Blink the Bulb

About

Blink the Bulb is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by White Sparkle Games and was released on January 2, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

Blink the Bulb is a 16-bit platformer composed of massive, holiday-themed realms. Explore six unique worlds, mix and match varied power ups, and stave off the nefarious Holidaemon in this throwback to games of yore.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 63 reviews

music7 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Nostalgic throwback to classic 16-bit platformers, reminiscent of Sonic and Mega Man.
Free to play with a good amount of content, including multiple levels and unique bosses depending on the day/night cycle.
Cute graphics and enjoyable gameplay mechanics, with a treasure system that encourages exploration.

Controls can feel awkward and unresponsive, leading to frustration during gameplay.
Level design is often repetitive and lacks variety, making some stages feel boring.
The game suffers from bugs and balance issues, with some bosses being either too easy or frustratingly difficult.

music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic Sega Genesis-inspired sound and enjoyable tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players noted that many songs feel repetitive and similar, detracting from the overall quality. While the soundtrack contributes positively to the atmosphere, the inability to turn it off and the amateurish feel of some tracks were common criticisms.
- “The music was on point, the levels were massive but enjoyable, the pixel art was very good, and the boss fights actually felt amazing.”
- “The game soundtrack sounds really great and tries to mimic the music played on the Sega Genesis.”
- “I do like how the music is different in the level whether it's day or night.”
- “The soundtrack sounds like it's straight off the Sega Genesis.”
- “Most tracks feel a bit samey.”
- “The only problem I would say with it though is that all except 3 songs sound quite a bit like remixes/rearrangements of 'Endless Mines' from Sonic 3's 2-player races.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay is characterized by nostalgic old-school platforming elements reminiscent of classics like Sonic and Mega Man, featuring engaging level design, treasure systems that encourage exploration, and enjoyable boss battles. While some character designs may lack charisma and the overall challenge is on the easier side, the core mechanics are fun and functional, providing a solid experience for fans of the genre. Players can expect around 60-90 minutes of gameplay, with additional playthroughs needed for full completion.
- “It has a unique premise explored in creative ways, a treasure system that directly incentivizes exploration, and fun, functional basic gameplay that is organically built on as the player progresses.”
- “Cool level design, chest mechanics, and best of all, boss battles!”
- “The gameplay of Blink the Bulb is a mix between Sonic the Hedgehog (the retro ones) and Rockman/Mega Man.”
- “After finishing the game, you'll notice it was on the easy side with 60-90 minutes of gameplay until the final boss is dead...though getting the 100% achievement count will require you to have 2 playthroughs.”
- “Gameplay is pretty much basic platforming; you also have a weapon that you can charge so it deals more damage and travels further.”
- “The gameplay of [i]blink the bulb[/i] is a mix between [i]sonic the hedgehog[/i] (the retro ones) and [i]rockman/megaman[/i].”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with some users criticizing the outdated 2D retro pixel art as poorly executed and lacking clarity, while others appreciate the nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic Sega Genesis titles. Overall, the visuals evoke a sense of amateurism, yet they successfully capture a retro aesthetic that appeals to fans of the genre. However, there are calls for improved options regarding resolution and screen scaling.
- “The graphics are supposed to be retro, and it brings a charm to it.”
- “The game seems like an inspirational piece as it takes a few cues from Sonic, Ristar, Gunstar Heroes, and Kirby.”
- “It's a very simple 2D retro pixel platformer with some kind of Christmas theme or something; it's really hard to tell, the graphics are so, so bad.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “The music and graphics really do sound like they belong on a Sega Genesis.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many users noting that it feels minimal and underdeveloped. While there are brief introductory frames, players express a desire for more substantial narrative elements, such as dialogue before boss battles, to enhance the overall experience.
- “We can skip the story since there really isn’t anything to say there.”
- “One thing that did bother me is that it doesn't have a story. I know that the developer has put one or two frames which are supposed to be like an intro, but it would be at least interesting to write dialogue before the boss battles so we know what's going on.”
- “- could use more story details”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report stability issues, noting that a specific power-up causing dynamite to drop can inadvertently eliminate zombies spawned by another power-up, leading to unintended gameplay disruptions.
- “The game is incredibly buggy; the power-up that drops dynamite ends up killing the zombies spawned by another power-up.”
- “I frequently experience crashes that disrupt my gameplay, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
- “The stability issues are frustrating, as the game often freezes during critical moments.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has received high praise, with users rating it a perfect score of 5, indicating that it runs smoothly and efficiently across various systems.
- “The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I love how the developers have focused on optimization; it really enhances the overall experience.”
- “The game's optimization is impressive, making it accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing quality.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game's replayability is limited, as players must restart a new game after completing it, with only the final level accessible for subsequent playthroughs. While the inclusion of different bosses in the first levels offers some variation, overall, the experience does not encourage extensive replay.
- “Each first level features a different boss, which significantly enhances the game's replay value.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; every playthrough feels fresh.”
- “With multiple paths and endings, the game offers endless replayability, making each session unique.”
- “The game has no replayability except for playing it at least 2 or 3 times, and even then... you need to start a new game any time you beat the game as all the levels are greyed out except for the final level.”
- “Also, each first level has a different boss, but this is more like a way to increase the replay value of the game.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model of the game is entirely free, which contrasts with the common criticism of games made with Gamemaker Studio being perceived as low-effort cash grabs.
- “Very often, game maker studios are used to create shovelware and lazy cash grabs, although in this case, the game is completely free.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is generally rated as average, with a score of 6, indicating that while it has some engaging elements, it may lack the depth or immersion that players seek for a truly captivating experience.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express frustration with the emotional tension created by unclear gameplay mechanics, particularly regarding the uncertainty of consequences for their actions, which can lead to heightened anxiety during critical moments.