Baku Bomberman

Manuals

Japanese manual

Download here (15mb Zip file). The Japanese Virtual Console manual can also be downloaded from Nintendo's server.

American manual

The American Virtual Console manual can be downloaded from Nintendo's server.

European manual

Download here (7mb Zip file)

page 5, "The Story"

The Omni Cube absorbs various kinds of energy that exists in the universe. It provides this energy to its owner. When a man called Altair got the Omni Cube in his hands, his insane ambition began...

Planet Bomber was a peaceful planet that had never experienced danger. Suddenly, Altair's huge ship arrived and initiated its attack. Bomberman was stunned as there was nothing he could do to stop the huge craft. Then, Sirius, a mysterious helper appeared in front of him...

Listening to Sirius's advise ^[sic], Bomberman began his journey to destroy the bases of Altair's allies. What is waiting for Bomberman? Who is Sirius, the mysterious helper? Unless Bomberman destroys the enemies, there will be no peace on Planet Bomber. This is the beginning of Bomberman's battle.

Game story

Credit goes to the Baku Bomberman Data Collection for most of the Japanese transcriptions.

intro

A swarm of birds flee from Blue Resort as a shadow looms over the town. A troop of Reds descend, followed by Capella, who gives the order for them to advance.

Aboard the Black City, the Omni Cube begins to flash. Blue orbs of energy drain from Blue Resort's earth and float skyward...

... and are absorbed into the Omni Cube's core. Capella returns.

	制圧完了しました。	Mission complete.
	ごくろう。 これで、この星にもう用はない。 次の標的はどこだ？	Great job! Well, we certainly cleaned up this planet! What's our next target?

The projector displays their next destination: Planet Bomber. The Black City and its four anchors descend...

... and hovers above a small town. Bomberman witnesses this from a cliffside when it begins firing lasers at the land below.

The town's occupants try to flee, but are wiped out with the rest of the town.

Bomberman tries to make his move, but is stunned by the arrival of a flying figure, Sirius.

君は、ヤツラを倒しに行く気なのか？ ならば、いい事を教えてやろう。 ヤツラには恨みがあってね。 あの中央の基地へは、直接侵入しようとしても バリアが阻んで、近づけないようになっている。 だが、基地に繋がる４本のアンカーを破壊して バリアを解除できれば、基地に潜入し 内部から破壊することも可能だろう。 もっとも、これを君１人でやるのは無理だろう。 私も協力してやるよ。

Do you plan to defeat them? Then, I'll let you in on a secret. I've got a bone to pick with them. Because of the force field, there's no way you'll be able to get near, let alone get in, the Central Base! But, if you destroy the 4 anchors to the base, the field will be deactivated and you can destroy the base from within. ...it's asking too much to have you go alone, so I'll give you a hand.

Sirius jets off, and Bomberman follows after him.

Green Gardens: Stage 2

君が、どのくらい強くなったのか 試させてもらおうか!! …予想以上の強さだな。 この調子で行けば、君ならヤツラを 倒せるだろう。頑張ってくれ。

Now, let's see how strong you've become!! ...better than expected. Keep fighting like that, and you should be able to defeat them. Good Luck!

Green Gardens: Stage 3

そろそろ君に、このボンバー星に 侵略に来たヤツについて話してやろう。 そいつの名はアルタイル。 ヤツは、惑星のエネルギーを無尽蔵に吸収し、 それを所有者の絶対的な力として還元する 宇宙石を利用して、宇宙征服を企んでいる男だ。 もっとも、色々な星を基地に繋げて、 常にエネルギーを補給しているあたりは、 キューブの能力を使いこなしてはいないのだろう。 本来なら、そんな必要など無いのだがね。 まぁ、そこに君の付け込む隙があるわけだから、 ヤツの無能さには、逆に感謝するべきかもな。

Let me tell you something about the one responsible for the attack on Planet Bomber. His name is, Altair. He drains a planet's energy to power the Omni Cube. The Omni Cube holds the power to rule the universe. From the way he takes his time extracting a planet's energy, it seems he hasn't figured out how to use the Omni Cube. Such an operation doesn't require that much time, however, his incompetence is helping you - and you should be thankful!

Blue Resort: Stage 1

アルタイルのヤツには、 レグルス・カペラ・ハウトという ３人の部下がついている。 ３人共それぞれが必殺技を使う手ごわいヤツラだ。 いずれ、ヤツラと君は戦う事になるだろう。 十分に気をつけて、戦いたまえ。

Altair has 3 subordinates named, Regulus, Artemis and Orion. All 3 have powerful special attacks. You will eventually have to fight them, so prepare yourself for the battle.

Red Mountain: Stage 3

何故、エネルギーを得ることが目的の アルタイルが、ボンバー星の住人を 壊滅させようとするのか知りたいって？ 簡単なことだ。もし君が、なにか物を 取ろうとした時に、それが埃まみれだったら、 まずは、その埃をはらってから取るだろ？ ヤツにとって、ボンバー星の住人なんて その程度の認識でしかないのだ。 それが悔やしかったら、やつを倒すことだな。

Do you wonder why Altair wants to steal the planet's energy, and destroy the people of this planet? It's simple, actually. If you want something, and it's covered with dust, wouldn't you wipe off the dust? To him, the people of Planet Bomber are specs of dust. If that upsets you, then, the only answer is to go and defeat him!

White Glacier: Stage 2

…面白ぇ、結構やるじゃないか。 ザコだと思って甘く見てたぜ 次は本気でやってやる。覚悟しとけよ！

...Not bad. I underestimated you. However, you've upset me. Prepare to meet your fate.

Black City: Stage 1

これから先、アルタイル配下の攻撃は、 益々、激しいものになるだろう。 特に、強力な飛び道具で武装した敵が増えてくる。 十分にパワーアップし、遠距離からボムキックを 最大限に活かして戦うよう、心がけたまえ。

From now on, Altair's troopers will try even harder to defeat you. You will encounter enemies with projectile weapons, so be sure to use the Bomb Kick to defeat them from a distance.

Black City: Stage 4

Bomberman battles Altair, who fuses with Vega to make himself stronger. Bomberman emerges victorious, and Regulus appears to fly his leader to safety.

bad ending (less than 100 Gold Cards)

Sirius drops Bomberman off at the cliffside.

よくやった、ボンバーマン。 アルタイルには逃げられてしまったが それはそれで、まぁ仕方あるまい。 正直なところ、君には少し失望したがね。 君とは、もう２度と会うこともあるまい。 元気に暮らしていきたまえ。

Well done, Bomberman. Altair got away, but that can't be helped. To be honest, I'm a little disappointed in you. I'll probably never see you again. Take care of yourself.

Black City: Stage 4 (with 100 Gold Cards)

During Regulus and Altair's retreat, Sirius flies in and knocks them out of the air. Altair lands on the platform and drops the Omni Cube, which Sirius absorbs the power from.

久しぶりだな、アルタイル。 貴様が私から掠め盗っていった宇宙石は 返してもらった。これは、その礼だ！！

It's been a while, Altair. Now that I've taken back the Omni Cube you stole from me, here's a present.

Sirius punches Altair into the air and fires a massive blast from his shoulder cannons, utterly disintegrating Altair. Sirius turns to Bomberman.

ボンバーマン、君は私の予想以上に 役に立ってくれた、感謝してやろう。 失ってた力を取り戻すことができたしな。 これさえ取り戻せば、私に怖い者などない。 間抜けな嘘をついてまで、君を助けてきた甲斐が あったというものだ。 もっとも君が用済みになった今、君のような 下等なヤツが存在すると思うだけで不愉快だ。 ボンバー星共々、消し去ってやるよ。

Bomberman, you've worked out better than I had expected. Thanks for helping me regain my power! With my power back, I have nothing to fear. It was worth telling you all those corny lies, and helping you out. You've out-lived your usefulness, you're starting to annoy me. Get ready to be destroyed along with Planet Bomber.

Sirius grabs the Omni Cube and leaves the Black City, ascending to the Rainbow Palace.

Sirius exposed

After this event, all previous exchanges with Sirius in the stages are replaced with a threat.

It's useless for you to oppose me. Lie down quietly and meet your end.

Green Garden: Stage 2 (Sirius exposed)

This is the only stage after the reveal to have a unique replacement.

Target confirmed. Commencing sampling. Target termination program activated. Damage level over 90% ...unable to execute program. Reporting back on the sampling data.

Rainbow Palace: Stage 4

Using the power of the Omni Cube, Sirius creates a stellar arena to battle Bomberman in, granting him greater powers.
Bomberman defeats him, but Sirius charges his shoulder cannons to open fire. Regulus knocks Sirius aside and destroys the Omni Cube, returning the three of them to the Rainbow Palace chamber.

	き　きさまぁぁっ！！	Youuuuu!
	ハッ、ザマァネェナ！おい、ボン！！ 手前ェとの勝負は、後だ！！ まずは、そいつをぶっ倒すぞ！！	Huh? What a joke! Hey, Bomb!! I'll take care of you later! First, I need to get rid of him!!

Bomberman and Regulus team up to destroy Sirius. His death causes tremors to shake the Rainbow Palace, so Regulus grabs Bomberman and flies him out.

The Rainbow Palace falls onto the Black City, destroying them both. Regulus returns Bomberman to the cliffside on Planet Bomber.

以前、オレたちが４人がかりでさえ ヤツからは宇宙石を奪うのが 精一杯だったってぇのに… そいつを倒すとはな…大したヤツだぜ。 お前の強さは、認めてやるよ。 もっとも、気に入らねぇの変わらねぇけどな！ お前との決着は、いつか必ずつけてやる。 それまで、誰にも負けるんじゃねぇぞ！ それじゃ、あばよ！！

The 4 of us were barely able to steal the Omni Cube from him... Yet you were able to defeat him. I must respect your abilities, but that doesn't change the fact that I dislike you! Someday, you and I will settle this. Until then, take care of yourself!!

Regulus leaves. Bomberman celebrates his victory with the wildlife and fellow Bombermen.

Websites

Hudson page (archive)

Hudson's promotional site that's split into "volumes" - the first three are ripe with early footage, showing a different HUD.

Nintendo.com page (backup)

Nintendo's official page for the game, with information, tips and maps.
This is a backup gleaned from the Internet Archive. All pages and images are present, and the hyperlinks have been left untouched - trying to access any of the Nintendo.com links won't take you anywhere, obviously.

GameSpot review

[...] the single-player mode is pretty improved over past games now that it's made the leap to 3D. But the multiplayer mode has gone through a few changes as well, and therein lies the rub. [...] The multiplayer mode is... sort of fun, though it's certainly lost all the addictive charm that so positively defined the series. And sadly, because of that, the game just doesn't seem like Bomberman anymore.

Published January 21st 1998, reviewed by Joe Fielder. Awarded 4.6 out of 10.

IGN review

What will keep gamers riveted are the exploration elements, and the incrementally difficult gameplay. Gamers will have to spend quite a bit of time attempting to cross chasms with either small or large bombs, trip certain levers, or search out those hidden diamonds.

[...] The unusual bomb bridging and tower-building techniques stand out as bizarre and strangely unique, and honestly can be said to be innovative and create additions that bring Bomberman 64 firmly into the age of 3D platforming.

Published December 2nd 1997, reviewed by Doug Perry. Awarded 7.6 out of 10.

Media

TV commercial (USA)

Bomberman, Bomberman Mass destruction across the land Makes a bomb, any size And he's yours to customise Oh yeah! Your very own Bomberman! Cross his path, you'll explode In the brand new adventure mode Secret levels to explore On Nintendo 64 Look out! Here comes the Bomberman! A riff on the Spider-Man theme song with new lyrics, as bombs find themselves in the hands of unexpecting schmucks. Footage from the Internet Archive.

Flights of Fantasy (#121)

The game doesn't feel very puzzle-y for a puzzle game. In fact, that's just it: this isn't really a puzzle game, it's a sacrilege to the series. This is one of the few series that can't stray too far from the original formula without creating a total disaster. [...] The main meat of the game is that darn one-player Adventure Mode. Nintendo needs to stop calling everything an adventure mode, especially when the game is about as adventurous as a trip to Kmart. Broadcast on public access in Maryland around December 1997. George Woods criticises everything from Bomberman's movement speed to the lack of multi-player levels. Footage from user flightsoffantasy on YouTube.

GamesMaster (S7E01)

ROB WOOD: The adventure mode is pretty awful all around. It bears a striking resemblance at first to a Mario kind of game. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near. There's a lack of creativity, there's lack of depth... but don't get me wrong, if the original versions of Bomberman hadn't existed this would be a very good game, but unfortunately, they do. Broadcast on Channel4 in the UK on November 19th 1997. Richard Pitt compliments the new crystal-defending dynamic in the Team Battle multi-player mode, while Rob Wood thinks little of the single-player mode. Awarded 65%. Footage from user DynamiteHeaddy on YouTube.

Magazine scans

Magazines are sorted by publication date.

Official UK Nintendo Magazine (issue 56)

Dated May 1997, an excitable preview that expresses great promise in the new 3D stylings of the upcoming game. The game looks relatively final, though the HUD uses different graphics.

Official UK Nintendo Magazine (issue 59)

Dated August 1997. Another preview, showing off Black City and some extremely preliminary battle stages, including a recreation of the NES arena that would go unused. Credit to oldgamemags.com for the scans.

GamePro (issue 108)

Dated September 1997. A preview with a bunch of screenshots featuring the old unused heads-up-display. Scan from the Internet Archive.

Dengeki Nintendo 64 / 電撃Nintendo64 (issue 18)

Dated November 1997. Features an overview of the game with exclusive concept art of the levels, as well as an interview with director Hitoshi Okuno (奥野仁) and game designer Koji Innami (印南好司). Scans can be found at RetroMags and the Internet Archive.

『爆ボン』完成間もないハドソン札幌開発室に直撃取材!ディレクターの奥野さん、ゲームデザインの印南さんにインタビューをしてきたぞ。 ついに完成し、発売直前となった『爆ボン』。ここでは、生みの親である2人に、開発秘話や見どころを存分に語ってもらった。開発者の魂の叫びを聞け! ――ついに『爆ボン』完成しましたね。パズル要素がかなり強いアタションになりました。 奥野：『爆ボン』は企画から含めると2年ほど前からスタートしているんですが、当初から3Dにしよう、いろんな仕掛けを解いていくものにしようというコンセプトがありました。 ――今までとは違う『ボンバーマン』ですよね。 印南：開発に入るときに最初に意見が出たのが「『ボンバーマン』ってあまりにも"作業感"が強すぎたよね」ってことなんです。『爆ボン』ではそういうのをやめようと。それで、ゴールドカード探しなど、マップを探索する楽しみを加すよ。ここに行くのにボクはこういぅやり方したんだけキミは?みたいな話ができればね。 奥野：スタッフの間でも千差万別ですよ。めちゃくちゃな解き方で進んで`いくヤツがいた(笑)。 ――ボス戦でのゴールドカードの取り方がなかなか難しいですよね。 奥野：ボス戦も、ただ攻撃すればクリアできるというのではおもしろくないので、いろんな攻撃の仕方をすると、ごほうびとしてゴールドカードがもらえるということにしました。 印南：一見難しいですけど、ボスの動きにはパターンがあるので、じっくり戦えば大丈夫です。 ――ゴールドカードは全部勅ると何かある? 奥野：スゴイことカ泡こります。まだ言えないんですけどもね(笑)。苦労して集めるだけの価値はあるので、ぜひ全部集めてほしいですね。 ――対戦モードも、爆風が球状になったことでちょっとプレイ感覚が変わりました。 奥野：画面を4分割するという案もあったんですよ。ただ、まわりの状況を把握しづらいので、最終的にはあのスタイルになりました。 印南：敵を持ち上げて場外に投げるという新しい戦術があったりしますけど、基本的には『ボンバーマン』なんで、スグに慣れると思います。 ――開発で苦労したところはどのへんですか? 奥野：3Dのボンバーマンを作るのに苦労しましたね。ボンバーマンって丸いじやないですか。"球体"をポリゴンで表そうとすると、ポリゴン数をたくきん使ってしまうんですよ。でも、かわいく作れたので気に入ってます。 印南：3Dのマップを作るのには苦労しましたね。最初はLEGOブロックをたくさん買ってきてマップを組み立てたりもしましたし(笑)。ぜひ、マップはアチコチ歩いてほしいですね。 ――本日はありがとうごぎいました。

We visited Hudson Soft's Sapporo development office, where Baku Bomberman is on the road to completion. We talked to Okuno-san and Innami-san, the game's director and game designer, to tell us about its development. Hear the cries of the producers' souls! --Baku Bomberman is finally completed. It's been described as an action game with core puzzle elements. OKUNO: We began planning around two years ago, and from the very beginning we had the concept of a 3D game where you solved various puzzles. --It's a very different approach to Bomberman, isn't it? INNAMI: When we started development, one of the first things people said was "playing Bomberman feels too much like hard work." We wanted to avoid that in Baku Bomberman, and instead capture the fun of exploring these worlds, looking for Gold Cards and the like. We created areas to make the player think, how do I get over there? We'd even ask each other, how did you get over there? We hope that's a discussion people have. OKUNO: Everyone had a different way of doing it. There was one guy whose solutions to puzzles were totally nuts. (laughs) --Getting Gold Cards in the boss battles is pretty tough. OKUNO: It wouldn't be interesting to just tackle bosses with brute force, so we wanted to reward players with Gold Cards for playing creatively. INNAMI: They look tough as first, but all the bosses follow their own patterns, so don't be afraid to play slow and steady. --What happens when all the Gold Cards are collected? OKUNO: Something amazing, but I can't say what. (laughs) It's worth the effort, so I encourage you to collect them all. --In the battle mode, the play style has changed now that explosions have become spherical. OKUNO: We considered implementing split-screen for all four players, but it was very difficult to assess your situation, so it became what it is now. INNAMI: One of the new tactics is picking up your foes and throwing them out of bounds. It's still Bomberman though, so you'll get used to it. --What was your biggest hurdle during development? OKUNO: It was difficult presenting Bomberman in 3D. He's round, isn't he? But building him out of spheres uses a lot of polygons. I like the end result though, I think it's cute. INNAMI: I had a hard time making 3D maps. I bought a load of LEGO blocks to help assemble them. (laughs) Please walk around and enjoy the sights, why not. --Thank you very much for your time today.

ディレクター / Director
奥野仁さん / Hitoshi Okuno

『爆ボン』全ディレクションを担当。ヒゲが渋いナイスガイ。『爆ボン』ぞいちばん見てほしいところは 「やっぱいパズル部分ですね。自分でもテストプレイしていて、解けたときはかなりエキサイトしま した」 とのこ と。 ちなみに対戦の腕前はそこそこといったところ(笑)。本誌編集部との対戦では、ほぼ互角の勝負で し た。ぜひま た、 対戦して くださいね。

The man in charge of Baku Bomberman's direction. A nice man with a dapper moustache. What he wants players to savour most is the puzzle elements. "I was thrilled when I solved a puzzle even while play-testing. Oh, let them know I'm great at the battle game too. (laughs)" In the match against the magazine staff, we were almost equally matched. We look forward to our next bout.

ゲームデザイン / Game Designer
印南好司さん / Koji Innami

世界観や大まかなマップレイアウ卜から、 こまかい仕掛けの数々まてを担当。編はどうですかというに質問に 「しばらくボンバーマンは見たくないんですが、 少したつとやりたく なるのかもしれませんね」 だって。

Responsible for many elements, among them the visual design, rough map layouts and other important details. When asked for his thoughts on the finished game, he says, "I don't want to look at Bomberman for a while, but in time maybe I'll come around to it again."

東京グームショウ『爆ボン』バトル大会盛り上がりました きる8月6日、 幕張メッセにて開催きれた東京ゲームショウにおいて 『爆ボン』の勝ち抜き対戦バトル大が開催きれた。 会場となったメディアワークスブースには、60名此の出場者が集まり、 ホッ卜な対戦バトルを展開したのだ。大会当日は、 ソフ卜発売前ということもあつて、出場者は操作にとまどうかとも思われたんだけど、 そニは 「『ボンバーマン』シリーズ。みんなコン卜ローラを握ったとたんに、 思いどおりにボンバーマンを操っていた。 激しいバトルの末、勝ち抜きバトルキングとなったのは、 石岡佑介クン。大会後に、本誌編集部の『爆ボン』名人・すまばん豊島とのエキシビジョンマッチに臨み、こちらでも見事に引き分けに持ち込んだ。バトル勝者げま『爆ボン』ソフ卜など豪華賞品がプレゼン卜きれたぞ。 開発秘話1：インタビュー部分でもふれたけど、4分割画面での対戦プレイも作ってみたんだって。でも、4分割画面にしてしまうと、相手の状況がわ かりにくいのがいちばん困るんだとか。相勃く何をしようとしているのか、アイテムがどこにあるのか、などが把握しづらかったんだそうだ。 納得。 開発秘話2:：『爆ボン』では爆風が球状になっているよね。でも、開発当初は従釆どおりの十字クロス状の爆風だったんだとか。でも、実際に作ってみたら、 思ったよりもボりューム感とか爆発感が少なかったので、あのような瑚紗爆発になったんだって。なるほどね。

Tokyo Game Show "Baku Bomberman" Battle Tournament Was Hype! On August 6th the Tokyo Game Show was held at Makuhari Messe, along with a Baku Bomberman tournament. About 60 contestants showed up to the tourney in the MediaWorks booth. As this was before the game's release, this was the everyone's first time learning the controls, resulting in a few hiccups. But it's Bomberman, and in no time everyone was giving their all. In the end, Yusuke Ishioka was declared the Battle King, where he went on to an exhibition match with our magazine's Baku Bomberman master, Sumapon. Their match was a draw, but the winners walked away with a Baku Bomberman plush toy. The tournament was fought on a 100-inch screen. Everyone had their game faces on. Ishioka, now declared the Battle King, poses with Sumapon! Development Secrets 1: As mentioned in the interview, the battle game was once 4-player split-screen. But it was difficult to see the full picture this way; what your opponents were up to, where to find items, and so on. It made sense to change it. Development Secrets 2: The explosions are spherical in Baku Bomberman, but it wasn't always this way! In the early days it was the familiar cross-shaped explosion, but it didn't have the oomph or volume we were looking for.

64 Magazine (volume 7)

Because Hudson have to fiddle, that's why. They can't leave well enough alone. They have to 'improve' each new version, tweaking and twiddling and nipping and tucking, just to show that they're paying their programmers to do stuff rather than just sit around drinking coffee for six months before porting the code for the last Bomberman game straight onto a new platform.

Dated 6th November 1997, reviewer Andy McDermott gives an eventually-positive review of the Japanese game (awarding it 81%) after griping about the poorly-explained controls and Hudson actually changing things a little. The nerve of it!
The magazine didn't quite fit in my scanner bed, and I had to stitch together several scans to get the full page, leaving some ugly errors on a few pages. For convenience sake, here's a transcription of the review.

N64 Magazine (issue 8)

So don't be taken in. Although it looks like Bomberman and feels like Bomberman, it doesn't take long to realise that so much of what rightfully earned Bomberman's colossal status is foolishly missing. This is - sigh - the kind of 64-bit sequel we could do without.

Hudson, you have messed up.

Dated November 1997, awarded 50%. The quotes above quite aptly summarise Zy Nicholson's opinion. An abridged version of this review was later reprinted in issue 11's pack-in booklet, The Nintendo 64 Companion; see ONM Remembered.

Official UK Nintendo Magazine (issue 62)

Dated November 1997. A quick overview of the Japanese game before its proper review in issue 64. Despite the hype, the crew are disappointed by the change in design. Credit to oldgamemags.com for the scans.

Ação Games (Ed. 122)

Game que mistura visual de Mario World 64 com o velho esquema do clássico Bomberman. Diversão garanlida.

A game that blends the visuals of Mario World 64 with the old formula of classic Bomberman. Guaranteed fun.

Dated December 1997, Ivan Cordon awards the game an 8.5 out of 10. Scan from Retro Scans.

GamePro (issue 111)

You can't go wrong with Bomberman - even the Saturn version is fun. But for once, Bomberman's Story mode holds more excitement than the multiplayer bombing, giving the game more depth.

Dated December 1997, reviewer Scary Larry is all about the story mode but grumbles upon the analogue controls and zoomed-out Battle mode. The individual scores average to 4.125 out of 5. Scan from the Internet Archive.

Nintendo Power (volume 103)

Dated December 1997, another of Nintendo Power's hard-to-describe multi-page features - part information, part game guide and part advertisement. Reviewed a few pages afterward.

Hudson did a good job with the mechanics and design, but breaks little new ground from the 16-bit games. Fans of previous Bomberman games should enjoy it, and there will be plenty of new fans who will discover Bomberman for the first time.

Reviewed by Dan, Erich, Sonja and Terry. Awarded 7 out of 10.

Official UK Nintendo Magazine (issue 63)

Dated December 1997. An advertisement for the game.

Official UK Nintendo Magazine (issue 64)

The game in its own right is quite good, it's just that it's not what we expect from a Bomberman title. We all want the same maze levels, and the cool multi-player matches. What we've received is a muscle-flexing exercise showing what the N64 can achieve. The main disappointment is the multi-player mode. It no longer keeps you in front of the screen for hours. You now play it for ten minutes and move on. In short, the essence of Bomberman has been lost.

Dated January 1998, this is mostly an overview of the Japanese release, though Shaun White offers his opinion at the end of it. A reasonably positive look at the game (awarded 80%), though the loss of the classic multi-player soils it for him.

Official UK Nintendo Magazine (issue 69)

BOMBERMAN 64: 73%
What's it about: Blow up blocks in 3D world. Kill baddies with short fuse.
What you'll like: Great end of level guardians. Looks ace and will challenge.
One player: Looks cool, big bosses and great graphics - idea's good. Camera angles dodgy.
Multiplayer: Disappointing. Lacks fun and speed of earlier versions. Do it yourself.
What we think: Could be better. First timer'll be happy, fans'll feel let down.

Dated June 1998, this excerpt comes from the Total Test, brief sum-ups of all games reviewed so far by the magazine.

BOMBERMAN 64: Blow stuff up in 3D world. Not a patch on the original. 68%.

This extra-brief review appeared in all subsequent editions of Total Test after the format was shrunk to squeeze in more games per page.

64 Magazine (volume 9)

The adventure mode does take a while to get into, but once you do, you'll be bombing away like there's no tomorrow! (Which there probably wouldn't be if you went running around lobbing high-explosives.)

Dated 2nd January 1998, Roy Kimber takes a gander at the PAL version of the game. Now that the crew actually understand the instructions, it's scored 5% higher than the Japanese release (now awarded 86%).

BAKU BOMBERMAN: Bomberman hits the third dimension, and the multi-player game suffers as a result. However, the one-player game is improved dramatically, being a clever and enthralling mix of puzzles, action and big explosions! 81%

This quote comes from the "Nindex", a list of all games reviewed.

N64 Pro (issue 4)

OH THE disappointment. It's like going out on a blind-date with a girl who you've been told looks like Jo Guest, only to find out that they actually meant Jo Brand.

Dated February 1998, Paul Noel and the crew express disappointment over the revamped multi-player mode and befuddlement over the new direction of the single-player game.
The second set of scans are of a two-page ad for the game.

N64 Magazine (issue 12)

Oh dear. Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the year comes in the shape of Hudson's newly 3D Bomberman 64. The one-player mode was never the series' strong point and now it's just a tedious rambling affair devoid of any excitement at all. Worse, the multi-player game has been completely spoilt, with proceedings often becoming impossibly confusing. Another pile of averageness from Hudson.

Have a gander at Zy's review in N64/8 for the low down on how to play Bomberman and the bits to look out for. (If there are any).

Dated March 1998, a quick mention of the previous review is made.

N64 Pro (issue 6)

BOMBERMAN 64: The original video game urban terrorist. Run around dropping bombs in the path of your fellow man. Bomberman returns in an all new N64 outing. The usual multi player mayhem joins a 3D Mario-style adventure game. Good graphics, but I'm afraid the gameplay of the original seems to have fizzled along the way. 73%.
N64 Magazine: 50%
64 Magazine: 81%
Official Nintendo Magazine: 80%
Total 64 Magazine: 75%

Dated April 1998, this text comes from The Ultimate Guide to N64 Gaming, a list of summarised reviews from old issues. Scores from other UK Nintendo magazines are included at the bottom.

64 Magazine (volume 15)

Issue 9: REVIEWER Roy Kimber
THEN: "Cunning puzzles... the multiplayer mode is ace... excellent." 86%
NOW: The multiplayer mode is so not ace! Fortunately, the main game holds up quite well as a platform puzzler. 80%

On the SNES, the multi-player game made this a classic. On the N64 the battle mode is a profound flop, but the on-eplayer game almost compensates. Mario-style landscapes present puzzles to be solved - not by running and jumping, but with careful placement of bombs! It's a game that grows on you, but it'll never have the appeal of its 16-bit ancestor. 80%

Dated 18th June 1998. The first quote comes from the "Son of Retro Rockets" feature, where reviews from previous issues were revisited and how their opinions had changed since then. The second quote comes from the Nindex.

Plug 'n' Play Games Nº 2

Sei que alguns fãs dos antigos Bombermans vão torcer o nariz quando verem seu clássico tão mudado, mas independente disso, o jogo ficou com boa jogabilidade e vale a pena conferir, ainda mais que é bem provável que esse estilo predomine nos futuros consoles que estão por vir.

(translation) I know that some fans of the old Bomberman will twist their noses when they see their classic so changed, but regardless of that, the game has good gameplay and worth checking, even more likely that this style predominates in future consoles that are for come over.

Release date unknown. Despite taking a while to adapt to the Battle mode's 3D perspective, reviewer Himaru ultimately praises the game's new look and style. Awarded an 81% score. Scans from Retro Scans.

Total 64 (volume 1, issue 12)

The idea of Bomberman appearing on the N64 was almost too much to bear. My memories of the little tyke go way back to the year 1992, when I persuaded a certain Justin Calvert (as he was known back then) to buy a game called Dyna Blaster for his Amiga. It was a great buy: the hours we spent blowing the living daylights out of each other don't bear thinking about. So when Bomberman 64 came into the office I was expecting great things. But no, it wasn't to be. By changing an unbeatable formula, Hudson have upset the balance of Bomberman by transporting him into a 3D world.

Gone are the blocks, the inventive levels and the tactics needed to be successful at this game. What we are left with is a mad scramble, the result of which is determined by luck more than anything else. I'm afraid this comes nowhere near the perfection of the old SNES incarnation. Bomberman 64 is one of the biggest let-downs of the year.
ISSUE NINE SCORE: 75%

Date unknown, reviewer unknown. This quick sum-up is part of the Reviews Round-Up, summarising reviews from past issues (I don't have issue 9).
"One of the biggest let-downs of the year" gets a 75% score. Video game journalism, folks!

Characters

Bomberman / ボンバーマン

The hero of Planet Bomber and our mute protagonist. After Altair's Black City starts wrecking the cities, he's beckoned into action by Sirius to fight back.

Sirius / シリウス

Named after the star Sirius.

Altair / アルタイル

Named after the stars Altair and Vega.

Capella / カペラ (Artemis)

Named after the star Capella. The English version names her after the Greek goddess Artemis.

Haut / ハウト (Orion)

Named after the star Fomalhaut. The English version names him after Orion of Greek mythology.

Regulus / レグルス

Named after the star Regulus.

Emulation notes

Because of the Nintendo 64's variable emulation accuracy, I want to talk about plug-ins for a bit!
The game's official resolution is 320x240 with black borders; outside of this section, those borders have been cropped out. For the most part the angrylion's RDP with OpenGL 1.5 is used for all screenshots, though if I couldn't bear the speed, Glide64 is the fallback.

This game (and plenty of other Nintendo 64 titles for that matter) has been trouble for emulators for the longest time; most plugins would render a majority of the game as a solid black screen!

Jabo's Direct3D8 graphic plugin was the best it got for a long time, blacking out on certain screens and not rendering fade-outs, but Glide64 Final is the most ideal option. The entire game can be played from start to finish with no blackouts, though it may suffer a bit of slowdown when lots of objects or transparencies are used, particularly in Battle Mode.

For total visual accuracy, angrylion's RDP with OpenGL 1.5 graphic plugin paired with the Static Interpreter RSP plugin are what you want. It appears totally accurate to the original Nintendo 64 hardware... but it's also frighteningly slow. We're talking single-digit frames-per-second unless you have a beefy machine!
The one possible quibble with this plugin is it applies a visual grain to the entire screen, probably an artifact from its fog system that most other plugins interpet as a black screen.

Most plugins have transparency issues; the easiest way to test this is look at the goal gems in Green Garden. This also impacts visual effects like the fusion between Altair and Vega or the battle against Master.
The sharp aliased edges in the angrylion plugin only apply to screenshots; the emulator applies a light blur to mask it like on N64 hardware.

Project64 emulator (Glide64 Final)

Project64 emulator (angrylion's RDP with OpenGL 1.5)

The 'dissolve' effect only appears to work consistently with the angrylion plugin; otherwise Altair will just vanish in his death scene, instead of vapourising.

Glide64 is one image behind whenever the game uses a 'screenshot' - the intro and credits sequence demonstrate this easily. Bighead's N64 Multiple Game Configuration List claims this is a Project64 issue, and can be remedied in Glide64's options.

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