Bubble Symphony

Infobox VG
title = Bubble Symphony


developer = Taito
publisher = Taito
designer =
release = 1994
genre = Platform game
modes = Up to 2 players simultaneously
cabinet = Upright
arcade system = Taito F3 System
Main CPU: 68EC020 (@ 16 MHz)
Sound CPU: 68000 (@ 16 MHz)
Sound Chips: ES5505 (@ 15.23805 MHz)
display = Raster resolution 320×224 (Horizontal) Palette Colors 8192
input = Joystick (8-way); 2 buttons
platforms = Arcade, Sega Saturn, Xbox, Microsoft Windows

"Bubble Symphony" (also known as "Bubble Bobble 2") is an arcade video game in the "Bubble Bobble" series. While being a new "Bubble Bobble" for a new generation, in actuality it takes place after "Parasol Stars".

tory

For this adventure, Bubblun and Bobblun, the typical green and blue dinosaurs, are joined by girls Kululun (an orange dragon) and Cororon (a magenta dragon). These are stated as the four children of the starring characters from Bubble Bobble.

According to the intro, the four characters are reading books when they inadvertently unleash Hyper Drunk, the final boss, from one of the books. He transforms the four into bubble dragons and banishes them to a new world.

Characters

*Bubblun is the well-rounded character; he can fire three bubbles straight ahead when powered up (the bubble button is held for a few seconds then released).
*Bobblun has faster speed in exchange for shorter range. He can shoot three bubbles in a spread pattern when powered up.
*Kululun has the longest available range, but is slow. She can shoot her bubbles in a 'T' pattern when powered up. Her powerup formation makes her the best character for jumping up to higher areas.
*Cororon has the fastest bubble blowing and can shoot her bubbles in an inverted-'T' pattern when powered up.

Gameplay

Although a sequel to "Bubble Bobble", the game inaugurates few changes to the gameplay formula of that title. The small changes that have been made are that a boss is now encountered every five to ten levels, giving those scenes a similar prominence to "Rainbow Islands", and the player takes a branching route through the levels by selecting one of two doors after every boss. The players can now charge the bubble shot; if released when the dragon is glowing, he/she will breathe three bubbles at once, with the specific formation dependent on the character chosen. The players must collect certain square cards with music notes inside, in order to get the 4 keys that lead to the final world or face an early false ending. Also, the characters have to collect a rod to turn their characters from their dragon to human forms during the course of the game.

Cameos

The game features cameos by other notable Taito characters or settings from games as diverse as "New Zealand Story", "Darius", "Space Invaders", "Arkanoid", "Liquid Kids", "Kiki Kaikai", "Quiz by Yu Yu", "Pulirula" and "Fairyland Story".

Notes

*Although the Sega Saturn version was only released in Japan, a cheat code allows the game to be switched to a full English text.
*A PlayStation version was completed, but never released.

Continuity

*Within the context of the game world, "Bubble Memories - The Story of Bubble Bobble III" takes place before "Bubble Symphony".
*All the enemies from the original Bubble Bobble appear in this game, along with a lot of newer enemies.
**The credits (in the arcade version) show all the enemies' names, and those of characters who make cameos from other Taito games.
***PulPul is listed in the credits as "Puru Puru".

External links

* [http://www.taitolegends2.com/game.aspx?GID=49E2E749-B5D8-4806-932C-EF2365366AFD Taitolegends2] Bubble Symphony game page - Includes flyers and screenshots.