The Bubble Bobble series had seen a bit of a resurgence in the past three years, alongside several notable TAITO trademarks. Beginning with the release of Bubble Bobble 4 Friends on the Switch, Puzzle Bobble 3D was another recent title featuring the duo. Foregoing the "3D" and "virtual reality" elements of the previous game, Puzzle Bobble Everybubble intends to bring players back the classic Puzzle Bobble games that made puzzle game fans out of many. Ahead of its release on May 23rd, 2023, more information has been released involving single-player and bonus content in Puzzle Bobble Everybubble.
As the player clears levels in the story mode, they will unlock "EX Stages," or "(Ex)tra Hard" stages. These stages, as the name implies, provide a greater challenge for players and die-hard Puzzle Bobble fans to overcome. Rising to the challenge and completing EX Stages will unlock bonus characters, skins, and other goodies that will enhance the player's experience. A showcase of EX Mode from the developers themselves will broadcast live on YouTube on Friday, April 21st, 2023 at 6:00 AM EST. The broadcast link can be seen embedded below.
While it may be a tad bit too early for me to capture as it premieres, the thought of a new Puzzle Bobble had always excited me. Bust A Move 4, as it is known in the States, was one of the first video games that I played. It quickly taught me that the AI is unforgiving but by learning how to play, I was able to get my revenge as a kid. Competitive puzzle games existed alongside Puzzle Bobble, with games like Puzzle Fighter, the Magical Drop series, and Puyo Puyo praising the competitor who is not only quick but able to adapt.
Puzzle Bobble, with its bright colors, catchy music, and appealing characters, always stood out for me. With the return of the Bubble Bobble series, I always wished Puzzle Bobble got as much love. This new entry in the series can hopefully inspire the devs to make more or release ports of older titles in the near future. Stay tuned for more information involving Puzzle Bobble Everybubble in the near future!
Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! will release on May 23rd, 2023.