Taito has confirmed Rainbow Islands Console Selection for Nintendo Switch, with a firm release date of October 8, 2026.
The compilation packages multiple home ports of the 1987 arcade action title Rainbow Islands and will be sold digitally in western territories for $29.99; a physical release has been confirmed for Japan.
A first trailer has been published by Taito alongside the announcement.
Rainbow Islands overview and included versions
Rainbow Islands is an arcade action game originally released by Taito in 1987.
Players control Bubby or Bobby and use rainbow magic as both weapon and platform to climb each stage and reach the top.
The collection includes six versions of the game: the Family Computer (Famicom) version, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) version, the Sega Master System version, the PC Engine CD-ROM² version, and two Mega Drive builds (the Japanese Mega Drive Extra and the western Mega Drive/Genesis Extra).
Notably, the package contains a Mega Drive/Genesis build that was never released on cartridge.
Features and audio credits
Taito lists system features aimed at preservation and convenience: 24 quick-save/load slots per version, a toggle to display diamond locations, and an option to start in a powered-up state.
The PC Engine CD-ROM² release in the collection is based on the NES port and includes an FM-arranged main theme by Yukiharu Urita and an ending theme composed by Norihiro Furukawa; both composers are alumni of Taito’s sound team Zuntata.
Taito also notes that the Family Computer, Mega Drive, and PC Engine CD-ROM² versions use the main theme derived from the NES arrangement.
Rewritten promotional statements
Taito framed the compilation as an opportunity to "experience six different versions of the magical world of Rainbow Islands," highlighting the breadth of 8- and 16-bit ports alongside the previously unreleased Mega Drive cartridge build.
The company emphasized modern convenience features—multiple save slots and on-screen diamond indicators—designed to make these classic ports more accessible to contemporary players.
Additional notes
The story synopsis included with the announcement follows the Mega Drive and PC Engine versions, explaining Bubby and Bobby’s return to Rainbow Islands after the events of Bubble Bobble; Taito clarifies narrative details differ across the Family Computer, NES, and Sega Master System releases.
Taito has not specified whether the western digital release will appear on the Nintendo eShop or whether the title will be featured in a Nintendo Direct.
Rainbow Islands Console Selection will arrive on Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2026, priced at $29.99 digitally in the west, with a confirmed physical edition for Japan.
The compilation packages multiple home ports of the 1987 arcade action title Rainbow Islands and will be sold digitally in western territories for $29.99; a physical release has been confirmed for Japan.
A first trailer has been published by Taito alongside the announcement.
Rainbow Islands overview and included versions
Rainbow Islands is an arcade action game originally released by Taito in 1987.
Players control Bubby or Bobby and use rainbow magic as both weapon and platform to climb each stage and reach the top.
The collection includes six versions of the game: the Family Computer (Famicom) version, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) version, the Sega Master System version, the PC Engine CD-ROM² version, and two Mega Drive builds (the Japanese Mega Drive Extra and the western Mega Drive/Genesis Extra).
Notably, the package contains a Mega Drive/Genesis build that was never released on cartridge.
Features and audio credits
Taito lists system features aimed at preservation and convenience: 24 quick-save/load slots per version, a toggle to display diamond locations, and an option to start in a powered-up state.
The PC Engine CD-ROM² release in the collection is based on the NES port and includes an FM-arranged main theme by Yukiharu Urita and an ending theme composed by Norihiro Furukawa; both composers are alumni of Taito’s sound team Zuntata.
Taito also notes that the Family Computer, Mega Drive, and PC Engine CD-ROM² versions use the main theme derived from the NES arrangement.
Rewritten promotional statements
Taito framed the compilation as an opportunity to "experience six different versions of the magical world of Rainbow Islands," highlighting the breadth of 8- and 16-bit ports alongside the previously unreleased Mega Drive cartridge build.
The company emphasized modern convenience features—multiple save slots and on-screen diamond indicators—designed to make these classic ports more accessible to contemporary players.
Additional notes
The story synopsis included with the announcement follows the Mega Drive and PC Engine versions, explaining Bubby and Bobby’s return to Rainbow Islands after the events of Bubble Bobble; Taito clarifies narrative details differ across the Family Computer, NES, and Sega Master System releases.
Taito has not specified whether the western digital release will appear on the Nintendo eShop or whether the title will be featured in a Nintendo Direct.
Rainbow Islands Console Selection will arrive on Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2026, priced at $29.99 digitally in the west, with a confirmed physical edition for Japan.
