Bubble Bobble Revolution
Score: 25% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Codemasters Developer: Codemasters Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 - 4 (WiFi) Genre: Arcade
Graphics & Sound: Bubble Bobble Revolution is a game that would probably have been better left unmade. While it shares the same premise as the original, it adds a number of enhancements and glitches that make it hard to enjoy. Characters are larger and more detailed than the original version, though they lack the same personality as the “ancient” 8-bit sprites. Call me crazy, but the new versions of the lovable bubble-spitting dragons actually look mean and unfriendly. Backdrops are just as unappealing. Levels are larger, spanning both screens as well as stretching out sideways, adding a scroll that wasn’t part of the original. Larger maps sound like a great idea, but simply don’t work. The inability to see the entire level results in cheap deaths since you can’t react to the faster enemies. In addition, the split between the two screens makes it impossible to see what is going on – something the developers seem to have intentionally taken advantage of considering the number of projectiles that come from unseen areas. On the positive side, the remix of the classic Bubble Bobble theme song is pretty good.
Gameplay: Bubble Bobble Revolution contains two games: the original arcade version and the remake, which is dubbed “New Age”. Both games follow the same core aspects. You control a bubble-spitting dragon through 100 monster-infested levels. The goal in each level is to capture monsters in bubbles and then pop them. Though the premise may sound simple, it actually leads to some tricky situations, especially when monsters begin falling from the ceiling. The inclusion of the Classic version hurts the New Age version considerably. Although it is dated, the classic is still enjoyable because of its simplicity, whereas the remake incorporates several “enhancements” that do nothing more than complicate things. Enemies are much faster and shoot projectiles, often times before you even arrive in a level, often times leading to cheap deaths. Level designs aren’t as well planned out either, choosing complicated patterns and mechanics over simple mazes.
Difficulty: Try as hard as you’d like, you will never beat Bubble Bobble Revolution; at least not on the “New Age” version. Even if you are a master at the game, it is impossible to get past level 30 thanks to a glitch that causes the boss to simply not appear. Since you can’t beat the boss, you can’t progress. Of course, getting to level 30 is no easy feat either considering that you’re ambushed at the start of every level.
Game Mechanics: Bubble Bobble Revolution doesn’t use the touch screen functions all that much except to navigate menus. It does, however, use the microphone by requiring you to blow bubbles around by blowing into it. Aside from sparse use of the DS’s added functions, Bubble Bobble Revolution's controls are about as simple as can be. Bubble Bobble Revolution proves that sometimes simple is better. Unless you are dying for a portable version of the original game on your DS, Bubble Bobble Revolution isn’t recommended.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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