Thorn vs Balloons, sometimes referred to as Throne vs Balloons, is a casual timed ball game that features popping elements similar to bubble-popping and pop-it games. The player must successfully launch a thorny black ball and other types of projectiles into the air and against surfaces to pop colorful balloons.
The game presents the levels in groups of five levels per set. Each initial level features a white background, the black thorny bouncy ball projectile, one or more clusters of small, medium, large or mixed balloons and some sort of challenge.
The player must accurately direct the ball along a specific path against surfaces or around or through obstacles to reach the balloons. Common obstacles include inclines, stationary, rotating and sliding platforms and walls, and paddle wheels. When the player's choice of direction for the ball or other object leads to an accurate hit, the balloons burst and leave matching-color paint splotches on the background.
Throne vs Balloons finishes each level by rewarding the player with coins. After every five levels, it gives them a present that contains additional coins or a new projectile, such as different types of ninja stars, an axe, a cleaver, a curved knife, scissors, a banana and a pickaxe. The player can also use the coins to buy new projectiles.
