Pop’n TwinBee, a vertical shoot ’em up from Konami, was released for the SNES in 1993 as the sixth game in the TwinBee series. The game follows pilots Light and Pastel, who fly their sentient ships, TwinBee and WinBee, to stop the mad scientist Dr. Mardock. The gameplay is a classic vertical shooter with both air and ground attacks, but it stands out for its unique punch attack, which can knock out enemies or deflect their projectiles. Power-ups are collected by shooting colored bells, which can provide a speed boost, a spread shot, or a protective shield. Unlike many shooters, Pop’n TwinBee is more forgiving due to its energy bar system instead of a one-hit death. The game was well-received for its charming and colorful graphics, upbeat music, and accessible difficulty, though some critics found it too easy.
