Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Arcade, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Konami
- Publishers: Konami
TwinBee (1985): A Twin-Engine Adventure Through a Cartoonish Sky
Introduction
TwinBee is a classic vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up game released by Konami in 1985. It was the very first game to run on Konami’s Bubble System hardware, and it quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its charming graphics, addictive gameplay, and catchy music.
Gameplay
TwinBee is a vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up in which the player controls one of two bee-shaped spaceships, TwinBee or WinBee. The player’s ship can fire lasers in eight directions, and it can also drop bombs. The game features a variety of enemies, including spaceships, tanks, and flying saucers. The player must defeat all of the enemies on each stage in order to progress to the next one.
One of the unique features of TwinBee is the ability to combine the two ships into a single, more powerful ship. This is done by collecting a special power-up item. When the two ships are combined, they can fire a powerful laser beam that can destroy enemies quickly.
Graphics and Sound
TwinBee’s graphics are colorful and cartoonish, with a unique and charming art style. The game’s backgrounds are full of detail, and the enemies are all well-animated. The game’s music is also very catchy, and it helps to create a fun and upbeat atmosphere.
Story
TwinBee’s story is simple but charming. The player takes on the role of TwinBee and WinBee, two bee-shaped spaceships who are on a mission to defeat the evil Dr. Maddon. Dr. Maddon has stolen a powerful weapon called the Bellbee, and he plans to use it to conquer the world.
TwinBee and WinBee must travel through a variety of stages, defeating Dr. Maddon’s minions and collecting power-ups. Along the way, they will also meet a variety of friendly characters who will help them on their quest.
Legacy
TwinBee was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it has since become a classic shoot ’em up game. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the NES, Game Boy, and PlayStation. It has also been included in several compilations of Konami games.
TwinBee has spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs, including TwinBee 3 (1989), TwinBee Yahho! (1995), and TwinBee Rainbow Bell Adventure (2011). The series is still popular today, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans of shoot ’em up games.
Conclusion
TwinBee is a charming and challenging vertical scrolling shoot ’em up that showcases the power of Konami’s Bubble System hardware. The game’s colorful graphics, addictive gameplay, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
