Welcome back, to 16-bit Brawl, where once again we’re cutting the numbers in half for another special edition 8-Bit Brawl. Why? I’ve just been in a Master System mood lately, I suppose. Last time we looked at Double Dragon, a game that was vastly distinct on NES and SMS. This time, we’re looking at a very different animal, Bubble Bobble. This one’s remarkably similar on both platforms, but which one is better? Let’s find out! 

First up, we have Bubble Bobble for NES. This is the main reason Bubble Bobble became the name that it did. Yes, the arcade game was successful, but the NES game was huge. And with good reason! This is a fantastic port. It features 112 stages, tons of powerups, fun secrets, and one of the most unforgettable tunes in the entire NES library. It’s a classic for a reason. 

Then we have Bubble Bobble for Master System. This is also an excellent port of the arcade original. While nowhere near as successful as its NES counterpart thanks to the relative install base of the platforms, it still does a remarkable job of recreating the arcade experience at home. It’s got 200 levels, tons of powerups, fun secrets, and that same unforgettable song that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head. 

Both games are about a pair of cute dinosaurs that can blow bubbles to trap and defeat various monsters. Their friends, or girlfriends, or siblings… that’s always been a little unclear to me, have been captured and taken into the cave of monsters, and it’s up to you to go get them. 

Both are wonderful, joyful experiences. But which version is better? Now that we know what we’re up against, it’s time for an 8-Bit Brawl. 

Graphics (1 point)

Bubble Bobble has never been a visual powerhouse. Even the arcade version has very simplistic graphics. That said, they’re bright, colorful, and very memorable. The NES game looks pretty good. It did some cool tricks, like making the bubbles transparent to cut down on flicker, and it runs reasonably smoothly overall. 

The Master System version suffers a little bit in this regard. There are a few points where things don’t exactly move around the screen quite as smoothly as on NES. However, Sega’s game outdoes the NES visually in almost every other way. The stages are more brightly colored, the title screen and intro sequence have cool background effects, and it just looks a bit closer to the arcade version overall. The NES game handles itself quite well, but this point clearly goes to the Master System. 

NES - 

SMS - I

Sound (1 point)

Just like the visuals, the sound in these two games is similar, but one platform clearly has the edge. And as is usually the case in this category, that system is the NES. The Master System doesn’t sound bad at all. It’s not quite as chirpy as a lot of other games on the platform, but that’s not to say it isn’t chirpy at all. 

By comparison, the music just sounds a lot less abrasive on NES. The composition hasn’t changed, but the instrumentation is more pleasant on Nintendo’s machine. And considering how much you’ll be listening to that same song over and over, that’s kind of a big deal. 

The sound effects aren’t all that special on either platform, so that bit is a wash. It’s close, and the SMS version sounds perfectly fine, but the NES gets this point for sure. 

NES - I

SMS - I

Content (1 point)

The NES game is a pretty long experience, which is to say it’s not exactly lacking in the content department. However, the Master System game’s got 200 flippin levels! I don’t care if a number of them are just palate swaps with new enemy placements, that’s still a lot of levels. But it doesn’t stop there! The Master System game has better looking cutscenes, those interludes where big versions of enemies show up with the kidnapped friends every 20 stages or so, and a number of bonus rooms that are nowhere to be found on NES. 

But what really sets the SMS version apart is the addition of two all-new bosses. While the NES game just has the final boss, there are two completely unique boss battles in the SMS game. And they’re pretty cool, too! 

Again, the NES game is no slouch, but with all that extra stuff under its belt, it really is no contest. The point goes to the Master System. 

NES - I

SMS - II

Gameplay (2 points) 

As always, this is the big one. A game can be as pretty as all get out, but that won’t matter if it isn’t fun to play. So, which version of bubble Bobble plays better? 

Neither. 

I’ve done a bit of reading, and there are apparently some technical things the Master System version does that the NES one doesn’t, or at least does differently. But I went down to my basement, fired both versions up, and they’re both a blast.

I grew up with the NES game. That’s my Bubble Bobble, and it just feels right to me. That’s what I’m used to. But the first time I fired up the Master System version for writing this up, I immediately felt like I knew the NES game was getting the points. The Master System controller isn’t as comfortable for me to use as the NES game, and it just felt a little different. That is, until I noticed that I had been playing the game for 45 minutes without even realizing it. Once I got over the initial shock of using a different controller, it didn’t matter at all. The Master System game is just as fun as the NES one. Not moreso, to me, at least, but just as fun. Single player, 2-player, doesn’t matter. These games both feel great. This one’s a tie.

NES - III

SMS - IIII

And there you have it. Master System wins the day without a sweat. NES has a slight edge in sound, and they’re both an absolute bubble blast to play, but with more stages, more bosses, and better visuals, this one’s a no brainer. 

The winner is the Sega Master System. 

But what do you think? Am I nuts for leaning toward Sega on this one, considering how much of a classic the NES version is? Do you think the NES game plays better with its bubble bouncing mechanics? Does that little bit of stutter and increased flicker make the SMS version inferior? Let me know! In the meantime, grab a buddy and play some Bubble Bobble. It never disappoints.