

Bubble Bobble
In the game, each player controls one of the two Bubble Dragons, Bub and Bob. The player can move along platforms, as well as jump to those above and to the side, similar to most platform games. The player can also blow bubbles. These can trap enemies, who are defeated if the bubble is then burst by the player's spiny back. Bubbles that contain enemies can be popped at the same time resulting in different foods being projected around the level. Each enemy trapped in a bubble equates to a different food. Food is consumed and transferred to points (an increasing scale of 1000 points is awarded for each enemy burst in tandem with another meaning: one enemy burst equals one food item worth 1000 points, two enemies burst equals two food items worth 1000 and 2000 points, three enemies burst equals three food items worth 1000, 2000 and 4000 points, and so on), which results in earning lives. These same bubbles also float for a time before bursting, and can be jumped on, allowing access to otherwise inaccessible areas. Players progress to the next level once all enemies on the current level are defeated. Enemies turn "angry" — becoming pink-colored and moving faster — if they are the last enemy remaining, escape from a bubble after being left too long or a certain amount of time has been spent on the current level. A monster will also become angry if either player collects a skull (the only negative item in the game), and the monster is hit by the resulting comet crossing the screen (however, this is a rare occurrence). After a further time limit expires, an additional invincible enemy appears for each player, actively chasing them using only vertical and horizontal movements. These do not need to be defeated to complete the level, and disappear once a player's life is lost. Contact with enemies and their projectiles (rocks, lasers, fireballs, etc.) results in death.
Attributes
Details
Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords
- Release dates
- Arcade
- Jun 16, 1986
- Arcade
- 1986
- Game modes
- Co-operative, Multiplayer, Single player
- Perspective
- Side view
- External links
- Reddit↗ (opens in a new tab)·Wikipedia↗ (opens in a new tab)·Twitch↗ (opens in a new tab)·Fandom↗ (opens in a new tab)
- Keywords
- 2d, mascot, witches, time limit, multiple endings
… All 14
, time limit, multiple endings, sequel, high score, boss fight, bonus stage, single-screen level, branching storyline, secret area, unbeatable enemies, drop-in drop-out
At a Glance
- Critic Score
- Critic Score80
Overview
Multiplayer
- Local co-opIGDB · 10 Oct
- Co-op campaignIGDB · 10 Oct
Feature data: IGDB
How it plays
Languages
- English—interface
Language data: IGDB · recorded 10 Oct 2026
Media
Screenshots
Videos
Community
Player reviews
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Behind the game
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More in this franchise
Other games from the same franchise
- B2Bust-A-Move 2X
New Bust-A-Move - PBPuzzle Bobble: Disney Edition
Puzzle Bobble Online
Critic score 72Bubble Bobble: Sugar Dungeons2025, critic score 72
Critic score 81Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!2023, critic score 81
Critic score 71Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey2021, critic score 71
Critic score 90Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey2021, critic score 90
Critic score 74Bubble Bobble 4 Friends2019, critic score 74
Critic score 66Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron Is Back!2019, critic score 66
Bust-A-Move Journey2017
Bubble Bobble for Kakao2014
Critic score 58Bust-A-Move Universe2011, critic score 58
Critic score 80Bust-A-Move Live!2009, critic score 80
Bust-A-Move Plus!2009
Critic score 60Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure!2009, critic score 60
Critic score 80Bubble Bobble Plus!2009, critic score 80
Critic score 100Space Bust-A-Move2008, critic score 100
Puzzle Bobble Galaxy2008
Critic score 40Rainbow Islands Evolution2008, critic score 40
Remakes & Remasters
Expansions
Add-ons & Ports
Critic score 80Arcade Archives: Bubble Bobble, critic score 80
Critic score 76Taito Milestones 3, critic score 76
Critic score 75Taito Legends, critic score 75
Bubble Bobble
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Taito Arcade 1
Super Pocket: Taito Edition
Legends Core Plus
Bubble Bobble Classic
Retro Arcade: Space Invaders
DVD Karaoke Game DVT-G100
Bubble Bobble
Taito Memories Joukan
Bubble Bobble Also Featuring Rainbow Islands
Bubble Bobble
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