Bubble Bobble Review - My Arcade Micro Player

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The My Arcade Bubble Bobble Micro Player has been around for a while now, but Jon just added it to his collection. As luck would have it, a lot of viewers requested a review of this Bubble Bobble unit, and so, here we go!
#bubblebobble #myarcade #genxgrownup
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[@MrThunderwing]

Jon, if you're prepared to spend a bit more... OK, a _lot_ more, I'd highly recommend the Skull Candy Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcade. I picked one up myself awhile ago and LOVE it. It's a proper quarter size scale replica of the arcade cabinet, that plays the proper arcade ROM and has 2 player support. It's such a detailed replica, that when I put a few photos of it up on Facebook, a few of my mate's thought I'd actually bought a full sized Bubble Bobble cabinet 😂

[@GenXGrownUp]

Those Quarter Arcades from Numskull are remarkable. And I'd avoided spending that much money until the Polybius came along (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJyvpHWEgdGEisU). Now I've got the forthcoming Space Invaders on pre-order, and I see a Zoo Keeper in my future, too.

[@jeromebullard6123]

@@GenXGrownUp speaking of Numskull space invaders! I preordered that as well. When the heck is that getting released?!?!

[@cxk7127]

Oh Bubble Bobble.. fond memories of the NES port. Back in 5th grade (I think it was 5th anyway) this girl that I had a HUGE crush on would always bring the game over and we'd play for hours. :D

[@GenXGrownUp]

Giggity!

[@Monitor1CC]

So cool one of my comments made it into a GenXgrownup video! Great review all around and totally agree this is definitely one of My Arcade’s better quality releases for their standard line and well worth owning if you’re a Bubble Bobble fanatic like me. Beautiful little cab with controls that fit the title and it looks great next to my Mappy and Dig Dug cabs (the other two My Arcade units I own which are also very solid despite using NES roms).

[@GenXGrownUp]

You're the cool one, Monitor. Thanks for the recommendation! 😊

[@rolandm9750]

Are there any other "hidden" ROMs on this like the other My Arcade units? One would think there might be other NES ROMs but not sure what other units they've made with NES ROMs? Contra maybe? On another note, since it's one player only unit, aren't you stuck with the "bad ending" on this version of the game?

[@AxonRoblox]

thanks for this reveiw! cuz of you i started buying more and making my own mini arcade Lol

[@GenXGrownUp]

My pleasure! Enjoy your growing mini arcade, Axon. 😀

[@tramany7]

Bubble bobble was my ultimate favorite omg I just had to buy this Thanks so much for your review!

[@GenXGrownUp]

Thanks for watching - hope you enjoy it! 😁

[@QunMang]

Nice. I've always, sometimes not reasonably, preferred the original arcade releases having grown up in the golden age of the arcades. That said, often a console release did improve the gameplay experience albeit with compromises on the sound and graphics. I sometimes wish some NES versions of arcade games could be remade with the arcade assets for games such as NInja Gaiden and Double Dragon.

[@GenXGrownUp]

I completely understand that sentiment, though I must admit I've never spent much time with Ninja Gaiden or DD on the NES -- I've always been too much of an arcade snob! 😉 What do they bring to the table in terms of playability that an old arcade grump like myself might find enjoyable?

[@QunMang]

​@@GenXGrownUp They turn the games into something more of a home experience than an arcade one. In the arcades the games are meant to be quarter munchers so the design is to kill the player off as quickly as possible while making sure they still have enough fun they will want to insert another coin. The console experience is one that lets someone casually play a game they already paid for in full rather than a quarter at a time, so no need to get them to pay out again (until current day with paid loot boxes and DLC- sigh...). The quarter-munching arcade games then become more of adventures that have a more casual feel and last much longer before a game over screen. I guess as an arcade snob/grump myself (I always preferred the real arcade experience back in the day, one of the reasons I loved Colecovision and Sega) there weren't a *ton* of games like that for me- maybe it's more of a "getting more of the game I already like" thing. I actually haven't played Ninja Gaiden much on NES though of course that one's as difficult as any quarter muncher probably due to Nintendo's rental market response, but it has more. And as someone who enjoyed the simple beat-em-up arcade game, that intrigued me. Double Dragon I did play and enjoyed and as a solo player I didn't miss the lack of a 2-player option, but merging arcade with NES that could be added in somehow. There are other examples too of improved (or at least extra) experiences like Mighty Bomb Jack and Bionic Commando.

[@BryanTrustyChannel]

awesome review! I would love to pick this one up. Thanks!

[@GenXGrownUp]

Thanks, Bryan. Make it happen! 😉

[@shawnp4155]

I love these MyArcade units! Even though I quickly graduated to building an arcade with the Arcade1up line, these serve as a great accent on the book shelf and often get picked up to play when the 3/4 scaled ones are right next to it. I might even grab the last two Street Fighter MyArcades at my Walmart even though I have the Arcade1up Street Fighter.

[@GenXGrownUp]

I didn't know they were distributing the Street Fighter through Walmart. I thought that was a Target exclusive. Either way, it's a pretty nice device, even though $50 is a pretty steep price for it.

[@shawnp4155]

@@GenXGrownUp well in Canada maybe that's why?? There's currently 3 on the shelf for $69.99 that I keep eyeing up but hoping they will go on clearance

[@joewhispers5680]

I own this and it’s perfect for the nes rom . Wish numskull used the same side art as my arcade

[@GenXGrownUp]

Quite nice.

[@adamchoi8136]

Great review. For most this will be great. There are other options like the numskull version but that is almost 8 times as much.

[@GenXGrownUp]

I am really interested in some of the newly-announced Numskull stuff. I just have trouble justifying the cost! One day I'm sure I'll do it.

[@adamchoi8136]

@@GenXGrownUp wood has come down 40% so we should be ok going forward! Back to the clearances!

[@paradigmrouge8216]

Me: ~listening to this video with earbuds on~ Fellow 80's child partner from other side of couch: BUBBLE BOBBLE! I played that all the time on my NES!

[@GenXGrownUp]

This is the best story I've heard all week! Thanks for sharing, and please tell your fellow '80s child partner that they have great taste in games!

[@paradigmrouge8216]

@@GenXGrownUp Happy to share! Now, I just need to get my partner to stop humming the Bubble Bobble music. LOL That is going to be an earworm for awhile, I'm afraid.

[@VEGANVANIA]

Okay, I'm compelled to point out: the Sega Game Gear version was designed to play on a tiny screen (at a low resolution) and had two player mode via link cable. With the same level of effort, the creative team could have had both the GG and SMS versions emulated on the same hardware. Sadly, this same advice applies to yet more versions of the game being marketed in 2023: it's _one player only_ (on a tiny screen) on the new Evercade Pocket Player right now.

[@miketendopower]

Yes, this is one of my favorites in my Micro Arcade collection. I wonder what plans My Arcade has for future releases?👾

[@GenXGrownUp]

I'd like to know the same. Nothing new has been announced or even hinted all year so far.

[@BrookeandCorey]

@@GenXGrownUp hello

[@khaz661letsplaysmore5]

Thanks for the review Jon 😁 I actually came across Bubble Bobble some time back myself 😁 it's a decent arcade with amazing artwork around the case, it just lacks the multiplayer 😔

[@GenXGrownUp]

You mean this device lacks, right? The genuine article has multiplayer that really shines.

[@khaz661letsplaysmore5]

@@GenXGrownUp my bad lol yeah the mini arcade lacks multiplayer lol

[@GenXGrownUp]

@@khaz661letsplaysmore5 No harm, no foul. Just making sure OG Bubble Bobble gets its proper multiplayer recognition. 😉

[@davidisawesome6255]

They should give the NES game "Devil World" the Mini Arcade treatment too in the future.

[@ukraine_geek8052]

Thank you

[@GenXGrownUp]

Heck, yeah. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@ethanshellington9866]

The side are is one of the best I’ve seen on the my arcade games.

[@GenXGrownUp]

It really is nice, right!?

[@ethanshellington9866]

@@GenXGrownUp yup!

[@ramgladore]

As much as I like the NES version, it should have also had the arcade version too and maybe, being a two player game should have a USB port for a second controller.

[@GenXGrownUp]

All great ideas, which I'm sure would've doubled the price. Bubble Bobble is a great candidate for the Premium Edition line.

[@zerozero5027]

I like watching these videos now I want to buy some not all but some ..

[@GenXGrownUp]

Thanks, Zero. You can grab a few packs on eBay without breaking the bank.

[@alanrobledo1573]

I want to add this to my collection.

[@GenXGrownUp]

Make it happen! amzn.to/2SEouo4

[@jameswardo666]

On NES version you have to play 2 players to get the "happy ending" curious if that's the case here as well

[@GenXGrownUp]

Huh. That might not be possible with the single-player limitation.

[@fernandohernandez7896]

I remember playing that game and to see the real ending you had to beat it with two players so I wonder how is the ending on the Mini-Game cuz you only could use one player

[@GenXGrownUp]

From the start screen we can see they made some slight modifications to the ROM, so _maybe_ you can still get the good ending?

[@rambobrendan1564]

thanks

[@GenXGrownUp]

Welcome

[@marknesium]

Would have been so cool if you could link two for multiplayer!

[@GenXGrownUp]

That's a feature supported in the Premium Edition line from My Arcade, including Street Fighter II & Contra.

[@minertom]

Did you know that Nintendo invented the D-pad it was 1st on the game and watch then the NES (I do lots of Nintendo research) every other D-pad is just a redesign it's the same technology

[@GenXGrownUp]

I seem to remember reading that somewhere long ago.

[@wwefan4life274]

Thanks for sharing this review! Too bad it’s the NES ROM as opposed to the arcade ROM. Would love to find the arcade ROM to be able to do the cheat codes (power up and original game) .

[@amcv5407]

In the UK it’s one of the most expensive, alongside caveman ninja. Both amazing artwork on the shelf though.

[@GenXGrownUp]

Oh, no. Really? I got mine in the last month or so from Amazon US for below MSRP ($23 vs. the $25 I typically see them for).

[@YarshNBDP]

When you start up the unit and just let it sit, does it have some kind of like animated demo screen or something? I have quite a few of these and like to keep them on my desk lit up as a mini arcade and almost all the ones I bought so far will go between showing the title screen and the game being played by the computer when you leave it on except for the ms pacman unit, which just sits at the title screen forever until you actually play it. Really kills the vibe of my little arcade when all of them look nice playing and then you just have ms pacman looking broken even though the artwork is nice so that one got shelved.

[@GenXGrownUp]

No different than what you'd see on the NES itself.

[@chrissczuroski66]

I have this one it is awesome is rolling thunder next? Also lol loved to be in the vid lol

[@GenXGrownUp]

Rolling Thunder has been on my production list for a long time. I hope to get around to it before too long, Chris. Thanks for the request.

[@jaxsman1531]

I agree... Of all the MY ARCADE's this unit has too be the best :) Too bad the original arcade game was designed to have two players to finish it...

[@GenXGrownUp]

I don't know BB well enough, but I wonder if any changes were made to the NES ROM to account for that.

[@carbuncle784]

I know it's a 1yr old comment... But yes you can get the happy ending also without two players

[@Fungib1e]

So wait, no issues with the controls? That pesky D-pad isn’t an issue for once? Probably due to the nature of the play mechanics to begin with I guess. No corridors or ladders to fight with.

[@GenXGrownUp]

Yeah, right? Finally, low performance meets low demand! Bubble Bobble only requires a two-way joystick for left/right, and this usually mushy d-pad is easily up to the task!

[@dancingdevilgaming]

Awesome little arcade unit, and definitely one that you could add as a little ordimental piece in a games room, I do prefer the arcade version of the game and the music then the nes version, as not just the visuals but the music seems to be more washed out in the nes version than the arcade version

[@GenXGrownUp]

I know just what you mean. Music is almost a bit muted - not as crisp. It's hard to compete with those custom boards for arcade games! 😀

[@LUCKO2022]

I prefer the music from the C64 version. To be honest

[@BrookeandCorey]

Hey Jon would you please review the Rolling thunder micro player from my arcade

[@GenXGrownUp]

Why, oh why have I not yet done that, Brooke?! I'm looking at it right here on my shelf and it has been on my production to-do list for I don't know how long. Love Rolling Thunder! Let me see if I can get to it sooner rather than later. Thanks for the request! 😃

[@BrookeandCorey]

@@GenXGrownUp hey there Jon! This is actually Jayden, and this is my moms account. Thank you! Don’t worry she knows I comment under here. I’m 12 and I’m a huge myarcade fan and a fan of your reviews!

[@BrookeandCorey]

Hello there Jon did you know I have a robot

[@GenXGrownUp]

Sweet! 🤖

[@BrookeandCorey]

Hey Jon did you know that NES stands for Nintendo entertainment system

[@GenXGrownUp]

Are you punking me?

[@mamashawn5209]

Instructions....never need those. 🤣🤣

[@GenXGrownUp]

It wouldn't be a GXG review if I weren't throwing away some instructions. 😉

[@gilavalos2400]

Boy, you'll figure that it will be the original rom instead of a nes rom.

[@GenXGrownUp]

Nope.

[@isaacmoore9947]

Hi

[@GenXGrownUp]

Hello

[@RayDorschner]

Total miss from myarcade here, they never even tell you it's the NES version. Already sent mine back 😞 Makes me wonder... do any of the myarcades have actual arcade games on them 🤔

[@GenXGrownUp]

Yep. I've reviewed several.

[@RayDorschner]

I'm contacting them to see what the deal is, if they advertised what rom was in this thing, I would have never bought it@@GenXGrownUp

[@mattsmedley.onehandedgamin9029]

Such a shame they used the nes port of this game.

[@JopieHaargel]

They call themselves 'my arcade', but can't be bothered to put the actual arcade version on their plastic garbage.

[@GenXGrownUp]

That's some loaded language, but I do agree with you in spirit. 😊 For units where they have included original software, the price is at least doubled. So with the NES-on-a-chip, I expect it allowed them to hit a much lower price point and appeal to a large group of consumers for whom arcade accuracy is less important than playing "some version" of the title for a low price. For those of us who remember and want the original arcade versions, we apparently have to be willing to pay more.

[@Cruiseblackpool]

Massive deal breaker I’m sorry you could have easily for tye original version in that size nowadays sound is trash in comparison just changed my mind won’t be getting this. Really such a shame as the arcade itself is great. Are all the arcade games dodgy ports ok the my arcade products line as I’m rethinking the whole collection them all thing.

[@LUCKO2022]

The controls are way too small.

[@GenXGrownUp]

(for you) 😀 As a player of a certain age, the controls are fine, but the screen requires me to put on my readers! 😎