Format: CD-ROM²
Genre: 2d platformer
Developer: NEC Avenue
Publisher: NEC

There is a phenomenon in video games-- let's call it the "hair raising" effect-- where artwork drawn in just a particular way causes a crackling explosion of synapses in the imagination-forming parts of the brain. From its well-proportioned enemy sprites to its absolutely transcendental tile work, Rainbow Islands takes its predecessor's appealing form to the next level. What's more, this PC Engine version is so close in quality to the arcade original, that it would take more than just the heads of Bub and Bob to pick enough nits with it.

This PC Engine port of Rainbow Islands quite literally has the arcade original's music, which was recorded and put on the disc as Red Book tracks. And that's a very good thing: while it has one song-- think "Over the Rainbow"-- which plays throughout the vast majority of the game, it fits the short stage lengths so well, and it's such a jaunty, well-instrumented tune, that it really never gets old. The game's sound effects are unmistakable, giving the game its own, unique charm.

In Rainbow Islands, the player progresses from the bottom of each stage to the top. He can do so by jumping, and placing rainbows. Rainbows can either be bounced or walked on-- or, they can be destroyed, after which they fall off the bottom of the screen, killing enemies and collecting goodies along the way. This ingenious set of mechanics can be utilized by the clever player in all sorts of surprising ways!

Initially, Rainbow Islands is part platformer, and part puzzle game. As the game progresses though, a skilled player will have collected all sorts of permanent power-ups, like infinite-jump wings and flying defense orbs-- and that's when the game reaches its satisfying crescendo, playing almost like a bullet-hell schmup, with the entire screen filling with explosions! The 1980s produced a lot of all-time classic arcade games-- and Rainbow Islands surely is one of the very best, as PC Engine owners will find via this incredible port.