A Puzzle Bobble 4 as addictive as ever, with bubbles to chain and irresistible humor. Clever levels and turbocharged multiplayer work wonderfully. A genre classic.
Your verdict
Category
Puzzle4 players3+
Description
The player shoots coloured bubbles to eliminate groups in this fourth Taito Dreamcast puzzle game. Published by Taito, released in Japan in January 2000. Bubble-shooting puzzle with precise aiming, new game modes, varied characters and stages. Japanese edition.
Puzzle Bobble 4 review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Bouncing bubbles off the walls to form clusters of the same colour calls for goldsmith-precise aim. This instalment adds platforms hung from a pendulum that tip the whole layout, refreshing the thinking. Tense in twos, clever solo, it extends an indestructible formula with just the right dose of new ideas.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Aim, group three bubbles of the same colour and set off cascading drops: the mechanic lands instantly and the tension climbs as the ceiling creeps down. The versus mode, where you flood your rival's screen, quickly turns into a nervy little war. Crystal clear to grasp, sly to master, a puzzle you switch on by pure reflex.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Aiming, popping a cluster and triggering a cascade of bubbles delivers a clean satisfaction that pushes you to the next board. Difficulty climbs in fine steps, you brush failure then save yourself with a perfect shot, and the versus mode keeps reviving the challenge. The principle has barely changed since the arcade, but its clarity and tempo keep their effectiveness fully intact.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Is Puzzle Bobble 4 still worth playing in 2026?
The fourth entry in Taito's cult series born from Bubble Bobble, Puzzle Bobble 4 perfects the colourful bubble shooting with new elements like pivoting boards and more tactical chains. The crystal clear principle stays fearsomely effective, in solo as in an ever tense versus. The cute art and instant playability have not aged. For a fan of competitive puzzle or a lover of the Bubble Bobble licence, the title remains a safe and convivial bet.
