Bubble Bobble Part 2 (USA) ROM

I don't think they knew Bubble Bobble would become a hit classic when they made it and in coming back to the title to make a more faithful sequel, they decided to tweak some mechanics that, in my opinion, made the game worse.

Controls are similar to the first game with a jump and bubble attack. However, the mechanics of moving through the level have changed with much slower movement and instead of only bubble jumping, you can perform the Super Bubble in which you hold the bubble attack button to inflate, being able to float up and upon releasing the button, release multiple bubbles. This mechanic is made frustrating, like insanely irritating, because the game features much stronger and more annoying 'wind patterns' than the first game, forcing your character to move certain ways either making the move useless or making you struggle to get the dragon where you want him. A single touch from any enemy will make you fall. While you can still bubble jump the bubbles appear to be much more sensitive and quick-moving making it difficult.

Sound is cute tones and mostly enjoyable. Most of the tracks remind me of other games.

Graphics are cuter and a step up from the first game. Backgrounds of levels are much more detailed as are the player and the monsters. There is an absolutely adorable manticore enemy that I cry every time I have to kill.

Gameplay is similar to the original game. There are fewer levels but I think more bosses and new minigame levels. In total, there are 79 levels (though I was not counting if it numbered the bosses and minigames). I was annoyed at how quickly the evil invulnerable ghost appeared on most levels, seemingly showing up in 30 seconds or less on some. Difficulty was multiplied when the level called for Super Bubble and finding the perfect wind current or bubble jumping. The minigame levels were mostly fun but I found myself waiting out the clock on the last one.

Overall, I felt more relieved than anything when I beat the game. I was just tired of fighting against the skull ghost and insane wind currents. It's not a bad game, just that I wouldn't play it again.