data/claims/twinbee-history.yamlTwinBee (history and reception)
Game: TwinBee.
Game Machine of 1 March 1985 reported that the arcade game TwinBee, developed by Konami Industry (コナミ工業) as the first game for its Bubble System, was to go on sale in Japan in late February through Itochu Kakoki Hanbai (伊藤忠化工機販売), a Tokyo company. twinbee-history/arcade-release
p. 16 (image 9, right-hand page), 話題のマシン, headline — read on the page image, where the headline reads コナミ"バブルシステム"第一弾コナミ〃 バブルシステム/第一弾Our translationKonami's "Bubble System", the first titleGame Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 16 (image 9), article, first paragraph — read on the page image (image 9, at full size); the OCR garbles most of the paragraph, and holds only its last words, "下旬発売となる。"コナミ工業㈱（本社大阪、上月景正社長）開発の"バブルシステム"によるTVゲーム機第一弾「ツインビー」が、伊藤忠化工機販売㈱（本社東京、前川貫一社長）から二月下旬発売となる。Our translationTwinBee, the first TV game machine using the "Bubble System" developed by Konami Industry Co. (head office Osaka, president Kōzuki Kagemasa), goes on sale in late February from Itochu Kakoki Hanbai Co. (head office Tokyo, president Maekawa Kan'ichi).Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 16 (image 9), article下旬発売となる。Our translationgoes on sale in late (February)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Says "the arcade game" and "was to go on sale"; displayed as announced for late February 1985.The article is the trade paper's news item, dated 1 March, so it doesn't confirm that the boards shipped in February. It names Itochu Kakoki Hanbai as the seller; Konami's own advertisement in the same issue (arcade-ad) gives Konami's address.
Cited by: TwinBee
Game Machine described the arcade game as an air battle against an army led by the "Spice King" that had occupied an island: two players can play at once and cooperate, and when their two fighters join they can make a stronger attack. It is played with an eight-way lever and two buttons, fire and bomb, on a screen that scrolls vertically; the players' fighters have hands on both sides, and the enemies are modelled on vegetables. The Bubble System swaps games by "bubble cassette". twinbee-history/arcade-play
p. 16 (image 9), article — read on the page image (image 9, at full size); the OCR garbles the passageこれは"バブルカセット（ソフト）"交換方式によるもので、同機のゲーム内容は"スパイス大王"の率いる軍隊に占領された島を取り戻すため、ユニークな戦闘機を操作して敵機などを撃破していく空中戦。Our translationIt uses a "bubble cassette (software)" exchange system. The game is an air battle in which you fly a unique fighter and destroy enemy aircraft and the like, to take back an island occupied by an army led by the "Spice King".Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 16 (image 9), article — read on the page image (image 9)二人用の場合は二人同時プレイができ、協力して敵に立ち向かい、さらに二人の戦闘機が合体すると強力な攻撃が可能となる。Our translationFor two players, two can play at once and face the enemy together, and when the two fighters combine, a powerful attack becomes possible.Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 16 (image 9), article — read on the page image (image 9)操作は八方向レバー、発射と爆弾の二つのボタンによる。画面は上下にスクロールする。Our translationControls are an eight-way lever and two buttons, fire and bomb. The screen scrolls up and down.Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 16 (image 9), article — read on the page image (image 9); the OCR holds the sentence in fragmentsプレイヤーの戦闘機は左右に手が付いており、敵機は野菜をモデルにしている。Our translationThe player's fighter has hands on its left and right, and the enemy craft are modelled on vegetables.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: TwinBee
Konami's advertisement for the arcade game in Game Machine of 1 March 1985 calls TwinBee "a fantastic miracle shooting game for two", the first software for the Bubble System, with "TM © 1985 Konami". It says the bells hidden in the clouds give bonus points or power-ups: yellow for bonus points, blue for speed, white for a twin cannon, red for a barrier, and green for a double (分身). twinbee-history/arcade-ad
p. 23 (image 12, left-hand page), Konami advertisementTM ©1985 KonamiGame Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 23 (image 12), Konami advertisement — read on the page image (image 12, at full size); the OCR doesn't hold the slogan奇想天外 ふたりの みらくる シューティング。Our translationa fantastic miracle shooting game for twoGame Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 23 (image 12), Konami advertisement, label on the artwork — read on the page image (image 12)バブルシステム搭載ソフト第1弾!!Our translationthe first software for the Bubble System!!Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 23 (image 12), Konami advertisement — the OCR adds a colon after 中に; the line is checked on the page image雲の中に:隠されたベルを取ればボーナス点か、パワーアップだ。Our translationTake the bells hidden in the clouds for bonus points or a power-up.Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 23 (image 12), Konami advertisement, bell listホワイトベル* "...ツイン砲Our translationWhite bell ... twin cannonGame Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 23 (image 12), Konami advertisement, bell listグリーンベル......分身Our translationGreen bell ... double (a split image of the fighter)Game Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 23 (image 12), Konami advertisement, bell list — read on the page image (image 12); the OCR garbles the yellow and red linesイエローベル……ボーナス点 / ブルーベル……スピードアップ / レッドベル……バリアーOur translationYellow bell, bonus points; blue bell, speed up; red bell, barrierRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Names the arcade game.The advertisement is Konami's own, held at T1 because the lint counts a magazine source as secondary. Its foot lists Konami offices in Chicago, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Osaka; it names no distributor.
Cited by: TwinBee
An advertisement in the same issue from 総商 (Sōshō), a company in Okazaki, also offered the arcade game TwinBee as the Bubble System's first game, "two players attack at once". twinbee-history/arcade-distributor-ad
p. 18 (image 10, right-hand page), 総商 advertisement, under the Twin Bee photo — read on the page image (image 10); the row of products also has 一打逆転, Pitfall II and Super Derbyバブルシステムの第1弾 2人が同時プレイで攻撃Our translationThe Bubble System's first; two players attack at onceGame Machine, no. 255 (1 March 1985) · p. 18 (image 10, right-hand page), foot of the advertisement — read on the page image (image 10, at full size); the OCR doesn't hold the name line株式会社 総商 本社 〒444 岡崎市井田西町17-4Our translationSōshō Co., Ltd., head office 17-4 Ida-nishimachi, Okazaki 444Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Sōshō's name line quoted, read on image 10; no longer called a distributor."The contact sheet also shows Kawakusu (カワクス) offering Twin Bee on p. 5 as "バブルシステムの第1弾"; that advertisement was read only on the contact sheet, so it isn't quoted here.
Cited by: TwinBee
Konami advertised the Famicom cartridge as a new release (新発売) at 4,900 yen in Family Computer Magazine's February 1986 issue, dated 10 February: "a miracle shooting game for two", which two can play at once. Its blurb tells the story: the evil Spice King attacks a peaceful island, and Dr. Cinnamon's children fly the two fighters TwinBee and WinBee to keep the peace. twinbee-history/famicom-ad
p. 116 (image 116), Konami advertisement — read on the page image (image 116); the pinned OCR holds no text for this page¥4,900 … 新発売 … ふたりのミラクルシューティングOur translation4,900 yen ... new release ... a miracle shooting game for twoFamily Computer Magazine, no. 7 (February 1986) · p. 116 (image 116), Konami advertisement — read on the page image (image 116)のどかな島に悪漢スパイス大王の攻撃が!シナモン博士の子供たちは、平和を守るためツインビーとウインビーの2機の戦闘機にのり力をあわせ勇敢にも空中戦に挑む。Our translationThe villain Spice King attacks a peaceful island! To keep the peace, Dr. Cinnamon's children board the two fighters TwinBee and WinBee and bravely take on the air battle together.Family Computer Magazine, no. 7 (February 1986) · p. 116 (image 116), Konami advertisement — read on the page image (image 116)2人で同時にプレイできて楽しさ倍増!Our translationTwo can play at once, for twice the fun!Family Computer Magazine, no. 7 (February 1986) · p. 116 (image 116), Konami advertisement, top corner — read on the page image (image 116)ファミリーコンピュータ用カセットOur translationcassette for the Family ComputerChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The issue is dated 10 February 1986 on its cover (the source record), so the cartridge was out by then; the advertisement gives no release day. The advertisement's campaign box offers a scratch game with "コナミの新製品 (1月以降発売)" (Konami's new products, on sale from January). Read on the page image only. The advertisement is Konami's own, held at T1 because the lint counts a magazine source as secondary.
Cited by: TwinBee
The Famicom manual thanks the buyer for Konami's "TwinBee" and prints "© Konami 1986"; its title-screen picture shows "© 1986 KONAMI", and the back page gives Konami's addresses in Tokyo and Osaka and notes that "Family Computer" is Nintendo's trademark. twinbee-history/famicom-manual
image 1, cover — the OCR reads the © as 6; checked on the page imageKonami1986Our translation© Konami 1986TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · image 2, inside coverコナ ミ の "ツインビー" を お 買い 上 げOur translation(thank you for) buying Konami's "TwinBee"TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 3 (image 5), title-screen picture — read on the page image (image 5); the OCR doesn't hold the screenshot's text© 1986 KONAMITwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · image 12, back page「 フ ァ ミ リー コン ピュ ー タ 」 は 任天堂 の 商標 で す 。Our translation"Family Computer" is a trademark of Nintendo.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · image 12, back page — the OCR reads 干 for 千 (Chiyoda)〒102 東京 都 干 代田 区 九段 南 2 丁目 3-14Our translation2-3-14 Kudan-minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · image 12, back page〒564 大 阪 府 吹田 市 豊津 町 17-33Our translation17-33 Toyotsu-chō, Suita, Osaka 564Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Osaka address.The manual prints no month. Image n of the scan shows printed page n-2 from image 3 (p. 1) to image 9 (p. 7).
Cited by: TwinBee
In the Famicom manual's story, in the space year 2801 the Spice King's army seizes Donburi Island to take its treasure orb, which he divides among his four generals, each ruling a quarter of the island. Dr. Cinnamon, an eccentric scientist at the island's edge, builds two unique fighters, TwinBee and WinBee, and his two sons fly them against the king. twinbee-history/famicom-premise
p. 1 (image 3), ストーリー宇宙 歴 2801 年 ドン ブリ 島 の 住民 は 平和 な 毎日 をOur translationIn the space year 2801, the people of Donburi Island were living peaceful daysTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 1 (image 3) — read on the page image (image 3); the OCR garbles 率いる軍隊 and しまったこの島に伝わる宝の玉を狙って、スパイス大王率いる軍隊が現れ、島ごと占領してしまった。Our translationAn army led by the Spice King came for the treasure orb handed down on the island, and occupied the whole island.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 1 (image 3)大 王 直属 の 4 人 の 将軍 に 分 けOur translation(the orb was) divided among the king's four generalsTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 1 (image 3)島 を 4 つ に 分 け て 統轄 させOur translation(they were) made to govern the island divided in fourTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 1 (image 3) — read on the page image (image 3)島のはずれに住む一風変わった科学者シナモン博士は、大王をやっつける為ユニークな戦闘機ツインビーとウインビーを造り上げた。Our translationDr. Cinnamon, an eccentric scientist living at the edge of the island, built the unique fighters TwinBee and WinBee to beat the king.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 1 (image 3)2 人 の 息子 に 託しOur translationentrusted (the people's feelings) to his two sonsChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: TwinBee
On the Famicom, the control pad moves TwinBee and WinBee in eight directions; the A button destroys ground targets and the B button destroys enemies in the air and changes a bell's colour. One player uses controller I (or controller II), two players use both at once. SELECT picks one or two players on the title screen; START pauses with a chime; resetting doesn't clear the high score. twinbee-history/famicom-controls
p. 2 (image 4), 1. コントローラーの使用法 — the OCR reads 動ひ for 動か8 方 向 に 動 ひ し ます 。Our translationmoves (TwinBee and WinBee) in eight directionsTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 2 (image 4) — the OCR reads こき for とき; that this is the A button was read on the page image地上 物 ( 敵 ) を 破壊 する こき に 使いOur translation(the A button) is used to destroy ground objects (enemies)TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 2 (image 4)空中 か ら の 飛来 物 ( 敵 ) を 破壊 し だOur translation(the B button) destroys flying objects (enemies) from the airTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 2 (image 4)り 、 ベ ル の 色 を 変え た り し ます 。Our translationand changes the colour of the bellsTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 3 (image 5), ゲーム選択2PLAYERS ー 2 人 で 同時 に プレ イ す る と きOur translation2PLAYERS: when two play at the same timeTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 3 (image 5), ポーズ機能 — the OCR reads ゲーハム for ゲーム; checked on the page imageゲー ム 途 中 で START ボ タン を 押す と チャ イム が 鳴り ゲー ハム が スト ッ プ し ます 。Our translationPress START during a game and a chime sounds and the game stops.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 3 (image 5)(HI- SCORE) は 消え ませ ん 。Our translation(pressing reset) doesn't clear the HI-SCORETwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 2-3 (images 4-5) — read on the page images (images 4 and 5); the OCR garbles both lines1人でプレイする場合はⅠコントローラーを使用し、2人同時にプレイする場合はⅠとⅡコントローラーを使用します。 … *1人プレイの時Ⅱコントローラーでも遊べます。Our translationOne player uses controller I; two players playing at once use controllers I and II ... One player can also play with controller II.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 3 (image 5), ゲーム選択 — read on the page image (image 5); the OCR reads SELEOT for SELECT and ク人用 for 2人用SELECTボタンを押すごとにタイトル画面の☞印が移動しますので1人用又は、2人用を選択してください。Our translationEach press of SELECT moves the ☞ mark on the title screen, so choose one player or two players.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the SELECT line and the START line through the game stopping.Cited by: TwinBee
The Famicom manual says a hit from an enemy or a bullet makes the fighter explode or lose an arm; an armless fighter can dock with an ambulance to have its arm repaired, once per fighter. When A is pressed with a ground target in the sight, the cursor locks on automatically and destroys it. twinbee-history/famicom-play
p. 4 (image 6), 2. 遊び方 — read on the page image (image 6); the OCR garbles the line敵や弾に当たるとプレイヤーは爆発したり腕がなくなったりします。Our translationWhen hit by an enemy or a bullet, the player explodes or loses an arm.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 4 (image 6)救急車 は 1 機 に つき 1 回 で す 。Our translationThe ambulance is once per fighter.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 4 (image 6) — read on the page image (image 6); the OCR reads 救 急 旧救急車と合体して腕を修理しよう。Our translationCombine with the ambulance to repair your arm.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 4 (image 6) — read on the page image (image 6); the OCR reads 抑 for 押, 映準 for 照準, ロッフ for ロック, 英 for 敵 and 破壌 for 破壊Aボタンを押した時、地上物が照準に入っていればカーソルは自動的にロックされ敵を破壊します。Our translationWhen you press A with a ground object in the sight, the cursor locks on automatically and destroys the enemy.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the lock-on line through the destroying.Cited by: TwinBee
In the Famicom manual, power-up bells are hidden in the floating clouds: yellow gives bonus points, blue speed, white a twin cannon, red a barrier, and a flashing (ピカピカ) bell a double, for one player only. Fruit and candy left after a ground attack add points or power up. Shooting a bell repeatedly cycles its colour in order. twinbee-history/famicom-bells
p. 5 (image 7), パワーアップの仕方 — read on the page image (image 7); the OCR reads 淳 for 浮 and 糞 for 雲プカプカと浮いている雲の中には、パワーアップのベルが隠されています。Our translationPower-up bells are hidden in the clouds floating by.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 5 (image 7), bell list — read on the page image (image 7); the OCR garbles the listイエローベル……ボーナス得点 / ブルーベル……スピードアップ / ホワイトベル……ツイン砲 / レッドベル……バリア / ピカピカベル……分身(1人用のみ)Our translationYellow bell, bonus points; blue bell, speed up; white bell, twin cannon; red bell, barrier; flashing bell, double (one player only)TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 5 (image 7) — read on the page image (image 7); the OCR reads これた for された and breaks パワーアップ地上攻撃をしたあとの、フルーツやキャンディを取ると得点が加算されたりパワーアップをします。Our translationTaking the fruit or candy after a ground attack adds points or powers you up.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 7 (image 9), 3. 必殺テクニック — read on the page image (image 9); the OCR reads 届ち for 撃ちベルを撃ちつづけると、ベルの色は順番に変わっていきます。Our translationIf you keep shooting a bell, its colour changes in order.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the shooting, points and power-up lines.Cited by: TwinBee
The Famicom manual scores an enemy attacking from the air at 100 points, a ground target at 100 or 500, a boss at 10,000, a bee at 15,000, and a yellow bell at 500 to 10,000. Play starts with three fighters; the first extra one comes at 50,000 points, then one every 150,000 up to 1,000,000. twinbee-history/famicom-score
p. 6 (image 8), 得点 — read on the page image (image 8); the OCR garbles the table空中から攻撃してくる敵 100点 / 地上物 100点又は500点 / ボス 10,000点 / ハチ 15,000点 / イエローベル 500点〜10,000点Our translationEnemy attacking from the air, 100 points; ground object, 100 or 500; boss, 10,000; bee, 15,000; yellow bell, 500 to 10,000TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 6 (image 8)ゲー ム ス タ ー ト 時 に は 3 機 で す 。Our translation(the player) has three fighters at the startTwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 6 (image 8) — the OCR reads the commas as full stops; checked on the page imagee スコ ア が 50.000 点 に 達する と 1 機 増 え 、 以 後 1.000.000 点 まで 、150.000 点 ご と に 1 機 増えOur translationwhen the score reaches 50,000 you gain a fighter, and after that one every 150,000 points up to 1,000,000Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: TwinBee
The manual's techniques page says destroying ground targets brings out a Super Candy, which powers up further in one-player play only, and that two players who combine double their strength and gain powerful weapons. Its pictures are captioned star attack and fire attack. twinbee-history/famicom-techniques
p. 7 (image 9), 3. 必殺テクニック — the OCR reads いこと for いくと, キャヤンディー for キャンディー and パパワー for パワー; checked on the page imagee 地上 物 を 壊 わ し て いこ と スー パー キャ ヤン ディ ー が 現れ ます 。 こ の キャ ヤン ディ ー を 取っ て 、 も っ と パパ ワー アッ プ し よう 。 (1 人 プレ イ の 時 の み ) 。Our translationDestroy ground objects and a Super Candy appears. Take this candy and power up more. (One-player play only.)TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 7 (image 9)(1 人 プレ イ の 時 の み ) 。Our translation(one-player play only)TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 7 (image 9) — read on the page image (image 9); the OCR garbles the line2人同時プレイで合体すれば強さも倍増し強力な武器も装備されます。Our translationIn two-player play, combining doubles your strength and equips powerful weapons.TwinBee (Famicom) instruction manual, Konami · p. 7 (image 9), picture captions — read on the page image (image 9)スター攻撃 … ファイヤー攻撃Our translationstar attack ... fire attackRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Super Candy sentence; the star and fire attacks are named as captions.Cited by: TwinBee
Family Computer Magazine's Game Best 10 of 18 April 1986, compiled from sales at 26 department stores across Japan from 24 February to 9 March, placed the Famicom TwinBee (Konami, 4,900 yen) sixth, down from second in the previous chart; its weekly table has it sixth in both weeks. twinbee-history/famicom-chart
p. 102 (image 102), chart heading — read on the page image (image 102)全国有名デパート26店 2/24〜3/9の売上集計Our translationSales totals of 26 well-known department stores nationwide, 2/24 to 3/9Family Computer Magazine, no. 10 (18 April 1986) · p. 103 (image 103), No. 6 — read on the page image (image 103)前回NO.2 6 ツインビー コナミ 4900円Our translationLast time no. 2; no. 6: TwinBee, Konami, 4,900 yenFamily Computer Magazine, no. 10 (18 April 1986) · p. 102 (image 102), 週間ベスト10 (weekly Best 10) — read on the page image (image 102)6 ツインビー ツインビーOur translation6: TwinBee (week of 2/24-3/2), TwinBee (week of 3/3-3/9)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The previous chart's second place hasn't been read in its own issue. The page credits "協力:全国有名デパート26店" (cooperation: 26 department stores).
Cited by: TwinBee
Nintendo of America's list of licensed NES games has no TwinBee under either spelling (TwinBee or Twin Bee): its titles run from Trojan to Twin Cobra and Twin Eagle, then Ultima: Exodus. twinbee-history/no-nes-release
p. 13, T titlesTrojanNES Games (Nintendo of America release list) · p. 13, T titlesTwin CobraNES Games (Nintendo of America release list) · p. 13, T titlesTwin EagleNES Games (Nintendo of America release list) · p. 13, U titlesUltima: ExodusRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Twin Eagle and Ultima entries around the gap; covers both spellings.Absence from one list, read in its text layer. No North American or European cartridge release of the Famicom game has been found.
Cited by: TwinBee
Konami's MSX cartridge of TwinBee, RC740, prints "© Konami 1986" on its box and booklet. The box says it runs on every MSX computer, for one or two players, with joystick or keyboard, and that the instructions are in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. twinbee-history/msx-release
image 1, boxROM CARTRIDGE RC740TwinBee (MSX cartridge RC740): box, tray and cartridge · image 2, box backKonami 1986TwinBee (MSX cartridge RC740): box, tray and cartridge · image 2, box backThis product can be used in all MSX personalTwinBee (MSX cartridge RC740): box, tray and cartridge · image 2, box backOne or two players. Joystick or keyboard.TwinBee (MSX cartridge RC740): box, tray and cartridge · image 2, box backThe instruction manual is written in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · image 1, booklet cover© Konami 1986Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.No source read dates the MSX release to a month, in Japan or Europe. The box is printed in Japanese and English; the item's description says only the manual differs between language editions.
Cited by: TwinBee
The MSX booklet's story, set far in the future: the Spice King's army overruns Paradise Island and takes its Jewel, which falls to him and his four Shogun henchmen. The islanders' hope is the reclusive Dr. Cinnamon in the Valley of the Unknown, who has built two rocket-powered fighters, Winbee and Twinbee, for his two sons to fly. twinbee-history/msx-premise
p. 1 (image 2), STORYThe time is far in the future. The notorious Spice King has led a rampaging army onto the blissful Paradise Island to plunder and steal the fabled Jewel of Paradise.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 1 (image 2)Jewel has fallen into the hands of the Spice King and his four Shogun henchmen.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 1 (image 2)living in the Valley of the Unknown somewhere on the far side of Paradise Island. Dr. Cinnamon has handcrafted two unusual rocket-powered fighters of his own secret design, called Winbee and Twinbee.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 1 (image 2)His two adventurous sons plan to pilot Winbee and TwinbeeRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the far-future line.The English text names the island Paradise Island where the Famicom manual has Donburi Island (ドンブリ島).
Cited by: TwinBee
On the MSX, one player or two at once play as a team. A fighter has a single-barrelled cannon and bombs. Play starts with three fighters and gives another for every 100,000 points, up to 99. Crashing into an enemy loses a fighter; a hit from a projectile loses the bomb-launching arm, and a second hit without it destroys the fighter. A lost arm can be replaced once, by docking with a passing rescue vehicle. The score isn't shown during play; F1 shows it and pauses. twinbee-history/msx-play
p. 2 (image 3), 1. HOW TO PLAYThis game can be played by either a single player or by two players simultaneously as a team.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 2 (image 3)Your armament consists of single barreled cannon and bombs.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 2 (image 3)You start the game with three rocket fighters. You get another one for every 100,000 points you score. You can accumulate up to 99 fighters.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 2 (image 3)If you crash into an enemy, he blows you up and you lose one fighter. If you are struck by an enemy projectile, you lose the bomb-launching arm of your fighter. If you are shot a second time by the enemy while your bomb-arm is missing, your fighter blows up and is out.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 2 (image 3)lose your bomb-launching arm you may get it replaced one time only by docking with a passing rescue vehicle.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 2 (image 3)The score is not normally shown on the screen. To see your score and stop the action temporarily, press the [F-1] Function Key.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the crash and second-hit lines.Cited by: TwinBee
The MSX booklet lists the bells as yellow for bonus points, blue for speed, white for a double cannon, green for the Doppel-Ganger Effect (one player only) and red for a force field; shot too often, a bell turns black and destroys a fighter that touches it. Ground targets leave cherries (bonus points), Super Candy (triple shot, one player only), Crash Stars (clearing the screen of enemies and their shots) and Miracle Milk (an extra fighter). A fighter can't have the force field and the Doppel-Ganger at once, and two players get neither the Doppel-Ganger nor the triple shot. twinbee-history/msx-bells
p. 3 (image 4), 2. POWER BOOSTINGShoot at the bells hidden in the clouds to make them change color and get a power boost. The type of power boost you get will depend on the color of the bells. But be careful not to shoot at them too much! Should they turn black, they become deadly and will blow you up just like an enemy warship if you touch them.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 3 (image 4), Types of Power Bells — The OCR splits the bell names from their effects and reads "jouble Cannon" for White Bells' "Double Cannon"; the pairs (green, Doppel-Ganger Effect; red, Force Field) were checked on the page image (image 4)Yellow Bells … Blue Bells … White Bells … Green Bells … Bonus Points … Speed Boost … Doppel-Ganger Effect … (effective for single play only) … ..Force Field … Red Bells.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 3 (image 4), Power Boost during land battles — The OCR drops the "Cherries ... Bonus Points" row's name and separates Super Candy from "Triple Shot Capability (effective for single play only)"; both were read on the page image (image 4)Super Candy .. … Crash Stars .... ....Wipes out all visible enemy and enemy projectiles on your screen … Miracle Milk ... ..You get one additional fighterTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 3 (image 4), Restrictions on Power Boosts(1) You cannot have a Force Field and the Doppel-Ganger Effect at the same time.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 3 (image 4)(3) You can have neither the Doppel-Ganger Effect nor the Triple Shot Capability during double play.TwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 3 (image 4), Power Boost during land battles — read on the page image (image 4); the OCR drops the word Cherries and splits Super Candy from its effectCherries … Bonus Points … Super Candy … Triple Shot Capability (effective for single play only)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the shoot-too-much line and the Cherries and Triple Shot rows.Cited by: TwinBee
On the MSX the game takes a joystick or the keyboard. In single play the cursor keys move the fighter, trigger A or the space bar shoots, and trigger B or the M key activates bombing; in double play the second player's keys are E, C, F and S to move, CTRL to shoot and TAB to bomb. F1 shows the score and pauses. twinbee-history/msx-controls
p. 4 (image 5), 3. CONTROLLING THE ACTION, Single Play rows — the row heading "Single Play" is printed down the side of the first six rows, checked on the page imagePress the UP cursor key … Press the DOWN cursor … the RIGHT cursor … Single Play … Press the LEFT cursorTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 4 (image 5), Single PlayShoots Press Trigger "A" Press the SPACE BARTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 4 (image 5), Single Play — read on the page image (image 5); the OCR reads the row as "Activates \"Br … Press Trigger \"B' Press the [M]key"Activates Bombing Press Trigger "B" Press the M keyTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 4 (image 5), Double Play rows — the row heading "Double Play" is printed down the side of the last six rows, checked on the page imagePress the[E]key … Press the[C]key … Press the[F ] key … Double Play … Press the[S] keyTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 4 (image 5), Double PlayShoots Press Trigger "A" Press the [CTRL]keyTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 4 (image 5), Double Play — the row is "Activates Bombing" on the page image; the OCR garbles the labelPress Trigger "B Press the [TAB] keyTwinBee: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC740, European edition, 1986) · p. 4 (image 5)To review score and to stop the action temporarilyRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted every key row with its Single Play or Double Play heading; the trigger-B row read on the page image.Cited by: TwinBee
France's MSX News, in its first issue (November 1986), called Twin Bee the latest of Konami's new games to reach France. It singled out the music and the strongly coloured graphics, found the game engrossing and pleasant, with many original touches, and easier to get into than Nemesis; two players play together rather than in turn. twinbee-history/msx-france-review
p. 7 (image 7), Les dernières cartouches, Twin Bee — the OCR (and perhaps the page) reads KOMANI for KONAMI, and exceptioimel- for exceptionnel-Dernier arrivé en France des nouveaux jeux KOMANI, Twin Bee se distingue d'abord par une musique d'une qualité exceptioimel- le alliée à des graphiques aux couleurs très affirmées.Our translationThe latest of Konami's new games to arrive in France, Twin Bee stands out first for music of exceptional quality, together with graphics in very bold colours.MSX News (Micro News), no. 1 (November 1986) · p. 7 (image 7)C'est en fait beaucoup plus que cela, les originalités étant nombreuses, le jeu très prenant et agréable à jouer.Our translationIt is in fact much more than that (a classic shooter), with many original touches, and very engrossing and pleasant to play.MSX News (Micro News), no. 1 (November 1986) · p. 7 (image 7)D'abord, si l’on est deux on joue ensemble et non pas l'un après l'autre.Our translationFirst, with two players you play together and not one after the other.MSX News (Micro News), no. 1 (November 1986) · p. 7 (image 7)niveau plus abordable que Nemesis.Our translation(a game at) a more approachable level than Nemesis.MSX News (Micro News), no. 1 (November 1986) · p. 2 (image 2), Konami et les tableaux magiquesTwin Bee qui possède un accompagne¬ ment musical exceptionnel !Our translationTwin Bee, which has an exceptional musical accompaniment!Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.A review without a score. The page images weren't read; the quotes are from the OCR text, which is clean French here.
Cited by: TwinBee