If you remember Bubble Bobble, you probably have some pretty fond memories of the ‘80s arcade classic…or memories of spending way too many quarters on it, anyway. Last month, Bubble Bobble Neo! hit the Xbox Live Marketplace and it’s…well…largely the same, actually (minus the quarters).

Gameplay:

If you’re new to the game, don’t worry. Bubble Bobble is a simple game that’s easy to pick up quickly. Move left and right, shoot bubbles to trap enemies, and jump to navigate the level and avoid enemies (or their attacks, as they get meaner). Once an enemy is trapped, smash into the enemy to pop the bubble (and the enemy) and get food for points. That’s pretty much all there is to it, since, as far as gameplay is concerned, things haven’t changed on the Xbox 360. There are three game modes (Classic, Arranged, and a very fun four player mode) to choose from, but the gameplay remains fundamentally the same in all three. Games don’t have to be complex or complicated to be a blast, and Neo! is perfect evidence of that.

Graphics:

As far as its graphics are concerned, Neo! is actually an interesting subject in the retro remake category. The game blends some old school looking backdrops with new 3D, cel-shaded character models and a few basic visual upgrades. It’s actually a unique look for a retro game that pays homage to the old school while incorporating some improvements, but as is usually the case with these games, many retro fans will long for the original, gloriously pixilated graphics.

Sound:

The sound is probably one of the best features aside from gameplay. The music is very cute and playful and matches the game well still, even with some minor audio upgrades. The sound effects are likewise very appropriate and bring a nice sense of nostalgic warmth to the veteran gamer’s heart.

Longevity:

Neo! still boasts 100 levels, but if you’re a hardcore Bobblehead and you tear through them quickly (alone or with a friend, as the game is still co-op), the new four player gameplay will probably appeal the most to you. It’s a shame that this doesn’t translate to online play, but it isn’t entirely inappropriate for a game that many people enjoyed in close proximity to one another on an NES. Actual personal human interaction required? Truly old school indeed.

Overall:

A nice feature in Neo! is the addition of extra levels as DLC, but each DLC package has to be paid for individually. The current running price of these packages is 240 Microsoft points for each ($3.00 / £2.04), but that’s in addition to the 800 Microsoft points ($10.00 / £6.80) the game costs, as well. Most gamers will probably be satisfied with the default game content, though, so only the aforementioned hardcore Bobbleheads will likely want to pick up the extra maps.

Some games simply last the test of time, and twenty years later, Bubble Bobble is still a great, fun way to spend time – alone, or with friends.