• Released in 1987 by Taito, this platformer is the sequel to Bubble Bobble, featuring vertically scrolling stages across ten themed islands.
• Bubby and Bobby, now human, travel to Rainbow Islands to find the Diamond Rod and rescue villagers captured by the Dark Shadow entity.
• Bubby (green) and Bobby (blue) use rainbow magic. Player 2 alternates with Player 1, unlike the simultaneous play of the previous game.
• Players create rainbows to attack enemies or use as platforms. Collecting seven colored diamonds in order unlocks secret rooms and true endings.
• Western NES ports have unique levels, like the Kiki KaiKai island. Music was also modified, replacing the melody based on 'Over the Rainbow'.
• The game features vibrant graphics and clever crossovers with Taito hits like Arkanoid and Darius, blending their mechanics and sounds.
• While powerful, items like the Blue Tiara can defeat enemies automatically, making it difficult to collect specific diamond colors for secrets.
• Failing to collect Big Diamonds locks players out of the final worlds. Some European ports had bugs that crashed the game after Level 7.
• The series expanded with sequels like Parasol Stars and various remakes, though naming conventions for the 'Story 2' and '3' vary.
• Its depth and appeal have been highly praised, earning it multiple top rankings in magazines.
