Bust-A-Move Again (Ver 2.3A 1995/07/31)
What is Bust-A-Move Again (Ver 2.3A 1995/07/31)?
Bust-A-Move Again is the second arcade release in Taito's iconic bubble-shooting puzzle series, originally hitting Japanese arcades in July 1995. Known in Japan as Puzzle Bobble 2, this game builds on the addictive match-three formula that made the original a hit. Developed and published by Taito, it retains the colorful, cute aesthetic and simple but deep gameplay that defined the series from the start.
You control a small dinosaur at the bottom of the screen, firing colored bubbles upward toward a ceiling packed with clusters. The goal is to match three or more bubbles of the same color to pop them and clear the screen. New bubbles are added from the top as you progress, increasing the pressure. Special bubbles like bombs and color-changing ones add strategy, and the game supports two-player versus mode where players compete to outlast each other.
Decades later, Bust-A-Move Again remains a fantastic pick-up-and-play puzzle game. Its timing-based aiming and chain reactions still feel crisp, and the versus mode offers genuine competition. While later entries added more features, this arcade version captures the pure, uncluttered core that made the series a staple in the puzzle genre. If you enjoy simple but challenging arcade puzzles, this one is absolutely worth a spin.
How to Play Bust-A-Move Again (Ver 2.3A 1995/07/31) Online
Getting Started: When you boot up Bust-A-Move Again in the emulator, you'll be greeted by a title screen. Press Enter to start. If this is the original Japanese version, menus will be in Japanese, but the game is simple enough to navigate by trial and error. The first screen asks for number of players - choose 1 for single-player or 2 for versus. In single-player, you work through rounds of progressively harder bubble formations.
The core gameplay is straightforward: use the Arrow Keys to move your aiming cursor left and right at the bottom of the screen. Press X (A button) to shoot the current bubble upward. Your goal is to make groups of three or more same-colored bubbles stick together. When you do, they pop and any bubbles hanging from them fall if they lose support. New rows of bubbles push down from the top after a set number of shots, so you need to clear clusters quickly.
A few tips for newcomers: watch the next bubble color displayed in the corner and plan your shots accordingly. Bank shots off the side walls to reach tricky spots. If you clear all bubbles on screen, you advance to the next round. In versus mode, you compete against another player or the CPU, sending leftover bubbles to the opponent's screen when you make matches. The game ends if bubbles reach the bottom of your playfield. Take it slow and aim carefully - panicking leads to wasted shots.
Bust-A-Move Again (Ver 2.3A 1995/07/31) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
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