This week in Xbox Live Arcade –
Bubble Bobble Neo is a remake or a reimagined version of Bubble Bobble. The original game was released as an arcade cabinet and subsequently ported to quite a few different gaming mediums. I remember it most for the NES and it’s quarter hogging Arcade machine from the gas station by the mall. This version does the original proud, and those of you who remember this game from younger days will be surprised. However, if you take the current gaming standards we’re accustomed to into account, there are a few shortfalls.
Broken
There was a huge oversight, and online Co-Op was left out of the game. It is local only. It’s still fun, but in 2009 all games with more than one player in mind should be adapted for online play and not just local. Besides, the achievements in this game are centered around co-op play making it more of a head scratcher.
The mechanics of bubble blowing gets in the way of the design of the levels. I think in the old version the bubbles would glitch into the wall a little bit making some areas easier to access or get out of. I don’t remember having as much trouble with this until I played the new version. Level 72 is a perfect example for this. You start out in a small area that appears to only have room for one dinosaur and no bubbles. You have to perfectly jump and turn in order to blow one bubble. If you blow too many your stuck and have to pop them. It’s leading some to believe the game is glitched and can’t be beaten pass level 72 of the classic game. I’ve added it to the video if you need help.
There is no level select like we saw in the NES version. Each level must be played through if you need to get to a certain level for an achievement.
Good
There are a ton of items to collect and the help and options gives the criteria for making them appear. It gives a little replay value, as if the 200 levels across two game modes weren’t enough.
The redone version of the classic game looks very good in HD. You also might remember the music when the game starts and you fall into the first level.
The addition of Arrange Mode (no idea why it’s called that) adds another 100 levels of a more updated design. It also adds the ability to play with 3 other people instead of just one from the classic. There’s also a versus mode where you race for points against other players. Trapping them in your bubbles gives you an edge over them, but only if you can avoid being trapped. However, it’s local only. 
There is enough game here to warrant the 800 points and it isn’t simply a port of an old game with updated graphics and sound. The lack of online play gives this game a huge shortcoming in my book. If you have a friend at home to play with then it isn’t so bad. Kids will also enjoy its simplistic gameplay. Veteran gamers will like the addictive qualities. It’s a good game, but online play would have made it awesome.
~Scratch
Developed by Taito Corporation
Published by Taito Corporation
800 MS Points
Released: 09-16-09
