From console to console and generation to generation, Hudson’s expert demolitionist has provided an outlet for gamers looking to blow things up, though these "things" usually consist of other players since the real draw of the Bomberman series is its frantic and fast paced multiplayer. This version is no different — Bomberman on the Nintendo DS provides a high-octane multiplayer experience for up to eight players, but when it’s time to play alone Bomberman is nothing but a dud.
Bomberman games haven’t really played very different since the first one came out in 1983, so those familiar with the series will be able to dive right in. In the single player game, the object is to defeat all of the enemies on a stage in order to move on to the next one. Stages are filled with blocks that restrict access to other parts of the stage, so the player must lay a bomb in front of any destructible areas to move on. Sometimes a power-up will be found after a wall is destroyed. These power-ups range from as simple as speeding the character up, to kicking bombs across the level.
"... a high-octane multiplayer experience..."
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The enemies, who are usually also trapped in other areas of the stage, have different powers. Sometimes they can shoot fire, sometimes they can throw your bombs back at you, and sometimes they can even travel through blocks as though they aren’t there. None of them provide a real challenge, however, and the real enemy is the time limit imposed on each level. Not completing the level in time doesn’t kill the player, but instead releases deadly enemies that are almost impossible to get away from.
Each of the ten worlds in single player consists of ten levels and a boss fight. The boss fights are fairly standard fare, and would have benefited from more creativity in design. In fact, the single player adventure becomes an exercise in monotony management after the first few worlds; no unlockables are released for clearing the levels, so there’s really no reason to press on at all. Also hampering the experience is forced inclusion of the touch-screen. Instead of power-ups being instant, they’re saved up and can be accessed by a finger touch at any point. While it’s nice to have power-ups saved up incase of an unplanned death, the system is clunky and slows down what should be a speedy experience.
It should go without saying that multiplayer is the real reason to own any Bomberman title, and it remains true for this installment in the series as well. While the multiplayer will feel completely familiar, this version of Bomberman tries to shake things up by using the DS microphone. Unfortunately, this option falls flatter than a third-grade date. Making bombs explode is as simple as saying "Boom!" into the microphone, but it feels tacked on considering there’s already a power-up for manual detonation. Some people may enjoy it, but many will be glad its use is optional.
"... as a single-player adventure Bomberman simply fizzles."
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Fortunately the other capabilities of the DS are used with better results adding excitement to the Bomberman formula. The extending the map to both screens was genius; not only are there more power-ups available, but it creates room for some truly epic eight person battles and eliminates the power-up saving system from the single player mode. Including wireless multiplayer (up to eight people with one cart) was also a great move, considering all of the modes and stages Hudson included.
Everything is customizable, so if you’re not a fan of that skull power-up, you can simply turn it off, or if you’re not a fan of the speedy stage, you aren’t forced to play there. Of course, any number from one to eight can play in the multiplayer arena, and the player can set as many bots as they want to fill the void. If it’s just two of you, why not take on a team of six bots? Or two teams of three? Or three teams of two? Hudson puts the power in your hands, so it’s really up to you.
"Great Multipalyer, though it’s an incomplete package."
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Bomberman provides a great multiplayer experience, but as a full package it leaves something to be desired. Its cheap price may justify a look for gamers looking for something to enjoy with DS owning friends – there really is almost nothing to complain about when it comes to the multiplayer – but as a single-player adventure Bomberman simply fizzles.
