View source for Bubble Bobble (video game)

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Bubble Bobble
| image = Bubble bobble.jpg
| caption = Japanese arcade flyer
| developer = [[Taito]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Taito|NA|[[Romstar]]|EU|Electrocoin}}
| designer = [[Fukio Mitsuji]]
| composer = Tadashi Kimijima
| series = ''[[Bubble Bobble]]''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[Famicom Disk System]], [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[MSX|MSX 2]], [[Master System]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Apple II]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Game Boy]], [[Game Gear]], [[X68000]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 1986}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 1986<ref name="Akagi">{{cite book | title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編 (1971–2005) | trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) | last1=Akagi | first1=Masumi | publisher=Amusement News Agency | year=2006 | url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n43/mode/2up?q=%E3%83%90%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB%E3%83%9C%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB| lang=ja | location=Japan | isbn=978-4990251215 | pages=43, 130, 137, 148}}</ref>|NA/EU|October 1986<ref name="Akagi"/><ref name="CVG"/>}} '''Famicom Disk System'''{{vgrelease|JP|October 30, 1987<ref>{{cite web |title=Bubble Bobble Release Information for Famicom Disk System |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/famicomds/922348-bubble-bobble/data |website=GameFAQs}}</ref>}} '''Amiga, Atari ST'''{{vgrelease|EU|October 1987<ref name="ace">{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=October 1987 |title=Bubble Bobble |url=https://archive.org/details/ACE_Issue_01_1987-10_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n55/mode/2up |magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=1 |pages=56, 57}}</ref>|NA|May 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/703a07b2-9936-4cd5-b90a-0d077c40970b |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=3 |date=June 1989 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|EU|October 1987<ref name="ace"/>|NA|July 1988<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/eaaeea02-196a-4c6b-9a83-2c2dab6255a6 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=7 |issue=5 |date=August 1988 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''CPC'''{{vgrelease|EU|October 1987<ref name="ace"/>}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|October 1987<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=October 1987 |title=Bubba! |url=https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-067/page/n104/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=[[Sinclair User]] |publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] |issue=67 |page=105}}</ref>}} '''Master System'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 2, 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=Software List |url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Sega|Sega Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621034428/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |archive-date=2019-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref>|EU|November 1991<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Release Schedule|magazine=Computer Trade Weekly|issue=361|publisher=Opportunity Publishing|date=4 November 1991|page=27|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/52/CTW_UK_361.pdf}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 1988<ref>{{cite web| author=Nintendo staff | title=NES Games | url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/nes_games.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221005931/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/nes_games.pdf | publisher=[[Nintendo]] | archive-date=December 21, 2010| access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>|PAL|1990}} '''Apple II'''{{vgrelease||July 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f7bfc08b-0206-481f-82b5-05d50a7140e5 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=5 |date=August 1989 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease||December 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/cff99160-03fe-4527-80d8-2cd40ae1a436 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=10 |date=January 1990 |page=22}}</ref>}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 7, 1990<ref>{{cite web |title=GAMEBOY Software List 1989-1990 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1989-1990.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211253/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1989-1990.html#GB1990 |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|March 1991<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=Game Boy (original) Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402190758/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2016 }}</ref>}} '''Game Gear'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 1994<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=October 1994 |title=Fact File: Bubble Bobble |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_63_October_1994_U/page/n231/mode/2up |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Sendai Publications |issue=63 |page=226}}</ref>}} '''X68000'''{{vgrelease|JP|1994}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 3, 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=Bubble Bobble also featuring Rainbow Islands |url=http://sega-saturn.com/saturn/software/bubble.htm |website=sega-saturn.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970101110820/http://sega-saturn.com/saturn/software/bubble.htm |archive-date=January 1, 1997}}</ref>|PAL|September 1996<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=October 1996 |title=Saturn Review |url=https://archive.org/details/MMSega01Oct92/MMSega48-Oct96/page/60/mode/2up |magazine=[[Mean Machines]] |publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] |issue=48 |pages=60, 61}}</ref>}} '''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 6, 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html |website=PlayStation Galleria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815065413/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html |archive-date=August 15, 2000}}</ref>|PAL|October 1996{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}} '''Game Boy Color'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 30, 1999<ref>{{cite web |title=Release Dates |url=http://www.gbstation.com/releases.html |website=GB Station |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991128113212/http://www.gbstation.com/releases.html |archive-date=November 28, 1999}}</ref>|EU|2000}} '''iOS, Android'''{{vgrelease|WW|July 2020}}
}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = Taito Bubble Bobble
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Bubble Bobble'''''|バブルボブル|Baburu Boburu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1986 [[Platform game|platform]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Taito]] for Japanese [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It was distributed in the United States by [[Romstar]] and in Europe by Electrocoin. Players control Bub and Bob, two dragons who set out to save their girlfriends from a world called the Cave of Monsters. In each level, Bub and Bob must defeat every enemy present by trapping them in bubbles and popping them. The enemies will then turn into bonus items when they hit the ground. There are 100 levels total, each becoming progressively more difficult.

''Bubble Bobble'' was designed by [[Fukio Mitsuji|Fukio "MTJ" Mitsuji]]. When he joined Taito in 1986, he felt that Taito's game output was of mediocre quality. In response, he decided to make a game that was fun to play and could rejuvenate the company's presence in the industry. Mitsuji hoped his game would appeal to women, specifically couples that visited arcades. As such, he decided to make ''Bubble Bobble'' focus largely on its two player co-operative mode. He made bubbles the core mechanic as he thought they would be a fun element that girls would enjoy.

''Bubble Bobble'' became one of Taito's biggest arcade successes, and is credited with inspiring the creation of many similar screen-clear platform games that followed. It was acclaimed by critics for its character design, memorable soundtrack, gameplay, and multiplayer, and is often listed among the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest games of all time]]. ''Bubble Bobble'' was followed by [[Bubble Bobble|a long list of sequels and successors]] for multiple platforms. One of these, ''[[Puzzle Bobble]]'', also became successful and spawned its own line of sequels.

==Plot==
Brothers Bub and Bob are two happy go lucky dragons {{sic}} living in a magical forest. "Baron Von Blubba" has kidnapped the brothers' girlfriends. Bub and Bob must finish 100 levels in the Cave of Monsters in order to rescue them.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bubble Bobble - Taito (Video Game, 1986) - USA - The Arcade Flyer Archive |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/videogames/show/3812 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |publisher=Taito Corporation}}</ref> At the end of the game after fighting Super Drunk on level 100 in cooperative mode, it is revealed Bub, Bob, and their girlfriends are humans transformed by magic and that Bub and Bob's parents were kidnapped as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=1986 [60fps] Bubble Bobble True Ending ALL - Youtube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72hZwt_7KLs |website=Youtube | date=30 July 2015 |publisher=Replay Burners}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Bubblebobble.png|thumb|250px|left|Bub (player 1) is in the upper left of this arcade level.]]
In the game, each player controls one of the two dragons. Players can move along platforms, fall to lower ones, and jump to higher ones and over gaps. Each level is limited to a single screen, with no left/right scrolling. However, if a screen has gaps in its bottom edge, players can fall through these and reappear at the top. Each level has a certain number of enemies that must be defeated in order to advance. The players must blow bubbles to trap the enemies and then burst these bubbles by colliding with them. Magic items appear from time to time and grant special abilities and advantages when picked up. Special bubbles occasionally appear that can be burst to attack enemies with fire, water, or lightning. Each defeated enemy turns into a food item that can be picked up for extra points. Defeating multiple enemies at once awards higher scores and causes more valuable food items to appear. Furthermore, if a player collects letter bubbles to spell the word EXTEND, a bonus life is earned and both players immediately advance to the next level. All bubbles will float for a certain length of time before bursting on their own. Players can jump on these and ride them to otherwise inaccessible areas to reach enemies and/or powerups. 

A player loses one life upon touching any free enemy or their projectiles (rocks, fireballs, lasers, bottles). Enemies become "angry"—turning pink in color and moving faster—if they escape from a bubble after being left too long or the players spend a certain amount of time on the current level. They return to normal if either player loses a life. After a further time limit expires, an additional invincible enemy appears for each player, actively chasing them using only vertical and horizontal movements. These disappear once the level is cleared, or when a player loses a life. When there is only one enemy left, it immediately becomes angry and remains in this state until it is defeated.

In the 100th and final level, players face a [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]].<ref name="rgamer95">{{citation|title=Bubble Memories|date=October 2011|url=https://archive.org/stream/retro_gamer/RetroGamer_095#page/n25/mode/2up|journal=Retro Gamer|issue=95|pages=26–35|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]}}</ref><ref name="rgamer28">{{citation|last=Campbell|first=Stuart|title=The Definitive - Bubble Bobble|date=July 2006|url=https://archive.org/stream/retro_gamer/RetroGamer_028#page/n55/mode/2up|journal=Retro Gamer|issue=28|pages=58–68|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]}}</ref> This is one of the first games to feature multiple endings. Completing Level 100 in single-player mode reveals a message stating that the game has not truly ended and also displays a hint: "Come here with your friend". If two players complete the game, they see a "happy end", in which the brothers are transformed to their human selves and reunited with their girlfriends. This ending also includes a code that, when deciphered, allows the game to be played in the faster and more difficult "super" mode. If this mode is completed with two players, a second "happy end" is displayed in which Super Drunk (the defeated boss) is revealed to be the brothers' parents under the control of some outside influence. The brothers return to normal and are reunited with their parents and girlfriends.<ref name = "rgamer95"/>

If the player(s) reach levels 20, 30, or 40 without losing a life, a doorway will appear in each of those levels. This doorway transports the player to a secret room and displays a coded message that, once deciphered, provides a major hint/spoiler on how to beat the game.

==Development and release==
''Bubble Bobble'' was designed by [[Fukio Mitsuji]], a Japanese game designer at [[Taito]]. A fan of arcade games by [[Namco]], specifically ''[[Xevious]]'', Mitsuji felt that Taito's output in comparison was lackluster and of poor quality. Mitsuji hoped that he could help push the company to produce higher-quality arcade titles.<ref name="BEEP!">{{cite news |title=Fukio "MTJ" Mitsuji - 1988 Developer Interview |url=http://shmuplations.com/bubblebobble/ |access-date=8 November 2019 |agency=BEEP! |date=1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008222008/http://shmuplations.com/bubblebobble/ |archive-date=8 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> His first game was the four-screen racer ''Super Dead Heat'' in 1985, followed by the shoot'em up ''[[Halley's Comet (video game)|Halley's Comet]]'' the same year.<ref name="BEEP!"/> After work on these two games was completed, Mitsuji decided to make his next project a platform game, featuring cute characters and a more comical setting compared to his previous titles.<ref name="BEEP!"/><ref name="CVG Interview"/>

Mitsuji wanted the game to be exhilarating and to appeal towards a female audience.<ref name="BEEP!"/> Thinking about what kind of things women like to draw or sketch, Mitsuji created an extensive list of over 100 ideas, and after a process of elimination, selected bubbles as the core game mechanic.<ref name="BEEP!"/> He liked the idea of the screen being filled with bubbles, and thought that popping them all at once would provide a thrilling sensation to the player.<ref name="CVG Interview"/><ref name="BEEP!"/><ref name="Youtube interview">{{cite web |date=30 August 2017 |title=Fukio Mitsuji Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwbhgITgrmE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/LwbhgITgrmE |archive-date=2021-11-23 |access-date=11 June 2020 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His initial idea was to have a robot with a spike on its head to pop bubbles. Mitsuji disliked this idea for not being "cool", instead preferring dinosaurs with ridges along their back.<ref name="BEEP!"/> He liked to write down ideas on paper as soon as he thought of them, often flooding his office with stacks of paper filled with potential ideas for game mechanics.<ref name="BEEP!"/>

Mitsuji constantly tried to think of new ways to make the game better than it was before, even losing sleep while attempting to figure out how he could improve it.<ref name="BEEP!"/> He often worked on holidays and late at night to come up with new ideas for the game and to perfect it.<ref name="Taito Memories"/> Several of the enemies were taken from ''[[Chack'n Pop]]'' (1984), an older Taito game that is often considered a precursor to ''Bubble Bobble''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chack 'N Pop - Videogame by Taito |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7302 |website=[[Killer List of Videogames]] |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925224549/https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7302 |archive-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> Mitsuji intended the game to be played by couples, leading to the creation of the multiple endings, which differ based on player performance.<ref name="Taito Memories">Mitsuji, Fukio (28 July 2005). ''Taito Memories Jōkan — Fukio Mitsuji Interview''. [[Taito]]. Retrieved 25 August 2019.</ref><ref name="CVG Interview">{{cite web |author1=CVG Staff |title=Bubble Bobble creator speaks! |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/124210/interviews/bubble-bobble-creator-speaks/ |website=Computer + Video Games |access-date=25 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026010643/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/124210/interviews/bubble-bobble-creator-speaks/ |archive-date=26 October 2012 |date=26 August 2005}}</ref>

''Bubble Bobble'' was first published in Japan on June 16, 1986,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bubble Bobble (Registration Number PA0000310708) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref> followed by a wide release in Japan in September and internationally in October of the same year.<ref name="Akagi"/><ref name="CVG"/> Alongside ''[[Arkanoid]]'', Taito licensed the game to [[Romstar]] for distribution in the United States,<ref name="KLOV">{{cite web |title=Bubble Bobble - Videogame by Taito |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7222 |website=[[Killer List of Videogames]] |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807142719/https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7222 |archive-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> and to Electrocoin Automatics for Europe.<ref name="BEEP!"/>

==Ports==
''Bubble Bobble'' was ported to many home video game consoles and computers, including the Amstrad CPC, [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Apple II]], [[Amiga]], [[Famicom Disk System]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[MSX2]], and [[Master System]]—the last of these has two hundred levels as opposed to the arcade version's 100 levels, and was released in Japan as ''Final Bubble Bobble''.<ref name = "rgamer28"/> A version for the [[X68000]] was developed by Dempa and released in 1994, which includes a game mode paying homage to Mitsuji's later arcade game ''[[Syvalion]]'', titled ''Sybubblun''. Conversions for the [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] were respectively released in 1991 and 1996, the GBC port being named ''Classic Bubble Bobble''.<ref name = "rgamer28"/> A version of ''Bubble Bobble'' was also produced for the unreleased Taito WOWOW console.<ref name="Szczepaniak">{{cite book |last1=Szczepaniak |first1=John |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |date=11 August 2014 |isbn=978-0992926007 |pages=363 |publisher=SMG Szczepaniak |edition=First |url=https://archive.org/details/TheUntoldHistoryOfJapaneseGameDevelopersVol.2JohnSzczepaniak/page/n361?q=cutie+q |access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref> In 1996, Taito announced that the source code for ''Bubble Bobble'' had been lost, leading to all subsequent home conversions to be reverse-engineered from an original arcade board.<ref name = "rgamer28"/>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| ARC = true
| C64 = true
| NES = true
| SGG = true
| ZX = true
| Allgame_NES = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Couper |first=Chris|title=Bubble Bobble-Review|publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=April 12, 2013 |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=263&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115151433/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=263&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref>
| CRASH_ARC = Positive<ref name="crash">{{Citation | last1=Penn | first1=Gary | last2=Kidd | first2=Graeme | last3=Stone | first3=Ben | title = A Day at the Seaside | magazine = [[Crash (magazine)|Crash]] | publisher = [[Newsfield]] | issn = 0954-8661 | issue = 39 | pages = 30–5 | date=April 1987 | url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_No._39_1987-04_Newsfield_GB/page/n29 | via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>
| CRASH_ZX = 90%<ref>{{citation | url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=Crash/Issue45/Pages/Crash4500132.jpg | title=Bubble Bobble Review | journal=Crash | date = October 1987 | issue = 45 | pages = 132–133 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201044921/http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=Crash/Issue45/Pages/Crash4500132.jpg | archive-date = February 1, 2016 | access-date=2012-08-10}} [http://www.crashonline.org.uk/45/bubble.htm Alt URL]</ref>
| CVG_ARC = Positive<ref name="CVG"/>
| CVG_C64 = 27/30<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=C+VG/Issue072/Pages/CVG07200015.jpg |title=Bubble Bobble Review |journal=C+VG | issue=72 | pages=14–15 |date= October 1987 |access-date=2012-08-10}}</ref>
| EGM_SGG = 31/40<ref name="EGM63"/>
| SUser_ZX = 8/10<ref name = "suser">{{cite journal | url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=SinclairUser/Issue068/Pages/SinclairUser06800050.jpg | title=Bubble Bobble Review | journal=Sinclair User | date = October 1987 | issue = 68 | pages = 50 | access-date=2012-08-10}}</ref>
| TGM_C64 = 93%<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=TheGamesMachine/Issue01/Pages/TheGamesMachine0100066.jpg | title=Bubble Bobble Review | journal=The Games Machine | issue=1 | pages=66 | date= November 1987 | access-date=2012-08-10}}</ref>
| YSinclair_ZX = 90%<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue69/Pages/YourSinclair6900056.jpg |title=Bubble Bobble Review |journal=Your Sinclair |date=September 1991 |issue=69 |pages=56 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201054051/http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue69/Pages/YourSinclair6900056.jpg |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |access-date=2012-08-10}} [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/bubblebobble-69.htm Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618210358/http://ysrnry.co.uk/articles/bubblebobble-69.htm |date=2014-06-18}}</ref>
| Z64_C64 = 97%<ref>{{citation | journal = Zzap!64 | url=http://www.zzap64.co.uk/cgi-bin/displaypage.pl?issue=030&amp;page=012&amp;thumbstart=0&amp;magazine=zzap | title = Bubble Bobble Review | publisher= [[Newsfield Publications]] | date = October 1987 | access-date=2014-06-23 | issue = 30 | pages = 12}}</ref>
| award1Pub = ''[[Zzap!64]]''
| award1 = Gold Medal
| award2Pub = ''Crash''
| award2 = Smash<ref>Game review, Crash magazine, [[Newsfield Publications]], issue 45, October 1987</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Bubble Bobble'' as the second most successful [[table arcade cabinet]] of October 1986, after Taito's own ''[[Arkanoid]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=295|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 November 1986|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref> It went on to be the fifth highest-grossing table arcade game of 1987 in Japan.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '87 |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=324 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=15 January 1988 |page=20 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19880115p.pdf#page=11 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19880115p.pdf#page=11 |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, ''Bubble Bobble'' was the top-grossing arcade game from April to June 1987.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 July 1987 |issue=70 (August 1987) |page=112 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-070/page/n111}}</ref> The home conversions were also successful in the UK, where the game appeared on the sales charts for several years. The ZX Spectrum budget re-release topped the UK charts in July 1991.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=CVG Charts |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 August 1991 |issue=118 (September 1991) |pages=99–102 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-118/page/n98}}</ref>

The arcade version received positive reviews from ''[[Computer and Video Games]]''<ref name="CVG">{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action: Bubble Bobble |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 October 1986 |issue=61 (November 1986) |page=123 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-061/page/n122}}</ref> and ''[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Other Screens Seen... Bubble Bobble |magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]] |date=26 March 1987 |issue=39 (April 1987) |page=35 |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-39/page/n35/mode/1up}}</ref> ''[[Mean Machines]]'' gave the Game Boy port of the game a score of 91%, noting that, while some changes had been made, the game played identical to the original arcade port and "provides much addiction and challenge".<ref>{{cite journal | date=August 1992 | title=Bubble Bobble Review | journal=Mean Machines | issue=23 | url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/bubblebobblegb.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028052329/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/bubblebobblegb.pdf | archive-date = 2015-10-28 | access-date=2009-06-04}}</ref> The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' stated that the Game Gear version is a faithful conversion of the original which works well in portable form. They particularly praised the simplicity of the gameplay concept and the graphics, and the two-player link option.<ref name="EGM63">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Bubble Bobble|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=63|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=October 1994|page=42|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_63_October_1994_U/page/n44}}</ref>

''Bubble Bobble'' has been listed by numerous publications among the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]]. ''[[Your Sinclair]]'' magazine ranked the ZX Spectrum version at #58 in their "Top 100 Games of All Time" in 1993 based on reader vote.<ref>{{Cite FTP | date=September 1993 | title=Let the People Decide | issue=93 | pages=11 | url=ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/magazines/YourSinclair/Issue93/Pages/YourSinclair9300058.jpg | server=Your Sinclair | url-status=dead | access-date = 2014-06-24 }}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] rated the game 19th on its "Top 100 Games of All Time".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=77}}</ref> ''[[Yahoo!]]'' ranked it at #71 in their "100 Greatest Computer Games Of All Time" in 2005 for its charming premise and cute character designs.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Greatest Computer Games Of All Time |url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/8.html |website=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Video Games]] |access-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050730233842/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/8.html |archive-date=30 July 2005 |page=8 |date=2005}}</ref> ''[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]'' magazine listed it as part of their "100 Greatest Games" in 2008, while ''[[GamesTM]]'' magazine listed it in their "Top 100 Games" in 2010.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[GamesTM]]|title=GamesTM Top 100|date=October 2010|issue=100}}</ref> ''[[Stuff.tv]]'' ranked it at #47 in their ''Top 100 Games'' in 2009, saying "Today's kids might laugh, but this was gold in 1986".<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 Games - Bubble Bobble |url=http://top100.stuff.tv/top100?page=53 |website=[[Stuff.tv]] |access-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819124116/http://top100.stuff.tv/top100?page=53 |archive-date=19 August 2010 |date=2009}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' ranked it at #95 in their "100 Best Games Of All Time" list in 2011, praising its multiplayer and secrets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-100-best-games-of-all-time/ |title=The 100 best games of all time |date=April 1, 2011 |website=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=March 7, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118151554/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-100-best-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=January 18, 2012}}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'' also labeled it the 24th greatest [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] game of all time in 2012 for its advancements over other games of its genre and its usage of multiple endings.<ref>{{citation |title=Best NES Games of all time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |journal =GamesRadar |date=2012-04-16 |access-date=2013-12-05}}</ref> IGN named it the 23rd best NES game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 NES Games |website=www.ign.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-nes-games/23 |access-date=8 August 2021}}</ref> ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' listed it in their book ''The 200 Best Video Games of All Time'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=HG101 Presents: The 200 Best Video Games of All Time|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/books/hg101-presents-the-200-best-video-games-of-all-time/|website=hardcoregaming101.net|access-date=October 28, 2017|date=December 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029065018/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/books/hg101-presents-the-200-best-video-games-of-all-time/|archive-date=October 29, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' placed it in their "Top 300 Games of All Time" in 2018 for its long-lasting appeal and multiplayer.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|title=The Top 300 Games of All Time|date=April 2018|issue=300}}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{Main|Bubble Bobble (series)}}

===Re-releases===
The game has had at least 30 official ports to a large array of computers and consoles throughout the decades.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bubble Bobble - Versions Comparison (HD 60 FPS)| date=19 August 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgynBsgwSyI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/UgynBsgwSyI| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

A remastered version named ''Bubble Bobble Old & New'' was made for [[Game Boy Advance]], which also included the original arcade version. It was released in Japan by MediaKite and internationally by [[Empire Interactive]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=○ｏ。バブルボブル OLD&NEW; 。ｏ○ |url=http://www.gmani.com/gba/bbon/index.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021211150811/http://www.gmani.com/gba/bbon/index.shtml |archive-date=2002-12-11 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=www.gmani.com}}</ref>

In October 2005, a version was released for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[Microsoft Windows]] as part of the ''[[Taito Legends]]'' compilation.

In December 2007, the NES version of ''Bubble Bobble'' was released in North America on [[Nintendo]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service for the [[Wii]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ZEZTHeHGkFtphFu5n2Puf8EeATTB_bQL |title=BUBBLE BOBBLE for Wii - Nintendo Game Details |access-date=2018-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211654/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ZEZTHeHGkFtphFu5n2Puf8EeATTB_bQL |archive-date=2018-10-13 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Famicom Disk System version of ''Bubble Bobble'' was also released for the [[Nintendo eShop]] on October 16, 2013, for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and on January 29, 2014, for the [[Wii U]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000016913|title=BUBBLE BOBBLE {{pipe}} ニンテンドー3DS {{pipe}} 任天堂| language=ja|website=任天堂ホームページ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000004745|title=BUBBLE BOBBLE {{pipe}} Wii U {{pipe}} 任天堂|website=任天堂ホームページ}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>

[[Hamster Corporation]] released the game as part of their ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' series for the [[PlayStation 4]] in 2016 and [[Nintendo Switch]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=2023-01-05 |title=Nintendo Download: 5th January (North America) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/01/nintendo-download-5th-january-north-america |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The game was included in the [[NES Classic Edition]] in November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3095790/nintendos-releasing-a-miniature-nes-console-packed-with-30-classic-games.html|title=Nintendo's releasing a miniature NES console packed with 30 classic games|date=July 14, 2016|website=PCWorld.com}}</ref>

In July 2020, the MORIBIX Corporation released a mobile port, titled "Bubble Bobble Classic," on [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-07 |title=MOBIRIX’s new game ‘BUBBLE BOBBLE classic’ launches globally |url=https://www.mobirix.com/eng/pr/press_release.html?Ym1haW49dmlldyZ1aWQ9NTQmbGFuZ3VhZ2U9RU5HJnBhZ2U9Mg== |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=MORIBIX Corporation}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|7222}}
* [http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-bubble-bobble_s7652.html ''Bubble Bobble''] for the Atari ST at Atari Mania
* {{WoS game|id=722}}

{{Portal bar|Video games|Japan|1980s}}
{{Bubble Bobble series|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Bubble Bobble| ]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Famicom Disk System games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Color games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:MSX2 games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:NovaLogic games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Romstar games]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by David Whittaker]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tim Follin]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]