Bubble Bobble is a classic platform game that was ported from arcade to many systems, including the Sega Master System. The concept is simple - you are a small dragon that shoot bubbles with your mouth, trying to capture various enemies that either walk, run or fly around the 100 boards the game consists of. It looks very easy at first, but it gets quite challenging after a few levels, as there's a lot going on at the same time with enemies and bubbles flying around everywhere. You start with three lives, but are able to continue from the same level if you die.
I didn't play this game as a kid, so it doesn't have the same nostalgic factor as some of the other games I've reviewed. I can see why many people like it though - it's a good concept, the music is adorable, and it's a long game. In my mind, it gets a bit repetetive though. Sure, the boards are different, but it's the same thing you do in every stage. The music is also always the same (except some bonus stages). Don't get me wrong, I love it, but maybe they could have put in a few other tracks as well?
All in all I think it's a good game, and a true classic, although there are other Master System games I personally have more fun playing. I guess playing co-op with a friend (pretty rare for the Master System) instead of playing it alone could have added that extra fun-factor I thought it was lacking while playing it.
Secret codes
At the options screen, press PAUSE so the screen border changes to blue. Then enter one of the following cheats. If you do it correctly, the screen border will flash, and in most cases the extra items will be displayed on the left of the screen.
RIGHT,LEFT,LEFT,RIGHT,UP,DOWN,DOWN,RIGHT: Start with one extra life
DOWN,BUTTON2,BUTTON1,RIGHT,BUTTON1,DOWN,BUTTON1,BUTTON2: Start with three extra lives
DOWN,UP,UP,BUTTON1,BUTTON1,BUTTON1,UP,LEFT: Start with five extra lives
LEFT,UP,LEFT,RIGHT,LEFT,LEFT,DOWN,RIGHT: Start with shoes
UP,DOWN,RIGHT,DOWN,LEFT,LEFT,DOWN,BUTTON2: Start with shoes and blue candy
LEFT,LEFT,BUTTON1,RIGHT,DOWN,BUTTON1,DOWN,LEFT: Start with three candies and shoes
RIGHT,BUTTON1,UP,UP,UP,BUTTON1,BUTTON1,BUTTON2: Start with three candies, shoes and fairy
BUTTON1,LEFT,DOWN,UP,BUTTON1,UP,BUTTON1,UP: Start with three candies, shoes, fairy and 3 three lives
UP,LEFT,DOWN,LEFT,DOWN,UP,UP,LEFT: See food gallery
BUTTON2,BUTTON2,LEFT,BUTTON1,BUTTON2,RIGHT,BUTTON2,LEFT: See sound test screen
DOWN,BUTTON2,LEFT,BUTTON1,BUTTON1,DOWN,BUTTON2,BUTTON2: See hint screen
LEFT,DOWN,LEFT,DOWN,BUTTON1,BUTTON2,BUTTON1,BUTTON1: Show hint screen
EUROPE
English
Welcome to the world of Bubble Bobble! Those funny critters, Bubblen and Bobblen are finally making an appearance in the Sega Master system. Play this game and see the wild adventures of Bubblen and Bobblen.
German
Willkommen in der Welt von Bubble Bobble! Bubblen und Bobblen. diese beiden Spaßvögel, erscheinen nun endlich auch im Sega-Master-System. Spielen Sie dieses Spiel, und erleben Sie mit Bubblen und Bobblen die wildesten Abenteuer.
French
Bienvenu dans le monde de Bubble Bobble! Les drôles de critters. Bubblen et Bobblen font finalement leur apparition dans le système Mega Master. Lancez-vous dans ce jeu et goûtez aux aventures qui décoiffent de Bubblen et Bobblen.
Spanish
¡Bienvenidos al mundo de Bubble Bobble! Esos divertidos diablillos. Bubblen y Bobblen están haciendo finalmente su aparición en el sistema Sega Master. Juegue este juego y vea las dislocadas aventuras de Bubblen y Bobblen.
Italian
Benvenuti nel mondo di Bubble Bobble! Quelle divertenti creature, Bubblen e Bobblen stanno finalmente facendo la loro comparsa nel sistema Master Sega. Prova questo gioco e guarda le avventure sconsiderate di Bubblen e Bobblen.
Swedish
Välkommen till Bubble Bobbels värld! Dom små lustiga figurerna Bubblen och Bobblen har nu äntligen gjort entré i Segas Master System. Sätt igång spelet och upplev Bubblen och Bobblens vilda äventyr!
Dutch
Welkom in de wereld van Bubble Bobble! Eindelijk verschijnen Bubblen en Bobblen, die grappige schepsels, cok in het Sega Master systeem. Speel het spel en geniet van de wilde avonturen van Bubblen en Bobblen.
Finnish
Tervetuloa Bubble Bobble-maailmaan! Nuo hassut olennot Bubblen ja Bobblen övat vihdoinkin mukana Sega Master-systeemissä. Pelaa tärna peli ja näe Bubblenin ja Bobblenin villit seikkailut.