Bubble Bobble & Racket Attack retrospective: Doubles matches | NES Works

It's two for two for the road this week with Bubble Bobble, a game specifically designed to be played with another person, and Racket Attack, the second-ever NES tennis game which, like Nintendo's Tennis, offers support for doubles play (though not competitive play). Amidst all the moral panic about the way video games were rotting the brains of America's youth and turning us into violent killers, here's a pair that emphasizes cooperation. Stupid moral panickers.
Production note: NES footage captured from ‪@analogueinc‬ Nt Mini. Video upscaled to 720 with ‪@retrotink339‬ 5X.
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[@devmas]

A tip for those without any friends, right before you deliver the final blow to the final boss, hit start+select to call in player 2, and yay! I had to figure that out on my own as a kid, because... well...

[@XanthinZarda]

A double shout-out for anyone who couldn't get the true ending in the Arcade version; since that one was even more cryptic about getting the true ending.

[@LakituAl]

the 5 little notes that play when baron von blubba appears are, imo, some of the most ominous sounds in this planet

[@ValkyrieTiara]

That and Sonic's drowning music (if you can call it that) are by far the most terrifying songs in gaming. I never thought Lavender Town was scary.

[@chriskoschik391]

I don’t know. The death music on Star Tropics is pretty dark too!

[@goranisacson2502]

Bubble Bobble was a co-op classic that neither me or my brother ever got really GOOD at, but man that character design, the music... so memorable. So delightful. Was NOT prepared to find out Racket Attack was such a comparatively early NES title when we, in Sweden at least, got it VERY late in early 94. I recall reading the reviews with all the tennis stars stats and personalities featured, seemed real ambitious even then... but it seems ambition outstripped ability, here.

[@TroyBlackford]

Bubble Bobble NES was one of two games my Grandma would play with me (she was my parent). The other was Tetris on Game Boy, so we couldn't play that one actually together. That's why this one is special. That song, tho.

[@RndStranger]

Here's something you wouldn't expect about this port of Bubble Bobble; at least part of the team that developed it also developed infamous Famicom train wreck Super Monkey Daibouken. After the disastrous release of one of the worst games ever made, the team quit and were scattered and some wound up at Taito working on the FDS port...

[@JeremyParish]

You're right, I would not have expected that

[@satoukazuma7952]

IIRC you can pause the game and hit Select at the last moment before the ending sequence starts to see the true ending, even in a single-player play-through

[@LorenHelgeson]

The NES version is classic. If you get the chance, though, I recommend checking out the Master System version. It's music and graphics are much closer to the arcade version, it keeps a lot of the arcade version's secrets including those mystery rooms, and even adds bonus boss fights with larger versions of the regular enemies every 30 levels or so, much like the battle with Super Drunk. Probably also partly inspired by the boss fights in Rainbow Islands.

[@JeremyParish]

Don't worry, I'll get to the Master System version in due time.

[@billcook4768]

Jeremy: Here’s a throughly researched, edited and entertaining video. Me: WTF is Patrick Stewart talking about. “Treckers”?? I don’t think so.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Back in the '80s, Trekkies was an insult and Trekkers was the term people liked. I have no idea why, I'm not that big a Star Trek fan (barring the Original Series, which I adore.)

[@JeremyParish]

Yeah, Trekkie vs Trekker was very much a thing. Simpler times.

[@jasonblalock4429]

The funny part being that the attempt at rebranding failed, and trekkies just ended up owning "trekkie" rather than keep trying to get rid of it.

[@tjcondon3954]

@@JeremyParish How I long for the days when the Internet's greatest philosophical battlefield was "Mike vs. Joel"

[@thewiirocks]

@@jasonblalock4429 I remember all the hubabaloo over “Trekkie” and the attempt to make “Trekker” the standard. What I didn’t understand at any point was *why* it was a thing. To me, neither one stood out as an improvement over the other. It felt like Trek fans were unnecessarily accepting insult rather just than leaning in and owning it. But maybe I was weird. I thought being a space nerd was a compliment. 🤷‍♂️

[@shadowscribe]

I'll never forget the shock of getting the bad ending at the Bubble Bobble's false boss. Having never played Ghosts and Goblins, it felt so left field and unfair. Plenty of games weren't technically up to meeting fairly, but this design was outright mean. There plenty of levels where a two pronged approach was optimal or and even a few where direct help was invaluable. It's not a coincidence P2 was best positioned get the crystal ball that only appeared briefly in one level to only the extra levels much later. But technically the game only cared about having two players when you popped the boss, so you just needed to deduct a life to call in player 2 at will. 6:59 level 57 can F RIGHT OFF, and it's NOT the only one.

[@garyhall7867]

57 is about where I got stuck

[@WinterionGameStudios]

The power of friendship! The joy of MTJ's philosophy! Bubble Bobble for life!

[@tinyguy9398]

Cannot wait for the Rainbow Islands (the Story of Bubble Bobble 2) episode. One of my favourite games as a kid.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Always nice to get an episode with nothing but good games.

[@fraudcakes]

I wonder if there's some traumatic story behind the final boss being a bottle-throwing alcoholic? The guy who designed Bubble Bobble - Fukio Mitsuji - was a genius on the level of any other game designer you care to name imo. The games he made are packed to an absurd degree with clever hooks and creative gameplay elements.

[@Mansini77]

Oh that infectious music.

[@DaneeBound]

It’s earworm time.

[@shadowscribe]

That music should have been annoying as hell

[@kennethchia4194]

I do not want to attempt to add up the number of hours I spent in college playing the arcade "Bubble Bobble" at the student union when I was supposed to be at the computer lab working on my CS degree.

[@SovrinnK]

This game and its spinoff Puzzle Bobble / Bust A Move have got to be tied for the greatest earworms in gaming history. Each of these tracks have spent hundreds of hours mercilessly looping through my skull.

[@thecunninlynguist]

Infectious theme. My cousin had bubble bobble and we would always play to try and beat it.

[@rodneylives]

I'm amazed and thrilled that you talked about arcade Bubble Bobble's many counters and persistent features! I tried to spread the word about those long ago in a Gamasutra article. I learned about them from the Bubble Bobble Info Pages, which are _still on the internet_ years after their first publication!

[@JeremyParish]

I was inspired to read up on the mechanics and better appreciate the game’s depth by your Game Developer piece! I linked to it elsewhere in the comments.

[@rodneylives]

@@JeremyParish I think we all should appreciate websites like the BBIPs, they're godsends but they don't last forever. I hugely miss the era of the internet where they were fairly common.

[@fahriakalin5936]

brontosaurus buddies

[@visionop8]

The visuals and camera of Racket Attack are very impressive and looks ahead of it's era if you were in Japan or the US where it was released in 1988. It seems odd that they didn't think Europe would want Racket Attack long before 1994. The insane decisions of companies like Jaleco, Atari and Sega will always amaze me. Tons of famous stories of money lit on fire.

[@erika_fuzzbottom]

Love this game. I remember it being one of the few games my mom was interested in playing. The NES version is probably my favorite iteration of Bubble Bobble. Mainly because of the physics, which are different than in other versions of the game. I can't get used to the physics in other versions. It's also worth noting that the game has a hard mode, dubbed "Super Bubble Bobble", unlocked through a password acquired upon getting the true ending. The hard mode recolors the levels and swaps around enemies; level 1, for example, will now use enemies that shoot projectiles. The only enemy that isn't swapped is the space invader. (Can't make level 57 easier, after all.)

[@bjornh1527]

I know, myself I’m unable to jump my own bubbles in the arcade the way I can on NES…

[@ValkyrieTiara]

@@bjornh1527 I can barely jump on my own bubbles on NES so the very idea of the arcade version now terrifies me..

[@erika_fuzzbottom]

If it helps, you don't have to time your jumps to bounce on bubbles. Just hold 'A' and you'll auto-bounce.

[@bjornh1527]

The problem is levels like the dreaded 57, where you have to stack bubbles along a wall while simultaneously bouncing on them. On the NES I can press both buttons repeatedly, but that strategy doesn’t work on the arcade original. So I can’t get very far in arcade Bubble Bobble.

[@erika_fuzzbottom]

I myself find it easier to stack the bubbles in the middle, where the space invaders don't shoot. The bubbles often jumble together in a ball before rising up, allowing me to hop on them before they climb too high to jump onto. Gotta do the wall thing for the final boss, though.

[@andrewscalf]

Love that we are getting more NES works with US releases, it’s been so long!

[@aaronsacks9262]

Played through to the real ending with my mom many times as a kid, remains one of my favorite games. Wish we had easy ways to play the sequels.

[@jesterssketchbook]

ugh this was so much fun on the Amiga - and the soundtrack lives in my brain rent-free

[@bjornh1527]

Yeah Racket Attack got really bad reviews when it arrived ´94 in Sweden. I think they complained that it was hard to control, only the large sprites was a positive. Those last European releases were a weird mix of older so called "budget" titles (approximatly 80% of the regular price), Ninja Gaiden II/ Shadow Warrior II was seen as the stand out in a flood of early Konami and Jaleco titles. Bubble Bobble on the other hand... such a big part of me growing up, played it with my brothers, relatives, friends, anybody!

[@jessragan6714]

1994 is pretty late to the party, isn't it? Even 16-bit game systems were nearing the end of their lifespans by that point!

[@JeremyParish]

The final U.S. NES and Famicom games were released in 1994, and a tiny handful of additional titles shipped in Europe until early 1995. We're talking down to the wire, basically.

[@g.u.959]

Love that Yo! Noid clip. One of my favorite underrated titles on the NES, oddly enough. Got it used a few years ago, and somehow the manual had a coupon for $1 off a domino’s pizza back in 1990. (It expired in 92, but still!)

[@Choralone422]

I still love me some Bubble Bobble on the NES! It's one of a handful of NES games I played through start to finish via emulation in 2020. That main theme music of the game is so incredibly infectious in a good way! :)

[@youdontneedtoseehisidentif4939]

Ouch, that perspective transition in _Racket Attack_ - in particular the momentary solid-colour screen - *really* hurts my eyes :/

[@MrTableDesk]

Every time you show a clip of Rygar, it makes my day better.

[@XanthinZarda]

Say, have you ever heard the bagpipe cover of the Rygar theme?

[@DiggZiggah]

That song really does stick in your head for the rest of time

[@KlingonCaptain]

Taito was the king of generic arcade games. Bubble Bobble was probably their only truly original game that wasn't just a mash-up of already existing games from other companies.

[@Filthnails]

Loved Bubble Bobble. Such a well designed game, one of the best for two players on the NES really. Each stage was always something new and interesting- there's something to be said for the color composition that gets used and the unique challenges of each map.

[@bslprints9935]

Bubbl bobble was a great game - me and my mom used to play it when I was a kid. It had good difficulty - a challenge for both of us but beatable.

[@christophervaca7116]

Joust was my fav NES 2 player game

[@Bloodreign1]

The arcade bonus stages at levels 20 and 30, as well as the warp in level 50 are still in the NES version, like the arcade version you must get that far in 1 life to see them.

[@JeremyParish]

The hidden rooms with the codes? That contradicts everything I have ever read about this version, and I cross referenced about half a dozen different resources this episode to make sure I had my facts straight. Can you point me to more info? Thanks!

[@Bloodreign1]

@@JeremyParish I've sworn I've run into these bonus rooms on the NES version before, but watching playthroughs of no death runs, they don't appear on the videos, weird. I have a copy of the SMS version as well, but that has even more bonus rooms, but no big warp door. Even the Game Boy version has some doors in it, but the game doesn't really seem to be a port of the arcade game, but more a standalone game. But since the NES version relies on passwords (and the FDS version, saves), and not input codes, perhaps the secret rooms weren't needed, but should've still been in anyway for those who play for score, as one can rack up plenty of points in them. Edit: I asked in a Taito based Discord, and it seems the doors aren't in the NES version, weird. Had to ask there as I was ready to pull my hair out researching for something about that version for about an hour. There is one door at least, and it leads to the Secret Road if you get that crystal ball item in level 99. Thank goodness for the Taito PS2 compilations, where the arcade version resides. Maybe I've played far too much of that one over the years, and got my wires crossed. I've so many versions of the first game, plus most of it's sequels other than the ones for modern platforms on various consoles/handhelds, so it's easy to confuse what's in what and not. 😁

[@vix_in_japan]

One of my all time favorite games, NES version is fantastic. Although I went full in on Rainbow Islands, love that to the moon and back :)

[@christopherjackson2157]

I love the music in rainbow islands

[@MattyHervey]

I seem to have a memory of Racket Attack being promoted (probably in Nintendo Power) as Limited Edition.

[@absolutezeronow7928]

Nice to see the multiplayer theme continue. Bubble Bobble is definitely a lot more fun with 2 players. Never played Racket Attack but my luck with Tennis games tells me I probably won't enjoy it. Spy vs. Spy: I think that's one my cousin had. I know Dr. Sparkle didn't care for it, will be interesting to hear comparison with Master System version?

[@AChannelFrom2006]

Bubble Bobble is still one of my fave games

[@franccoeurguy4735]

i like Bubble Bobble... i would like a Cobra Triangle video, thank you!

[@MissAshley42]

Bubble Bobble is a game that makes me wish it was better every time I play it. The level designs sometimes seem like they were made for an entirely different game, and the way Bub and Bob move feels a little janky. I'm shocked that all of these years later, a better Bubble Bobble has yet to be made.

[@lungcancer69]

Just came to say, yet another excellent video! Thank you! That is all. 😊

[@TravisWebb]

I love getting up and seeing a new video from you instead of just more Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial suggestions. Also, I remember renting this game and Blood Sport for the first time and being blown away that this game was close enough to the arcade machine at the bowling alley that I couldn’t tell. .. And that that guy could do the splits and punch a guy in the nuts.

[@Heftysums]

Did you just say SUPER DRUNK?? OMFG KIDS IN THE HALLLLLL

[@Bubblun1]

Obviously a topic I'm into and loved the glowing review! I also would suggest the arcade Bubble Bobble wasn't a massive hit in the U.S. due to poor distribution by Romstar? It's strange that Taito's arcade division didn't handle that one themselves. Also, it's interesting that nanny Nintendo of America looked the other way for the alcohol references in the game, or was just asleep at the wheel.

[@Yungbeck]

Crazy, I just played Bubble Bobble this week. Music is stuck in my head.

[@hazy33]

At 12:12 "Horn" looks like Peter Beardsley! One for the UK readers. Who on earth is it SUPPOSED to be?

[@HPRshredder]

So I found out about you through this channel specifically, and I wasn't familiar with your writing or podcasting until up about 6 months ago, and that's when I noticed your lists on Polygon, and they are a LOT of fun to read. When I see Bubble Bobble I can only think about how you placed it as the #2 NES game of all time. I haven't played it myself yet, nor most of the library, but I'm working on it and I love whenever a list generates salt. Would love to see some lists on this channel someday. The placement of NSMBU as the #1 Mario game honestly gets to me.

[@JeremyParish]

The lists are fun, but they're not what this channel is about. We do have semi-regular "hootenanny" ranking episodes on Retronauts where we rank stuff and argue about it, though.

[@HPRshredder]

@@JeremyParish I will have to check those episodes out! Thanks 🙂✌

[@straightupanarg6226]

Is Bubble Bobble the first game to feature multiple endings based on esoteric secondary win conditions?

[@jessragan6714]

No other screen cleaning platformer had a better, more versatile weapon than Bubble Bobble's bubbles. Snow Bros. came close! But some other games in this subgenre missed the mark by a mile. Case in point: Super Methane Brothers for the Amiga.

[@jrightly]

love me some bubble bobble. game was very frustrating at times.

[@fandabidozi3191]

It takes two to make it out of sight

[@JeremyParish]

Huge if true

[@dislikebutton1799]

I only have 3 NES games. Bubble Bobble, Double Dribble, and Double Dragon.

[@victorrhoads4471]

My favorite 8 bit game

[@victorrhoads4471]

Lol bubble bobble

[@rubberwoody]

I thought the skele-monsta was named Baron von Blubba

[@JeremyParish]

Both names are valid!

[@jamesmoss3424]

Bubble Bubble is an fantastic arcade game and the nes version is amazing. 😀👍🎮

[@ralang999]

Was hoping for commentary on Super Drunk!😅😂

[@JeremyParish]

He needs our intervention and support, not our judgment

[@allisonf5466]

Don't take this the wrong way.. I know this isn't exactly your goal with these vids I'm sure, but man. Kicking on your playlists of these to get to sleep does me a serious favor. It's cool and interesting content, and your voice kinda has a bit of ASMR going on lol

[@UncleTamir666]

Omg same! Except for the snes playlist with that long chess game music loop

[@goatbone]

10:56 My Australian copy of this game has the branding removed.

[@goatbone]

Also I just looked up some old catalogues from an Australian retailer who were advertising the game for sale in early 1992, so I do wonder where the 1994 date came from and if it is accurate.

[@MiguelPaulettePerez-bj8ml]

I can't believe it's Wednesday again...

[@cashnelson2306]

morning jeremy!

[@lanmola]

best game ever

[@Technosphile]

So is NES Works back, like full-time? Please say yes, I’ve been waiting what seems like forever. A happy Wednesday morning, always

[@JeremyParish]

My promise to you: I will continue to post videos about classic video games every Wednesday.

[@FranckKnight]

Ahhhh that music getitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitoutgetitout Just kidding, I love it

[@dreamlandnightmare]

From what was that clip of Patrick Stewart taken?

[@JeremyParish]

A making-of special about Trek that aired during TNG’s second season

[@neurath2638]

Bubble Bobble is one of the few games that my daughter likes and plays with me

[@timallenbrown]

6:59 level 57 is the worst I swear to god. Always hated it!

[@TheOneRioji]

Yo… yo I saw that kid putting the Nintendo zapper in his mouth!! Don’t think I didn’t!

[@MrTableDesk]

Excuse me, 1994?! Poor PAL region, I feel like they get screwed over all the time. At least they got the cooler Mega Man box art, and a better Sega Master System library.

[@bjornh1527]

There were absolutely pros and cons growing up here!

[@CarozQH]

The box has a 1990 copyright, and the german magazine reviews i could find from that time are dated mid 91 (Germany was the NES' biggest market in Europe due to the botched UK launch). Dunno where it was released in 1994, but it was released much earlier in parts of europe

[@JeremyParish]

As usual, exact NES release dates for Europe are extremely difficult to pin down, but the magazine shown in this episode does have a 1994 publish date and treats Racket Attack as a new release. And someone from Sweden posted a comment here confirming the 1994 timing in that territory.

[@goatbone]

​@@JeremyParish ​I just commented that it was being advertised by an Australian game retailer in an early 1992 catalogue (I know Australia isn't Europe but it's PAL A). Maybe it was only Sweden that got it at that late date?

[@bjornh1527]

Sorry, I don’t remember the exact year and took the “1994” from the video as a truth. But it’s either 93 or 94, definitely late in the NES life cycle. I believe the Swedish distributor got hold of a bunch of older games, perhaps released in other parts of Europe before, and released them for a slightly lower price. Among these titles were Road Fighter, Racket Attack, and Four Player’s Tennis.

[@thrillhouse_vanhouten]

How is it possible that, as far as I can tell, Bubble Bobble is not available to play on Switch in any form, other than the recently-developed, full-price sequel? No NES version on a compilation, no ACA port, nothing but the modern iteration.

[@alexbubble6952]

I'm pretty sure that the sequel does at least include the NES version as well, so at least there's that. But yeah, it is weird.

[@JeremyParish]

Isn't the sequel's version the arcade game's levels remade in the new visual style? That was the impression I got.

[@alexbubble6952]

@@JeremyParish After a bit more research, it looks like the new game has its own 50 new levels, plus an emulation of the arcade game. So, while it isn't the NES version after all, it's the next best thing (or best, depending on who you ask).

[@ginormousaurus8394]

Square Enix acquired the rights to Bubble Bobble when it bought Taito. While Bubble Bobble and other Square Enix/Taito games for the NES and SNES were available on the Wii Shop Channel, they aren't available on the Wii U, 3DS, and Switch eShops or through Nintendo Switch Online.

[@cowardlylion42]

You can play it on the NES Classic, if you managed to get your hands on one. That was probably the last accessible, officially playable instance of the NES game.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

I'm just waiting for the angry comments about the fact you called them Bub and Bob and not Bubblun and Bobblun. People get REALLY territorial about that in KZbin comment sections.

[@Bubblun1]

Who would do a thing like that....oh.

[@MrThiagoCianci]

Why do the platforms in Bubble Bobble seem to make no sense? Apparently the player can fall through solid ground, jump under platforms, pass through platforms with their body... I sincerely couldn't understand the logic watching the video and it made me feel weird lol

[@AbeM.]

It seems to me that every square tile is solid on every direction except its underside. So they’ll act as platforms or walls, but you can jump through them from below. The characters seem to be, for the purpose of collision detection, only one tile tall… So they can walk through a one tile gap in a wall.

[@franccoeurguy4735]

0:06 fock TNG.... it doesnt exist anymore because of what happened in Picard Season 2. And by the way, Stewart said himself that the world of TNG doesnt exist anymore. I put everything of my TNG things in boxes in my closet and i will sell everything on ebay.