Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! review

Those diligent dinos are back in one of their best outings in years.

Bub and Bob have enjoyed generally illustrious careers. They made their debut in 1986’s Bubble Bobble, a single-screen action platformer that enjoyed widespread popularity. In 1994, the pair of dragons reunited for Puzzle Bobble, introducing a bubble launcher into the match-three genre. Beyond inspiring clones for the next thirty years, Puzzle Bobble was successful enough to sustain over 30 sequels, remakes, ports, and spin-offs.

But the 2021 release of Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey revealed Bub and Bob clumsily venturing into the third dimension. In execution, the game had players spinning what resembled a molecular model- which overcomplicated the bubble popping. Fortunately, the recent Switch release of Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble adopts a 2D, basic-to-basics approach with gimmicks that add variety instead of clumsiness. Despite a few blemishes, it’s arguably the best entry since 1997’s Puzzle Bobble 4.

Bub and Bob’s Modest Evolution

Heading into EveryBubble’s Story mode offers a progression through nine worlds that have been overcome with excess bubbles. Each themed zone has fifteen basic levels as well as tougher EX stages that are unlocked once you’ve earned a three-star rating in each. In each, time is your principal enemy as the cluster of on-screen orbs gradually descends downward. And when the bubbles breach a dotted penalty line, the game ends. EveryBubble intensifies the system, with the occasional dedicated timer. When the on-screen fuse is burning, you’ll have to worry about more than just the lowest-hanging orbs. This inspires a bolder approach to play as you work to complete the stage before a bomb detonates.

Levels gradually add facets to the basic formula. When translucent orbs are hit, they’ll match the color of your shot, allowing you to quickly mine through the bubbling overflow. Bomb bubbles destroy a cluster of spheres on impact. Other bubbles cycle through different colors, intent on breaking your rhythm. Between text-based instruction screens and shrewd bubble layouts that reveal different techniques, stages instruct how each new obstacle should be handled.

With a Little Help from My AI Friends

Although you’re free to battle the bubble onslaught alone, EveryBubble scales to accommodate up to four off- or online cooperative players. EveryBubble lets everyone freely switch between two different color orbs or a power-up bubble like a bomb, cultivating a sense of coordination between players.

I just wish the Switch had a more convenient chat system so I could call out, “Can anyone shoot a yellow up there?” Of course, you can also add CPU-driven allies. Sure, they’ll take the sporadic and inexplicable ten-second nap. But ultimately, they provide an advantage and might just accurately fire that yellow orb that you need. When it was time to purge the records of any two-star attempts, my AI associates proved invaluable.

When Conflict Bubbles Up

EveryBubble’s Vs. Mode lets you purge any aggression triggered by AI siestas. Here, you can battle the computer on a trio of different difficulty settings or take on a human who is either off- or online. Like most competitive puzzlers, swift work on your half of the screen sends garbage to your opponent’s side. The hook here is a button dedicated to pushing your own playfield downward, extending a risk/reward option that’s quite tempting. Playing too forcefully cost me a few games and secured several underhanded victories, turning rivalries into “ok, just one more match” contests.

For individualists, there’s also some competition once you unlock Baron’s Tower. This offers a survival mode outfitted with many of EveryBubble’s novelties. When the game inevitably ends, you’ll get to see how you rank against other players via an online leaderboard. Rounding out the inventory of modes is Puzzle Bobble vs. Space Invaders, which offers an uninspired pairing of the two Taito titles. Only mildly engaging when a quartet of players battles for the top score, it feels like an early prototype.

As Lush as the Rainbow Islands

Typing all of EveryBubble’s modes together is a praiseworthy presentation. Beyond relatively quick load times, colors are vivacious, transitions are eye-catching, and backgrounds offer gentle and attractive animations. As always, the game’s hyper-cheerful announcer announces key events, while characters emit expressive utterances. This time out, the soundtrack leans on acoustic instruments revisiting familiar melodies. I didn’t know how much I’d appreciate a viola-driven Puzzle Bobble track until playing EveryBubble. When urgency is needed, Taito’s sound team trots out some electric guitar licks when a bubble approaches the danger line. The game’s controls are acceptable, but conspicuously missing the ability to fine-tune your aim.

Let’s face it, Bub and Bob haven’t had a breakout hit since the SEGA Dreamcast was on retail shelves. While EveryBubble won’t completely rejuvenate the dinosaur’s slumped careers, it’s definitely a move in the right direction. If you’re looking for the fullest and probably finest Puzzle Bobble entry available on Switch, this is it.

Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! was played on Switch
with review code provided by the publisher.