Firework Favourites

While not everyone celebrates Bonfire Night across the globe they certainly do every November 5th where I come from, the tropical climate of the UK, and it has inspired me to write a piece on the best, most beautiful and brightest fireworks in video games. So sit back, throw on some Katy Perry, and enjoy my personal picks.

Super Mario Galaxy
Released: 2007
Genre: Platformer

The whole game is one big sparkling spectacle of bright lights and vibrant colours, with shooting stars soaring across the backdrop of a contrasting night sky. Of course the game doesn’t just excel graphically; it’s one of the best platforming games of the current generation, but I just can’t help but marvel at the stunning visuals you’re treated to as you propel across the cosmos from one planet to the next, pushing the Wii’s tech to its very limits.

Dead Rising 2
Released: 2010
Genre: Horror, Action-Adventure

There’s no greater feeling in the world than massacring large groups of zombies with ridiculous weapons and one of my favourite ways to take out the undead is with a nice large group of rocket fireworks, blasted straight down their vulgar throats. Firecrackers are also great as a precursor to distract and lure them into your gunpowder laden trap before unleashing fiery hell upon them. Try it; they’ll never know what hit em’.

Geometry Wars
Released: 2003
Genre: Shooter

Originally released on the Xbox, the aim is to survive as long as possible, but it’s a hard task with so many awe-inspiring explosions going on around you. Every fluorescently lit enemy bursts with a rainbow of colours and the more enemies slaughtered the more picturesque it becomes. Then comes the moment where you’re close to the edge, alien critters surround every inch of your being, and then bang, you set off a bomb and they disintegrate into particles of reflective dust.

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Released: 2010
Genre: Action-Adventure

The only thing better than stepping into the shoes of Harry Potter and his wizarding pals is doing so after its been given the LEGO treatment. This wonderful adaption of JK Rowling’s monumentally popular book series doesn’t feature fireworks in any prominent capacity but is filled with multi-coloured charms and spells that light up the darkened chambers of Hogwarts with spellbinding luminosity.

Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
Released: 2004
Genre: Simulation

You’ve literally spent weeks upon weeks carefully planning, constructing and perfecting your theme park. You’ve spent hundreds of millions on your magnificent metal coasters that twist and loop into the clear night sky. The finishing touch, fireworks. Placing them at the top of the castle that towers in the centre of your park and then watching as the trigger is initiated and your pyrotechnic masterpiece showers the park residents, who can’t help but crack a smile.

Gran Turismo 5
Released: 2010
Genre: Racing

An impressive looking game to say the least and one that tests your driving skills to the very limit. Undoubtedly one of my favourite gaming moments from any Gran Turismo game comes from racing around the Grand Tour Toscana that effortlessly transitions from day to night midway though. The sky lighting up with fireworks, emanating from the Italian hills, drawing your attention away from the track, which is never a good idea.

Boom Boom Rocket
Released: 2007
Genre: Music, Rhythm

Downloadable through the Xbox Live Arcade the game is one big audio and light extravaganza of awesomeness for both the eyes and the ears. The aim is to expel various coloured fireworks into the sky in time with ska, funk and techno tunes, like some bizarre Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution collaboration. It might not be the most thrilling of gameplay mechanics but there’s something oddly mesmerising about the simplistic nature of its design.

What are your favourites? Tell us about them on the comments below.

Craig Bryan, NoobFeed
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