TwinBee: The Forgotten Gem of the NES Shmup Era
June 21, 2025
Ah, the NES era—a time when every other game was either a platformer or a shoot 'em up (shmup). But amidst the sea of Gradius clones and Contra wannabes, Konami dropped a little pastel-colored bombshell called TwinBee. And let me tell you, this game was wildly out of place—in the best way possible. 🚀🌈
Wait, a Cute 'Em Up?
If you’re used to the grim, laser-filled corridors of R-Type or the militaristic vibe of 1942, TwinBee will feel like someone dropped a handful of Skittles into your black coffee. This is a "cute 'em up"—a subgenre where pastel colors, chibi characters, and whimsical enemies replace the usual grimdark space warfare.
- Power-ups? You shoot clouds to reveal bells, then juggle them mid-air to change their colors (red for speed, blue for lasers, etc.).
- Enemies? How about walking strawberries, bouncing eggs, and literal clown cars?
- Co-op? Yep, TwinBee and WinBee (Player 2) can team up for double the chaos.
It’s like if Kirby and Gradius had a baby, and that baby was raised on Saturday morning cartoons.
Why TwinBee Still Slaps in 2025
Most NES shmups haven’t aged gracefully—either because of brutal difficulty or repetitive design. But TwinBee? It’s still a joy to play thanks to:
✅ Accessible gameplay – No instant-death bullets here! The hitbox is forgiving, and power-ups make progression feel rewarding.
✅ Charm overload – The soundtrack is pure Konami magic (peppy, synth-heavy bops), and the sprite work is bursting with personality.
✅ Co-op chaos – Few NES shooters offered true two-player action, making this a rare gem for couch multiplayer.
That said, it’s not perfect. The randomized bell drops can screw you over, and later stages get spicy with enemy spam. But hey, that’s the NES for you—brutal but fair(ish).
TwinBee’s Legacy: The One That Got Away
While TwinBee never hit Contra or Castlevania levels of fame in the West, it became a cult hit in Japan, spawning sequels (Detana! TwinBee, Pop’n TwinBee) and even a 3DS eShop revival.
Fun fact: The bell-collecting mechanic inspired later games like Parodius (Konami’s own shmup parody) and even indie darlings like Jamestown.
Should You Play It Today?
If you love:
- Retro shmups with personality
- Co-op classics that don’t require a Ph.D. in bullet-hell
- Games that don’t take themselves seriously
Then TwinBee is a must-play. It’s short, sweet, and packed with enough charm to make even the most jaded shmup fan smile.
Where to play it?
- NES original (if you’ve got the cartridge, you lucky duck)
- Emulation (no judgment here)
- Konami’s TwinBee Portable (PSP) – A great compilation with enhanced ports
So, next time you’re tired of sweating through Dark Souls or grinding in Call of Duty, fire up TwinBee and let its absurd, pastel-powered chaos wash over you. Trust me, your inner child will thank you. 🎮💖
(Fan-made gameplay montage—because this game deserves more love!)Final Verdict:
⭐ 8.5/10 – A forgotten classic that proves shooters don’t need to be edgy to be epic.