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Many ''Bloons'' games feature multiple locations and environments, often with a wide diversity of themes. Many locations are natural environments, such as forests, snowscapes, deserts, lakes, volcanoes, and jungles. Several locations are [[monkey]] settlements, typically small villages or towns with buildings constructed out of wood and straw, though there are also cities, castles, and ancient ruins. Some locations are based on science fiction, such as [[Precious Space]], or abstract concepts, such as [[Mondrian]]. | Many ''Bloons'' games feature multiple locations and environments, often with a wide diversity of themes. Many locations are natural environments, such as forests, snowscapes, deserts, lakes, volcanoes, and jungles. Several locations are [[monkey]] settlements, typically small villages or towns with buildings constructed out of wood and straw, though there are also cities, castles, and ancient ruins. Some locations are based on science fiction, such as [[Precious Space]], or abstract concepts, such as [[Mondrian]]. | ||
Locations in ''Bloons'' games are usually separate from each other and are not depicted as part of a shared setting, especially the [[map]]s in the {{series|Bloons TD}}. There are exceptions, such as ''[[Bloons 2]]'' | Locations in ''Bloons'' games are usually separate from each other and are not depicted as part of a shared setting, especially the [[map]]s in the {{series|Bloons TD}}. There are exceptions, such as the zones of ''[[Bloons 2]]'' taking place on an island and the maps of ''[[Bloons Monkey City]]'' existing on a grid of [[tile]]s. The {{flash version of|Bloons Super Monkey 2}} notably depicts its stages as different regions that exist on an Earth-like planet, and ''[[Bloons Adventure Time TD]]'' notably takes place in the [[Land of Ooo]], the main setting of ''Adventure Time'', which exists in an alternate universe. | ||
==Video games== | ==Video games== | ||
Revision as of 05:59, 31 August 2025
Bloons is a multimedia franchise primarily consisting of video games developed by Ninja Kiwi and its subsidiaries. It centers on monkeys, primates that comprise major characters and playable units; and the eponymous Bloons, balloon-like entities that are often portrayed as enemies of the monkeys.
Common elements
Monkeys
Monkeys are a species of primates that comprise the main characters of the franchise, and are usually the protagonists. They possess human-like intelligence and capabilities and are able to build complex technology and societies. Monkeys come in different types that represent occupations or abilities, such as Engineer Monkeys, Heli Pilots, and Ice Monkeys. The term "monkey" also often includes monkey-operated machines and structures, such as Tack Shooters and Banana Farms. Some monkeys, such as Heroes and the monkey characters of Bloons Adventure Time TD, are treated as individuals and have more human-like names.
Bloons
Bloons are balloon-like entities that are usually portrayed as antagonists towards monkeys. While implied to possess some form of intelligence and society, including a language consisting of a mix between high-pitched air sounds and squeaking,[1] they are usually depicted in-game as objects with no distinct personalities or behavior.
Plot
Bloons games rarely have story elements beyond the premise of monkeys defending themselves against Bloons. Some characters have background information, such as hobbies and relationships, but these are rarely divulged in-game. The Ninja Kiwi Blog often reveals background information about characters, but it is usually very lighthearted and humorous.
Locations
Many Bloons games feature multiple locations and environments, often with a wide diversity of themes. Many locations are natural environments, such as forests, snowscapes, deserts, lakes, volcanoes, and jungles. Several locations are monkey settlements, typically small villages or towns with buildings constructed out of wood and straw, though there are also cities, castles, and ancient ruins. Some locations are based on science fiction, such as Precious Space, or abstract concepts, such as Mondrian.
Locations in Bloons games are usually separate from each other and are not depicted as part of a shared setting, especially the maps in the Bloons TD series. There are exceptions, such as the zones of Bloons 2 taking place on an island and the maps of Bloons Monkey City existing on a grid of tiles. The Flash version of Bloons Super Monkey 2 notably depicts its stages as different regions that exist on an Earth-like planet, and Bloons Adventure Time TD notably takes place in the Land of Ooo, the main setting of Adventure Time, which exists in an alternate universe.
Video games
Bloons series
The Bloons series comprises the original series of physics-based puzzle games that the franchise expanded from. In these games, the player solves puzzle levels by controlling a monkey that can throw a limited supply of darts to pop Bloons. Each level has a different arrangement of Bloons and blocks, and the player is required to pop enough Bloons to progress to the next level. Certain Bloons have special effects that trigger when they are popped, such as popping other Bloons nearby or giving the player a special type of shot.
The Bloons series has three major titles: Bloons, the original set of games that spawned from the Flash version; Bloons 2, the sequel that introduces new Bloon and block types; and Bloons Blast, a discontinued Facebook game based on the Flash version of Bloons 2. Bloons and Bloons 2 both have multiple versions and expansions, covering Flash games, mobile games, and handheld console games, all of which have different levels. The series has not received a new entry since 2011, but Bloons Pop! is considered a spiritual successor to this series[2] and has many similarities.
Bloons TD series
Bloons TD (short for Bloons Tower Defense) is a series of tower defense games and the most expansive series of the franchise. In Bloons TD, Bloons move along predetermined paths on a map, and the player places towers that attack Bloons to stop them from reaching the exit. The player earns cash from popping Bloons that they can spend on more towers and upgrades for their towers. The number and strength of Bloons increases as the game progresses through a series of rounds. The goal is to complete all the rounds without running out of lives from letting Bloons escape.
The first game in the series, Bloons Tower Defense, was created as a spin-off of the Bloons puzzle games, but it became more popular than the puzzle game series. The series has six major numbered titles, a competitive multiplayer sub-series in Bloons TD Battles and Bloons TD Battles 2, and the non-numbered spin-offs Bloons Monkey City and Bloons Adventure Time TD.
Bloons Supermonkey series
Bloons Supermonkey is a small series of vertically scrolling shooter games in which the player takes control of Super Monkey and pops waves of Bloons across different levels. Popped Bloons release Blops that the player can spend on weapons and upgrades to change Super Monkey's arsenal. The player is required to pop a certain number of Bloons to complete a level, and popping more Bloons earns a better score. The player can also collect temporary powerups.
The Bloons Supermonkey series has two major titles: Bloons Super Monkey, a 2010 Flash game that was later ported to iOS, and Bloons Supermonkey 2, which has both a Flash version from 2013 and a mobile version from 2016, which have very similar gameplay to each other, but have different graphics, levels, and powerups.
Spin-off games
| Game | Description | Release year |
|---|---|---|
|
Bloons Pop Three is a Flash-based match 3 puzzle game where the player arranges Bloons in lines of three or more of the same color to pop them. The player can score more points by building combos and popping special Bloons. | 2008 |
 Hot Air Bloon |
Hot Air Bloon is an endless game about controlling a monkey riding a blimp through an obstacle course while scoring points by popping Bloons. The game features similar mechanics to endless runner games, including the scoring system, increasing speed, and obstacle dodging nature. | 2008 |
| Hot Air Bloon (iOS) | A follow up and mobile port to Hot Air Bloon, the IOS version contains the endless mode from the previous game as well as a brand-new story mode featuring 7 levels with 4 stages each. The story mode also features several bosses and unique Bloons. | 2010 |
 Who Wants To Be A Bloonionaire? |
Who Wants To Be A Bloonionaire? is a Flash-based trivia game created to promote the then-upcoming Flash version of Bloons TD 5. Answering 10 rounds of questions in a row without answering incorrectly presents the player with a trailer for BTD5. This trailer was the first time BTD5 was shown publicly, and it was officially uploaded to YouTube a few days after this game released. | 2011 |
 Bloons Pop! |
A spiritual successor[2] to the Bloons puzzle games, Bloons Pop! is a free-to-play puzzle game for mobile devices in which the player solves procedurally-generated levels of Bloons and other obstacles with a limited number of Monkey shots. Its art style, characters, and Bloon types are mostly based on Bloons TD 6. It is unrelated to Bloons Pop Three, despite the name. | 2021 |
 Bloons Card Storm |
Bloons Card Storm is a collectible card game with a focus on one-versus-one online multiplayer matches. In each match, the player uses Bloon cards to attack the opposing Hero, Monkey cards to defend the player's Hero, and Power cards to activate various instant effects. | 2024 |
Soundtracks
Prior to Bloons TD 5, Bloons games either used royalty-free music (such as Bloons Pop Three) or had no background music at all. Starting in Bloons TD 5, Bloons games usually feature original music composed by Tim Haywood, most of which has been released separately in digital albums and services such as Spotify and YouTube Music.
Animation
In 2024, Ninja Kiwi released "The Story of Monkeys vs Bloons", a 3D-animated trailer that explores the history of the conflict between monkeys and Bloons. While referred to as a trailer, it is unknown what this animation was made to promote.
Merchandise
Ninja Kiwi sells merchandise through their official Ninja Kiwi store featuring many designs based on towers, heroes, and bloons on mugs, hoodies, phone cases, and several other products. They also regularly release limited time plushies in collaboration with Makeship based on monkey towers and heroes. Additionally they've sold merchandise on previous websites through Printmojo and Ntensify.
References
- ↑ "18th February 2022 Ninja Kiwi Blog". Archived from the original on 9 March 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "... and that’s the collective mindset that’s guided Bloons Pop - to be the spiritual successor to the physics puzzle fun of the original Bloons but also to dig into the characters and abilities that we’ve grown since then." – (Fri, 14 May 2021) "What's Up At Ninja Kiwi? - 14th May, 2021". Ninja Kiwi Blog. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021.