Bubble Bobble Double Shot Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Dreams	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Ignition Ent.	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 3, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-3	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

The environments look too bland and outdated for today's standards; the characters have been made with almost the same amount of pixels as the classic arcade; and the mini-games look as simple as the ones on Wario Ware, except that this is no Wario Ware game. Sometimes there are cute drawings on the top screen while the game explains the simple story. Other than that, I can't say this game is an upgrade from the original or the numerous other remakes to be found in the numerous home consoles.

Bubble Bobble Double Shot screenshot

Same thing happens with the sound. The classic tunes have been updated a little bit, but they still sound just like they used to: very arcade-ish and simple. Sometimes there's no need for more, especially when it comes to arcade-style games, but I feel as if the game was rushed and they didn't mind just giving us more of the same thing.

Luckily, if you and your friends still love this game, you can play the multiplayer mode. The only problem here is that all of you need a game cartridge in order to play together. The co-op is played from the first level. You can't really drop in and out at will, like it used to be on the old arcade. Also, if you only have one more friend to play with, the third dinosaur still has to be selected with L or R every time you need to catch an enemy of the third color. It's not a big deal, but it'd be nice to leave the two-player gameplay with just Bub and Bob, like in the original.

There's really not much fun to be had here, and if you've played Bubble Bobble before, don't expect this title to be innovative at all; it's just more of the same. It's only $20, but just because it's outdated and uninspired. If you really need to play this classic again, I'm sure you can rent it and satisfy your thirst in one hour's worth of play.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.0

Graphics
Bubble Bobble is stuck in the past. Nothing looks updated, although it still works fine. The random drawings on the top screen are cute though.

2.6

Control
Inexistent touch controls could have made it innovative. Button-based controls are fine but will never equal the feel of the classic arcade with the joystick.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Remade tunes will remind you of the classic and make you feel right at home.

2.5

Play Value
You've played Bubble Bobble over and over again on the arcade and / or home consoles. If you still miss it, here's another remake. The few additions don't make it worth your time though.

2.7

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

All the original Bubble Bobble game mechanics.

Meet "Bubu," the new character joining Bub and Bob!

100++ levels in single-player.

Unique color change dynamic.

Dual screen game play with innovative touch screen mini games.

Special co-op mode which means that 3 players can work together.