RainbowBell

Infobox VG
title=TwinBee / RainbowBell


caption=Japanese promotional flyer.
developer=Konami
released=vgrelease|JP|March 5, 1985 (arcade)
genre=Shoot 'em up
modes=1 player, 2 player co-op
platforms=
Arcade Computers:
MSX, Sharp X68000 Consoles:
Famicom, Famicom Disk System Handhelds:
Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable (as part of TwinBee Portable), Nintendo DS (as part of Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits)
input=8-way joystick, 2 buttons
cabinet=Classic upright
arcade system=
Bubble System,
Konami GX400
display=Raster, 224 x 256 pixels (Vertical)

:"Twinbee" redirects here. For an overview of the TwinBee series, see TwinBee (series)."

"TwinBee" is a 1985 side-scrolling shooter released by Konami as a video arcade. The game was ported to the Famicom (in cartridge and disk card formats) and the MSX platforms during the following year. The arcade version has been included in the compilations "TwinBee Portable" for the Sony PSP and "" for the Nintendo DS.

Gameplay

The gameplay in "TwinBee" is simple, and has its foundation in Namco's "Xevious". Players use TwinBee or "Winbee" in a short string of six levels that repeats indefinitely, with a boss at the end of each. Both characters start the game with a single shot for aerial enemies, and the ability to launch bombs which are able to destroy ground targets. When either character is hit in the wings they will lose them, and will lose the ability to launch bombs and have their firepower reduced. When this happens, an "Ambulance bee" will appear which will repair any character wings after touching it, enabling the ability to launch bombs again.

One of "TwinBee"'s more defining features is the "Bell" power-up. When the player shoot clouds, bells will pop out and travel to the bottom of the screen. Depending of the color of the bell when it is touched, a specific power-up will be obtained. The bell color can be changed by continuously shooting until it turns in the desired color. However, if it is shot too many times, the bell will turn into a symbol that will kill the player who touches it.

Another feature is the possibility to play 2 player co-op. In this mode it is possible to combine two characters by joining them side by side. After doing this, one player can control both of them at the same time and with more powerful combined firepower. On the downside, they will be a bigger target and one hit will kill both characters, regardless of who received the attack.

Other versions

"TwinBee" originally appeared as an arcade game. It was later ported to MSX and the Famicom. The Famicom version was re-released only in Japan under the Famicom Mini label for the Game Boy Advance. This game was officially released for the first time outside Japan as part of the "" for the Nintendo DS in March vgy|2007, under the name "RainbowBell".

External links

*StrategyWiki|TwinBee