Play Parasol Stars - Rainbow Islands II - The Story of Bubble Bobble III (Europe) Online

Ocean Software brought Parasol Stars to the NES in 1991, a time when colorful platformers were common but few had such a distinct personality. It was the third game in the Bubble Bobble lineage, though it felt more like a direct sequel to Rainbow Islands, trading rainbows for a versatile umbrella. The game arrived late in the NES lifecycle, offering a bright, cheerful alternative to the many action titles dominating the system.

You control one of the Bubble Dragon siblings, Bubby or Bobby, navigating a series of themed planets screen by screen. Your main goal is to clear each area of enemies using your magical parasol, which can both attack and defend. You trap foes in bubbles, then bounce them around to hit others or collect the fruit and stars they release; gathering enough stars summons a rainbow to access the stage exit. The pacing is brisk, with levels that demand quick reflexes and clever use of your parasol's various powers, like shooting water or fire. It feels like a cheerful, frantic puzzle where every screen is a small playground of bouncing chaos.