Taito and Square Enix to bring Puzzle Bobble Galaxy to PAL territories in August

Masters of arcade fun Taitio are bringing their next Puzzle Bobble game to DS on August 28

With Puzzle Bobble Galaxy, the dinosaur brothers Bub and Bob will be making their third Puzzle Bobble appearance on DS, in what is sure to be another free time destroying, top-down, colour-matching puzzle game. The story mode will be a familiar offering, with Bub and Bob whisked away on an unmanned spaceship and having to make use of ‘cosmic bubbles’ in order to traverse planets, stop the flow of hazardous cosmic debris, and make their way home.

Don’t be expecting many surprises with the main gameplay for the new game- however- local and online support for 2-4 players to play through the main games handful of puzzle modes and mini-games is sure to make long-time Puzzle Bobble fans consider an investment in the franchise’s next installment.

London (1st July 2009) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY™ a brand new release from TAITO®, based on the classic video game franchise Bubble Bobble, will be released across PAL territories on 28th of August, 2009 exclusively on the Nintendo DS™ handheld system. PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY is a match-three arcade puzzle game starring the loveable Bub and Bob dinosaur brothers from the hugely popular Bubble Bobble game. Players will embark on a magnificent adventure set in space as they help battle against powerful enemies who are trying to rule the entire universe. True to the original classic, players will shoot balls from the cannon located at the bottom of the screen, matching colours with the gaggle of bubbles at the top. Patience and perseverance not included but, the rewards will be generous! John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “We’re delighted to bring the lovable and charismatic Bub and Bob back. With new challenges, features, and game modes, we hope for PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY to be a fun and accessible experience for everyone on the Nintendo DS”. Story An unmanned spaceship suddenly descends from the skies. Just for the fun of it, the brothers Bub and Bob board the ship and begin pushing buttons at random… Before they know it, the ship moves into action! Just then, a transmission comes over the ships Comm. line — A voice crying, "Help!" Unknown to Bub and Bob, several planets have “doors” in their vicinity that lead to an alternate dimension. These doors have been opening, releasing a flood of bubbles that turn into hazardous space-debris; causing problems for the planets’ inhabitants. Because Bub and Bobs planet is the only one that doesnt have debris, it was decided that a small spacecraft would be sent there to call for help. Bub and Bob learn that to close the doors leading to alternate dimensions, they have to use Cosmo Bubbles: high-energy concentrations that float around outer space. So they set off to an area where Debris Bubbles drift, for within their numbers…the Cosmo Bubbles lie hidden out of sight! The brothers get their hands on a Cosmo Bubble and arrive at a door that’s releasing Debris Bubbles… but lying in wait is a giant Boss protecting the passageway! Key features: • Enhanced Presentation – Even flashier Item Effects than the typical Puzzle Bobble that covers the screen as you enjoy gameplay without hindrance. • Shops – Accumulate points in various modes, and use them to buy merchandise. Merchandise includes extra modes, sound test, staff roll bubbles & arrows • Mini-games – Factory: A new mode you have to clear using a limited number of bubbles. – Pressure: A new mode in which you only have one bubble to clear the stage. -Puzzle: An addition to the normal puzzle. • World View Construction – Following the 20+ year history of Bub’s world, this release has cameos from familiar characters • Wireless Battles – Heat things up with 2-4 player multi-play through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection & DS Download Play. • New Versus & Communications rules – Destroy and acquire special bubbles that appear in the top screen, then use them to torment your opponents with various Effects and give yourself the advantage!