All of which likely will prompt at least a few of you to wonder, so why'd you pick up a complete-in-box copy of this sucker recently? The header above mostly gives it away, I'm afraid, although to be honest the prospect of being able to own and stare at this Japanese GameBoy title's beautiful box art (below) wasn't the only reason I bought it.
Another reason was that I wanted to give this portable single-screen platformer a second chance, despite my earlier, rather negative experiences with it.
And then, of course, there was the simple fact that copy seen throughout this post was pretty darn cheap--as in, somewhere around $10 (not including shipping).
Totally random aside: I really like the bold font that appears on the sides of this box. (The symbols spell out Bubble Bobble, by the way--or, Baburu Boburu.)
The blue banding is a nice complement and addition to the cover art, too, I think.
As is often the case with these old Japanese GameBoy boxes, the back side isn't nearly as thrilling as the front side. It's always nice to see that big, beautiful Bubble Bobble logo, at least.
Have any of you played this version of Bubble Bobble before? If so, what do you think about it? Also, have you played Bubble Bobble Junior (aka Bubble Bobble Part 2)? I actually far prefer the latter to the former, even though it's also far from a perfect portable Bubble Bobble experience.
See also: 'Where have you been all my life, Cave Noire?'
21 comments:
You own a lot of games. Have you ever shared where you keep your collection? Do you do what I do and put all the boxes in a drawer somewhere or do you actually put all the pretty boxart on display? Hopefully the latter! :-)
Hey there, Frank! I don't know if I've widely shared (such as in a blog post) where I keep my collection, but I'm guessing I've commented on it here and there. Anyway, I pretty much do what you do, and for a couple of reasons. The main one is that I'd worry about the boxes fading due to the sun exposure, which would suck. Also, dust and all of that. And then there's the fact that my husband probably wouldn't be too keen on it either, although I could display some in my office if I really wanted to...
It looks pretty similar to the promo poster artwork the arcade original. For over a decade, I've saved an archive of pictures of promo fliers, PDF manuals, anything pre-1995ish. In fact, I don't believe this is the Baron's very first game - he's purple in another game and called "Monsta" (from Chack'n Pop).
What I hate about the BB port on PS2's Taito Legends is there's no continue.
One way to display your game boxes are those "window box" frames or whatever they're called - I display my Atari 7800 Donkey Kong box in one of those. But that can be costly so I'm OK with keeping them in a rubbermaid carrying case and each stored in a brand new Ziplock.
Hey there, Scott! Actually, the art used here is the same art that was used to promote the arcade original -- or at least I'm pretty sure it is.
And, yep, you're right that the Baron first showed up in Chack'n Pop, as did a few other Bubble Bobble enemies, if memory serves.
As for displaying some of my games in "window box" frames, I may do that someday, but even then it would only be a few and I'd probably have to pick up doubles of whatever games I'd use, just in case they suffered from sunfade.
Still, thanks for the ideas -- and for the comment!
Ah, this box! I agree, the katakana on the side is so rad.
I'm picky about my Star Wars cardbacks in that way - if they're on the wall, they're out of direct sunlight. Not that those clear plastic Star Cases will save them even if they were. My second youngest kitty has an appetite for cardboard so she can't be trusted around them either - if I find little fang prints on a cardback, I know exactly who done it. It's like Minnie's "mark of Zorro".
Ha ha! Thankfully, I'm pretty sure our cat would leave any games I happened to leave out alone, but I'm not going to test that theory!
With Minnie, it wouldn't be the game I'd be worried about so much as I would the box it came in! Lucky for her and that Vintage Collection "Slave Leia" (Return Of The Jedi), she'd gotten ahold of the cardback of an "opener". The other one is safely (I hope!) in a Star Case on the wall.
Sounds like Minnie is feisty! :)
I tell people about the cardboard addiction and they're like "Feed her!". She has dry food 24/7 plus treats and sometimes canned food, and fresh water. She just probably likes the TEXTURE of cardboard LOL
Oh, I know full well that cats (and dogs) can have weird cravings, Scott, even, if well fed, etc. Ha ha!
"...so I'm OK with keeping them in a rubbermaid carrying case and each stored in a brand new Ziplock."
The hilarious thing is that the original Japanese release of Bubble Bobble (Famicom Disk System) came in a branded ziplock bag. Weirdest retro game packaging I think I've ever seen.
I've bought a few import Japanese CD's released since the mid 90's and each of them have came wrapped in a plastic resealable envelope instead of the American shrinkwrap. Which is why I immediately rip them onto my computer so I don't have to open anymore unless I want the liner notes.
Ah, yes, I've actually wanted that release for a long time, A-Lx! In its defense, the ziplock seems to be sturdier than the kind most of us use for our lunches. It's more like the kind used to hold kids' pencils in grade school, I think. That said, you're right that it was an odd choice when it came to packaging!
Actually, Scott, I think that's another product altogether! I may be wrong, though...
Ah, this is such a cute series! I have two from the first Felyne stained glass keychain series, they're really nice and have a good weight to them because of the metal. I would definitely look into order this kind of thing from Ami Ami, though – their prices are generally pretty competitive!
Why does it not surprise me to hear you have some of these, Anne? Anyway, thanks for letting me/us know they're nice. Also, thanks for reminding me to mention AmiAmi in future posts like this, as you're totally right that AmiAmi has really great (the best, possibly) prices for new/upcoming games and related products.
Compared to Ziplocks, they are. In fact I think those CD envelopes are more cellophane than plastic.
Yep, that's what I was thinking. A lot of the Japanese games I buy--especially PC Engine games and CD-based games, like those for the original PlayStation--come enclosed in them.
Also the bag the FDS version of Bubble Bobble comes packed in is different yet. It's far sturdier and could be used to store pens, toiletries, etc.
Oh, and the FDS version of Kiki Kaikai came in something similar if memory serves!
This completely validated my own storage method. :)
I aim to please, Frank!
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