Editing Puzzle Bobble

{{Short description|1994 video game}}
{{Redirect|Bust-a-Move|other uses|Bust a Move (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Puzzle Bobble
| image = Puzzle Bobble arcade flyer.jpg
| developer = [[Taito]]{{efn|Ported to 3DO by MicroCabin, to Game Gear by Santos, to Windows by Kinesoft, and to WonderSwan by Yoshidayama Workshop}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Taito}}|'''Neo Geo/Neo Geo CD'''<br>[[SNK]]<br>'''SNES/Game Gear'''<br>Taito<br>'''3DO'''<br>{{vgrelease|JP|MicroCabin|NA|[[Panasonic]]}}'''Windows'''<br>{{vgrelease|JP|GameBank|EU|[[GT Interactive]]|NA|[[Interplay Productions]]}}'''WonderSwan'''<br>[[Sunsoft]]}}
| designer = Kazuhiro Kinoshita, Seiichi Nakakuki
| programmer = Yasuo Tsumori
| composer = Kazuko Umino, Yasuko Yamada
| series = ''Puzzle Bobble''
| platforms = {{collapsible list|title=[[Arcade game|Arcade]]|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Neo Geo]], [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer]], [[Game Gear]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Neo Geo CD]], [[WonderSwan]], [[PlayStation Portable]]}}
| released = '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|June 1994|WW|December 1994<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=136–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n137/mode/2up}}</ref>}}
'''SNES'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Bust-A-Move Release Information for Super Nintendo - GameFAQs |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588237-bust-a-move/data |website=Gamespot.com}}</ref>{{vgrelease|JP|13 January 1995|NA|March 1995|EU|29 June 1995}} '''3DO'''{{vgrelease|JP|22 November 1995|NA|15 December 1995}}
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Taito B System]] (Japan), [[Neo Geo MVS]] (international)
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Puzzle Bobble''''',|パズルボブル|Pazuru Boburu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} internationally known as '''''Bust-A-Move''''', is a 1994 [[Tile-matching video game|tile-matching puzzle]] [[arcade game]] developed and published by [[Taito]]. It is based on the 1986 arcade game ''[[Bubble Bobble]]'', featuring characters and themes from that game. Its characteristically [[Kawaii|cute]] [[Anime|Japanese animation]] and music, along with its play mechanics and level designs, made it successful as an arcade title and spawned several sequels and ports to home gaming systems.

==Gameplay==
[[File:ARC Puzzle Bobble (Bust-a-Move).png|thumb|left|Arcade version screenshot]]
At the start of each round, the rectangular playing arena contains a prearranged pattern of colored "bubbles". At the bottom of the screen, the player controls a device called a "pointer", which aims and fires bubbles up the screen. The color of bubbles fired is randomly generated and chosen from the colors of bubbles still left on the screen.

The objective of the game is to clear all the bubbles from the arena without any bubble crossing the bottom line. Bubbles will fire automatically if the player remains idle. After clearing the arena, the next round begins with a new pattern of bubbles to clear. The arcade version of the game consists of 30 levels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arcade Longplay [291] Puzzle Bobble |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1I0lzM_UZI |website=YouTube |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> The fired bubbles travel in straight lines (possibly bouncing off the sidewalls of the arena), stopping when they touch other bubbles or reach the top of the arena. If a bubble touches identically colored bubbles, forming a group of three or more, those bubbles—as well as any bubbles hanging from them—are removed from the field of play, and points are awarded. After every few shots, the "ceiling" of the playing arena drops downwards slightly, along with all the bubbles stuck to it. The number of shots between each drop of the ceiling is influenced by the number of bubble colors remaining. The closer the bubbles get to the bottom of the screen, the faster the music plays and if they cross the line at the bottom then the game is over.

==Release==
Two different versions of the original game were released. ''Puzzle Bobble'' was originally released in Japan only in June 1994 by [[Taito]], running on [[Taito B System]] hardware (with the preliminary title "Bubble Buster"). Then, six months later in December, the international [[Neo Geo]] version of ''Puzzle Bobble'' was released. It was almost identical aside from being in [[Stereophonic sound|stereo]] and having some different sound effects and translated text.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{rating|3.5|5}} (Arcade)<ref name="Allgame">{{cite web |last1=Baize |first1=Anthony |title=Bust-a-Move - Review |url=https://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9711&tab=review |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=All Media Network |access-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115082045/https://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9711&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |date=1998}}</ref>
| EGM = 39/50 (SNES)<ref name="EGM68"/>
| NGen = {{rating|4|5}} (SNES)<ref name="NG5"/><br>{{rating|4|5}} (3DO)<ref name="NGen14"/>
| SP = 84% (SNES)<ref name="SPlay">{{cite news |title=Import Review - Puzzle Bobble |url=https://archive.org/details/super-play-34/page/n37/mode/2up |access-date=January 17, 2021 |agency=[[Super Play]] |issue=34 |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |date=August 1995 |page=39}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed the Neo Geo version of ''Puzzle Bobble'' on their February 15, 1995 issue as being the second most-popular arcade game at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=489|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=15 February 1995|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref> It went on to become Japan's second highest-grossing arcade [[printed circuit board]] (PCB) software [[1995 in video games|of 1995]], below ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title="Virtua Fighter 2" and "Virtua Cop" Top Videos|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=511|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 February 1996|page=22|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19960201p.pdf#page=12 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19960201p.pdf#page=12 |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, ''RePlay'' reported the Neo Geo version of ''Puzzle Bobble'' to be the fourth most-popular arcade game in February 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Video Software|magazine=RePlay|volume=20|issue=5|publisher=RePlay Publishing, Inc.|date=February 1995|page=6}}</ref>

Reviewing the Super NES version, Mike Weigand of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' called it "a thoroughly enjoyable and incredibly addicting puzzle game". He considered the two player mode the highlight, but also said that the one player mode provides a solid challenge.<ref name="EGM68">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Bust A Move|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=68|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=March 1995|page=34|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_68/page/n33/mode/1up?view=theater}}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]'' gave it a generally negative review, saying it starts out fun but that ultimately lacks intricacy and longevity. They elaborated that in one player mode all the levels feel the same, and that two player matches are over too quickly to build up any excitement. They also criticized the lack of any 3D effects in the graphics.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Bust-A-Move|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=69 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1995|page=68}}</ref> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' reviewed the SNES version of the game and called it "addictive as hell".<ref name="NG5">{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=May 1995|page=101}}</ref>

A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', while questioning the continued viability of the action puzzle genre, admitted that the game is "very simple and ''very'' addictive". He remarked that though the 3DO version makes no significant additions, none are called for by a game with such simple enjoyment.<ref name="NGen14">{{cite magazine|title=Bust a Move|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=14 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1996|page=167}}</ref> ''GamePro''{{'}}s brief review of the 3DO version commented that the game's controls are responsive, and they also praised visuals and music.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Quick Hits: Bust-A-Move|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=93|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1996|page=72}}</ref> [[Edge (magazine)|''Edge'']] magazine ranked the game 73rd on their 100 Best Video Games in 2007.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/EDGE.The.100.Best.Videogames.2007/page/60/mode/2up|title=EDGE presents: The 100 Best Videogames (2007)|date=16 August 2020|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|location=[[United Kingdom]]|pages=60}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' rated the SNES version 54th in its Top 100 SNES Games.<ref>{{Citation |title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games |language=en |access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The simplicity of the concept has led to many clones, both commercial and otherwise. 1996's ''[[Snood (video game)|Snood]]'' replaced the bubbles with small creatures and has been successful in its own right. ''[[Worms Blast]]'' was Team 17's take on the concept. On September 24, 2000, British game publisher [[Empire Interactive]] released a similar game, ''Spin Jam'', for the original [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] console. Mobile clones include ''Bubble Witch Saga'' and ''[[Bubble Shooter]]''. ''[[Frozen Bubble]]'' is a [[free software]] clone. For ''Bubble Bobble''{{'}}s 35th anniversary, Taito launched ''Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey'' on the [[Oculus Quest]] and [[Oculus Quest 2]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Acebedo|first=Bayani|date=May 21, 2021|title=Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey Comes to Oculus Quest and Quest 2|work=whatoplay|url=https://whatoplay.com/post/puzzle-bobble-vr|access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> later coming to [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation 5]] as ''Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey'' in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/06/03/puzzle-bobble-3d-vacation-odyssey-enters-a-new-dimension-on-ps-vr-ps4-and-ps5/|title=Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey enters a new dimension on PS VR, PS4, and PS5|website=PlayStation Blog|date=3 June 2021|accessdate=June 3, 2021}}</ref>''

=== ''Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!'' ===
''Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!'' was released on May 23, 2023, for [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mynintendonews.com/2022/08/26/puzzle-bobble-everybubble-coming-to-switch-in-2023/|title=Puzzle Bobble Everybubble coming to Switch in 2023|website=My Nintendo News|date=26 August 2022|accessdate=August 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/02/puzzle-bobble-everybubble-launches-may-23|title=Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! launches May 23|website=Gematsu|date=2 February 2023|accessdate=February 23, 2023}}</ref> The game also comes with an extra mode called "''Puzzle Bobble'' vs. ''[[Space Invaders]]''", where up to four players can work together to erase bubble-encased invaders before they reach the player while only being able to aim straight up.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! includes 'Puzzle Bobble vs. Space Invaders' mode |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/01/puzzle-bobble-everybubble-includes-puzzle-bobble-vs-space-invaders-mode |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* Taito Corporation page: [https://web.archive.org/web/19981201230335/http://www.taito.co.jp/his/A_HIS/HTM/PUZBOB.HTM arcade], [https://web.archive.org/web/20060113211813/http://www.taito.co.jp/mobile/ew_jphone/spb/spb.html#point_pb PB (mobile)]
* {{KLOV game|9169}}
* {{mobygames|/5518}}

{{Bubble Bobble series|state=expanded}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Puzzle Bobble}}
[[Category:1994 video games]]
[[Category:3DO games]]
[[Category:ACA Neo Geo games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Bubble Bobble]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Kinesoft games]]
[[Category:Microcabin games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Neo Geo CD games]]
[[Category:Neo Geo games]]
[[Category:Panasonic video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:SNK games]]
[[Category:Split-screen multiplayer games]]
[[Category:Square Enix franchises]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Taito B System games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tamayo Kawamoto]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:WonderSwan games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]