We first reported on Spica Adventure back in May 2025, when publisher ININ Games announced it was being released on consoles as part of a double pack with Parasol Stars. While we had hoped it would be released sooner, it’s finally here, priced at $19.99, and is the first time Spica Adventure has been released outside of Japan. It’s available on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, with a physical PS5 and Switch version up for pre-order on ININ’s website or Strictly Limited.
With all the release info out of the way, this first impression post is testing out Spica Adventure, but it’s important to note that for your $20, you will also get the 2023 modern release of Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III. The reason these have been bundled together is that Spica Adventure is a spiritual successor to Parasol Stars, and many of the game’s mechanics have been tweaked or upgraded from Taito’s iconic title. It’s fair to say that if you enjoyed Parasol Stars, you’ll enjoy Spica Adventure.
As with many arcade platformers, the aim is to complete each level while picking up as many points as possible. Nico, the game’s heroine, has the usual jump and attack moves, but by using the parasol, she can perform more advanced moves. Firstly, holding the attack button will open the parasol to float and deflect back projectiles at enemies. Secondly, Nico can use the parasol to grip on walls and spring herself upwards to unreachable places. You can also flip enemies in the air, and then use the parasol as a gun to build combos. The final move is using the paraosl as a projectile to rip through groups of enemies.
Using the parasol is fundamental to seeing everything Spica Adventure has to offer. The game can be run through quite quickly, simply aiming for the goal. However, those who want to reach high scores on the leaderboard and unlock the extras will need to explore. A perfect run on a level requires collecting every point pickup, and some of them are high up or out of the way and require some tricky platforming with good use of the parasols’ catapult mechanic. It also requires you not to take damage, so remembering where the enemies appear and how to defeat them quickly becomes paramount.
The package includes the original arcade version, but the reworked modern version, with widescreen and improved controls, offers a smoother ride because it’s not quite as difficult. The biggest difference between the two versions is the boss battles, which are much harder in the original arcade mode. There are also some cheats to unlock by getting perfect scores to uncover collectibles, and a few cutscenes to re-watch after unlocking them in the main game. A challenge mode is included that allows players to compete on online leaderboards, and when we checked, these were starting to fill up already.
Apart from that, this is quite a barebones package, especially given the price; we’d have liked to have seen more concept art galleries and maybe a music player to enjoy the game’s excellent arcade soundtrack. There also isn’t any rewind or save state function, which seems to be the norm for these kinds of releases these days. But we won’t be too harsh, as there is a lot of replayability to be had, especially when trying to unlock the cheat menu or complete the arcade mode in one credit. And for many, this will just be an official way to play a Taito classic that feels like part of the Bubble Bobble series for the first time.
For all the brilliance of the gameplay in Spica Adventure, we haven’t yet mentioned the brilliant presentation that jumps out at you at every turn. The colors, graphics, music, and sound effects all pop out of the screen, and anyone who is a fan of the Bubble Bobble series will most likely love what they see in this one. When you put a big combo together and take out lots of enemies at once, the flashes on the screen and the abundance of color brought a big smile to our faces. This just oozes Japanese arcade style of the early noughties and has the same energy as Puyo Pop Fever or Mr Driller, as well as that classic Taito gameplay.
Overall, Spica Adventure is a brilliant arcade game that will pick up many fans now that it is finally out worldwide. Fans of Bubble Bobble games, especially Rainbow Island and Parasol Stars, will instantly pick up the gameplay loop and will want to be hitting those high scores and combos that make the series so addictive. Casual platform fans may wish to wishlist and wait for a sale due to the slightly high entry price, or if you already bought Parasol Stars. But hardcore Taito fans need to grab this one today and enjoy what feels like a lost friend you didn’t know you had. Spica Adventure is everything we want in an arcade platform game and then some.
