Bonanza Bros

Bonanza Bros is a platform game by Sega released in 1990. In an interesting twist, instead of trying to stop criminals, the player characters are criminals.

The premises of the game is simple. Each stage begins with the robbers named Robo and Mobo looking at a projector screen. Once getting an overview of their target, they break in and rob the place blind. However, each place is armed with security ready to arrest them. If they are caught, or take too long, the brothers are sent up the river.

The game premiered as an arcade game, but was later ported to other consoles. The Mega Drive version has been bundled in many compilations, as well as downloadable on the Virtual Console. Two spin-offs of the game were created, both labeled "Puzzle & Action". As their name suggests, they both were puzzle games.

The brothers have recently made a surprise appearance in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, driving a black getaway car.


 * Attack Its Weak Point: The riot shield guards can only be shot in the back.
 * Bowdlerise: Outside of Japan, the boys are not criminals. The police chief of Badville, a city plagued with high crime, hires the brothers to help him. Their job is test his security forces, as well as recover evidence.
 * The Casino: The third level.
 * Continuity Nod: The duo's bio in All-Stars Racing says like solving puzzles, referring to the "Puzzle & Action" games.
 * Covers Always Lie: Despite the artwork above, in-game Robo and Mobo are clearly robots.
 * The Door Slams You: An easy way to stop a guard or for a guard to stop you.
 * Dub-Induced Plot Hole: In the US version, the boys are still sent to prison, even though they're helping out.
 * Evil Laugh: When they get some treasure.
 * Giant Mook: The large, purple-clad guards.
 * Idle Animation: Both brothers have a few: impatiently staring at the screen, sprucing themselves with a mirror, or swatting flies.
 * Meaningful Name: The city of Badville, where this game takes place. The Ultimate Genesis Collection description of the game even points out the unfortunate name.
 * One-Hit-Point Wonder: Robo and Mobo can only take a single hit.
 * Villain Protagonists: According to the Sega Superstars bio.