Parasol Stars PS5 Review: A Blast From The Past

For decades, Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III has been something of a white whale for retro enthusiasts. Originally released in 1991 for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, it never received a proper arcade release, making it the elusive middle child between the legendary Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands. Now, thanks to ININ Games and Ratalaika, this hidden gem has finally drifted onto the PlayStation 5, and it remains a masterclass in single-screen arcade design.

A Colorful Legacy

In Parasol Stars, the iconic duo Bubby and Bobby remain in their human forms from Rainbow Islands. Rather than blowing bubbles or creating rainbows, they wield titular parasols. This simple change in equipment completely redefines the gameplay loop. You use your umbrella to stun enemies, pick them up, and hurl them at their cohorts.

The depth lies in the elemental droplets—Water, Fire, Lightning, and Star—that drip from the ceilings. Collecting these on your canopy allows you to unleash screen-clearing special attacks. It’s a rhythmic, satisfying loop: catch, charge, and release. While it looks like a simple kiddie game, the scoring system is surprisingly deep, rewarding players who can chain kills to spawn high-value fruit and hidden items.

The Modern Package

The PS5 port handles the transition gracefully. The pixel art is crisp, vibrant, and looks stunning on a modern display, especially with the optional CRT filters. Included are the standard suite of quality of life features: save states, a rewind function, and various screen size options (including a hilarious Game Boy mode that shrinks the screen to a tiny square).

Crucially, the port introduces an Enhanced control scheme. Purists can stick to the original two-button setup, but the new controls allow you to face one direction while charging a droplet in another—a small change that makes the later, more chaotic levels significantly more manageable.

The Catch

Despite its charm, Parasol Stars is an arcade game at heart, meaning it’s short. A single playthrough takes about 45 to 60 minutes. While the hidden worlds and good ending provide replay value, those looking for a lengthy modern adventure might feel the content is thin. Additionally, the local co-op, while frantic and fun, can become a mess of sprite-flicker and confusion as players accidentally throw each other into enemies.

Final Thoughts

Parasol Stars on PS5 is a delightful preservation of one of the best non-arcade arcade games ever made. It is an absolute must-play for fans of the series and anyone who appreciates the pure, unadulterated joy of the 16-bit era.