From the outset, Bubble Bobble: Sugar Dungeons feels like it’s trying to reinvent the wheel – offering a “new Bubble Bobble experience” that blends the old bubble-trapping platforming with roguelike progression and dungeon-crawling ambition. The concept alone is a bold move for a franchise known for arcade simplicity: procedurally changing dungeons, treasure gathering, upgrades, and sprawling castle labyrinths instead of traditional single-screen action. On paper, that’s the kind of shake-up that could either breathe new life into the series – or strain it until it breaks.
Right away, the familiar core mechanics – blowing bubbles to trap enemies, bursting them with horns or back-spikes, riding wind-borne bubbles to reach higher platforms – are still intact and carry the nostalgic charm that defines Bub. That sense of innocence and simplicity holds the experiment together. But once you move beyond the basics into roguelike mechanics and skill upgrades, the experience becomes a more delicate balancing act between frustration and delight.
The dungeon runs – with their perma-death on a single hit and a strict timer that pushes you forward – are undeniably tense, and for certain players that tension might deliver a rush. Yet the time allotted for dispatching enemies and prolonging a run feels stingy: lingering rarely seems worth the risk, which pushes many runs into a frantic scramble for the exit – hardly the light-hearted chaos you might hope for. Add to that the randomness of layouts and enemy placement, and the looming timer can turn what started as a promising run into a hurried slog or abrupt failure.
When Sugar Dungeons transitions from dungeons into its “castle” stages – sprawling, interconnected mazes filled with tougher enemies, platform puzzles, and hidden paths – the game regularly finds its stride. The open castle design, with room to explore and backtrack, offers a more relaxed alternative to timed runs. Using upgraded skills or special bubbles to reach otherwise inaccessible areas occasionally triggers genuine “aha” moments. Still, because everything else – the grind for drops, the randomness of layouts – feeds into those moments, the payoff can feel uneven: flashes of creativity shadowed by repetition.
Visually and audibly, Sugar Dungeons leans wholeheartedly into its “sweet” and “silly” presentation. Candy-themed dungeons, pastel colours, and cute enemy designs create a playful, cheerful atmosphere that doesn’t take itself too seriously – charming for longtime fans nostalgic for Bub’s whimsical origins. The controls and bubble-mechanics remain simple and approachable, making the entry barrier low for newcomers. Yet beneath the sugar-coated surface lies a gameplay loop that can feel grindy, unforgiving, and repetitive – and that can undermines some of that charm.
A pleasant surprise comes in the form of a bonus – the inclusion of Bubble Symphony, a classic Bubble Bobble sequel provided as part of the package. This retro mode plays smoothly, delivers that old-school arcade-style platforming, and serves as a reminder of why Bubble Bobble held such charm in its original form. For some players, this bonus alone may be enough to justify giving Sugar Dungeons a chance – Bubble Symphony is an underrated gem that never saw a standalone home release outside of the (Japan-exclusive) Saturn version and wasn’t widely available in its day.
In the end, Bubble Bobble: Sugar Dungeons is a game of contradictions: a nostalgic reboot striving to evolve, yet often stumbling under the weight of its own ambition. When it hits, there are glimpses of creativity and pure fun; when it misses, the result can feel like a grindy, punishing roguelike. For die-hard fans of Bub who are up for some challenge – and particularly those who appreciate the bonus retro mode – there’s definitely something here to enjoy. But if you’re after a smooth, consistently fun modern platformer, you may find yourself pining for the simpler, purer days of the original arcade classic.
Score: 7.0/10
Press Play Media 