Get ready to bust some bubbles because Bub and Bob are back! That's right, the adorable dinosaur heroes from the Bubble Bobble series are headed back to the Switch with the brand-new game Puzzle Bobble Everybubble. Whether you know them for their action game antics or prefer the long-running puzzle series, Bub and Bob have found a way to stay relevant for close to four decades. With the new game just around the corner, I started to wonder what Electronic Gaming Monthly thought of Bub and Bob's many adventures.
Now, in case you're curious, EGM managed to review a total of 12 games in the Bubble Bobble franchise. This not only includes the action game sequels, but also a whole bunch of Bust-A-Move titles. Of course, if you go look up the history of Puzzle Bobble games you'll realize that EGM didn't even come close to scratching the surface of this series, but I think this countdown makes it clear what they think of Bust-A-Move. What we're going to do today is countdown the best and worst Bubble Bobble games using Electronic Gaming Monthly's own words and scores. There's no editorializing here, we're going to focus on what the critics said back when these games first came out. So, go and grab a pokey object, because we're about to burst some bubbles when EGM Ranks the Bubble Bobble series.
Bust-A-Move '99 (PlayStation)
#12
“Should you buy Bust-A-Move '99 for the PlayStation? Yes. Definitely. Without a doubt. That is, if you fall into each and every one of these categories: You don't own Bust-A-Move 3 AND you don't own Bust-A-Move 4 AND you are a die-hard crazy psychopath Bust-A-Move fool AND you can't find a copy of Bust-A-Move 4 anywhere AND you feel you'll never, ever, EVER find a copy of Bust-A-Move 4. Get the point yet? You see, Bust-A-Move '99 is a repackaged Bust-A-Move 3 with a couple of very trivial additions. Spring for Bust-A-Move 4 instead.” (4.25 out of 10)
Parasol Stars: The Story of
Bubble Bobble II (TurboGrafx-16)
#11
“Parasol Stars, or should I say Bubble Bobble 3, is not that bad of a game. I mean, the graphics are decent and the game play is good, but the thing that makes it so good is that it's fun. It isn't really hard, but the length of the game makes up for that entirely. Very decent.” (6 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade
Edition (Nintendo 64)
#10
“I've never been a huge fan of the Bust-A-Move series. I don't consider them “real” puzzle games (they don't require too much thought, just good aim). To make matters worse, Bust-A-Move 2 is two years old, and it's an exact port. Acclaim should've added a few new features. This is an old chapter of an aging series. If the Nintendo 64 is your only system, then this may be worth your money. If not, get Bust-A-Move 3 for the PlayStation or Saturn instead.” (6.5 out of 10)
Bubble Bobble Part 2 (NES)
#9
“The cute arcade classic comes back to the Nintendo Entertainment System. The control is a little hard to get used to, but once you do, you will easily master all the moves you need to have a great time with this game. It might be geared for the kids, but fans of the game can enjoy the solid NES version. Lots of levels and bonuses to keep you busy.” (7 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move '99 (Nintendo 64)
#8
“Don't just stand there – bust a move ... again ... with the same cute characters and bouncy Japanese feel, along with a few new game play changes and modes. The new character-unique garbage blocks make things tricky and the four-player multiplayer mode is a blast – although you'll need to play it on a TV bigger than 20 inches to avoid ruining your eyeballs. At first, I thought this one was more of the same, but it's pretty decent.” (7.1 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move 4 (PlayStation)
#7
“At the risk of sounding repetitive, I have to say that when all is said and done, Bust-A-Move 2 never really needed a sequel. It had pretty much got the whole concept sorted, and I for one was quite happy with it. The new combo system adds an extra bit of strategy to the proceedings, and all of the new features are nice – but, I dunno, why mess with something perfect? At its heart it's still the same really enjoyable game though.” (7.1 out of 10)
Super Bust-A-Move (PlayStation 2)
#6
“There have been roughly 7,943 incarnations of Bust-A-Move over the past few years, on every system from the Neo Geo to the Saturn, so it's probably not too surprising that this new PlayStation 2 version doesn't rethink the basic premise of the game. What Super Bust-A-Move does do is compile a bunch of the little extras each new edition has offered, adds a couple of its own, and wraps the whole thing in a fresh coat of bright, glossy graphics. Of course, the PlayStation 2 could run five Super Bust-A-Moves and still have horsepower to spare, but it is just a puzzle game, after all, and a pretty good one at that.” (7.5 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move 3 (Saturn)
#5
“Bub and Bob return in a successful sequel to their puzzle adventure. Sporting improved graphics, new competitors and a few additional power-ups, Bust-A-Move 3 is a must for fans of the original. Probably the best new feature is the enhanced puzzle mode, now with the ability to launch off the ceiling, sticky blocks and more. While not a major improvement in gameplay, it's a lot of fun. You'll love the hundreds of sample levels.” (7.75 out of 10)
Bubble Bobble (Game Gear)
#4
“I used to play this game a long time ago and this version is surprisingly faithful to the original. All of the platform fun has been retained and it's portable, too. The two-player link-up option is a good idea to let the second player join in. Although the graphics are simple, it's fun to play and that's what makes a game good. This platform classic may be old, but it's still got the fun to keep you coming back for more.” (7.75 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move (Super NES)
#3
“Bust-A-Move is a thoroughly enjoyable and incredibly addictive puzzle game that relies on reflexes and timing. It takes a while to get used to the ricochet effect, but once that's down, it's solid game play. The two-player mode really shines (especially where one player can be handicapped), and the one-player game is also a challenge. This is a game that relies more on solid play than flashy graphics and effects. The Bubble Bobble characters at the bottom are adorable.” (7.8 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move 4 (Dreamcast)
#2
“A mark of a good puzzle game is the addiction factor – do you lose interest after a few sittings, or does the game seep into your system and not let go? The Bust-A-Move series has always fit into the latter category, and luckily for Dreamcast puzzle fanatics, the latest version is no different. The best new feature of Bust-A-Move 4 is the combo system – going from one bubble length away from a loss to almost completely clearing out your board is quite the thrill. Bust-A-Move 4's gameplay is more of the same, but when it's this enjoyable, more is good.” (8 out of 10)
Bust-A-Move 2 (PlayStation)
#1
“I never understood the popularity of Bust-A-Move. That is, until I sat down and played it. It's an addicting puzzler. The challenge doesn't lie in setting up combos, but making sure your shots line up correctly. It's different, but too easy. I prefer games like Kirby's Avalanche and Baku Baku, where you will have to plan fast and hard to combo your opponent. In Bust-A-Move, all you really need to do is pile up balls on one long leg, bust the top of the line and drop the whole thing. Too simple, but still fun. Be ready to get frustrated with balls that don't go where you want!” (8 out of 10)
