Play Detana!! TwinBee Online

Summary

Detana!! TwinBee, known in Europe as Bells & Whistles, landed on the PC‑Engine in early 1992 and later resurfaced on the Wii Virtual Console and PlayStation Network, giving Western fans a chance to experience the original Japanese title. The arcade‑faithful conversion showcases two distinct control schemes: the Japanese version splits shooting and bombing onto separate buttons, while the European release merges them, letting a single press handle both actions.

The game’s charm comes from its bell‑based power‑up system. Shooting clouds reveals colored bells that can be flipped for effects—yellow, white, blue, green, red, plus a new purple shield bell and a black speed‑down bell—while mini‑bells and lucky stars add extra flair. Holding the shot button charges a bottom‑screen meter, unleashing a satisfying “Big Shot” when released. Cooperative play shines when two ships line up side‑by‑side for a wider beam or stack vertically for a five‑way spread, and the quirky GwinBee can pop out between them to clear the screen.

Behind the scenes, the title was steered by director Masato Ohsawa and programmed by Toru Shimomura, with Koji Igarashi handling enemy code early in his career. Animator Shūjirō Hamakawa made his debut, and Michiru Yamane’s upbeat, “cute bee world” soundtrack rounds out the experience. Critics praised its vivid graphics, responsive controls, and imaginative bosses, even if the music divided opinion, cementing Detana!! TwinBee as a beloved, accessible vertical shooter for both retro enthusiasts and casual players alike.

Storyline

Detana!! TwinBee (often just called TwinBee) picks up several years after the original TwinBee adventure. Players take control of the iconic ships TwinBee and WinBee, piloted by the newly introduced duo Light and Pastel, whose names were later revealed in the audio drama *TwinBee Paradise*. An urgent SOS from Princess Melora alerts them that the alien menace Iva is launching an invasion of the peaceful planet Meru. Determined to protect the world, Light and Pastel set out to battle Iva’s forces and restore safety to the galaxy.