"Remember remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason, and an excuse to talk about 'Jump Up, Super Star!' again."
That's a rhyme that we Brits are all familiar with (at least, words to that effect), because here it's Guy Fawkes Night. Or Bonfire Night, if you prefer.
On 5th November every year, we gather in cold, wet fields and back gardens across the country to witness firework displays of varying qualities — everything from a town council splashing out with the end-of-year budget to a wobbly dad navigating the flower pots with a damp sparkler in hand. In short, today's the perfect day to talk all things that go "weeeeeeiiiii BANG!!!"
In the absence of retelling the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot again (if you need a reminder, a baby-faced Alex told it through the medium of Donkey Kong 64 back in 2015), we've started thinking about our favourite game fireworks.
A quick search through our libraries revealed that there are, actually, quite a lot of rather good fireworks sequences. We quickly realised that the bonfires would have long petered out if we tried to put together an exhaustive list of 'Every Firework Sequence in Video Games', but let's pick out some of our favourites.
Get your "oooh"s and "aaahh"s at the ready...
Our Favourite Video Game Fireworks
The following are presented in no particular order, but we'll kick things off with the first moment that jumped to mind...
Super Mario Odyssey - 'A Traditional Festival!'
You might have been too busy tapping your toes to the immensely catchy 'Jump Up, Super Star!' or quietly shedding a tear at the nostalgic beauty of it all, but Mario Odyssey's masterful 'A Traditional Festival!' sequence has fireworks lighting up the New Donk City night throughout.
A stunning part of a stunning game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Fireworks Festival
Fireworks weren't in Animal Crossing: New Horizons at launch, which made their inclusion in the 1.4.0 Summer Update all the more exciting.
Come on, try to tell us that you didn't squeal on the first Sunday in August 2020 when you saw one of your custom designs pop up in the night sky.
Wii Party - 'Lucky Launch'
Not all Wii Party minigames are based on skill, and 'Lucky Launch' is certainly one of the less taxing options. But doesn't that make it all the more exciting? You pick a firework, almost at random, and watch it soar into the sky, hoping it explodes last. That's it. No skill, no challenge, just good vibes.
The winner even gets to see their Mii's face immortalised in the bright coloured light show, which is... not as creepy as it sounds.
Super Mario Bros. - Flagpole
They're perhaps not the most visually impressive fireworks by today's standards, but we distinctly remember timing our final jumps with the level countdown so we could see them in action. (The timer has to finish with a one, three, or six at the end to set off that number of fireworks, kids.)
Super Mario Bros. is where it all started, obviously, but we'd be lying if we said that we haven't done the same with every 2D entry since.
Vampire Survivors - 'Greatest Jubilee'
Getting the 'Greatest Jubilee' fireworks weapon in Vampire Survivors is no mean feat, consisting of lots of unlocks and a particularly nasty boss battle. When you do have it, however, you'll see the true potential of an overly crowded screen.
This is a game that can look busy at the best of times, so just imagine what it's like with colourful explosives thrown into the mix!
Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Crackler
We love just about any projectile weapon in a Kirby game, but one that fires cannonballs, which explode into colourful fireworks on impact? That rules.
Our fondest memories of the Crackler come from Kirby's Return to Dream Land, but you'll also find it in Air Ride (and soon in Air Riders) as well as Triple Deluxe and the other Fighters games. What a beauty.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon - 'Fireworks Factory'
Okay, part of us feels like this is cheating a little, since Spyro 3's 'Fireworks Factory' isn't strictly speaking all that much about fireworks.
However, it is probably the best level in the game, and it sees Spyro gobbling up fireworks and using them as weapons against enemies. That's enough to be worthy of inclusion.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - 'The Fireworks Artist'
In the grand scheme of Echoes of Wisdom side content, 'The Fireworks Artist' is pretty low-tier, but it does result in a super sweet Echo.
In it, you help a Goron firework maker, Basa, see in the new chief in style with a fireworks display. It's a simple little fetch quest that doesn't take all that much thinking, but once it's done, you can learn to summon fireworks at will, and who wouldn't want to do that?
Final Fantasy VII - 'Words Drowned by Fireworks'
With Final Fantasy VII Rebirth heading to Switch 2 at some point down the line, we won't go into all the reasons why this moment is so iconic. If you know, you know; if you don't, you're in for a treat.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - N64 Rainbow Road
Debate what the best Rainbow Road track is as much as you'd like, the N64 version is always going to be right up there. Why? Because it has funny little fireworks of every character exploding in the sky as you drive. That's why.
Okay, there are some other reasons, but none are quite as relevant to this list.
Pokémon X & Y - Parfum Palace
Pokémon X & Y has a surprising number of genuinely touching moments, and the Parfum Palace fireworks sequence is one of them. Shauna opens up about how she wants to remember the show forever (either because she's never watched fireworks with a boy before or because she wants to remain "great friends", depending on which avatar you pick), and the twinkly piano keys help sell it.
If you happened to catch the sequence at night, you're in for a great show. If you watch it in the day... ehhhh, not so much.
Big Bang Mini
Oh, you thought we'd make it through this list without mentioning the DS shmup, Big Bang Mini? It's literally a game all about fireworks!
It might not be the best shoot 'em up out there, but we're hard pushed to think of a game with more firework displays to its name.
That's some of our favourites, but which sits at your top spot? Do any of the above have your heart aglow, or have we missed a big hitter? How many shoot 'em ups with more impressive pyrotechnic displays can you name? Let us know in the following poll and the comments, Guys.
Comments 74
Personally, while I loved the New Horizons fireworks, the New Leaf ones are the ones I think about the most.
When you think they just won't find any topics for new best of articles, here they come! LOL
nice article: thank you 🙂
I enjoyed the fireworks on the beginning of Star Wars Outlaws: when the story starts there is a feast of some kind on the city involved.
The end of New Donk City was one of the most memorable video gaming sequences period.
Its Nintendo Land. Getting the end credits section feels spectacular in that interactive world.
Honorable mention to Animal Crossing Wild World.
Fantavision
Where is Super Mario Galaxy?
Lord of the Rings Online has the best fireworks in a game.
I'm picking other... to cheat and vote for firework sequences at the end of Mario games in general and in particular Super Mario RPG and Super Mario RPG 2 (i.e. Mario Story/Paper Mario) - the former is notable also considering that you can buy more fireworks to change the end result and that they're required to unlock that, too!
The fireworks in the bg of the Rickety Race level from DKC2
The fireworks at the end of the magic carpet ride level in the snes Aladdin game.
And the fireworks in Termina at the end of the third day in Majora's Mask.
Not super iconic or anything, but for whatever reason they stick out in my mind.
Lucky Launch was my favorite minigame for a long time and I don't know why lol! Glad to see it get some love here. I actually thought of Vampire Survivors when I read the headline, thanks to having just recently gotten it - I have yet to get the big show mentioned here, but I have unlocked a few characters, and those come with their own explosive light shows
Personally, the new years countdown in Animal Crossing New Horizons is very special to me. The music, the preparations, everyone counting down. That's the most memorable of all.
It's a relatively small thing, but Xenoblade Chronicles has a small side quest involving a shifty individual asking you to gather suspect materials, which culminates in a surprise fireworks display intended to lift the spirits of Colony 9 during difficult times.
Xenoblade X then also has a much more fleshed out fireworks side quest, where you're trying to lift the spirits of a Nopon elder. Even the fireworks display has Nopon shapes!
Odyssey's fireworks are the best.
OBVIOUSLY the best fireworks in gaming history is the HDR Fireworks Display tech demo in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Duh. /j
Parfum Palace, specifically because of how incredibly yuri-coded it is if you're the female MC
For me, The Last Story has the most beautiful and emotional fireworks sequence. Running as Elza with Kanan following you behind trying not to get lost in the city crowds, the fireworks illuminates the path with different colors and the explosions sound makes it difficult to hear each other just like in real life, so memorable!
X and Y was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the title, but I think it has more to do with the story behind it than the quality of the fireworks themselves. This is one of the few times in the game where the story was actually front and center, and while that wasn’t always a good thing (I don’t think anybody enjoyed the Furfrou minigame) it was worth it to get to this moment of two people enjoying something breathtaking. I imagine Final Fantasy 7 is probably a better version of this but I only play games where I catch funny dogs before I have the emotional scene.
In terms of visual fidelity, 8’s N64 Rainbow Road is just phenomenal. The track itself is really rather basic, but those turns accompanied by those fireworks accompanied by THAT music carries the course.
None of them provide the smell of powder nor tinnitus...
Chrono Trigger's are my top, first thing that came to mind
the real answer is probably something like Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 that lets you design your own fireworks show.
Kirby's Crackler may be great fun in Kirby's Dream Land, but turning into fireworks is even better. And thus, Crystal Shards, with Kirby's Burning Bomb combo, is the best Kirby for fireworks fun. Would love to see a remaster of this gem.
It's also my birthday! So I always get lots of fireworks to go with it, woo!
Fireworks mania still has the best fire works: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1079260
The one where Rinoa and Squall are dancing is pretty nice.
I remember being so impressed with the fireworks at the end of Super Mario World, but then not long after both Super Ghouls ‘n’ Ghosts and Legend of Mystical Ninja did them even better! 😅
Also, special mention to the final track of Ridge Racer Type 4 where the fireworks go off on the final lap just as the new millennium begins.
I do like the choice of the FFVII fireworks though, that scene had a lot of importance to the characters so that might be the best one.
@EarthboundBenjy exactly what I was going to say
It’s Death Stranding 2. Easily.
Super Mario RPG or Super Mario 3D World.
Alot of people haven't probably heard the game, The Last Story Wii
it had a really amazing firework display sometime at the first chapter or two.
@DennyCrane Who could forget that titan of the PS2 launch lineup!
Death Stranding 2: On the Fireworks
@Jhena That scene in Final Fantasy 8 is the correct answer and the fact that it isn't even listed here is crazy to me. It's my favorite video game moment of all time. I suppose maybe it doesn't hold up, FF8 gets a lot of gate, a lot of it deserved, but in 1998 that scene blew my mind.
Check out Forza Horizon 4 and 5 (maybe even 3 if I recall correctly) and The Crew Motorfest. Those have the best and most realistic fireworks and drone shows. Very nice mood too. You can fly between them in Motorfest.
How about the end of Paper Mario?
No question. Nier Automata.
Death Stranding 2! (Is that allowed since it’s not a Nintendo game? YET?)
Some of the most surreal, realistic, and crazy effects I’ve ever seen.
Blacephalon blowing up his goddamn head has got to be my favorite firework sequence in a video game.
Edit: Realized this could be misinterpreted as very violent. This is just a Pokemon move.
Fantavision on the PS2!
@DennyCrane My vote as well. They seem to be just focusing on games that are on Nintendo platforms. Understandable I guess.
With all respects i think that you forgot okami's fireworks
The finale level to Rhythm Paradise on the Wii springs to mind.
Majora's Mask Festival opening at midnight on the final day. Celebration as the apocalypse is nigh.
@rjejr
The game is full of awesome moments. I am glad, that I am not the only one who loves that scene.
Animal Crossing New Horizons.
I can make Dance Dance Revolution fireworks by using custom design.
Gotta be that scene in Pokemon X&Y for me personally. I remember going to the midnight release for this game and staying up playing it with my friends all night. I distinctly remember that scene too. I'm not sure why, there's nothing particularly special about it. But teenage me was having so much fun with the first ever fully 3D handheld pokemon game, and so that scene just stuck with me!
Actually nothing compares to Fantavision on PS2. But yeah that’s not a Nintendo system so Big Bang Mini and Animal Crossing New Horizons are a tie for me on this. Fantavision was so dreamy though. One of my favorite PS2 games.
The flagpole fireworks in Super Mario Bros. Was I think the one that got me the most excited. I remember those little fireworks being just a delightful surprise! I was four at the time.
Persona 4: Golden. Nanako is just too cute.
One of my favorite launch games ever, SSX on PS2, had the best fireworks as you’re catching gnarly air
@JohnnyMind @Markiemania95 I was thinking of Super Mario RPG’s end credits too. The fireworks are not until the end, but the whole scene is a great nod to Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade. 😊
Final Fantasy VII and how it tears me up rn just remembering it
"Cloud, I'm searching for you. I want to meet you."
Nier Automata has a really great fireworks moment. I can’t think of a more memorable one.
I only came here because I thought you’d miss Big Bang Mini but… I’ll get my coat 😅
(Ace little game that was!)
I like the ones in Animal Crossing because the sky lights up with various unsavoury imagery
The Mario Odyssey Jump up sequence was one of the greatest video game sequences I have ever seen. It was so well done within the game to give you a sense of celebration, but if you are old enough to remember playing donkey kong on the arcade cabinet, it also triggered an amazing feeling of nostalgia unlike anything I have seen in a game before. It slightly ‘breaks the fourth wall’ and touches your heart with appreciation of the honor given to the Dk series. I hope we see more things like this in the future. It was a great homage!
Better than doing an article on best terrorists I suppose.
The fireworks display at the end of Super Mario 3D World gets my vote.
The end sequence of Gates of Zendocon.... A great shoot em up on my beloved first console, the Atari Lynx.
Probably first game I have ever finished
Fantavision on PlayStation 2, literally a firework simulator.
persona 4, no question.
The whole Ratchet & Clank : Rift Apart parade intro made me feel like I was on a fireworks launching pad.
And good ol' Missile Command kinda puts you in control of fireworks, except they're inverted.
Chrono Trigger good ending fireworks. Pairs well with the music.
Fascinating topic! I don't recall too many fireworks scenes in games and immediately thought only of Animal Crossing New Horizons. I try to be on my island for every New Year's Eve for the midnight fireworks. That's the obvious selection for me.
From the other poll options, Rainbow Road in MK8 is definitely notable. I never finished Mario Odyssey, so can't comment on its position of currently leading the poll with 30% overall. At the time of writing and 317 votes, ACNH is third at 15% behind Others on 19%.
I like the one at the end of one of the chapters in Yo-Kai Watch. The first one in general is such a good vibe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brsn7a7HTr0
Some random game from Activision that let you make your own fireworks show. Or does it have to be on a Nintendo system?
@Uncle_Franklin (the answer would also include final fantasy VII)
@John_Deacon Years ago I was reading PC Gamer and they had a category for "Best Pregnant Wife" 😂
Sea of Thieves have amazing fireworks..... still waiting for it to come to Switch 2
The fireworks minigame in Virtual Magic Kingdom was a lot of fun back in the day... Over 20 years ago...
@Jhena Yeah a lot of good scenes,,like the floating in space scene. I got the game right around the time I got engaged, we were living together at the time and my future wife watched me play the entire game, and Squall & Rinoa's relationship always felt like our relationship. Good times. The credits scene w/ the home kovie camera is also my favorite ever end credit scene. 👍
@rjejr
Final Fantasy VIII is very romantic. The music is perfect too. The ending scene feels very rewarding and it is a great happy end. You really could not have picked a better game, during that time.
@Jhena It was so good we actually played it 2x in a row. Have ever done that w/ a game before or since. Though in part that was b/c I was about 80% through the game getting crushed by all the enemies before I realized how the Draw system worked. I did draw every spell 1 time to get it, but I had no idea you had to draw them up to 99 times to level them out. Second time we played is I leveled up every draw spell to 9o as soon as I could, made the second play through faster and more fun. And I figured out the Triad card game by then as well.
I wouldn't have replayed it if the story wasn't so good though. Rinoa is my number 1 video game girl. KOS-MOS is second. My wife watched me play all 3 of the Xenosaga games as well. And Xenogears, and the 4 Xenoblade games. And every FF game. We're big dweebs.😂
Related story. We started Skies of Arcadia in that apartment where we got engaged and married. Exactly halfway through the game, you'd know it if you've played it, we packed everything up and moved into our house, where we unpacked and finished the game. Now in that same house 24 years later we watch our kids play video games. Currently playing 3 player Sea of Stars w/ our eldest. JRPG are our family glue.😁
@rjejr
Oh, how I loved Triple Triad. It feels good to collect them all. I probably beat the game more than four times by now, it is simply that great. The atmosphere is so comforting too.
I have to admit, that I have not played a Xenosaga game or Xenogears, but I heard that they are great.
Playing video games with your wife and kids sounds so wholesome. I would love to play Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles with four players.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...