Bubble Memories: The Story of Bubble Bobble III (1996). Play online

Summary

Bubble Memories: The Story of Bubble Bobble III returns to the classic duo of Bub and Bob, dropping the third character that appeared in Bubble Symphony. The arcade board adds a hefty new mechanic: by holding the bubble button until the dragons’ horns flash, you can charge and launch giant bubbles that are necessary to crush the oversized enemies introduced on several stages. The game features a total of 80 levels, but the final ten hide behind a secret quest—seven potions concealed in invisible tiles every fifth level; miss one and you hit a bad ending at stage 70, where your dragons turn into monsters.

Beyond raw firepower, later stages lean into light puzzles, demanding you to use those charged bubbles to open pathways or defeat uniquely scripted bosses. The boss roster is completely revamped, and each encounter feels more deliberate than the earlier installments. When it launched, Japanese arcade reports listed Bubble Memories as the 21st most‑successful machine for May 1996, indicating solid, if niche, appeal.

For anyone who enjoyed the original Bubble Bobble’s straightforward platforming but craved a deeper challenge, the added giant‑bubble charge and hidden‑potion route give the series a fresh strategic layer while keeping the whimsical spirit alive.

Storyline

Bubble Memories: The Story of Bubble Bobble III (often just called Bubble Memories) opens with the twin dragons Bubby and Bobby playing in their tower home. A malevolent Dark Super Great Dragon seizes the tower and turns the twins into bubble‑blowing dragons. To break the curse they must ascend the tower’s 80 floors, gathering seven colorful potions hidden along the way. Each potion weakens the Dark Super Great Dragon’s grip, and after collecting all of them the twins can defeat the beast, free the tower, and regain their original human forms. The opening scene shows Bub and Bob as young boys, confirming that this title serves as a prequel to the rest of the series.