Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III on PlayStation 5 is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, brought to all major consoles by longtime partners ININ and TAITO. Originally released in 1991, Parasol Stars is part of the classic Bubble Bobble series – although you’re not playing as little dragons or blowing bubbles here. However, as a direct sequel to Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble II, Parasol Stars still blends familiar elements with fresh mechanics, creating a delightful experience for both long-time fans and newcomers.
The premise of Parasol Stars is straightforward and engaging. Players guide Bub and Bob upwards through colorful stages using their trusty parasols to defeat enemies and overcome challenges. The parasols serve multiple functions that can help you do this – they can act as a shield for the characters, capture enemies, and afterwards fling them across the screen. This mechanic is a clever twist on the bubble-blowing action of the original Bubble Bobble and the rainbow shooting mechanics of the sequel, providing a fresh yet familiar experience.
The classic arcade gameplay in Parasol Stars is where the game truly shines. The controls are intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play. Each level is full of enemies to defeat, treasures to collect, and secrets to uncover. And although the core formula is different, the game retains the charming, up-tempo pace of its predecessors, ensuring that players are constantly engaged. The cooperative mode is a great feature as well, allowing two players to team up and tackle the adventure together.
Visually, Parasol Stars captures the essence of early ’90s arcade games. The graphics are cheerful and colorful, and the character sprites and backgrounds are lovingly crafted, staying true to the original aesthetic of the games that came earlier but adding more verticality than Bubble Bobble had. The audio complements the visuals with upbeat, catchy melodies that evoke the feel of classic arcade soundtracks, adding to the overall charm of the game.
However, Parasol Stars is not without its flaws. Some players might find the game’s simple arcade formula a bit limiting compared to modern platformers. The difficulty can also be inconsistent, with some levels feeling too easy and others sometimes throwing up a difficulty spike. Additionally, while the cooperative mode is a fantastic addition that we can’t recommend enough, the lack of online multiplayer is a missed opportunity.
Despite these minor issues, Parasol Stars blends the best elements of its predecessors with new mechanics, offering a fun and engaging platforming game that is too often overlooked. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Bubble Bobble series or a newcomer looking for a charming and enjoyable game, Parasol Stars is well worth your time. Its vibrant visuals, catchy music, and cooperative gameplay ensure that it stands out as a delightful addition to the PlayStation 5’s library.
Score: 7.5/10
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