evolution on PSP takes the classic platforming gameplay which defined the original game whilst managing to add in loads of new features, from new bubble types to new environmental hazards and some incredibly clever brain-busting puzzles. The Story Mode re-tells the classic story of two human brothers trapped in bubble-blowing dinosaur bodies by an evil nemesis. The main difference in this new version is the fact that the action takes place in two 3D “Towers of Entertainment” – cylindrical sections of which form the game’s levels.

“We wanted to bring something new to Bubble Bobble beyond a straightforward 3D update,” said game’s producer Tony Byus. “With the PSP, we have its raw power and we’ve channelled that into creating a deeper, more complex take on the Bubble Bobble concept…. This is an entirely new game and with these puzzle elements included, it is literally an evolution of the original game design concept.”

Rainbow Islands Revolution on DS looks stunning and is, if anything, even easier to pick up and play than the original. The original game endeared itself to a whole generation of gamers back in the ‘80s with its cutesy, bright colours and trippy, hallucinogenic visuals. The clever thing about this version - and what will ensure that is sells by the bucketload - is the control mechanism, which is entirely Touch Screen-based. This is somewhat different to the original ‘run, fire out a rainbow and jump on it’ gameplay.

In this version, your character - Bub or Bob - sits in an eternally floating bubble which you move around the levels by touching and dragging with the stylus. What is perhaps the coolest feature is the ability to draw rainbows directly onto the screen – the potential length of the rainbow being extended by picking up various power-ups. You can also use rainbows to trap enemies and even clear the whole screen of enemies, gaining loads of various cool power-ups on the way. SPOnG has to admit that we found all of this a little weird and unsettling at first, but we soon got used to it and were drawing rainbows all over the splendid blue sky in no time. The game boasts some of the best blue skies yet seen in any DS title!

SPOnG can report that we left the Rising Star Games launch event in London this morning having had our eternal craving for classic Taito action fully sated. Full reviews of both titles to follow very soon.