Blender Bros.

Blender Bros.
Developer(s)	A.I
Publisher(s)	Infogrames Piko Interactive (Windows)
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance Windows
Release	Game Boy Advance NA: April 15, 2002 Windows August 25, 2020
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Blender Bros. is a platform game for the Game Boy Advance, developed by A.I and published by Infogrames in 2002.

Plot

Blender, a dog-like animal and the leader of the Cosmo Keepers is determined to save the galaxy from the evil Zooligans. He uses his robotic ears for sonar navigation, flight, and to execute his signature "Spin Move" attack.

Blender is aided by the Mini Bros. a series of ball-like robots whom exhibit various special support abilities including illuminating dark areas and healing Blender.

Gameplay

Blender performs most of his attacks using his ears, generally using the B button depending on context. Pressing down in mid-air, or pressing A to jump from the crouch position, will cause Blender to flip upside-down and perform a high jump. Pressing B while doing a high jump will cause Blender to perform a "downward attack" resembling a drill. Blender can also charge his B spin, to perform a "spin wave". The spin wave is Blender's longest range attack, not including the extra attack range given by equipping Nuckle (the default Bro that players start the game with).

The levels are nonlinear, and focus on puzzle-solving and dexterity rather than speed (though the levels are timed, and players can track their times for each level). One unique aspect of the levels is the ability to interact with the background. Most levels consist of two layers, a front area and a back area, that players can periodically move between. When players are in the front area, enemies and switches can be seen in the back area, forewarning them about the next part of the level. If they have access to a cosmo ball (a red ball that Blender can throw to kill enemies or hit switches), they can throw it upward to hit objects in the back area, allowing them to eliminate enemies before having to cross paths with them.

The total game consists of seven worlds - Oasis, Diva, Earth, Shelltarl, Cosmo Heaven, Fo9, and Millitar. With the exception of Shelltarl, which is a single long level, each world is divided into three main stages, followed by a boss. Oasis is the only world unlocked at first. Players also have access to Cosmo Heaven, but only as a hub at first. After beating Oasis, they unlock Diva and Shelltarl. After beating those, Earth and Fo9 are unlocked. Beating these unlocks Millitar. Upon completing Millitar, Cosmo Heaven is invaded by the Zooligans, turning it into the final world of the game.

Throughout the game, players can collect different Bros. Bros are familiars that give them particular abilities. Nuckle, the Bro players start out with, gives them extra range for their primary attack. Some Bros can also be evolved when the right music is played for them. The records to play this music are available in the shop for ten bones a piece (bones being the currency of the game).

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	73/100

Review score

Publication	Score
GameSpot	7.4/10

Blender Bros. received mixed to positive reviews, averaging a score of 73/100 on Metacritic based on 10 critics' reviews.

Tim Tracy of GameSpot gave this a 7.4 and wrote, "If you enjoy good 2D platform games, you can't go wrong with this one." A common criticism of the game was that it was too short and ended too quickly.