Boom Duello

Boom Duello is a two-player competitive action game developed by indie studio Red Door Games, released in 2023 for PC and Nintendo Switch. The game is set in a series of enclosed arenas where each player controls a spherical character equipped with a single explosive projectile. The objective is to eliminate the opponent by detonating the projectile at a precise moment, causing it to launch the opponent into environmental hazards or out of the arena boundaries. Matches are played in a best-of-three format, with each round lasting up to 60 seconds. The game features a minimalist visual style with flat colors and clear geometric shapes, emphasizing readability and fast-paced decision-making.

Gameplay mechanics center on a single explosive charge per player per round. Each player can move freely within the arena using the left analog stick or WASD keys. The right analog stick or mouse controls the aiming reticle for the projectile. Pressing the fire button (right trigger or left mouse button) deploys the explosive at the current reticle position. The explosive does not detonate on contact; instead, a detonation button (left trigger or spacebar) must be pressed to trigger the blast. The blast radius is fixed, and its force pushes all objects—including the other player and the deploying player—away from the center of the explosion. Tactical techniques include "delayed detonation," where the player deploys the explosive and waits for the opponent to move near it before detonating, and "self-launch," where the player detonates their own explosive at close range to propel themselves into the opponent for a collision-based elimination. Players can also use the arena walls to ricochet the explosive before detonation. No power-ups or secondary abilities exist; success depends entirely on timing, positioning, and prediction of opponent movement.