Classic Games Database
ClassicGames DB

TwinBee

Review
Also known as
3D Classics: TwinBee Arcade Archives: TwinBee Twin Bee アーケードアーカイブス ツインビー ツインビー 兵蜂

Control cartoon ships, shoot clouds for colored bell power-ups, and battle through vertical scrolling stages.

TwinBee was originally released in arcades in 1985. The NES/Famicom version was released in Japan on January 4, 1988. The legacy year 1985 refers to the arcade original, not the NES version.

About TwinBee

TwinBee 3 is a vertical scrolling shooter featuring two player controlled, cartoonish spacecraft with arms. These craft, named TwinBee and WinBee, navigate in eight directions and utilize separate buttons for firing at airborne targets and launching bombs against ground enemies.

Progression is supported by a power up system where bells are obtained by shooting clouds. Striking a collected bell alters its color, each hue granting a distinct effect. Defensive and offensive enhancements include shields, speed boosts, and upgraded weaponry such as twin cannons or image copies that augment firepower. Certain power ups, like a three way gun or a screen clearing star, are collected from the ground instead.

The game presents a challenging damage model where a direct hit to the craft's center destroys it, while shots to its arms disable only that limb. Losing both arms removes the bomb attack capability until an ambulance repairs the craft. In cooperative two player mode, the cyan and red craft possess identical speed and can link together to unleash a combined super attack. This mode also introduces a mechanic where a craft struck from behind by its ally fires multiple shots in various directions.

TwinBee Screenshots

10 images
Title screen
Shooting a cloud releases a bell
Shooting double shots after a bell power-up
Approaching the boss
The boss is protected by a field of balls
Stage 1 cleared
Shot down over stage 2
Game over
Two player simultaneous.
Great detailed graphics for its time