Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! is the latest installment in the beloved Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move series by TAITO Corporation, brought to Nintendo Switch by ININ Games. With its charming presentation and addictive bubble-clearing gameplay, Puzzle Bobble has captivated players for years. This new entry offers a delightful and addictive puzzle experience, featuring hundreds of stages, cooperative gameplay, competitive multiplayer modes, and even a mini-game crossover with Space Invaders.
The game takes place in the world of Bubble Bobble, where the setting of Rainbow Islands is engulfed in bubbles due to the small dragon Miniroon being given the power to blow endless bubbles. Players take control of the iconic characters Bub, Bob, Peb, and Pab, who embark on a mission to clear the bubbles and restore order to the land.
The gameplay, as usual, revolves around using a bubble cannon at the bottom of the screen to shoot bubbles and create matches of three or more of the same color. The goal is to clear the bubbles from the top of the screen before they reach the bottom. As the game progresses, players will encounter various obstacles and bubble types that add complexity and strategic depth to the puzzles.
Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! offers an extensive story mode, divided into eight regions, each containing 15 normal stages and 15 EX-stages. To unlock the challenging EX versions, players must earn a three-star rating in every normal stage within a region. The game also introduces cooperative multiplayer, allowing up to four players to tackle the levels together, with the stages dynamically adjusting based on the number of players.
In addition to the story mode, Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! features several other gameplay options. Baron’s Tower provides a high-score challenge with unlockable difficulty levels and online leaderboards. The VS section offers online play against random global opponents or specific matches using a password system. Local play includes 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 battles, allowing players to choose from the characters unlocked in the story mode. The game also includes a mini-game called Puzzle Bobble vs Space Invaders, offering bubble-popping action with a Space Invaders twist.
Visually, Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! delivers a vibrant and colorful experience. The world, characters, and bubbles are bright and visually appealing. However, there are occasional stutters during screen transitions that could disrupt the gameplay flow. The soundtrack is largely pleasant, but some high-pitched sound effects may become grating over time when played at high volume.
One of the standout features of Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! is its emphasis on cooperative multiplayer. While it can be enjoyable with friends, the fun factor heavily depends on the skill levels of the players. The game lacks a true competitive multiplayer mode with multiple players competing against each other simultaneously, which could have added more excitement and replay value, though it’s tons of fun to play in co-op so this isn’t a huge issue.
Despite a few minor shortcomings, Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! remains a highly recommended arcade-style puzzler. Its variety of levels, challenging EX stages, and scaling difficulty make each stage feel like a unique puzzle. The cooperative multiplayer and engaging gameplay mechanics offer hours of addictive fun, whether playing alone or with friends. Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! is a worthy addition to the Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move series and a must-play title for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of the franchise.
Rating: 8.0/10
Press Play Media 