Balloon Fight GB (Japan) (NP)
Balloon Fight GB (Japan) (NP) - Action Classic
Balloon Fight GB is the Japanese Nintendo Power re-release of Balloon Kid, a Game Boy platformer that serves as a direct sequel to the NES classic Balloon Fight. Originally available only in Japan through the Nintendo Power flash cartridge service, this version runs on the Game Boy Color but is essentially the same game as the 1990 Japanese Game Boy release. Nintendo developed it themselves, keeping the floaty physics and balloon-popping action that made the original so memorable.
The core gameplay puts you in control of a young boy who uses balloons to stay airborne. You navigate side-scrolling levels by floating left and right, tapping the A button to flap and gain altitude. The main objective is to defeat enemies by popping their balloons or knocking them off platforms, all while collecting items and avoiding hazards like spikes, water, and electrical barriers. Each stage is short and arcade-like, with a boss fight waiting at the end of each world. A two-player versus mode is also available, letting you compete to pop each other's balloons.
Balloon Fight GB is a simple but charming action game that fits perfectly on the GBC. Its pick-up-and-play nature makes it easy to enjoy in short bursts, though some later levels can get genuinely tricky. If you enjoyed the original Balloon Fight or want to see Nintendo's early handheld platforming experiments, this is worth tracking down. Just keep in mind that the menus are entirely in Japanese, so a little patience or a translation guide helps if you don't read the language.
How to Play Balloon Fight GB (Japan) (NP) Online
To get started, simply press Start to begin. The game opens with a title screen where you can select single player or two player mode using the D-Pad and confirm with the A button (X key). All menus are in Japanese, but the options are straightforward: the first menu option is single player, and the second is two player.
The main goal is to float through each stage, popping enemy balloons and avoiding hazards. Your character automatically deflates slowly, so you need to tap the A button rhythmically to stay airborne. Touching enemies directly will harm you, so focus on hitting their balloons from above. Collect stars for bonus points and watch out for flying fish and birds that try to knock you down.
Each world has several levels ending with a boss, usually a larger balloon enemy or a tricky platform sequence. If you lose all your lives, you can continue from the start of the current world. The game is short but offers a decent challenge for its era. Practice the float timing and enemy patterns to get through the later, more cramped stages.
Balloon Fight GB (Japan) (NP) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
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