Harpoon Pop is a free online arcade game about bouncing balloons. It runs in your browser with no download or sign up, works on phones and computers, and keeps working offline once the page has loaded. Shoot your harpoon straight up, split the balloons and keep out of their way.
Inspired by: Pang (Buster Bros), the 1989 arcade game from Mitchell Corporation.
How to play Harpoon Pop
- Move left and right along the ground.
- Shoot the harpoon straight up. It pops the first balloon it touches.
- A big balloon splits into two smaller ones, and the smallest ones vanish.
- Never let a balloon touch you. You have three lives.
- Pick up power ups dropped by balloons: double harpoon, time freeze or a shield.
- Clear every balloon before the time bar runs out to finish the stage.
Controls
- Keyboard: Left and right arrows or A and D move. Space or Up shoots.
- Mouse: Move the mouse to steer your character and click to shoot.
- Touch screen: Use the left and right arrows and the Shoot button below the game.
Tips to score higher
- Pop the biggest balloons first. They create the most problems.
- Stand where two balloons are about to pass, not under them.
- Do not stay in the corner. You can get trapped.
- Pick up the double harpoon early, it makes a big difference.
- Use the time freeze to line up a tricky shot without any danger.
The story behind Harpoon Pop
Pang was an arcade game from Mitchell Corporation, released in 1989 and known in some regions as Buster Bros. Players shoot a wire up to pop bouncing balloons that split into smaller and faster ones, travelling the world from stage to stage. The game was easy to understand, with a feeling of panic and fun, and was ported to many home computers and consoles. If you grew up in the 90s you might remember a similar game on a PC or an old console that made your heart race with every bounce.
Questions players ask
Is Harpoon Pop free?
Yes. It is free to play with no sign up and no download.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. Arrow buttons and a Shoot button appear under the game on touch screens.
What do the power ups do?
Double harpoon lets you shoot two at once, time freeze stops the balloons for a few seconds, and the shield protects you from one hit.
How many lives do I get?
You start with three lives. You lose one if a balloon touches you or time runs out.
Does the game save my best score?
Yes. Your best score is stored in your browser on this device.