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Bubble Buster, known as Zen-chan (ぜんちゃん Zen-chan?) in Japan, is a recurring enemy in the Bubble Bobble series. Bubble Busters are one of the most common enemies present throughout the series, and feature in almost every Bubble Bobble game.

Biography

Appearance

Bubble Busters are round in shape, and resemble a small wind-up toy. A Bubble Buster's body is separated into two parts, the top part being light gray, and the bottom part being a darker blue color. Bubble Busters have a wind-up key attached to the side of their mouths, and the bottom section of their bodies sticks out compared to the top one, giving them a noticeable underbite. Bubble Busters are typically shown with red feet, which are sometimes depicted in the shape of the feet of a typical wind-up toy.

Abilities

Bubble Busters do not possess many unique abilities, and most of their attacks involve simply jumping and charging at their opponent. In certain games, Bubble Busters are able to shoot their spare mechanical parts as an attack. Additionally, the Bubble Busters in Rainbow Islands are able to fire red pellets out of their mouths, an ability that has not been featured in any other games.

History

Chack'n Pop

Bubble Busters were originally planned to appear as enemies in Chack'n Pop alongside Stoners and Belugas, but did not make it into the final game. Although they were scrapped, their sprite data can still be found in the game's files.

Bubble Bobble

Bubble Busters make their proper debut in Bubble Bobble, appearing as one of the most common enemies in the game. They march back and forth across the stage, only stopping to jump up to a higher platform if the player is above them.

Two Giant Bubble Busters appear on stage 17, carrying Betty and Patty to the bottom floor of the Cave of Monsters.

Rainbow Islands

Bubble Busters return in Rainbow Islands, appearing as enemies in the game's final world, Bubble Island. Like the other enemies in the level, they appear in a perpetually angered state, and have the ability to shoot red pellets at the player.

Parasol Stars

Bubble Busters appear in Parasol Stars in the eighth world, Bubble Star, behaving similarly to their appearance in Bubble Bobble. They are joined by a new variant known as Robo-Buster, a large Bubble Buster with mechanical legs.

Bubble Bobble Part 2

Bubble Busters appear yet again in Bubble Bobble Part 2 as a common enemy. The game's first boss, Springit, is a large capsule-shaped Bubble Buster with arms. After being damaged enough, Springit's top is destroyed, revealing him to be piloted by an ordinary Bubble Buster, who can be defeated like any other enemy. Robo-Busters also make a reappearance, gaining the ability to fire missiles at the player.

In the North American manual for Bubble Bobble Part 2, Bubble Busters are known as Hoppit.

Bubble Bobble Junior

Bubble Busters appear once again in Bubble Bobble Junior. The first boss of the game is a large propellored Bubble Buster known as Helio.

Bubble Symphony

Bubble Busters appear once again in Bubble Symphony. Unlike previous games in the series, their bottom half is now colored purple. A variant of Bubble Buster clad in knight armor known as Kabu-chan is introduced as well.

Bust-A-Move

A Bubble Buster appears in the SNES version of Bust-A-Move as the first opponent in Vs. Mode. They make an appearance outside of Vs. Mode in all versions of the game, as the blue bubbles featured in have Bubble Busters trapped inside them.

Bubble Memories

Bubble Busters and their giant variants appear as common enemies in Bubble Memories. The Giant Bubble Busters are unable to be trapped in regular bubbles, and can only be defeated by way of a Special Bubble or being trapped in a Giant Bubble.

Bust-A-Move 3

Bubble Busters have a small cameo in Bust-A-Move 3, appearing in the intros to Bub and Debblun's stages. In this appearance, they reuse their sprites from Bubble Bobble.

Classic Bubble Bobble

Bubble Busters appear in Classic Bubble Bobble, acting and looking identical to their portrayal in Bubble Bobble Junior. A giant Bubble Buster named Pear appears as the boss of the Clock Area.

Bust-A-Move Millennium

A Bubble Buster is playable character in Bust-A-Move Millennium, and is one of the few characters that Bub does not fight in Story Mode.

Bubble Bobble: Old & New

Bubble Busters once again appear in Bubble Bobble: Old & New, receiving a slight redesign. In this appearance, they look more robotic and have a more oblong shape.

Puzzle Bobble DS

A Bubble Buster is a playable character in Puzzle Bobble DS, along with several other enemies from Bubble Bobble.

Bubble Bobble Revolution

Bubble Busters once again appear as common enemies in Bubble Bobble Revolution. The first boss of the game is a Bubble Buster-shaped mech piloted by three of the enemies. A new variation appears, known as Bubble Blaster.

Bust-A-Move DS

Bubble Busters have a minor role in Bust-A-Move DS, appearing on the bottom screen, holding a Star Bubble in reserve for the player. A Bubble Buster also appears on the title screen, sleeping inside of a bubble.

Rainbow Islands Revolution

Bubble Busters appear as enemies on Bubble Island in Rainbow Islands Revolution, mirroring their appearance from the original Rainbow Islands. Unlike their appearance in that title, they are not able to fire pellets this time.

Bust-A-Move Deluxe

Bubble Busters appear in Bust-A-Move Deluxe, working the Bubble Launcher in place of the player.

Bubble Bobble Double Shot

BBDS BubbleBusterScene

Bubble Busters walking in a field in Bubble Bobble Double Shot.

Bubble Busters appear common enemies in Bubble Bobble Double Shot. A Giant Bubble Buster is the first boss, and spits out smaller Bubble Busters and screws to attack.

Bubble Bobble Plus!

Bubble Busters appear in Bubble Bobble Plus!, behaving identically to their initial appearance.

Bust-A-Move Plus!

A Bubble Buster is the first opponent fought in the Vs. Mode of Bust-A-Move Plus!.

Bust-A-Move Universe

A Bubble Buster is the first boss in Bust-A-Move Universe, guarding a blue Bubble Dragon on the Motherland level. It can be defeated by shooting Bomb Bubbles at the bubble that it surrounds itself with.

Bubble Bobble Double

Bubble Busters are once again common enemies in Bubble Bobble Double, being able to be defeated by tapping on the screen to trap them in a bubble. The first boss of the game is a robotic Bubble Buster known as the Mechanical Bubble Buster.

Bust-A-Move Islands

Bubble Busters appear in Bust-A-Move Islands as both a playable character and a non-playable character encountered in a cutscene.

Other appearances

Pop'n Pop

A Giant Bubble Buster is the first boss encountered by the player in Pop'n Pop, firing gears down at the player's helper in order to hinder them.

Bubble Bobble for Kakao

Bubble Busters are common enemies in the South Korea-exclusive mobile title Bubble Bobble for Kakao. The game uses upscaled versions of their Bubble Symphony sprites.

Trivia

  • In Europe, Bubble Buster is known as Benzo.

Gallery

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