No bubbles. No bobbles. Just umbrellas

On Thursday, publisher ININ Games announced that Taito’s retro platformer Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III is coming to PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox in late 2023.

Originally released in 1991 for TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine) and home computers, Parasol Stars is one of the lesser known installments of the Bubble Bobble series. Technically a direct sequel to Rainbow Islands, Parasol Stars features the franchise’s two protagonists, Bubby and Bobby, this time in their human (non-reptilian) form. Instead of bubble-blowing abilities, the duo use their parasol-style umbrellas and water droplets to wash away enemies.

When I played Parasol Stars on our TG-16 roughly 30 years ago, it seemed like it was slightly slower paced and required a bit more strategy and planning than other Bubble Bobble games. I never tried it in two-player mode, though, on account of the TG-16 requiring a multitap to accommodate even two players. You know… I guess that I’m still kind of bitter about it.

Here’s the official breakdown of Parasol Stars from ININ Games, followed by a recent trailer:

In this captivating platformer by TAITO, players follow the adventures of two brothers.

They embark on a mission to save their neighboring planets from an evil menace. Instead of shooting bubbles, they are now armed with colorful, dazzling parasols with magical powers. These parasols are also used to shield against enemy attacks, stun foes or unleash a torrent of high-scoring stars!

Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III is loaded with power-ups that could mean the difference between a sweet win or a crushing defeat! Toss a bomb and blast your enemies to smithereens, or freeze time with a clock that’s all yours to command. But don’t get too comfy, or Death will sneak up on you and swipe one of your precious lives! Harness the power of the parasol and show off your skills in this epic adventure!

Features:

• Triumphant Return: The universally beloved franchise, Bubble Bobble, is back on PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox.
• Cute Cast of Iconic characters: Meet a lovable cast of iconic characters, each with their unique charm and abilities, adding to the enjoyment of the gameplay.
• Dazzling Parasols: Wield colorful parasols with magical powers to shield against enemies, stun foes, and unleash high-scoring stars.
• Power-ups Galore: Discover a variety of power-ups, from bombs to time-freezing clocks, to gain the upper hand in challenging battles.
• Strategic Gameplay: Use the parasol weapon to secure victory and evade the looming threat of Death.
• Nostalgic Homage: Parasol Stars pays homage to TAITO’s earlier game, Chack’n Pop, one of the early platform games and a precursor to the highly popular Bubble Bobble series.
• Ten Worlds: Embark on an adventure beyond the main eight worlds of Parasol Stars and unlock two secret worlds.

If you’re a collector or a Bubble Bobble super fan, then you’ll be happy to know that there are plans for special edition physical versions of Parasol Stars via Strictly Limited Games. Preorders for these “highly limited boxed editions” begin on 27 July.

The digital release of Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III is currently planned for sometime in 2023.

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