Back in the old days there was this really addicting arcade game. I'm talking 1986 now. It featured two dinosaur-like characters; The green one, Bub, and a blue guy Bob had to go through hundred levels to rescue their girlfriend. All they could do was making bubbles (yes, dinosaurs and bubbles) and jump. Sounds simplistic, but it became one of the most popular games in history thanks to the variety in enemies, the different ways to use the bubbles and a great multiplayer mode. Its name: Bubble Bobble.

Rising Star Games tries to blow new fire into these two dinosaurs with Bubble Bobble Revolution for DS. This company earlier worked on a modern DS version of Space Invaders and the classic Rainbow Island gets a redone by them too. Let's now look at this brand new Bubble Bobble game. Can it possibly equal the original?

One thing that made the arcade classic such a success was simplicity. All you had to do was capture opponents in your bubbles, pop them, and they were toast. Could it be simpler? It looks like this kind of accessible gameplay is also present in this new game. Of course there are some extras which make the game more of a challenge - fruit lies around for points, you can jump on the balloons to get higher up the level and there're a couple of power-ups that help to defeat the enemy quicker (and easier). Remember the lighting bubble? It's back. And so is the water and fire bubble. The fourth one, ghost bubble, is a newcomer.

The unique DS options couldn't be ignored by the makers of Bubble Bobble Revolution. The mic lets you control fans in the game, this way moving your beautiful made bubbles. Let's hope these extras don't get too far-fetched and become too much of a gimmick. Changes are also made in the level design. Back in the old days a level had the size of a full monitor screen. In the new Bubble Bobble game levels can even stretch horizontal. A part of the level extends on the upper screen of the DS. One of the biggest charms of the original, and one of the most hated things for most players, seems to come back in this 'revolution' game: Time limit!

Not all was that great in the original. There were a few moments where you could get stuck in a small gap...with no way out. Quite annoying when time is ticking away; you can imagine wanting to strangle someone after reaching level 91, with resetting as the only option left. A problem probably, and hopefully, history in this new game. The makers also dumped the 'one-hit kills system'. Nowadays a life meter dictates the health of the dinosaurs.

Two is better than one. This statement also counts in the world of Bubble Bobble. The NES-version (rest in peace) had multiplayer as one of the biggest charms. Working together to complete hundred levels worked amazingly well; jumping on each others balloons, helping your friend when he was in trouble. Maybe I'm just being sentimental, but it resulted in a lot of sweet memories. Bubble Bobble Revolution doesn't promise us this same kind of multiplayer fun. There is a two-player co-operative mode, but it takes place in the arcade original (which is still fun of course). Next to that there's a new competitive four-player mode, the victor being the player who captures the most monsters. Players can actually harm each other with their bobbles. Yeah, bobbles-fights, how charming!

The looks of Bubble Bobble Revolution quite differ from the 1986 hit. Bub and Bob have a little makeover done by Rising Star Games. Gone is the innocent look on their cute faces. Welcome Bub and Bob in a new 'bad ass' style. They're looking mean now. Just like twenty-year old dinosaurs should. This makeover probably resembles the changes done to the series: Rising Star Games takes the franchise, turns it around, tries to keep the basics intact, but also brings it into the new age. Hopefully this works out well, and doesn't result in 'new age' crap. We know quite a few classic-game-in-new-jacket flops. (Yes, a big yellow guy for example). Bubble Bobble Revolution may be the exception. Or are you waiting for another Revolution?