Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2

Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 is a platform game originally developed and published by Taito. It arrived on the NES during the late 1980s/early 1990s era, continuing the lineage of the beloved Bubble Bobble series with its own unique twist on the formula.

In this installment, you control one of the two main characters, tasked with traversing a series of vibrant, side-scrolling levels. The primary mechanic involves using a special parasol. You can use this parasol to catch various projectiles, such as water droplets that fall from the sky. Once caught, you can then throw these projectiles back at the enemies that populate the screen. Hitting an enemy with a projectile stuns them, and a second hit causes them to be defeated, often turning into points or helpful items.

Beyond offense, the parasol serves other purposes. You can hold captured droplets or stunned enemies above your head, allowing you to create temporary platforms or use them to jump higher. When you throw a projectile at the ground, it can form a rainbow that you can ride upwards, helping you reach higher areas or dodge hazards. Clearing all enemies on screen is typically the condition for opening the exit to the next stage. The progression through Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 involves mastering these parasol abilities to overcome diverse enemy types and environmental challenges.

The game features distinct worlds, each with its own set of enemies and visual themes, requiring players to adapt their strategies. You'll find yourself timing your throws and parasol actions carefully to manage multiple enemies and navigate the often-tricky level designs to reach the end of each island.