TwinBee Overview
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.
