QCF: Bubble Bobble 4 Friends (Switch)

t the time of this review, many have found video games to be a way to escape the uncertainty and harshness of an ever-changing structure in society. What has surprised me, however, is how video games and sharing that passion to those that may not have had any interest in the past can take our minds off that stress and uneasiness, if even for just a little bit. I have a bit of familiarity with the protagonists of Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, mostly from the spin-off Puzzle Bobble but I did not spend too much time with the Taito titles from decades ago. This current iteration published by ININ Games does a great service to fans of those original entries while introducing the series to a new audience, myself and various members of my family included. Although there are some features and additions to the gameplay that are lacking, I am glad that this title and the cooperative nature it promotes is available to enjoy while we adjust to finding entertainment in the comfort of our homes.

Bonner makes things interesting in each of the five stages

Upon the start of the game, we find the toys laid across a youth’s room have come to life, and the wizard Bonner has taken it upon themselves to push around the bubbly dinosaur heroes. I would use the word villain for Bonner, but honestly everything is so happy and cheerful in the game that I cannot imagine there would be any room for villainy. Up to four players will utilize their bubble powers to jump, twist and maneuver through levels of platforms while fending off animated toys, each with their own set of attacks and abilities. Completing levels will progress to a boss battle on each of the five stages, cumulating in the final confrontation with Bonner themselves. The platforming ramps up in difficulty throughout each stage and figuring out the pattern of attacks and the best route to travel makes planning very important before tackling each level. The scoring system rewards how fast a player will complete a level, stringing together enemy attacks with combos and creating a chair burst and collecting the fruit that fallen enemies will drop. Player will also find the classic EXTEND letters floating throughout the levels; collecting one will add an extra life and collecting all the letters in the stage unlocks new skills and the ability to upgrade those skills.

The scoring system adds to the replay value and challenges the player

As the title suggests playing cooperatively in local multiplayer is the bulk of this game’s charm, allowing each player to coordinate and utilize bubbles to reach areas of the level, capture enemies and trap the boss all while trying to avoid traps and projectiles. In our household we had three players attempting to complete each challenge, and at times the chaos would lead to some hilarious encounters. The title can also be played solo and completing the main game will not take too much time to accomplish either way. The lack of an online mode is sorely missed, and I believe that the title could have benefited from having that feature. With the game originally releasing in the UK last year and Japan earlier this year, the possibility of additional content for the title, the online feature included would be very welcomed. One great addition to this debut on the Switch is the addition of the original Bubble Bobble, complete in its own arcade cabinet. I could only wish I was a kid that was that well off to have his own arcade machine in their room. Must be nice…

Up to four players can team up, each utilizing unlockable skills

For those who has played similar titles in the past, the difficulty may seem minimal and experience players will likely try to maximize their score and speed to give themselves a challenge through the fifty levels of the game. I will admit that I struggled through my playthrough, and the game does not issue any sort of penalty for dying in the game or affecting the score. After the third “Game Over” screen appears, the ability to continue with invincibility will be allowed which is great for families playing that want to progress or middle-aged men that are easily frustrated with precise platforming and timing. This game is made to be enjoyed with minimal stress, in my opinion. The music is upbeat and whimsical, the characters and worlds are bright and vibrant and each time I would go back to Bubble Bobble 4 Friends I would be overpowered with its charm and cuteness. What was not cute is what lies ahead after completing the main campaign. Those seasoned players and veterans of Bubble Bobble games will have plenty to do once that mode has been unlocked.

Platforming can be challenging with all four players involved

Currently many families are being asked to stay inside, and isolated from parts of what their daily lives used to entail. Having the ability to sit down and play a game with so much delightfulness and enchantment made that uncertainty less of a stress for my family, even for just a little while. While the title does take some hits for not providing some modes and an online function that other party-style games have standard in this current generation, I still believe that the game is fun and challenging for any players that were not aware of the previous adventures of Bub and Bob. The title also incorporates enough of what made the lineage of that series great in the past, ensuring that Taito has allowed the Bubble Bobble series to continue for new players for years to come.