The upcoming remaster of the original Bubble Bobble conversion for the Commodore 64 fixes graphics and just looks better in every way!
Wondering what new Commodore 64 games you could possibly play on your Commodore 64 Ultimate? Well, this remastered Bubble Bobble might be a good option, and it will be available free when it arrives in the next few weeks.
The game, released in 1990, was a good conversion, but its graphics didn’t quite match the cutesiness of the arcade original. Work commenced on this remaster in January 2025 with Davide Bottino (creator of Toki C64 Remastered) observing that “The simplified mechanics mean that the spirit of the original didn’t fully carry over, and while the graphics are overall very nice, they could have been more faithful to the coin-op and better optimized for both modern monitors and CRTs.”
Here’s the trailer:
Bubble Bobble C64 Remaster vs arcade and C64 original
Described as “technically […] a hack” the game’s aim is to make the original C64 port closer to the arcade version. This means improved character design and animation, better backgrounds, and faster gameplay.
(Background “hacking” has been done by Victor Widell.)
Davide says, “My goal is to bridge the aesthetic and stylistic gap with the original, making the game shine like never before on modern screens while staying true to its soul. And who knows? If the team grows with passionate and talented coders, we might even enhance it under the hood. That would be the ultimate dream! If there’s one thing Bubble Bobble taught me as a kid, it’s that teamwork always leads to the best things.”
Here’s a comparison graphic:
The game is expected to be available to play soon. Due to its reliance on existing code, Bubble Bobble C64 Remastered will be available free. Make sure you’re following the project at itch.io.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.