When bubbles saved the world.

Moving on to the second game in this series of reviews, we turn our attention to a classic to just about everyone. It combines all the things that a game lover wants in a game. From dragons and candy to a death whale and bubbles. I'm of course talking about BUBBLE BOBBLE! Like most early games, it was originally an arcade game released in 1986. That made me the ripe old age of 2 when I first got my little hands on it. Let me do a little scene setting for you. Two little dragonss named Bub and Bob set out on a ladder like set of levels to save their girlfriends. At their disposal is an unlimited supply of bubbles blown by the two brothers. Along with then bubbles you also get power-ups that can help, or irritate your friend, in your enemy trapping. Power-ups include: speed shoes, blue candy (long range bubbles), potions (a "bonus level" of sorts), and many many more. I must say that the speed shoes are great for stealing all of the food so the other player can't have any. Coerce a friend to play with you and let the good times roll. Now for actually playing. Navigating the levels and avoiding getting hit is the core mechanic, but you have to use them bubbles. Blowing bubbles at an enemy traps them inside until you pop them or, the crappier outcome, they get angry and bust out. When an enemy gets angry the move a great deal faster and become a big problem if you let several get angry at once. The other obstacle in your way is time. Not the "oh jeez I'm going to lose a life" kind of time, but the "HOLY CRAP THERE'S A GHOST WHALE WHO IS TRYING TO KILL ME" kind of time. If you take too long that whale appears to haunt and chase you until he ends you or you eliminate the last enemy. Some of the levels take a certain skill that is difficult to master. You may have to bubble hop to a high platform that has the last remaining enemy that would clear the level. In order to properly hop you need to jump right before you hit the top of the bubble or it will pop.This is a small sample of what is in store when you adventure with these two lovable little guys. I won't give it all away here so find this gem and START BUBBLING!