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Rainbow Island Revolution: Reviews

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Game Score: 5/10

Rainbow Islands remains one of the most gloriously cheerful games to hit the arcades. Drawing on the cutesy, platforming action of its predecessor (Bubble Bobble) and creating one of the best platform mechanics ever made it a favourite amongst many retro gamers. So a fully-fledged remake for Nintendo's deliciously varied DS seems like a match made in heaven surely? Well... not quite.

Graphically the game looks fine. Mercifully they've left it in 2D and kept the same vertical levels (which is great for the DS). It all looks roughly as good as the arcade original which on the one hand is a bit of a con but anyone who's played Bubble Bobble Revolution will be glad that this game hasn't been given the same horrific graphical upgrade treatment.

Sound is equally passable. Licensing restrictions mean that 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' can't be used but the new theme tune is as close as you could get to the original music without incurring a lawsuit or the wrath of the Wizard of Oz's lawyers.

But of course, Rainbow Islands can only be measured on its playability. The original was instantly playable but often became tongue-gnawingly frustrating thanks to some horrible end of level bosses. Well, as is the norm, the DS' touch functionality has been crowbarred into this game and now makes for a less enjoyable experience.

Instead of running around casting rainbows you now float. Direction is controlled by the stylus which is less precise than this game demands and rainbows are now drawn on. These can be drawn anywhere and tapped to create rain. Its a brave idea but frankly it doesnt work.

Being able to wipe out enemies anywhere makes the game less strategic, platforms with spikes on them make the game less fun. The bosses are still there and still tough but I doubt you'll invest the time to see them.

The most obviously fatal flaw in the game is the absense of the original Rainbow Islands. The Bubble Bobble remake was salvaged completely by the 2 player wi-fi brilliance of the original but this game hasnt.