Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! Switch Review 8/10 "Bubble Burstin’ Boisterousness" 🫧 @ININ_Games 🫧

There’s a purity to the Puzzle Bobble games that has always drawn me, a merciless blend of colourful, simple gameplay and snappy action that has entranced me since pounding hours into it on Vs mode on the PS1, back in my days as a teenager.

This new version does a fantastic job of plate-spinning the solid-as-a-rock original mechanics whilst also adding various bells and whistles through extra Modesto giving a neat amount of variety to the usual bubble-popping proceedings.

For those unfamiliar with the gameplay of the Puzzle Bobble games, you play as the chirpy dragons Bub and/or Bob – of Bubble Bobble fame - and must pop bubbles by shooting colour-matching bubbles upwards from the bottom of the screen in a match-3 scenario. After a few shots, the bubbles push further down the screen, and if they fill up to a certain point...it’s game over. As I said, simple stuff – but perfect in its accessibility, and has been so since its inception in 1994.

Should you be approaching Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! As a solo player, there’s a lot here to tuck into. The usual vibrant world, frothy music and a lengthy campaign that comprises 15 stages in each location, with extra levels that open up should you be able to get a three-star rating throughout each world – no easy task!. Aside from that main campaign, there is also a survival mode – in which you can pit your skills against the world leader board – as well as a Taito-tactic Puzzle Bobble / Space Invaders crossover that makes for a fun distraction – and is also playable with up to four players!

Speaking of the multiplayer, Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! Supports up to four players in a Vs mode, and features unlockable characters, as well as the ability to play online with others through a password-sharing system. 

All in all, there’s a lot to love about Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! The options are there for fun single-player, local multiplayer or online gaming sessions, the visuals and presentation are smooth and colourful, and the music – for the most part - shines.

To be honest, the only downside I had was that some of the vocal clips and audio get a little grating in their unwavering chirpiness, and it’s a game that I tend to dip into for quick sessions as opposed to getting hips deep into for hours on end, due to the arcade gameplay.

SUMMARY

There’s something almost comforting about the pick-up-and-play heart of the Puzzle Bobble franchise, and this release is sure to please the bubble lovers out there.

PURCHASE LINK:

https://www.iningames.com/games/puzzle-bobble-everybubble