Bubble Bobble 4 Friends:The Baron Is Back! Review (PlayStation 4)

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The popular dragon’s Bub and Bob are back! Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is the latest game in the legendary Bubble Bobble series from Taito.

Pros:

  • Nice graphics.
  • 1.14GB download size.
  • Platinum trophy.
  • Two control layouts.
  • Simple controls.
  • Gameplay-trap enemies in bubbles then pop them to eliminate them.
  • How to play pop up and section.
  • Classic soundtrack.
  • Four-player local support.
  • Memory album-watch unlocked cutscenes and intros.
  • Power ups-earn and assign before playing. It can be things like speed bubbles or timed bomb bubbles.
  • Customisation-earn/wear new costumes.
  • Each area on the map is 10 levels and a boss fight.
  • Big boss encounters.
  • Combo “chain” counter.
  • Unlimited continues/level restarts.
  • Invincibility-get game over 3 times on the one level to get a choice to turn invincibility on.
  • Bubbles-bounce on, pop by jumping down.
  • Puzzle elements throughout.
  • Easy to learn.
  • It contains the original Bubble Bobble 8 bit version.
  • Collect EXTEND across the levels for new powerups and earn 1-3 stars for the levels.
  • Fun to play.
  • Solid gameplay.
  • Levels contain special effect bubbles and interactions.

Cons:

  • One hit deaths.
  • Some bad level designs.
  • Can’t save progress mid-level.
  • No online leaderboards.
  • On bigger levels, the camera pans right out and makes it really hard to see.

  • 8/10
    Graphics - 8/10
  • 7/10
    Sound - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Accessibility - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Length - 7/10
  • 8/10
    Fun Factor - 8/10
7.4/10

Summary

Bubble Bobble is back but not as you know it! So it keeps the core gameplay of catching enemies in bubbles then popping them for a score, but they add in special power bubbles like bombs and the like. It makes the gameplay a little more differently with an almost puzzle overtone to it. Levels grow in size and skill as you progress and boss fights are a nice addition if a bit infuriating. For the lesser skilled player, the invincibility perk is nice and you have no repercussions from using it. In what feels like a bargaining chip of sorts, you do have the original Bubble Bobble in all its 8-bit glory available from the off. Multiplayer adds a bit more life to the game but with no way to save progress mid-level and the generally slow pace of it all, Bubble Bobble is indeed back but just not how you remember it at all.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!