Poll of the Day > GameTok with Lok: Why is Bubble Bobble fun? (And other similar Arcade Games)

(+) Yeah! (+)

I think it's fun, other people think it's fun (or not)
What's the deal?

Let's exclude shmups and proto-shmups, since their appeal is typically the high intensity action (...of Galaga) as well as racing games and beat'em ups and fighters.

I guess technically PacMan would fall in this category, as well as Mappy and Frogger and perhaps at a stretch Gauntlet (even though it's kinda a shmup in a way). Also Dig Dug and Jungle Hunt and stuff like that....
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I don't actually enjoy it much anymore. My nephew really liked it, and playing it every day, ugh...

for why it's fun, it's really because it has extremely varied and interesting level design. every single level has it's own unique concept and the way it's designed has very specific implications for how it's played. the enemies also have good variation that affects how you approach them.

that level of variation along with the sheer number of levels, the ability to have longterm powerups, the possibility to occasionally warp ahead a few levels, all contribute to enough variety that in spite of the simplicity allows the game to be different and replayable.
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I feel asleep
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Am I talking to too young an audience? Maybe this is just an outdated concept in general...
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Lokarin posted...

Am I talking to too young an audience?

The reverse actually. More people have played Bubble Bobble long ago, got bored, got nostalgia, replayed it and got bored forever than have any recent interest.
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