Rainbow Islands

Rainbow Islands is a colorful action platformer developed by Taito and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Known in Japan as Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2, the game continues the world of the original Bubble Bobble, replacing bubble-blowing action with a magical ability that turns rainbows into both weapons and platforms.

Players control Bubby and Bobby, the heroes associated with the Bubble Bobble series, as they explore a chain of mysterious islands filled with strange creatures, dangerous machines, and powerful bosses. Unlike traditional platformers that focus mainly on jumping over enemies, Rainbow Islands encourages players to use their rainbow magic creatively. By creating a rainbow, you can attack nearby enemies, form a temporary platform, or climb toward higher sections of the stage.

Each island presents its own layout and challenges. You must move upward through the environment, defeat enemies, collect colorful diamonds, and discover useful items hidden throughout the levels. Gathering diamonds of different colors is especially important, as collecting the full set can reward you with an extra life. Bonus items can also improve your progress and help you survive the increasingly demanding stages.

The NES version offers its own interpretation of the arcade classic, with modified level layouts, different gameplay details, and a soundtrack adapted for the home console. The North American release arrived in 1991, while the original Japanese Famicom version debuted in 1988. European players received a different NES adaptation published by Ocean Software, making the regional versions interesting for collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts.

With its bright visuals, imaginative mechanics, hidden treasures, and challenging boss encounters, Rainbow Islands stands out among classic NES platformers. Whether you are exploring its unusual islands for the first time or revisiting a beloved Taito game, the combination of strategic rainbow attacks and vertical exploration offers a distinctive 8-bit adventure.