Rainbow Islands - The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (Japan)
NES / Famicom
🇯🇵
Reviewed in 1992
80
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✪ Reviewed on January 19, 2023
72
The western NES version of Rainbow Islands. Same brilliant Taito platformer with its islands and rainbows. Honest conversion of a game that truly deserves to be known.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer2 players3+
Co-op
Description
Japanese sample version of Rainbow Islands. Japanese sample version of Taito's Rainbow Islands on Famicom.
Rainbow Islands - The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Creating rainbows to climb, crush enemies or reveal hidden bonuses: this poetic, clever mechanic is the whole originality of this Bubble Bobble sequel. Climbing ever higher before the rising water keeps a joyful tension going. Colourful, inventive and brimming with secrets, a charming platformer that rewards skill and curiosity.
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,07 MB📅01/01/1992
Published by Taito
Rainbow Islands - The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (NES) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
Commercial Japanese version of Rainbow Islands on Famicom, bearing the full title The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 specific to the NTSC-J market. This edition keeps Taito's original presentation before the Western adaptations and is the game's reference strike in Japan. Desirability rests on its status as the Japanese source version of a cult platformer, distinct from the PAL and NTSC-U runs by its title and cover.
Is Rainbow Islands - The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 still worth playing in 2026?
A spiritual sequel to Bubble Bobble from Taito, Rainbow Islands has Bubby and Bobby climb vertical towers by creating rainbows that serve as both platforms and weapons to crush enemies. The bright concept, the hidden bonus system and the rising water that presses the player give a unique charm and tension. The colourful art direction and the unsuspected depth still appeal just as much. For a retro arcade platforming fan, someone curious about a Taito classic or a collector, the title keeps a timeless inventiveness and cheer.
