Bloons TD 6

Bloons TD 6 is a tower defence game from Ninja Kiwi in which you place monkey towers to pop waves of coloured balloons, called bloons, before they reach the end of the track. It is the sixth main game in a long-running series and is known for its large amount of content, detailed upgrade system and lively art style. Unlike many mobile games that depend on free-to-play systems, it is generally sold as a premium game, meaning you pay once for the full game. Check the store listing for the current price.

How the game works

Each round sends a wave of bloons along a path. You place towers around the path, and they throw darts, shoot bombs or use other special attacks to pop the bloons. Popping bloons gives you money, which you use to place or upgrade more towers. Different bloon types have different properties, such as armour or camouflage, and you need the right tower to deal with them. Later rounds introduce stronger bloons that split into smaller ones when popped, and boss bloons that require careful planning.

Towers and upgrade paths

There are many tower types, including dart monkeys, boomerang monkeys, bomb shooters, snipers, wizards and village-style support towers. Each has three upgrade paths with five levels, and you can choose to go deep into one path or mix them. This is where much of the strategy lies. A tower that is strong against one threat can be weak against another, so a balanced defence is important. Heroes are special units with their own abilities that level up during a game.

Maps, modes and difficulty

The game has dozens of maps and modes, from easy to extremely hard. You can play standard modes with a set number of rounds, or alternative modes with unusual rules. A sandbox mode lets you test combinations. Daily challenges and community-made challenges add variety. Cooperative multiplayer is available in some modes, which lets friends play together.

Tips for success

Start with a few inexpensive towers near the beginning of the path and invest in upgrades gradually. Pay attention to camouflage bloons, since some towers cannot see them. Use support towers to improve the abilities of those around them. Do not overspend on one tower early. Learn how heroes work, since they provide strong help. Check the round preview so that you can prepare for the next threat.

Purchases and offline play

Because it is a premium game, you do not need to watch ads. In-game purchases exist for some extras, but the main game does not depend on them. Parts of the game can be played offline, while some modes need a connection.

Age suitability

There is cartoon-style combat with balloons and no gore. It is suitable for most ages, though the difficulty can be high.

Who it suits

It suits strategy fans and people who like planning and experimenting. It is a good choice for those who prefer paying once.

How it compares

Compared with Kingdom Rush, it has more variety and upgrade paths. Compared with Clash Royale, it is single-player and not time-pressured.

Our take

Bloons TD 6 is a polished, deep tower defence game.