Sometimes while waiting for highly anticipated news to break, something completely unexpected drops in from out of nowhere.  Like this news item, for instance: famed merged RPG developer/publisher Square-Enix wants to acquire developer/publisher Taito.  Bloomberg has the story.

Square Enix Co., Japan's top maker of role-playing video games, offered to pay as much as 67 billion yen ($610 million) to buy arcade game maker Taito Corp., becoming the latest games company to merge amid increased competition.

If this acquisition happens, I have but a single request/demand of the newly combined entity: a Bubble Bobble RPG.  I want Bubble legends Bub and Bob to meet up with Hullaballoon, Stoner, and Beluga and convince them to join their party, then go on a fantastic journey to defeat Baron Von Blubba and his minion, Grumple Grommit.  I want the classic attacks of both friends and foes to turn up, plus I want all the familiar power-up items available for use.  Give me all of this wrapped together with a coherent story and I'll climb aboard for this journey as soon as its released.  C'mon, Square-Enix-Taito.  Give us Bubble Bobble: Cave of Monsters!

(via Joystiq)