Bubble Bobble 4 Friends

Last updated
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends.png
Developer(s) Taito
Publisher(s)
  • JP: Taito
  • WW: ININ Games
Director(s) Tsuyoshi Tozaki
Producer(s) Nikkou Yamashita
Designer(s) Tsuyoshi Tozaki
Hidetake Iyomasa
Programmer(s) Yuta Sakamoto
Teppei Moriwaki
Artist(s) Kazuhiro Ninomiya
Yukina Izu
Composer(s) Yukiharu Urita
Yu Shimoda
Series Bubble Bobble
Platform(s) Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Windows
Release
  • Nintendo Switch
  • November 19, 2019
  • PlayStation 4
  • November 17, 2020
  • Windows
  • September 30, 2021
Genre(s) Platform

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a platform arcade game developed and published by Taito in Japan, and published by ININ games worldwide. The game is part of the Bubble Bobble arcade series. The game's reception had been mixed when it was first released on the Nintendo Switch, but the PlayStation 4 version was better received one year later.

Contents

Gameplay

The game has a gameplay similar to other titles in the franchise. The game characters are 3D models, with only the background in 2D. [1] Players control two dragons, Bub or Bob, that can trap enemies in bubbles and pop them in order to eliminate them from the screen. [2] When eliminating an enemy, a fruit is generated that can be collected as a reward to increase the player's score. [1]

The game contains 50 different stages that can be played in two difficulty levels. To unlock the most difficult level, the player must first complete the 50 stages in the normal level. [1] Also included is the original Bubble Bobble arcade game released in 1986. [3]

Release

The game was released for the Nintendo Switch, initially in Europe and Australia, on November 19, 2019. In February and March 2020, it was released, respectively, in Japan and American continents. [4] Later, a free update known as Bubble Bobble 4 Friends - The Baron is Back was released on November 17, 2020, with a PlayStation 4 version releasing in the same day. A Steam version, under the name Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron's Workshop, [5] was released on September 30, 2021. [6]

Reception

The Switch version of the game received mixed reviews. On Metacritic, the game has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [7] Regarding the version released later for the PlayStation 4, called Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron is Back, it received 75 out of 100 points on Metacritic, based on 5 reviews. [8] Although the environment and gameplay were highly praised, the small number of stages was pointed out as negative points. [9] [1] [10]

Britt Roberts of Nintendo Life praised the gameplay, describing it as fluid and fun, and highlighted the timelessness of the formula adopted by the game since the first version. [1]

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<i>Puzzle Bobble</i> 1994 video game

Puzzle Bobble, internationally known as Bust-A-Move, is a 1994 tile-matching puzzle arcade game developed and published by Taito. It is based on the 1986 arcade game Bubble Bobble, featuring characters and themes from that game. Its characteristically cute Japanese animation and music, along with its play mechanics and level designs, made it successful as an arcade title and spawned several sequels and ports to home gaming systems.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Roberts, Britt (2019-11-12). "Review: Bubble Bobble 4 Friends - A Timely Update That Proves Classic Gameplay Never Ages". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  2. ↑ Robinson, Martin (2019-11-18). "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends review - a simple, satisfying revival of an all-time great". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  3. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends - Test, Logik & Kreativität". 4Players (in German). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  4. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends Releases On Switch In North And South America This Week". GameSpot. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  5. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron is Back coming to PC on March 25". Gematsu. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  6. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron's Workshop for PC launches September 30". Gematsu. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  7. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  8. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron is Back". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  9. ↑ "Review: Bubble Bobble 4 Friends has charm but little value". VGC. 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  10. ↑ "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends Review". ScreenRant. 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
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