Bubble Symphony (c) 10/1994 Taito.
Eight years since the introduction of the renowned puzzle maze game "Bubble Bobble" comes its upgraded reincarnation with more excitement. Players select their characters from Bubblun, Bobblun, Cururun, or Cororon. Each dragon has its own characteristics. Beat the enemies, collect hidden items and reveal the secrets!
- TECHNICAL -
Taito F3 System hardware
Prom Stickers : D90
Main CPU : 68EC020 (@ 16 Mhz)
Sound CPU : 68000 (@ 16 Mhz)
Sound Chips : ES5505 (@ 15.23805 Mhz)
Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 320 x 224 pixels
Screen refresh : 58.97 Hz
Palette colors : 8192
Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 2
= > [1] Bubble, [2] Jump
- TRIVIA -
This game is also known as "Bubble Bobble II".
In the attract mode title sequence, Bubblun appears in front of a closed red curtain (which will turn blue if the 'Game Mode Select' code is entered) announcing, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, this is... Bubble Symphony!' The curtain then opens on the cast of enemies as follows (NOTE : (1) denotes members of the original "Bubble Bobble" cast) :
* Bottom row (left to right) : Flhoop, Uni Bo, Drunk(1) (aka Willy Whistle), Banebou(1) (aka Coiley), Invader(1) (aka Super Socket), Zen-Chan(1) (aka Bubble Buster), Mighta(1) (aka Stoner), Rappappa, Catch Maru, Roboj, Hattonton
* 2nd row from bottom (left to right) : Monsta(1) (aka Beluga), Komso, Kabukky, Mya-Ta, Heita-Kun, Warurin, Hidegonsu(1) (aka Incendo), No-No, Upper, Ame Da-Ma, PulPul (1) (aka Hullaballoon; listed as "Puru Puru" in the end credits)
* 2nd row from top (left to right) : Robol, Rocketl, Yuki-Bombo, Mummy, Chu-Chu Man, Jiji Poppo, Kiri Kabu Kun, Bolt Man, Strong Shell
* Top row (left to right) : Dorabo, Ouji Sama, Knightron, Dranko, Magician, Denkyu-Kun, Ankororin
* Not pictured : Puka Puka, Bake Couchin, Killer Hijia, Ti Ta Ma, Kasabe, Kon-Chan, Mimic, Skel Monsta(1) (aka Baron Von Blubba), Nyororin, Rascal(1) (aka Rubblen), Yu Bo, Unicoron, Cerberorin, Kabu-Chan, YZK-Takami, Golem
The enemy known as 'Catch Maru' can be seen in two different color schemes - one with a blue robe and purple shoes (as seen in the attract mode title sequence), and one with a green robe and blue shoes.
The game forbids the initials 'SEX' on the high score table. If you try, it gets changed to 'H !'.
There are a grand total of 164 rooms in the game, including 18 boss rooms.
- UPDATES -
The US version is slightly different, it has the "Recycle It, Don't Trash It!" screen.
In 'Super' mode, accessible after entering the 'Game mode select' code (see 'Tips and Tricks' below), enemies are switched around, as follows (Legend : 'Normal' mode monster --> 'Super' mode monster) :
Zen-Chan --> Warurin (and vice-versa)
Mighta --> Dranko (and vice-versa)
Monsta --> Yu Bo
PulPul --> Strong Shell (and vice-versa)
Banebou --> Kasabe (and vice-versa)
Hidegonsu --> Hattonton
Drunk --> Chu-Chu Man
Invader --> Flhoop
Flhoop --> Bolt Man
Yuki-Bombo --> Drunk
Mya-Ta --> Yuki Bombo
Chu-Chu Man --> Hidegonsu
Magician --> Knightron (and vice-versa)
Komso --> Cerberorin (and vice-versa)
Catch Maru (in blue robe and purple shoes) --> No-No
Catch Maru (in green robe and blue shoes) --> Kabu-Chan
Mummy --> Unicoron
Puka Puka --> Bake Couchin
Ame Da-Ma --> Nyororin
Upper --> Kiri Kabu Kun (and vice-versa)
Bake Couchin --> Ame Da-Ma
Hattonton --> Roboj
Ti Ta Ma --> Uni Bo
Ti Ta Ma --> Robol (and vice-versa)
Heita-Kun --> Jiji Poppo
Kabukky --> Uni Bo (and vice-versa)
Nyororin --> Puka Puka
Ouji Sama --> Mummy
Yu Bo --> Golem
Rappappa --> Ouji Sama
Golem --> Monsta
Roboj --> Mya-Ta
Unicoron --> Rappappa
Kabu-Chan --> Heita-Kun
Bolt Man --> Invader
Jiji Poppo --> Catch Maru (in blue robe and purple shoes)
No-No --> Catch Maru (in green robe and blue shoes)
Monsters not listed remain the same.
- TIPS AND TRICKS -
* Always access secret rooms : before inserting your coin, at the intro screen with the curtain, press Jump, Bubble, Jump, Bubble, Jump, Bubble, Left, Start. A tone will sound.
* Black Background And Classic Music : Before inserting your coin, at the intro screen with the curtain, press Bubble, Jump, Bubble, Jump, Bubble, Jump, Right, Start. A tone will sound. The background of each room will be black and the original Bubble Bobble theme will play instead of the usual music.
Alternative Codes :
1. Left, Jump, Left, Start, Left, Bubble, Left, Start.
2. Start, Jump, Bubble, Left, Right, Jump, Start, Right.
* Game mode select : before inserting your coin, at the intro screen with the curtain, press Up, Start, Right, Jump, Bubble, Left, Start, Down. The curtain will turn blue. You can now choose between 'normal game' and 'super game'. In 'Super' mode, platforms appear in different colors, and most of the monsters are switched around (see 'Updates' above).
* Unlock Human characters : before inserting your coin, at the intro screen with the curtain, press Left, Down, Up, Jump, Right, Start, Bubble, Right. A tone will sound. You can now choose from four human characters.
* Power-up : Down, Bubble, Jump, Start, Left, Right, Left, Start. Gives running shoes, multiple bubbles, fast bubbles.
- SERIES -
1. Bubble Bobble (1986)
2. Rainbow Islands - The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (1987)
3. Final Bubble Bobble (1988, Sega Master System)
4. Parasol Stars - The Story of Bubble Bobble III (1991, NEC PC-Engine)
5. Bubble Bobble Part 2 (1993, Nintendo Famicom)
6. Bubble Symphony (1994)
7. Bubble Memories - The Story of Bubble Bobble III (1996)
8. Rainbow Islands - Putty's Party (2000, Bandai Wonderswan)
- STAFF -
Project leader : Keppel Maekawa
Game planners : Yoshitake Shirei, Keppel Maekawa
Software designers : Harumi. K, Meltycat!, Kunio Kuzukawa, Takahiro Natani (Helper Natani)
Map creators : Taka. Furukawa, Yoshitake Shirei
Character designers : Turtle Mizukami, T. Ozaki, Koji?!, Yourychan
Dot design works : Akiyoshi Takada, Mari Fukusaki, Mochi Mochi Natsuko, Shigeki Yamamoto, Ken, Yourychan, Lin Chinkai (Indy Chinkai)
All music & sound composed by : Yasuko Yamada (Zuntata)
Sound effects : Ishikawa Babio (BABI) (Zuntata)
Music adviser : Tamayo Kawamoto (Zuntata)
Instruction designers : Mihoko Sudoh, Rintaroh Doi
Hardware Works : Katsumi Kaneoka, Hironobu Suzuki, Jun Sawaki
- PORTS -
* Consoles :
Sega Saturn (1997)
There was also a Sony PlayStation port by Virgin, but was not marketed.
Microsoft XBOX (2006, "Taito Legends 2")
Sony PlayStation 2 (2006, "Taito Legends 2")
* Computers :
PC [CD-ROM] (2006, "Taito Legends 2")