data/claims/rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history.yamlRainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (history and reception)
Akagi Masumi's list of arcade games files Rainbow Islands (レインボーアイランド) under Taito in October 1987, and Rainbow Islands Extra under Taito in March 1988. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/arcade-release
index (OCR text line 28162)レインボーアイランド タイトー87/10アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · index (OCR text line 28164) — the OCR reads the title as "レインポーアイランド • エキストラ", Rainbow Islands Extraエキストラタイトー 88/03アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · by maker, Taito (OCR text line 7625)87/10レインボーアイランドRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: unquoted "in its Japanese section" dropped; the list covers domestic and overseas games.Read in the OCR text only: the printed page and the page image haven't been checked. The list gives year and month only and names no source for its dates. Its subtitle (国内・海外編) covers both Japanese and overseas games, and no section heading has been read for these entries, so the claim doesn't say which section they are in.
Describing the arcade game in March 1989, The One wrote that the player takes control of Bub or Bob, turned human at the end of Bubble Bobble, who battle through seven islands to collect seven colored gems, firing rainbows instead of bubbles. There are 64 special items to collect, which raise the number of rainbows fired from one up to three and the speed at which they are fired. Like its predecessor, it has secret points bonuses and secret islands to discover, "a bit like the hidden rooms in Bubble Bobble". rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/arcade-coin-op
p. 15, Work in Progress, "The Coin-Op" (image 15)Once again you take control of either Bub or Bob,The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)who were both turned human at the end of BubbleThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)seven islands to collect the seven coloured gems.The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)Instead of firing bubbles, the boys fire rainbows.The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)There are 64 Special items to collectThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15) — so in the OCR, for "(from one up to three)"quantity of rainbows you fire {from one up to three),The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)and the speed at which you fire them.The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)Like its predecessor, there are secret pointsThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)bonuses to be earned and secret islands toThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)a bit like the hidden rooms in Bubble Bobble,Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: quotes added for Bub or Bob, one to three rainbows and their speed; secret islands compared to Bubble Bobble's hidden rooms as quoted.Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked. The feature is Gary Penn's.
In March 1989 The One's Gary Penn reported from Graftgold, which was converting Taito's Rainbow Islands to the Atari ST and Amiga for Firebird. After three months of work the team had put in over a year of man-hours. Andrew Braybrook was "the man most actively involved with the conversion": the game was his 16-bit debut and his first conversion of another's design. The ST is not known for smooth scrolling, but the game managed it, and Dominic Robinson was responsible; he had written his own multi-tasking operating system for the game. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/computer-conversion
p. 4, contents (image 4) — the line goes on "bird - and we were there too."Taito's Rainbow Islands for Fire-The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 14, Work in Progress (image 14)Gary Penn returns from ace program-The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 14 (image 14) — the sentence goes on "the ST and Amiga, Graftgold has already put in over one year of man hours."only three months of converting Rainbow Islands toThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 14 (image 14) — the line goes on "involved with the conversion."Andrew Braybrook as the man most activelyThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 14 (image 14) — the sentence ends "unoriginal product"Andrew, marking his 16-bit debut and his firstThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)The ST's not exactly renowned for smooth scroll-The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)ing, but Rainbow Islands manages quite nicely thankThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15)you. Dominic Robinson is responsible. He's beenThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 15 (image 15) — so in the OCR, for "has written his own multi-tasking Operating System"has wricten his own muiti- tasking Operating System.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: quotes added for Braybrook as most actively involved and Robinson's smooth ST scrolling.Read in the OCR text; the page images haven't been checked.
The One reported in March 1989 that Taito gave Graftgold 40 sheets of handwritten music and a large booklet with the original game design rather than programming notes. Steve Turner was listening closely to the coin-op and working on ways to coax the right sounds out of the 16-bit machines. Graftgold's Spectrum programmer David O'Connor had played the coin-op most and play tested every routine, and the team spent a couple of hours videoing the game through to the end for reference. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/taito-materials
p. 16, Work in Progress, "Sound" (image 16) — the sentence goes on "40 sheets of scruffily written music which is virtually unintelligible"and some cutesy FH-sounding jingles. Taito providedThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16, "Sound" (image 16)Steve Turner is currently listening closely to the coin-The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16, "Sound" (image 16) — the sentence ends "right sounds out of the 16-bit machines."op and working on ways and means of coaxing theThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16, "Gameplay" (image 16)programmer David O'Connor has spent the mostThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16, "Gameplay" (image 16) — so in the OCR, for "David play tests every routine"David pi ay tests every routine,The One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16 (image 16) — the sentence goes on "design rather than programming notes"Taito provided a large booklet with the original gameThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16 (image 16)The boys spent a couple of hours videoing the gameThe One, issue 6 (March 1989) · p. 16 (image 16)through to the end for reference, with John finding itRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Turner's sound work, the play-testing and the videoing through to the end now quoted.Read in the OCR text; the page images haven't been checked.
Writing in The One in August 1989, Andrew Braybrook said Graftgold had converted the arcade original accurately to the ST and was building the Amiga version from it, replacing routines where the Amiga's hardware helped. On the Amiga the sound would be better quality and on four channels, and the game would fit on one disk rather than two. The game's sound used 18 instruments and 31 sound effects. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/braybrook-st-amiga
p. 98, Backspace (image 98)Veteran coder Andrew Bray brook parksThe One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 98 (image 98)Islands project. Just to recap, we have converted the arcade original accurately to the ST and we are building an Amiga version from this, replacing routinesThe One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 98 (image 98) — the sentence begins "The main differences that remain are that the sound on the"Amiga will be better quality, and on four channels, andThe One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 98 (image 98)the game will be on one disk rather than two, soThe One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 98 (image 98)Island we got 18 instruments, 31 sound effects andRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: quote added for the Amiga's better-quality four-channel sound.A developer's statement, in a column he signed. Read in the OCR text; the text hasn't been checked on the page image. The printed page was read on the page image: the folio tab is rotated, and the issue's own cross-reference on p. 32 says "page 98".
Zzap!64's September 1989 issue reviewed the Commodore 64 and Amiga versions as Firebird games (£9.99 on C64 cassette, £12.99 on disk, £19.99 on Amiga) and gave 92% overall, with 90% for presentation, 92% for graphics and 86% for sound. A reviewer wrote that the game had put Graftgold back on the right track. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/firebird-reviews-1989
p. 10 (image 10)Firebird, C64 £9.99 cassette, £12.99 disk; Amiga £19.99Zzap!64, issue 53 (September 1989) · p. 11, ratings box (image 11)PRESENTATION 90%Zzap!64, issue 53 (September 1989) · p. 11, ratings box (image 11)GRAPHICS 92%Zzap!64, issue 53 (September 1989) · p. 11, ratings box (image 11)SOUND 86%Zzap!64, issue 53 (September 1989) · p. 11, ratings box (image 11)OVERALL 92%Zzap!64, issue 53 (September 1989) · p. 11 (image 11) — the sentence goes on "on the right tracks."Islands has put Graftgold backChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text; the page images haven't been checked. The OCR shows one ratings box; Zzap!64 recalled in May 1990 that both versions had 92% (ocean-release).
The One's August 1989 issue gave Firebird's Rainbow Islands a four-page work-in-progress review (pp. 30-33), whose standfirst says Gary Penn went to see Graftgold's work in progress in February. The Atari ST box gives a price of £24.95, a release date of September, and marks of 90% for graphics, 90% for sound, 95% for playability, 88% for value and 94% overall. It calls the game "a conversion of such a high quality that it's easy to forget that it's not the original". A second box on p. 33 also gives 94% overall. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/the-one-wip-review
p. 4, contents (image 4)30 Rainbow Islands (Firebird)The One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 31, standfirst (image 31) — read on the page image (image 31)Firebird's colourful conversion of Taito's sequel to Bubble Bobble got Gary Penn bubbling with enthusiasm when he went to see Graftgold's Work In Progress in February.The One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 32, ST box (image 32) — read on the page image (image 32), in a box with a red ST badgePRICE £24.95 RELEASE DATE September GRAPHICS 90% SOUND 90% PLAYABILITY 95% VALUE 88% OVERALL 94%The One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 32, ST box (image 32) — read on the page image (image 32)It's a conversion of such a high quality that it's easy to forget that it's not the original. Now that's arcade perfect.The One, issue 11 (August 1989) · p. 33, second box (image 33) — read on the page image (image 33) by the scout, who reports the box gives the same price, date and marks as the ST box; its version label wasn't legibleOVERALL 94%Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: second p. 33 box cut to its 94% overall (page image); version left unread.The review's text and marks are not in the OCR; the quotes were read on the page images. The standfirst names Gary Penn, and the review carries no signature. The second box sits beside text on the Amiga, but its version label wasn't legible, so it isn't attributed to a version here. The release date is the one the box gives in advance; the game came out in 1990 (ocean-release).
Zzap!64's 1989 review noted that the home versions keep a tally of special items and in-game statistics, from which the computer decides which special item the player receives and can make the game simpler for a player who keeps being killed. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/zzap-difficulty
p. 11 (image 11) — the passage reads "the special items tally (the computer can automatically make your game simpler if you are continually being killed)"automatically make your gameZzap!64, issue 53 (September 1989) · p. 11 (image 11) — so in the OCR, for "which special object you're to receive"which special abject you're toChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked. No code has been read to confirm it.
The computer versions reached the shops under Ocean in spring 1990, months after their reviews. Zzap!64 wrote in May 1990 that Ocean had finally got the Commodore 64 and Amiga conversions into the shops over six months after it first reviewed them, recalled their marks of 92% each, and suggested a Gold Medal might have been deserved. Amiga Format's May 1990 review said the conversion had "finally arrived on the Ocean label", and The One wrote in April 1990 that the game, first revealed in its pages over a year before and reviewed six months later, had only now been released. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/ocean-release
p. 7, news (image 7)Over six months after ZZAP! first reviewed the C64 and AmigaZzap!64, issue 61 (May 1990) · p. 7 (image 7)original marks (92% each), but suggest we were a bit meanZzap!64, issue 61 (May 1990) · p. 7 (image 7)and a Gold Medal might have been required.Amiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 36 (image 36)finally arrived on the Ocean label.The One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57, Players Guide (image 57)First revealed by The One over a year ago, and reviewed sixThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57 (image 57) — so in the OCR; the scout's reading of the page image has "Rainbow Islands"months later, Rainbow islands has only now been released.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text; the Zzap!64 and Amiga Format page images haven't been checked. The One 19's passage was also read on the page image by the scout. No source read gives a release date or says why Firebird did not publish the game; turner-telecom gives Graftgold's account of its publisher.
In a profile by Heather Turley in The One (March 1992), Graftgold's managing director Steve Turner said Rainbow Islands was the company's first 16-bit game, and put the lateness down to its publisher: Graftgold had signed with British Telecom, which wanted to move into 16-bit games but soon asked for Spectrum and Commodore products instead. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/turner-telecom
p. 23, Steve Turner profile (image 23) — read on the page image (image 23); the OCR splits it over three linesGraftgold's first game on 16-bit was Rainbow Islands.The One, issue 42 (March 1992) · p. 23 (image 23)lateness Turner puts down to theThe One, issue 42 (March 1992) · p. 23 (image 23)deal with British TelecomThe One, issue 42 (March 1992) · p. 23 (image 23)to move into the 16-bit market,The One, issue 42 (March 1992) · p. 23 (image 23)products/ so they asked us to do a round of Spectrum andChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.A developer's account, in the magazine's paraphrase and his quoted words. The first quote, the folio "THE ONE MARCH 1992 ■ 23" and the byline were read on the page image; the rest is read in the OCR. The profile doesn't name Firebird; The One's 1989 feature says Graftgold was converting the game for Firebird (computer-conversion).
Graftgold's players' guide in The One (April 1990) explains that the player negotiates seven Rainbow Islands, each split into four vertically scrolling rounds. The player starts at the bottom of a round and aims for the Goal Line at the top, and must defeat the enemy within on reaching the seventh island. The heroes, Bubby and Bobby, start with three lives each. Only 12 rainbows may be on screen at once. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/players-guide
p. 57, Players Guide (image 57) — the sentence reads "the team behind the conversions, Graftgold, takes you through the basics"conversions, Graftgold, takes you through the basicsThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57 (image 57) — the sentence begins "you have to negotiate seven Rainbow Islands. Each island is split"into four vertically-scrolling platform-filled RoundsThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57 (image 57)You start at the bottom of a Round and the idea is to get to the Goal Line at the top.The One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57 (image 57)eventually reach the seventh island you have to confront and defeat the enemy withinThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57, section "Bubby and Bobby" (image 57)BUBBY AND BOBBYThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 57 (image 57) — the line, under the heading BUBBY AND BOBBY, begins "These versatile little fellows", garbled in this OCRstart with three livesThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 19 (April 1990) · p. 59 (image 59)Only 12 rainbows may be on screen at one time,Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: quotes added for climbing to the Goal Line and the Bubby and Bobby heading.Written by the developer of the computer conversions, published in a magazine. Read in the OCR text; the printed pages 57-60 were read on the page images' folio tabs, but the quoted text hasn't been checked on the images.
Crash reviewed the Spectrum version (Ocean/Graftgold, £9.99 on cassette, £14.99 on disk) in April 1990, made it a Crash Smash and gave it 94% overall. Nick gave it 93%, calling it "out of this world" and the ultimate arcade conversion; Mark gave it 95%, called it about as playable as any platform game he had seen recently, and gave the credit to Graftgold. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/spectrum-crash-review
p. 44 (image 44)Ocean/Graftgold ■ £9.99 cass, £14.99Crash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 44, badge (image 44) — read on the page image (image 44)A CRASH SmashCrash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 44, comment signed NICK (image 44)Rainbow islands is out of this world.Crash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 44 (image 44)ultimate arcade conversion.Crash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 44, comment signed NICK (image 44) — read on the page image (image 44), where the comment is signed "NICK" with 93%; the OCR garbles the nameRainbow Islands is terrific, you just have to see this for yourself!Crash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 45 (image 45) — the sentence reads "Rainbow Islands is one of (if not the most) playable platform games I've seen recently"most) playable platformCrash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 45 (image 45)credit to Graftgold.Crash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 45 (image 45)MARK 95%Crash, issue 75 (April 1990) · p. 45, ratings box (image 45)OVERALL 94%Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The badge, Nick's name and his 93% were read on the page image; the rest is read in the OCR and agrees with the scout's reading of the images.
Your Sinclair's June 1991 issue lists Ocean's compilation Power Up on p. 48. On that page the magazine called Rainbow Islands one of the greatest things ever invented, recalled that the Spectrum game had scored 94° in its pages in April 1990, and gave it 95° as its 1991 verdict. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/spectrum-ys
p. 5, contents (image 5)48 Power Up OceanYour Sinclair, issue 66 (June 1991) · p. 35, mail-order list (image 35) — listed under "POWER UP"; the next line reads "Chase H.Q. & Altered Beast"Turrican, X-Out, Rainbow Islands,Your Sinclair, issue 66 (June 1991) · p. 48 (image 48)simply one of the greatest things ever inventedYour Sinclair, issue 66 (June 1991) · p. 48 (image 48)a massive 94° back in April 1990.Your Sinclair, issue 66 (June 1991) · p. 48 (image 48)1991 verdict: 95°Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Power Up tie now rests on the contents line and the mail-order list, quoted.Read in the OCR text; the page images haven't been checked. The OCR of p. 48 doesn't name Power Up: the tie to the compilation rests on the contents entry for p. 48 and on the mail-order list, which puts Rainbow Islands in Power Up. Your Sinclair's April 1990 review itself hasn't been read.
Amiga Format reviewed the Amiga version (Ocean, £24.99) in May 1990 under Andy Smith's name, made it a Format Gold and gave it 95% overall, with 8 for graphics, 6 for sound, 3 for intellect and 9 for addiction. The judgement called it "a cracking game", supremely addictive, and said the conversion was superb. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/amiga-af-review
p. 5, contents (image 5)FORMAT GOLD RAINBOW ISLANDS 36Amiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 36 (image 36)OCEAN £24.99Amiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 36, ratings box (image 36) — read on the page image (image 36); the OCR has the labels without the marksGRAPHICS 8 SOUND 6 INTELLECT 3 ADDICTION 9 OVERALL 95%Amiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 37, badge (image 37) — read on the page image (image 37)AMIGA FORMAT GOLDAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 37 (image 37)between the two. Andy SmithAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 37, Judgement (image 37)What a cracking game! It's supremely addictiveAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · p. 37, Judgement (image 37)and the conversion is superb.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The marks and the badge were read on the page images; the rest is read in the OCR, and the byline and judgement agree with the scout's reading of the images.
In May 1990 Amiga Format reported Commodore's new Amiga 500 bundle, Flight of Fantasy, at £399.99, with F29 Retaliator and Rainbow Islands from Ocean, Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters from Tengen/Domark, and Deluxe Paint II from Electronic Arts. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/flight-of-fantasy
news (image 7)A500 bundle that will undoubtedlyAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · news (image 7)bundle is called 'Flight of Fantasy'Amiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · news (image 7) — the passage reads "contains an A500, F29 Retaliator and Rainbow Islands from Ocean"Retaliator and Rainbow IslandsAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · news (image 7) — the passage reads "Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters from Tengen/Domark"Planet of the Robot Monsters fromAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · news (image 7) — the line goes on "ll from Electronic Arts", OCR for "II"Tengen/Domark, and Deluxe PaintAmiga Format, issue 10 (May 1990) · news (image 7)£399.99Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: quotes added for the A500 bundle, Robot Monsters (Tengen/Domark) and Deluxe Paint II.Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked.
Amiga Power's buyer's guide to platform games in March 1992 called Rainbow Islands the best Amiga game of all time and pointed readers to The Rainbow Collection, £19.99 on the Addicted to Fun label, with Bubble Bobble and The New Zealand Story. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/amiga-power-best
p. 82 (image 82)BUYERS GUIDE PLATFORM GAMESAmiga Power, issue 11 (March 1992) · p. 85, running head (image 85)BUYER'S GUIDEAmiga Power, issue 11 (March 1992) · p. 85 (image 85)sequel. Rainbow Islands is the best Amiga game of all-time.Amiga Power, issue 11 (March 1992) · p. 85 (image 85)Collection (just £19.99 on the Addicted ToAmiga Power, issue 11 (March 1992) · p. 85 (image 85) — the games are Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands, discussed in the preceding sentencesFun label, and featuring both these gamesAmiga Power, issue 11 (March 1992) · p. 85 (image 85) — the passage reads "as well as the AMIGA POWER All-Time No.19, gorgeous surrealist cute platform adventure The New Zealand Story"adventure The New Zealand Story,Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: quotes added for the buyer's guide to platform games and the other games it features.Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked. The quoted lines don't name the label's publisher.
Nintendo of America's list of NES games gives Rainbow Islands from Taito Software, released in June 1991. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/nes-na-release
PDF p. 10 — the row reads Taito Software, June 1991Rainbow IslandsChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.A later list by the platform holder, not a period source; it gives month and year only.
Electronic Gaming Monthly's July 1991 issue listed "Rainbow Island", from Taito, under Nintendo among the games of July 1991. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/nes-egm-july-1991
p. 28 (image 28)THE GAMES OF JULY 1991...Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 24 (July 1991) · p. 28 (image 28) — the next line reads "Taito - Action"; the page image shows the entry under the heading NINTENDORainbow IslandChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The heading, the printed page (folio "28 Electronic Gaming Monthly") and the Nintendo section were read on the page image; the quotes are in the OCR.
Total! reviewed Ocean's NES version (£35, for one or two players) in May 1992, in a review signed Andy, and gave it a final rating of 92 percent, calling it "One of the greatest coin-ops in living memory, ported almost (almost) perfectly to the NES". The review notes five lives and four continues, and that in the coin-op and computer versions a rainbow collapsed from below could also kill things slightly above it, which the NES version doesn't offer. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/nes-europe-total
p. 34, header (image 34) — read on the page image (image 34); the OCR has "From Ocean" and "Price £35" onlyFor NES (1-2 players) From Ocean Price £35Total!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 34 (image 34)From OceanTotal!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 34 (image 34)Price £35Total!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 34 (image 34)It's here! The best home computer game of all-time (official) makes the leap to the NES,Total!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35, ratings box (image 35) — read on the page image (image 35)Final rating 92 PercentTotal!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35, speech bubble (image 35) — read on the page image (image 35)One of the greatest coin-ops in living memory, ported almost (almost) perfectly to the NES.Total!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35 (image 35) — the passage reads "(In the coin-op and computer versions you could also kill things which were slightly above the rainbow by collapsing in from below, but that facility isn't offered here.)"computer versions you could also kill things whichTotal!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35 (image 35)were slightly above the rainbow by collapsing inTotal!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35 (image 35)from below, but that facility isn't offered here.)Total!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35 (image 35)five lives, fourTotal!, issue 5 (May 1992) · p. 35 (image 35)years. ANDYRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "directly above" corrected to "slightly above" as printed; one or two players quoted from the p. 34 header (page image).The header, the final rating and the verdict were read on the page images; the rest is read in the OCR. The Looks, Sounds, Gameplay and Life span marks are bars of ten squares, not printed numbers (the scout counted 9, 7, 9 and 10), so they are left out of the statement. The page gives no surname for Andy.
Mean Machines reviewed Ocean's NES version (£34.99, for release in May) in April 1992 and gave it 67% overall, with 70% for presentation, 73% for graphics, 49% for sound, 72% for playability and 65% for lastability. Its two reviewers, Rich and Rad, were disappointed, and the verdict called it a potentially great conversion let down by plodding gameplay, annoying controls and dodgy collision detection. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/nes-europe-mm
p. 70 (image 70)BY: OCEAN PRICE: £34.99 RELEASE DATE: MAYMean Machines, issue 19 (April 1992) · p. 70, marks (image 70) — read on the page image (image 70)PRESENTATION 70% GRAPHICS 73% SOUND 49% PLAYABILITY 72% LASTABILITY 65% OVERALL 67%Mean Machines, issue 19 (April 1992) · p. 70, overall comment (image 70) — read on the page image (image 70); the OCR garbles "let"A potentially great conversion is let down by plodding gameplay, annoying controls and dodgy collision detection.Mean Machines, issue 19 (April 1992) · p. 70, comment captioned RICH (image 70) — read on the page image (image 70)I was very disappointed with this lacking effort.Mean Machines, issue 19 (April 1992) · p. 70, comment captioned RAD (image 70) — read on the page image (image 70)sadly my expectations were dashed once I started to play.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The marks, the reviewers' names (first names only, as printed under their cartoon avatars) and the comments were read on the page image. The folio "MEAN MACHINES 70" is on image 70; pp. 68-69 carry no legible folio, and the contents page puts the review on p. 68.
A box in Mean Machines' April 1992 review of the NES version said a superb version of Rainbow Islands was also available on the Mega Drive, but only on import. rainbow-islands-the-story-of-bubble-bobble-2-history/megadrive-import
p. 68, box "Megadrive: Over the Rainbow" (image 68) — read on the page image (image 68)A superb version of Rainbow Islands is also available on the Megadrive - but sadly on import only.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read on the page image by the scout. The box's further description of the cartridge is garbled in the OCR and hasn't been read on the image.