Play Rainbow Islands Online

Rainbow Islands came out on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, a Taito release that brought the arcade game's colorful, strange world home. It was part of that era on the NES where you got these inventive, sometimes slightly offbeat platformers that didn't always play by the rules, offering something different from the more straightforward Mario-style adventures.

You control one of the Bubble Bobble brothers, now a little boy, and your goal is to climb a series of islands to rescue captured children. You don't jump on enemies; you shoot rainbows from underneath you. These rainbows act as both platforms to climb and weapons, as you can trap foes beneath them to turn them into point items or collectible fruit. The main objective is to collect the seven large diamonds hidden in each stage before a rising flood of water forces you upward, adding a constant pressure to your exploration. It's a game that demands quick thinking and precision, as a mistimed rainbow can leave you vulnerable or block your own path. The feeling of creating your own platforms to outmaneuver enemies and escape the rising tide is uniquely satisfying.