Rainbow Islands
Rainbows you can walk on and whack enemies with. The vertical adventure that followed Bubble Bobble.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1987
- Manufacturer
- Taito
- Players
- 2 players, alternating turns
- Genres
- Platformers
- Decade
- '80s arcade games
If you came over from Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands was a total curveball. The little dragons were back to being human, and instead of bubbles they were throwing rainbows. The single screens were gone too: now you had to climb, climb, climb up entire islands while the water rose from below.
It was colorful to the max, cheerful, and sneaky hard. One of those games that looks like it's for little kids until you've spent twenty minutes sweating to stay above water.
History
Taito released Rainbow Islands in 1987 with the subtitle The Story of Bubble Bobble 2. It picks up the story of Bub and Bob, who show up here as the boys Bubby and Bobby after breaking the spell that turned them into dragons.
The game takes you through a chain of themed islands, with nods to other Taito titles; one of them, for example, is inspired by Arkanoid. It became one of Taito's best-remembered games and was ported to plenty of home computers.
How to play
One button jumps and the other throws a rainbow in an arc. The rainbow hits any enemy it touches and doubles as a bridge or step to climb on. Jump on top of it and it breaks and falls, crushing whatever's underneath. Throw several in a row and you can scramble up fast.
Every island is split into vertical rounds: reach the top before the water catches you. Grab potions to throw more rainbows, faster. And watch for the colored gems enemies drop: collecting diamonds in all seven colors of the rainbow on each island is the key to unlocking the true ending.
Fun facts
- Its subtitle is The Story of Bubble Bobble 2.
- The heroes are Bubby and Bobby, Bubble Bobble's Bub and Bob in human form.
- One of the islands is a tribute to Taito's Arkanoid.
In the arcade
Rainbow Islands isn't in the arcade yet. It's on the wish list, and you can hit “I Want to Play It” on this page to push it up. Coming soon to UsuArcade if the votes call for it.
Meanwhile, its predecessor Bubble Bobble is already in the arcade, and you can play it co-op with a friend. If you're still hungry for more, Arkanoid and Snow Bros are waiting too.
FAQ
When did Rainbow Islands come out?
1987, from Taito.
How many players is Rainbow Islands?
Up to two players, alternating turns.
Is Rainbow Islands the sequel to Bubble Bobble?
Yes. Its subtitle is The Story of Bubble Bobble 2, and it continues Bub and Bob's story in human form.
Can I play Rainbow Islands on UsuArcade?
Not yet. Vote for it with “I Want to Play It”; meanwhile you can play Bubble Bobble in the arcade.
