ALTParasol Stars
Like its subtitle states, Taito’s Parasol Stars is a spinoff of Bubble Bobble, much like Rainbow Islands before it. You take on the role of Bubby and/or Bobby, here in human form, as they clear the screen of enemies, while gobbling up treats to score points. Rather than bubbles or rainbows, the chubby little heroes use their parasols to knock out the enemies. You can stun weaker foes by whacking them, which can then be juggled and tossed across the screen at other enemies. This is important, because stronger foes can’t be directly attacked, so you need toss at least a few other baddies at them before you can dispose of them. In some of these ways, it’s a little more like Don Doko Don, another similar platformer developed by Taito a few years prior. Unlike Bubble Bobble, many stages scroll horizontally back and forth, though they’re still quite small. Each stage is filled with hidden score items, many revealed by tossing things across the screen. With the umbrella extended, you can also float down slowly between platforms.
