Play Bells & Whistles Online

Konami released Bells & Whistles in 1991 for arcades, a time when side scrolling shooters were a crowded field. It was the sequel to Parodius, itself a parody of Gradius, so it inherited a legacy of absurdity right from the start.

You pilot a selection of odd ships, like a twin engine penguin or a spaceship with a baby's face, and fly from left to right. Your main goal is simply to survive the relentless waves of enemy fire and defeat the end level bosses, which are often giant, bizarre animals. The game's signature mechanics involve collecting bells from defeated enemies to power up your ship; the color of the bell determines which weapon you get, like lasers or homing missiles. You also have a screen clearing bomb for emergencies. The pacing is frantic, and the difficulty ramps up quickly, demanding sharp reflexes to navigate the dense, colorful bullet patterns. It feels like a chaotic, joyful carnival ride that is constantly trying to throw you off.