Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave — Fan Team Launches New Commodore 64 Port Inspired by Taito Classic
Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave, the latest passion project from fan developer Davide Bottino and his team, has officially debuted on the Commodore 64.
Building on the success of their previous release, Bubble Bobble Remastered, this new title pays homage to the enduring influence of Taito's iconic arcade game, offering retro gaming enthusiasts an updated experience on classic hardware. The groundwork for Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave comes directly from a well-regarded arcade hack first introduced by developers Bisboch and Aladar in 2012.
This hack gathered an array of levels originally created by TAITO as bonus content for various console ports, merging them into a cohesive follow-up to the 1986 classic.
The result is an iteration that stands as a meaningful companion to both the original Bubble Bobble and its successor, Rainbow Islands. For this Commodore 64 adaptation, Davide Bottino’s team worked closely with Andrea Babich (known as Bisboch), the co-creator of the original hack.
With his permission and support, Bottino expanded on the technical achievements accomplished in Bubble Bobble Remastered.
Players can expect enhanced visuals reminiscent of Software Creations’ official 1987 C64 port, along with the introduction of a more modern, optional two-button control scheme. “Lost Cave is a true extension of the work we did for Remastered; it’s a natural next step for the project,” Bottino shared in an interview with retro gaming YouTuber BastichB 64K.
He further explained that, just a month after Remastered’s release, key editing tools developed by Víctor Widell enabled him to create entirely new levels, culminating in this fresh installment.
Once the technical possibilities became apparent, Bottino immediately reached out to Andrea Babich, who gladly provided comprehensive level data—greatly accelerating development. Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave features 100 meticulously adapted levels, each optimized for the C64’s unique capabilities.
According to Bottino, subtle gameplay adjustments were made where necessary to ensure smooth integration with the Commodore 64 engine.
The fan-driven nature of this title underscores the enduring appeal and community commitment surrounding retro gaming and much-loved franchises like Bubble Bobble. For those interested in revisiting or discovering Bubble Bobble on the Commodore 64, Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave is available as a free download on itch.io.
Whether you’re a devoted collector, a fan of retro hardware, or a newcomer to the series, this project stands as a testament to the creativity and dedication found within the fan development community.
Building on the success of their previous release, Bubble Bobble Remastered, this new title pays homage to the enduring influence of Taito's iconic arcade game, offering retro gaming enthusiasts an updated experience on classic hardware. The groundwork for Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave comes directly from a well-regarded arcade hack first introduced by developers Bisboch and Aladar in 2012.
This hack gathered an array of levels originally created by TAITO as bonus content for various console ports, merging them into a cohesive follow-up to the 1986 classic.
The result is an iteration that stands as a meaningful companion to both the original Bubble Bobble and its successor, Rainbow Islands. For this Commodore 64 adaptation, Davide Bottino’s team worked closely with Andrea Babich (known as Bisboch), the co-creator of the original hack.
With his permission and support, Bottino expanded on the technical achievements accomplished in Bubble Bobble Remastered.
Players can expect enhanced visuals reminiscent of Software Creations’ official 1987 C64 port, along with the introduction of a more modern, optional two-button control scheme. “Lost Cave is a true extension of the work we did for Remastered; it’s a natural next step for the project,” Bottino shared in an interview with retro gaming YouTuber BastichB 64K.
He further explained that, just a month after Remastered’s release, key editing tools developed by Víctor Widell enabled him to create entirely new levels, culminating in this fresh installment.
Once the technical possibilities became apparent, Bottino immediately reached out to Andrea Babich, who gladly provided comprehensive level data—greatly accelerating development. Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave features 100 meticulously adapted levels, each optimized for the C64’s unique capabilities.
According to Bottino, subtle gameplay adjustments were made where necessary to ensure smooth integration with the Commodore 64 engine.
The fan-driven nature of this title underscores the enduring appeal and community commitment surrounding retro gaming and much-loved franchises like Bubble Bobble. For those interested in revisiting or discovering Bubble Bobble on the Commodore 64, Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave is available as a free download on itch.io.
Whether you’re a devoted collector, a fan of retro hardware, or a newcomer to the series, this project stands as a testament to the creativity and dedication found within the fan development community.
