BastichB 64K returns with a detailed look at Bubble Bobble C64 Remastered, a fan update of the 1987 Commodore 64 classic. Released in October 2025, this remaster refreshes one of the system’s strongest arcade conversions while keeping its original feel.
The project began with David Bautino, a journalist and pixel artist from Zap Italia. He noted that the original conversion, while strong, missed the full spirit of the arcade. Character designs, animations, and backgrounds lacked accuracy. To address this, Bautino and a small team created Bubble Bobble C64 Remastered with visuals closer to the arcade release.
The most noticeable improvement is graphical. Every sprite and background was redrawn to mirror the arcade original. Bub and Bob, the iconic bubble dragons, finally look accurate. Enemies, drops, and animations now match expectations. Colors were adjusted for modern monitors and CRTs, giving the game a balanced appearance across displays.
Beyond visuals, gameplay tweaks improve authenticity. Secret and teleport doors animate, defeated enemies drop the correct items, and overall presentation feels smoother. Importantly, two-player mode remains intact, preserving the cooperative experience that defined the game. On the audio side, Eldo Cumo, known for Pig Quest, created a new SID title theme.
The differences may seem subtle at first. However, when compared side by side with the 1987 version, the improvements stand out. Longtime fans will notice the accuracy and polish right away. New players, meanwhile, can enjoy a faithful update that respects the spirit of the arcade.
Bubble Bobble C64 Remastered is available for free through Bautino’s Itch.io page. It runs on emulators like VICE or on real hardware. For those eager to replay this Taito favorite with arcade-true detail, this remaster delivers.
