Bubble Bobble

From Sega Retro

n/a

BubbleBobble SMS title.png

Bubble Bobble
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Master System
Sega (EU?/JP),
Sega Game Gear
Taito
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code

Bubble Bobble is an arcade game developed by Taito and released in 1986. It was subsequently ported to a variety of systems including the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear. In Japan, the Master System version of the game is called Final Bubble Bobble (ファイナルバブルボブル), while in Brazil this version is called Dragon Maze.

Bubble Bobble follows two humans who have been transformed into dragons named Bub and Bob. The must progress through various mazes capturing enemies within bubbles and then popping said bubbles. A sequel to this game was later released as Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2.

The two Sega versions are relatively faithful ports of the arcade game, although adjust their levels to suit the differing screen resolutions. This is particularly noticeable with the Game Gear version, as although the objects in the game are the same size, the play areas are much more cramped so as to avoid screen scrolling.

Physical Scans

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
88 №6, p104-105
74 №122, p91[1]
90 №32
94 №22, p172
85 №16, p80-81[2]
68 №2/43
90 №15, p48-49
89 №27, p26-27
79 №4, p53[3]
Sega Master System
84
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[4]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
65
[5]
Consoles + (FR) PAL
88
[6]
Console XS (UK) PAL
79
[7]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
74
[1]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
85
[8]
Game Mania (UK) PAL
85
[9]
Gamers (DE)
73
[10]
Games-X (UK) PAL
90
[11]
Joypad (FR)
95
[12]
Joystick (FR) PAL
94
[13]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
85
[14]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
68
[15]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
85
[2]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
85
[16]
Player One (FR) PAL
90
[17]
Play Time (DE)
58
[18]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
89
[19]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[3]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[20]
Video Games (DE)
68
[21]
Sega Master System
80
Based on
21 reviews

Bubble Bobble

Master System, EU
BubbleBobble SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
BubbleBobble SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, JP
FinalBubbleBobble SMS JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
BubbleBobble SMS JP cart.jpg
Cart
FinalBubbleBobbleSMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

Master System, BR
BubbleBobble SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, KR

Game Gear Version

Game Gear, US
BubbleBobble GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBubbleBobble GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
BubbleBobble GG US Cart.jpg
Cart



Bubble Bobble/Rainbow Islands games for Sega systems
Bubble Bobble (1988) | Rainbow Islands Extra (1990) | Rainbow Islands (1993) | Bubble Bobble also featuring Rainbow Islands (1996) | Bubble Symphony (1997)
Puzzle Bobble/Bust-a-Move games for Sega systems
Bust-A-Move (1996) | Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition (1996) | Bust-A-Move 3 (1997) | Bust-A-Move 4 (2000) | Azumanga Daioh Puzzle Bobble (2002)
Unlicensed Bubble Bobble/Rainbow Islands games for Sega systems
Super Bubble Bobble MD (1995)
  1. 1.0 1.1 File:CVG UK 122.pdf, page 91 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 122.pdf_p91" defined multiple times with different content
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:MeanMachines UK 16.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 16.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
  3. 3.0 3.1 File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf, page 51 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 04.pdf_p51" defined multiple times with different content
  4. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 97
  5. Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1992" (DE; 1992-02-14), page 120
  6. Consoles +, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 104
  7. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 139
  8. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 131
  9. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  10. Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  11. Games-X, "28th November-4th December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-28), page 28
  12. Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 56
  13. Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 172
  14. Mega Force, "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-13), page 95
  15. Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 78
  16. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  17. Player One, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 48
  18. Play Time, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-05), page 92
  19. Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 26
  20. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  21. Video Games, "3/91" (DE; 1991-09-06), page 79