Kero Blaster
Jun 29, 2023 3 years ago
Kero Blaster is a platform video game created by Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya. It was released in 2014 for PC and iOS and is the first major project of Pixel since Cave Story in 2004. The game lays a heavy emphasis on shooting and got positive reviews on both platforms. A short, free demo titled Pink Hour has been available since a month before the full game's release. In Kero Blaster, the player controls a frog working for Cat & Frog, a teleporter company. Armed with a peashooter, he has to clean the teleporters of strange black monsters. The player has to work their way through a series of linear stages, by means of running, gunning and jumping. USGamer described the gameplay as "akin to ... Contra or old-school, pre-Symphony of the Night Castlevanias." Furthermore, the game is controlled by changing direction, jumping, firing your weapon and changing your weapon. Holding down the fire button continues to fire in the direction you were facing when you started shooting.
What it’s like
Kero Blaster is a lovingly crafted homage to the golden age of run-and-gun arcade shooters, channeling the spirit of classics like Contra and early Castlevania titles. You play as Kerotan, a bipedal frog employee tasked with purging teleportation hubs of mysterious black sludge monsters. The experience is defined by its tight, responsive mechanics: precise jumping, directional shooting, and a diverse arsenal of weapons that encourage strategic loadout choices over brute force. Visually, the game boasts crisp, vibrant pixel art that captures the charm of 16-bit era aesthetics without feeling dated. The audio design complements this perfectly, featuring an energetic chiptune soundtrack that shifts dynamically between upbeat cheerfulness and intense combat cues. While the narrative is minimal—serving primarily as a whimsical backdrop for the action—the tone remains consistently lighthearted and playful. The structure is linear but varied, offering distinct stage themes and memorable boss encounters that test your mastery of movement and targeting.
Strong in Audio / MusicCombatGameplay / MechanicsVisuals / ArtAtmosphere / MoodPacingPolish / Performance
Keep in mind The controls have a slight 'slippery' physics feel that may frustrate players seeking pixel-perfect precision or those accustomed to modern platformer standards. · The campaign is relatively short, offering limited replay value outside of high-score chasing or difficulty runs.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from pcgamer.com, metacritic.com, gamingtrend.com, nintendolife.com, eurogamer.net, gamersheroes.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | Worldwide | Full release | May 11, 201412 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | May 11, 201412 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Apr 11, 20179 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 23, 20188 years ago |
| Android | Worldwide | Full release | Dec 23, 20215 years ago |
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Jun 29, 20233 years ago |
