Super Bust-A-Move: The Puzzle Craze That Never Gets Old

Since 1994, Taito fans have enjoyed various games titled Bust a Move. The series started with an original game for multiple Neo Geo platforms (arcade, Neo CD, Neo cartridge). At the time, Japanese players were looking for a puzzle game that suited their culture better than the famous Tetris, and Puzzle Bobble (its original name) became an instant hit. Even though its concept was simple (popping bubbles by shooting other bubbles), it turned out to be so addictive that it quickly became the most popular arcade game in Japan.

Over the years, the series expanded to platforms like the Super Nintendo, Saturn, and PlayStation, eventually reaching international markets. The characters and the concept of dragons shooting bubbles became hugely popular, even among people who weren’t into video games.

Even though the franchise might seem a bit overused, Taito always tries to introduce new elements in each edition to keep players interested. This time, they’ve adapted the PlayStation version—which was itself based on the 1998 arcade game—for PC. Having Taito behind the product is reassuring, and even though the core gameplay hasn’t evolved much, they’ve made sure to add new features compared to the original arcade version.

This PC adaptation includes a variety of modes, characters, and addictive levels. While it lacks a deep story, the main focus is clearing levels and enjoying the game without worrying about complicated plots.

Gameplay

Explaining how Puzzle Bobble works is pretty simple: You have a screen full of bubbles, and your job is to clear them by shooting bubbles of the same color to match at least three. Sounds easy, right? Despite its simplicity, this franchise has enjoyed steady popularity for over six years and has made its way to multiple platforms, including the GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2.

During gameplay, in any of its modes, you’ll pick one of 10 characters, each with their own personality. Alongside your chosen character, Bub (Player 1) or Bob (Player 2) will appear—two charming little dragons who’ll accompany you during the match.

While the basic goal is straightforward, as you progress through the levels, you’ll encounter different challenges to clear the screen. Some new additions include walls that shift the bubbles, pinball-like squares where they bounce around, and other obstacles designed to increase the difficulty. The simplicity of the game is exactly what makes it appealing, and while the single-player mode might get tiresome for some, playing with a friend makes it incredibly addictive.

As for the modes, Super Bust a Move offers:

Arcade Mode, where you progress through alphabetically organized levels.
Versus Mode, where you face off against a friend.
Puzzle Mode, where you tackle letter-themed boards in different configurations (training, normal, or classic), advancing screen by screen until you reach the last letter. The difficulty ramps up as you go, and some levels can be really tough—but don’t worry, you have unlimited continues.

The game also includes a Battle Mode, where you face off against opponents in versus matches, and the combos you pull off get transferred to your rival (and vice versa). For those who want to compete with friends, there’s a local versus mode, though it doesn’t support LAN or online play.

Finally, the Challenge Mode is the most original. Here, you take on a series of levels with varying difficulty and try to reach the end using as few bubbles as possible. When you complete the challenge, you get a score summary showing how far you made it, turning this mode into a sort of mission series to test your skills.

Graphics

Taito has learned from past entries that it can’t keep using the same graphical style as the first Bust a Move, so this game looks very different in terms of character designs. The hand-drawn masterpieces are gone, replaced by a more psychedelic, exaggerated look inspired by games like Parappa the Rapper—think disproportionate characters, a bit of cel-shading, and somewhat crude animations. This change might not please longtime fans, but it fits the current absurd trend used by many other games. It’s cute at first, but it does get old after a while.

The ten selectable characters have trippy designs—don’t even try to figure out what they’re supposed to represent, or you might fry your brain. They’re just… there, and you have to pick one. During gameplay, your chosen character performs various animations (though they’re a bit stiff and repetitive), while the little dragon from Bubble Bobble hands you bubbles without moving much (it looks almost dead).

On the bright side, the backgrounds are fantastic—they’re incredibly varied, cycling through different themes with each level, so you won’t get tired of them. One last noteworthy detail is that Super Bust a Move includes a fun, cartoonish intro that sets the tone nicely—a small but welcome touch that helps make up for some of the game’s flaws.

Music & Sound

Taito has gone for a different graphical approach in this Bust a Move installment compared to the classic style of the first game. It moves away from hand-drawn art and embraces a more psychedelic, quirky look, reminiscent of games like Parappa the Rapper. The characters have wild, exaggerated designs, with a bit of cel-shading and somewhat rough animations. This change might not sit well with older fans, but it follows a popular trend seen in other games. While the visuals are charming at first, they can feel repetitive over time.

The game offers ten characters, each with a unique and flashy design. There’s no need to overthink their looks—they’re just bizarre and fun. During gameplay, the characters perform different animations, though they can feel a bit limited and repetitive. Meanwhile, the Bubble Bobble dragon that gives you bubbles barely moves, almost like it’s frozen in place.

However, the backgrounds are a strong point—they change constantly, with each level featuring a different theme, so you never get tired of them. The intro also deserves a shoutout—it’s a playful, cartoon-style animation that sets a fun mood, helping to balance out some of the game’s visual shortcomings.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fun way to pass the time, Super Bust a Move is a great choice. Even if you already own the fourth edition of the game, this version is still worth it. Don’t expect a deep story or complex mechanics—here, the fun comes in the form of bubbles, offering moments of strategic thinking and an addiction that might just surprise you.