Play Rainbow Islands (new version) Online

Rainbow Islands (new version) came out in 1993 for MAME, an arcade emulator, and was originally developed by Taito. It was part of that era where arcade games were transitioning to home systems, and this version tried to capture the feel of the original cabinet experience on a computer.

You control a small character who jumps between floating islands, shooting rainbows upward to defeat enemies or create temporary platforms. The main goal is to climb upward screen by screen, collecting crystals while avoiding or crushing foes with your rainbows. Key mechanics include using rainbows as both weapons and stepping stones, and the screen constantly scrolls upward, adding pressure if you move too slowly. The pacing is brisk, and the difficulty can spike unexpectedly with enemy patterns and environmental hazards. It feels frantic but satisfying when you chain rainbow jumps just right to clear a tough section.