Balloon Fight (NES)

Balloon Fight

Originally a hit in the arcades of the early ‘80s, NES classic Balloon Fight puts you in control of a heroic balloonist. Simply, pop the balloons of your enemies before they pop yours!

Falling enemies will deploy a parachute, so hit them again to knock them into the water below or into the jaws of a hungry fish. But watch out, the fish has its eyes on you, too!

Balloon Fight also features a two-player mode with cooperative and competitive play, plus a side-scrolling survival mode called Balloon Trip.

Balloon Fight Review

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Review by Darren Calvert

Balloon Fight Screenshot

From the depths of Nintendo’s glorious past comes yet another fun 2 player game. Balloon Fight can be thought of as Nintendo’s take on the classic arcade game Joust. Rather than knights on flying ostriches you are a dude hanging from a balloon who has to battle with chickens hanging from balloons. Cute!

The goal of Balloon Fight is to flap your fighter into the sky and face off against some flying foes, attacking and popping their balloons before they can do the same to yours. Once you've knocked an enemy out of the air, he'll drift slowly to the ground below with a parachute – administering a second attack during his descent will eliminate him for good. The core combat of the game is fun and simple, and has that added touch of Nintendo accessibility that Joust could not have claimed – and here on the Virtual Console, where Joust is not yet available as an alternative, Balloon Fight stands out as more unique than it otherwise would be. A welcome feature is Fight's support for two players simultaneously, as with other Nintendo co-op games of the same age you can choose to work together with your friend, or ruthlessly assault them and try to claim the high score yourself.

Balloon Fight Screenshot

An extra mode called Balloon Trip is also available, and changes the focus from fight to flight – you're presented with a forced-scrolling screen full of electrified obstacles, and tasked to survive as long as possible while ducking, dodging and never descending. There's no land to land on down below, just an endless ocean that's home to hungry, human-eating fish. The Trip's a true challenge – it'll take practice, patience and skill on the flap trigger to wing your way through any significant portion of the course.

Compared to the longevity of many other NES games it is hard to say if this is good value or not. It’s certainly a fun game but probably won’t hold your attention for that long. Tracking down a copy of Animal Crossing on the Gamecube might be the best bet, it’s a much cheaper way to play this and many other NES classics.

3/5

Average reader rating: 3.40 (82 ratings)

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Screenshots

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Balloon Fight (Video Clip)

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Have your say about Balloon Fight

1. Don-Bon United States 11 May 2007, 04:43 GMT

This was a good game. I doubt it can stand the test of time though.

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2. Pocketim New Zealand 11 May 2007, 13:19 GMT

I don't really like the main game but baloon trip is way more fun

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3. Jazzem United Kingdom 12 May 2007, 15:04 GMT

I might get this actually... I liked it on Animal Crossing :)

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4. Kevin United States 12 May 2007, 15:12 GMT

I'm looking forward to downloading this. what a fun game!

5. mario/zelda_fan Canada 13 May 2007, 07:20 GMT

If i wanna play it I'll play Animal Crossing.

6. KQ United Kingdom 16 May 2007, 13:35 GMT

i'm a big fan of balloon fight. esp in two player mode. just like 'joust' (the game it was clearly insired by) its great fun playing competatively and trying to kill the other player ;)

please bring this to VC soon ninty!

7. Al United Kingdom 17 May 2007, 21:03 GMT

omg i love this, i really am going to download this the second its out, duno why i love it so much but i do.

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8. Yoshi175 United Kingdom 20 May 2007, 15:51 GMT

I have this on Animal crossing, it's quite good

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9. Thomas United States 08 Jun 2007, 09:25 GMT

This is a game I've been waiting for ever since I got my Wii. I'm in the US, but seeing it unexpectedly in Europe, or anywhere for that matter, is a good sign is a good sign for us on the other side of the pond. I hope it comes out soon.

10. KQ United Kingdom 08 Jun 2007, 10:38 GMT

W00t! Been waiting ages for this classic Joust rip-off. Like joust, its even better fun in 2 player. My GF loves it :)

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11. Yoshi175 United Kingdom 08 Jun 2007, 21:09 GMT

I might have downloaded if I didn't have this on Animal Crossing

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12. Kevin United States 25 Jun 2007, 20:56 GMT

I got rid of Animal Crossing so I have no choice.

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13. Mendez United Kingdom 09 Jul 2007, 17:44 GMT

I've just started again on Animal Crossing and I've really got into it. So I ported my NES games over from my old file, and Balloon Fight's just as good as I remember.

Probably one of the best NES games out there.

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14. SKTTR Germany 16 Jul 2007, 06:48 GMT

For such an old game it's very addictive, looks good, has nice air physics and a memorable sound. but after about 16 levels everything is repeated.
2 player co-op/vs and highscore-random-track makes this game more fun. as a NES game it has not aged that much. but seeing that there are bigger and better games and that i got it on animal crossing for free this is more of 3 stars than 4.

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15. angel m. rivera collazo Puerto Rico 16 Jul 2007, 16:08 GMT

i am going to buy this one immediately.extremely addictive game.nes classic!

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16. dualj United States 16 Jul 2007, 18:14 GMT

Man, I am glad this game is out. It is one of my favorites.

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17. Masuyo United States 17 Jul 2007, 04:03 GMT

it'd hard to say this is worth $5... but for an NES game the mechanics work really well. It's a joust clone but it's got some awesome 2 player action. Decent game but it just doesn't last very long...

18. rarson United States 18 Jul 2007, 20:01 GMT

I just watched the video... the game seems more annoying to me than anything else. Doesn't look like it's my bag. Oh well.

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19. Jon United States 19 Jul 2007, 22:55 GMT

$5 for this game? in my opinion there's much better games on the NES that you can buy for your 5 bucks.

20. street fighter ii France 29 Jul 2007, 13:46 GMT

A NES classic for me. The golden age of video game !!

21. Mii be you United States 31 Jul 2007, 03:31 GMT

I'd give this a few hours of my time. I like this a lot!
I recommend you find someone to play this with you.
(I play this on Animal Crossing!)

22. Nando United States 06 Aug 2007, 05:40 GMT

This is a fun game. One of the best multiplayer for the NES.
I'd recommend it mostly for die-hard platformer fans.
And those who just love to pop balloons.

23. Pocketmego United States 01 Sep 2007, 09:09 GMT

Best game currently on the VC in my opinion. It never gets old for me. I can go back to it again and again. It seems simple, but it has this addictive quality that pulls you in as you realize it gets trickier and tricker. I was a big fan of Joust and I think this game improves on that game in every way.

-Ray

24. Ben United States 03 Sep 2007, 17:01 GMT

Ballon Fight Is A Little Fun If You Like To Go Out At Night

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25. Beau Skunk United States 23 Nov 2007, 10:30 GMT

For some reason, I never ever get tired of this game. I've played it hondreds of times, and never got sick of it. It's really addictive to see how far you can go in this game, and how big a score you can get. (I managed to get the highest score possible.) Or just even to play the game brieflly for relaxing.

The game does remind me alot of Midway's "Joust," but is definatelly more fun to play, and less frustrating. It features 2 contol schemes you can chose from to use to. (Hold B to flab rapidlly, or tap A repeatedlly.) A nice 2 player mode for 2 people to either cooperate, or fight against each other if they chose. (Like in "Mario Bros." or "Ice Climber.")

The game also features a nice mini-game called "Balloon Trip," wich is also a nice challenge to see how long you can last in an increasinglly difficult automatic side-scrolling stage. And for it's day, it has nice hummable music in it. Definatelly one of my favorite NES games.

26. learn japanese ds Canada 07 Jan 2008, 22:01 GMT

If you are into Balloon fight you should rent Wario Ware smooth moves because they have retrofitted balloon fight as a 1st person, 3d game. And use use the wii mote and nunchuck to wave your arms to fly!

27. ToadTheMushroom United States 22 Jan 2008, 02:23 GMT

I have it on Animal Crossing, and it's fun.

It won't last you long, however.

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28. Pocketim New Zealand 23 Jan 2008, 00:24 GMT

"Ballon Fight Is A Little Fun If You Like To Go Out At Night"

Whats up with all the Capitals?

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29. agent_lime 24 Jan 2008, 02:47 GMT

I downloaded this and its really fun and addicting, i havent gotten bored of it yet (2 weeks)

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30. Vader0954 United States 29 Jan 2008, 02:17 GMT

I love the game. Reminds me of joust.
May not last long if you play alone, but with co-op, it doubles the replay value, and the Trip Mode...I can't stop coming back to it! I just want to keep going.

In the end, some will see it as a classic, while others think it's just a fun little trinket.
You might stick to it for a while. 4/5

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31. Virus United States 30 Jan 2008, 04:36 GMT

Nostalgia junkies will have a party with this game, but for the modern gamers out there who expect a game rounded with replay value, great music, and equally-good graphics, this might not be the best game. Sure there's three modes, but single player will get repetitive once you get past stage 10, co-op doesn't last much longer considering the chaos will kill one of you eventually, and balloon trip doesn't offer much to be fun for more than five minutes (at most!). The music (when it exists) and graphics don't necessarily compare to that of Super Mario Galaxy either (to put it kindly). Still, for five bucks, if you're one of those people who likes playing a game for ten minutes off and on and you remember liking this game from the NES or Animal Crossing, you wouldn't regret buying it.

Like our reviewers above: 3/5 stars. For a score system more of my taste but exactly the same: 6/10.

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32. Bensei Austria 02 Feb 2008, 18:32 GMT

I prefer Tingle's Balloon Fight, although it's much more expensive if you aren't Japanese. You can play up to 4 player, which is much more fun.

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33. FalloutBR Brazil 04 Feb 2008, 13:18 GMT

I'm just going to repeat what most people said here: a fun and addicting game for Multiplayer, but it get's old quick if you play it by yourself.

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34. yeeat Canada 14 Feb 2008, 03:01 GMT

I totally agree with comment "33."
It'll make you bored soon if it's played by oneself...

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35. Manicfatty United States 14 Feb 2008, 18:00 GMT

An interesting take on the Joust play mechanic. Balloon Trip is a great little diversion, Multi-player is a lot of fun...and if you're of age...a fun game while tipping a few back. The single player gets a little repetitive after a while, but that's the way it should be. This game isn't meant to be deep. It's a quick shot of fun that you can always come back to. I miss those games. With my schedule, it's nice to know I can come home and get a quick gaming fix, without having to navigate menus, or wade through cut scenes. Nothing wrong with those; I just don't have time most days. I leave that gaming for the weekend. During the week, my VC gets a workout...mainly due to games like this. :)

36. Jupiter Adept Canada 17 Feb 2008, 13:58 GMT

Only buy it if you have someone to play two-player with.

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37. Roo United Kingdom 28 Feb 2008, 17:04 GMT

Nice multiplayer game. It's not gonna hold your attention for too long, but you'll return to it every so often. 500 points isnae bad for this. 4 stars!

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38. SBOY Canada 05 Mar 2008, 14:03 GMT

It's a great game but like the reviewer said it's a little to repetitive... Download it if you thinks that it's look great but keep in mind that it's a 5min play from time to time (at least for me that's what it is)...

39. Superlink911 Germany 17 Mar 2008, 10:47 GMT

its a nice Joust Clone but you can just play this Game from Time to Time

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40. calc_nerd United States 24 Mar 2008, 22:39 GMT

A great game for on the go, but it does not live up to the standards of quality nes. I had it on e-reader, and enjoyed it for time to time.

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41. MyAnonBox United States 03 May 2008, 00:53 GMT

I just CAN NOT believe that all of those games come with Animal Crossing. I've bought like half of those for the virtual console!!! Gah! Several others are games that were up next to buy on the console, so I'm really glad I was on the fence about this game so I could read the review and find this out. Thanks!

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42. Fierce Deity Ireland 18 Jun 2008, 16:57 GMT

Cute game but it gets boring pretty quick.

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43. Mr. Cheez United States 28 Jun 2008, 21:23 GMT

This is one of the games I have for my e-reader. It's pretty fun to play every now and then, and I love the balloon trip, but sadly, that version lacks 2-player, and I don't have Animal Crossing anymore :(.

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44. classicmike United States 29 Jun 2008, 20:19 GMT

I think balloon fight is a decent pick-up-and-play kind of game, especially with 2-player mode and also being an arcade style game to boot. So overall, I'll give this game a 4/5 just for 2-player being in there with the game.

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45. Stijnco Netherlands 27 Jul 2008, 11:05 GMT

It was fun on Animal Crossing, getting away from your daily activities, but Animal Crossing was a rental so bummer:(. And it's a fun game, a fun 2-player mode (even if the second player can sometimes really piss you off by popping al of your balloons accidentally). The bonus is quite lame though.

46. Andio Pandio United Kingdom 07 Aug 2008, 14:17 GMT

Pure Simple 2-Player fun !!!
The little balloon-guy is so cute the way he flaps his little arms as he swims his way through the barren void, with naught twixt life and death other than 3 blown up johnnies on a bit of string.
I think that's what it said on the box...

47. puresthatred Ireland 07 Aug 2008, 23:28 GMT

Basically Joust for the NES. Not a must have but a bit of fun. Wont last you long and at 500 points, there are better classic games to get first but if you have all the rest, the challenge offered by this game is classic early Nintendo...will make you angry when you repeatedly die, but you will always know next time you will do better.

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48. Marvel_Maniac Canada 11 Sep 2008, 00:25 GMT

I remember playing this at my cousins house as a kid at Christmas gatherings. Back at that time, games like Excitebike and Balloon Fight were just so new that I thought they were incredibly deep and fulfilling. Turns out that nowadays, they aren't. Still fun though, I've bought Balloon Fight, but will hold off on Excitebike.

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49. Kurachi Netherlands 18 Oct 2008, 10:36 GMT

i did this game with a friend back then, i never liked that you could defeat each other, but when that friend discovered that, he was chasing me, lol
was nice time, so i might buy this one aswell :)
also made a level from this game in ssbb, kinda hard if you cant fly, but made spikes in the middle, so wont die that easily :P

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50. Corbie United States 28 Oct 2008, 05:26 GMT

Sure, it's a Joust rip-off, but it's actually even better than Joust itself so I guess it's alright. This was the first game I bought for my NES system after I had played through Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt a few hundred times and I still love it.

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