Big Bang Mini is a bidimensional shoot 'em up with "bullet hell" influences. Even the player's projectile can become dangerous, when they explode and return in the lower screen. Developed by Arkedo and published by SouthPeak Games.
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Surprisingly fun and difficult. Very interesting take on a bullet hell. I beat all but that last world probably like a decade ago. But the end was too difficult. Took a couple hours but I've done it now.
I have no idea what's happening but I love it
Super underrated. A simple but effective example of how the DS inspired mechanical innovation and led to unique experiences that can't be found elsewhere.
The game's touch based control scheme not only makes it distinct, but actually fits the genre super well. Carefully navigating a maze of bullets feels great when you have the precise control of the stylus to move your ship with. I first played this as a kid and I don't think I would've been able to get into it without the accessibility that the touch controls provided. Shooting also feels great, there's a simple joy to swiping the screen to fire off your shots. The added risk of missed shots exploding into more bullets to avoid encourages you to slow down and be careful about it though. It can be easy to move when you meant to shoot and vice versa, so the system isn't perfect, but I don't really mind considering how consistently fun it is.
Each world not only has different mechanics, but a totally separate art style as well. The aesthetic of it reminds me of flash games, and I mean that in a super positive way! Levels are short enough to not be frustrating but long enough to not be trivially easy. There's some pretty difficult stuff in the late game though. The bosses are all pretty unique and memorable as well.
I'm not super familiar with the genre that inspired this but I'd easily recommend it to fans of shmups or to DS enthusiasts. It's a shame it seems to be mostly forgotten.
The game's touch based control scheme not only makes it distinct, but actually fits the genre super well. Carefully navigating a maze of bullets feels great when you have the precise control of the stylus to move your ship with. I first played this as a kid and I don't think I would've been able to get into it without the accessibility that the touch controls provided. Shooting also feels great, there's a simple joy to swiping the screen to fire off your shots. The added risk of missed shots exploding into more bullets to avoid encourages you to slow down and be careful about it though. It can be easy to move when you meant to shoot and vice versa, so the system isn't perfect, but I don't really mind considering how consistently fun it is.
Each world not only has different mechanics, but a totally separate art style as well. The aesthetic of it reminds me of flash games, and I mean that in a super positive way! Levels are short enough to not be frustrating but long enough to not be trivially easy. There's some pretty difficult stuff in the late game though. The bosses are all pretty unique and memorable as well.
I'm not super familiar with the genre that inspired this but I'd easily recommend it to fans of shmups or to DS enthusiasts. It's a shame it seems to be mostly forgotten.
I don't know how 6 year old me beat this game without throwing my DS out the window. Maybe because it's just very... tactile?
Fun in the same way that popping balloon wrap or eating chips is.
those last levels were really hard but the whole game was fun and really colorful