Bubble Bobble 4 Friends

It’s a fine line when creating a sequel to such a classic game. Go too modern and you alienate your classic player base, but go too retro and it doesn’t appeal to the new generation of gamers. Taito has got the balance spot on here though, and created a Bubble Bobble for 2019 that feels completely right, but without being mere fanservice. It’s a brilliant game that all Switch owners ought to get in my opinion.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a great modern addition to the series. It offers a solid balance of fun and challenge with high replayability due to the three-tier scoring system and collectables, as well as the inclusion of the original game in the series. The focus on teamwork will be wonderful for families and friends looking for some co-op fun, but the lack of online play and the absence of any real competitive features could limit its longevity. However, given how much fun this is to play, these complaints seem a little spiteful; what we've got here is a quite brilliant reimagining of a stone-...

A beloved arcade classic returns in fine form and four-player co-op.

Taito's classic bubble-blowing arcade game has a special place in my heart so let's play a brand new entry in this wonderful franchise.

Retro, revamps, and throwbacks are still all the rage in the gaming industry these days, but it’s a very fine line between cash grab and remaking/re-releasing a quality game. Taito’s latest effort brings back the classic Bubble Bobble franchise on March 31, 2020 with Bubble Bobble 4 Friends exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.

That said, there’s not much to dislike in Bubble Bobble 4 Friends if you’re looking for some simple yet solid arcade action. Whether you play alone or with friends, there’s fun to be had, and with 100 levels to get through, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Its modern facelift looks great, but it is little more than an old classic in disguise.

If you were born in a year starting with a 1 instead of a 2 and you’re into gaming, you probably know who Taito is. This company is probably one of the most important developers of all time, being one of the first major arcade developers to come from Japan back in the 70’s. Besides their gargantuan hit called Space Invaders, which needs no introduction, they have also developed some famous franchises such as Darius, Elevator Action, Arkanoid, as well as Bubble Bobble.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a pleasant callback to yesteryear, with just enough changed to keep it from simply retreading old ground. It is a little short if one charges through, points be damned, but it’s still several hours long at least. Those who prefer complex plots and modern design may be a bit disappointed, but anyone who likes a more arcadey sort of game should enjoy it.

The visuals and sound in Bubble Bobble 4 Friends are great, as they’re perfectly in-line with the innocent and cheerful tone that the game emanates. There’s a comfortable sense of homeliness in 4 Friends, largely thanks to the nighttime bedroom setting and the soft colors. Alongside various remixes of the classic Bubble Bobble theme, the other tracks are suitably fun and hectic.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends fails to bust a move and find any justification for its high price point. It lacks in length, it lacks in features, and even lacks a leaderboard, an oversight for this kind of game. While it is an enjoyable title with a few friends, there are plenty more affordable multiplayer arcade-style games available for even a quarter of the price.

In the end, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a mediocre platforming experience. Inconsistent level design and restrictive ability access holds this game back from being a truly enjoyable experience. I will continue to remember Bub and Bob fondly from my youth, but this outing does little to build upon the legacy.

Verdict: Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a short game with moments of joy. It’s bright and colorful but too easy and quick. For nostalgia’s sake, the original game is included and is actually the best part of the package. I am extremely biased, though.