Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, BBC Microcomputer System
Balloon Buster (1989)
Balloon Buster is a competitive arcade game released in 1989 by Namco. The game is played by up to four players who sit in chairs and try to pop each other’s balloons with their own. The last player with a balloon wins.
Balloon Buster is a simple game to learn but difficult to master. The controls are simple: you use a joystick to move your chair around the play area and a button to throw balloons. However, the game requires a good deal of skill to aim and throw balloons accurately.
The game is played on a circular stage with a variety of obstacles, such as walls, pillars, and ramps. Players can use these obstacles to their advantage to block their opponents’ shots or to get a better angle on their own shots.
Balloon Buster is a fast-paced and exciting game that is perfect for a group of friends or family members. The game is also relatively inexpensive, making it a great value for the money.
Gameplay
The goal of Balloon Buster is to be the last player with a balloon. The game is played in rounds, and each round begins with each player having a balloon attached to their chair. Players then use their joysticks to move their chairs around the play area and their buttons to throw balloons at each other.
Balloons can be thrown in a variety of ways, including straight ahead, up, and down. Players can also use the obstacles in the play area to their advantage to block their opponents’ shots or to get a better angle on their own shots.
When a balloon is hit, it will pop and the player who threw the balloon will score a point. The first player to reach a predetermined number of points wins the round.
After each round, the players start a new round with a new balloon. The game continues until one player has won a predetermined number of rounds.
Power-ups
There are a variety of power-ups that can appear in Balloon Buster. These power-ups can give players a variety of advantages, such as increased speed, increased throwing power, or the ability to shoot multiple balloons at once.
Power-ups appear randomly on the play area, and players can collect them by running over them with their chairs. Once a player has collected a power-up, it will be activated for a limited time.
Reception
Balloon Buster was a popular arcade game when it was released in 1989. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, its colorful graphics, and its catchy music. Balloon Buster was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide.
Balloon Buster has been ported to a variety of home platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Sega Genesis, and the PlayStation. The home versions of the game were generally well-received, although some critics complained that the controls were not as good as the arcade version.
Legacy
Balloon Buster is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, its colorful graphics, and its catchy music have made it a favorite among gamers of all ages. Balloon Buster is also a popular game for parties and other social gatherings.
Balloon Buster has been featured in a number of other video games, including Namco Museum and Pac-Man Party. The game has also been parodied in a number of other games, including WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Conclusion
Balloon Buster is a fun and frantic arcade game that is perfect for a group of friends or family members. The game is simple to learn but difficult to master, and it offers a variety of challenges for players of all skill levels. Balloon Buster is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by many people today.
Review Score
7.5/10
