Transitioning from the claustrophobic single-screen depths of the previous entry, Rainbow Islands: Bubble Bobble 2 represents a vibrant leap into vertical platforming excellence. Players control Bubby and Bobby in human form, trading bubble-blowing for the ability to manifest solid rainbows that serve as both lethal projectiles and makeshift staircases. This sequel's charm lies in its deceptive simplicity; while the primary goal is to reach the summit before the rising sea swallows the stage, the intricate scoring system involving the collection of seven colored gems adds a layer of master-level strategy that keeps seasoned players returning to uncover the "True" ending.
The NES port of this arcade classic is a technical marvel, particularly the PAL version developed by Ocean, which manages to preserve the frantic energy and vivid color palette of the original hardware. Unlike many 8-bit conversions that feel like stripped-down shadows of their arcade parents, Rainbow Islands on the NES feels substantial, offering multiple themed islands—from Insect Island to Monster Island—each with unique enemy patterns and boss encounters. The music, a chiptune rendition of "Over the Rainbow," remains one of the most infectious and iconic soundtracks in the entire Nintendo library, perfectly complementing the game’s whimsical yet challenging nature.
It is interesting to note the diverging release schedules of this era, where European and Australian markets occasionally received late-cycle gems that skipped other regions entirely. Rainbow Islands remains a cornerstone of the NES era in the AUS/PAL region, standing as a testament to the longevity of the 8-bit hardware through clever level design and a masterclass in risk-reward mechanics.
