Want to try making something mundane a whole lot cooler? Just put it in space. Take folding the laundry, for example. Boring, right? But now, picture yourself folding the laundry... in space. Wow. How about taking out the trash? Meh. Taking out the trash... in... spaaaaacccceeee? Oh yeah. The same applies to standard platform-based flash games. Flash designer Damijin could have called his newest offering "Balls," but no, instead he presents the epic sounding and much more entertaining "Balls in Space". Right on.
Despite its name, Balls in Space is really just a standard, 25-level platformer that could easily have taken place in any setting. It earns its name by having a black, star-filled background and a round, white hero. You play a simple spheroid with eyes determined to get from one door to the next. Standing in your way are various evil-looking squares and other shapes, some of which move around and spit balls at you. Thankfully you can dispatch most villains by jumping on them or throwing ball-like projectiles
Control is standard platforming fare, with the [left] and [right] arrow keys controlling your movement, while [up] makes you jump. Most levels have collectable floating white balls, which can be thrown at opponents with [X]. Despite having no extremities, your ball is quite nimble and can jump off walls. Beyond this, collecting a special ninja powerup grants you the ability to double jump and throw unlimited ninja stars. Many levels also have ladders to climb and pushable buttons that cause different things to happen.
Part of the fun of Balls in Space is in its level design, which is nicely varied. Some levels are very straight-forward, while others throw invisible walls, transparent surfaces, and assorted timing-based challenges your way. There are even a handful of secret levels to find (including a Breakout clone), with achievements earned for your ingenuity. Top it all off with a final old school-style boss at the end for additional retro challenge. None of the levels are especially difficult, making this a pleasant distraction for those of you longing for a taste of classic Mario-style action during your break... in... spaaaaaaaaaccceeeee!
Walkthrough Guide
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Balls in Space - Walkthrough
This walkthrough will help you get past each level, and reveal the 5 secret levels in the game. It's up to you to collect as many balls as possible and earn the different achievements.
List of Achievements:
Breakout - Find one of the two secret Breakout mini-games
Mario Tribute Room - Find the secret Room 1-1!
Tutorial Complete - Complete Room 6
Ball Collector - Collect 50 Balls Without Dying
Boss Buster - Defeat the final boss!
Lots of Balls - Collect 100 Balls Without Dying
Walkthrough:
Room 1
Just use the arrow keys to move towards the door. You can jump on the enemy's head with the [up] key.
Room 2
Shove the box to the ground and drag it towards the floating platform. Jump on top of the box and jump again to reach the door.
Room 3
Shove the steel box next to the floating platform. Jump on top of the box and jump again to reach the platform. Shove the second steel box to the edge, jump on it, and jump again to reach the second floating platform. Run over the red button. You can wall jump to the top of the platform by holding [left] and [up], the pressing [up] again while next to the wall. Jump to the last floating platform to exit.
Room 4
Collect the four balls by running over them. Press the red button to get a message about resetting your balls to 0 if you die. Climb the ladder and jump across the platforms to reach the exit.
Room 5
Collect the five balls and hit the red button to find out you can shoot with [x]. Shoot or jump on the heads of the two evil yellow square things and exit.
Room 6
Press the red button to learn that ninjas can double jump. Collect the ninja powerup, then double-jump and do a wall jump to reach the upper platform. Collect the three balls and hit the button to learn the ninja powerup is temporary. Double jump again to reach the exit.
Room 7
Grab the ninja powerup and press the red button to cause blocks to fall. Stay on the button until all blocks have fallen. Double jump to the top, the double jump again and wall jump to reach the exit. Shoot or jump on the enemy if needed.
Room 8
Fall down and drag the box to the left or right, collecting the balls along the way. Drop the box over the edge. Notice it triggered a hidden platform? Fall onto the hidden platform and shoot the yellow evil square en route to the exit.
Room 9
This level is full of hidden platforms that reveal themselves as you pass over them or shoot balls. Just follow the path to the right (collecting balls along the way), jumping and falling as needed. Reach the middle platform and shoot the enemies. Reach the bottom and walk to the right. Wait for the yellow evil square to shoot its ball before falling down and shooting it or jumping on its head, then exit.
Room 10
There are actually two exits on this level, the standard one and the secret one.
To reach the standard exit:
Jump up and wall jump to reach the platform with the evil yellow square. Shoot the enemy and walk right, then jump to the lower platform and jump up to the exit.
To reach the secret exit:
Jump up and wall jump to reach the platform with the evil yellow square. Shoot the enemy and walk right, but look up. Two blocks are missing their white borders in the middle of the screen. Jump up and to the right, reaching the secret exit.
Secret Room 1 - Breakout
Ah, Breakout. Just move [left] and [right] to bounce your ball off the walls, collecting extra balls in the process. Note that even if you collect all the balls, the level does not end until the ball gets past your moving platform.
Room 11
Fall to the right platform, then the lower left platform, then the lower right platform to get the ninja powerup. Double jump to the right platform and double jump to the upper platform to reach the exit.
Room 12
There are actually two exits on this level, the standard one and the secret one.
To reach the standard exit:
Wall jump up the narrow pipe to the top. If you have balls, shoot them at the yellow enemies, or just carefully drop down to reach the red button to open the door. Climb the ladder and grab the ninja powerup. Throw ninja stars at your enemies, and run to the left. Fall down and reach the exit.
To reach the secret exit:
Walk to the right to drag the block, the jump and walk off screen to the right.
Secret Room 2 - Room 1-1
It's a Super Mario Bros tribute level! Hit the ? blocks to get balls and powerups. Jump on the Goomba looking blocks or shoot them. Wall jump or double jump to get over the pipes. Don't forget to grab the balls before going down the last pipe! Traverse the lower hallway to reach the exit.
Room 13
There are actually two exits on this level, the standard one and the secret one.
To reach the standard exit:
Run across the platform, but be sure to jump on each landing before the blocks float away! Shoot or avoid the evil green square.
To reach the secret exit:
Run across the platform, jumping as needed. Shoot or jump on the evil green square, and stand on the last black falling platform block. Before it falls off the screen, jump to the right to reach a hidden platform. Run to the right off screen.
Secret Room 3 - Fuzz!
Aww, how cute. Who is it? Collect the balls and reach the exit.
Room 14
There are actually two exits on this level, the standard one and the secret one.
To reach the standard exit:
Hit the button and don't stop running! Keep going and drop down, the run left. Don't worry about the spiked squares. When you reach a ladder, just climb it and let the spike go past. When it's safe, climb down and continue towards the exit, repeating the ladder trick as needed.
To reach the secret exit:
Instead of dropping down after running right, jump up towards the upper-left area. You will fall down, and reach the secret room.
Secret Room 4 - Breakout
This is like the other Breakout room, but with more balls to collect. Just move [left] and [right] to bounce your ball off the walls, collecting extra balls in the process. Note that even if you collect all the balls, the level does not end until the ball gets past your moving platform.
Room 15
Just walk to the right. You will bounce on the enemy's heads. Climb the ladder and do some platform jumping to reach the exit.
Room 16
Run to the right and grab the ninja powerup. Shoot the three evil yellow squares, then fall down and shoot the other evil squares. Wall jump to reach the platform above, and take out the evil white square. Fall down and shoot the evil yellow square, and reach the exit.
Room 17
Jump to the platform, avoiding the spikes. Do two wall jumps to reach the red button and press it. Jump on the new platforms to avoid the spikes and reach the exit.
Room 18
There are actually two exits on this level, the standard one and the secret one.
To reach the standard exit:
Grab the ninja powerup and shoot the bad guys to reach the red button. Drop down and shoot the bad guy to reach the second button. Drop down and get the second ninja powerup, then shoot the bad guy to reach the third button. Drop down and shoot all four bad guys to reach the exit.
To reach the secret exit:
Grab the ninja powerup and shoot the bad guys to reach the red button. Drop down and shoot the bad guy to reach the second button. Drop down and get the second ninja powerup, then shoot the bad guy to reach the third button. Jump back up one level and walk left. You will fall through the hidden blocks. Walk left to reach the secret exit.
Secret Room 5 - Room ??
It's the last secret room! Press the red button to release the platform. Drop down and collect all the SECRET balls. Push the steel block and jump on top of it to get the harder-to-reach balls.
Room 19
Run to the right and grab the balls, then push the red button. Shoot the evil yellowish square by dropping down with timing to avoid his shots, and shoot him. Drop down and run to the right, jumping over the spikes in the middle portion of the tunnel, then reach the exit.
Room 20
Fall down and collect the balls, then jump and shoot the bad guy. Jump up and collect the ninja powerup, then jump and zap the nearest bad guys. Double jump to reach the other balls, then jump to the ladder and go to the exit.
Room 21
Fall to the right and reach the exit. Collect the balls and hit the red button. Go back through the exit. Jump up and go to the new exit. Wait for the red square to go up and pass under him, hitting the red button before reaching the exit. Walk left to fall down to the lower area. Press the red button and go to the exit. Walk to the final exit to the right.
Room 22
Use your awesome platform jump skills and the ninja powerup to reach the evil yellow square in the upper right. Shoot him and jump to the left, reaching the red button. Run back to the exit to the right.
Room 23
If you have any balls, immediately shoot the evil yellowy square. Grab the ninja powerup and double jump back to the platform, then fall to the red button. Use your wall jump and double jump to reach the platform again, then jump down and towards the exit.
Room 24
Try to grab as many balls as you can without getting squashed, or just jump on each big red square's head to reach the exit.
Room 25 - Boss Level
Aha, the boss! Just grab the nearest ninja powerup and try to shoot the evil ball, dodging its shots and avoiding the bad guys. When the ninja power expires, a new one will appear to collect. It takes 5 shots to kill the evil ball. Good luck... in... spaaaaacccccceeeee!
Posted by: J-Witz
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January 19, 2011 1:46 PM