Bomberman 64
Reviewed by sloopjm@ctrvax.Vanderbilt.Edu
Well if you're a Bomberman purist, then there's nothing as exhilarating
as crushing three opponents in the multiplayer mode of Super Bomberman
2 for Super NES. Nothing. the reason is simple: Super Bomberman's
multiplayer mode reached it's goal perfectly (possibly even better
than Hudson had intended). Blending quick-thinking, close and long
range attacks, random power ups, and balanced, all-out warfare in a
tight 2-d arena. Multiplaying in Bomberman 64 is more like puoy pouy,
so gamers don't claw their way out of little alleyways; they're dropped
into full range battle arenas. Up to 4 players can take part using the
Nintendo 64's built in ports, dead players can rejoin as ghosts and
piggyback on opponents backs; in several equally clever arenas are
available. Some are simple squares, resembling the last minute of
the plain multiplayer arena from Super Bomberman. Others are based
on full 3D ramps and bridges, with harrowing drop-offs and ledges.
Either way you look at them, kicking and throwing mayhem is easily
and quickly attainable and, even better, bombers retain the ability to
grab bonuses as well as pumping their bombs up to full size for massive
chain-reactions. You can knock opponents semi-unconscious, pick them
up, and you can still play tag team, albeit slower than in Super Bomberman.
The single player mode contains the large, 3D, explorable worlds and
action based adventure we experienced in Super Mario 64, and still
retains the quick, on-the-fly strategy of the multiplayer game from
the past. The single player world is 3D and viewed from an isometric
perspective. Polygonal constructs fill the world with layered buildings,
ancient bridges, dangerous rivers, killer cliffs, hidden paths, spectacular
looking warps, and hordes of the bizarre enemies. Players can pump up
their bombs to at least twice their original size, making them each that
many times powerful. Kicking and throwing are built in abilities, leaving
the collection of familiar power ups slightly slimmer, but no less valuable.
Extra lives, health bonuses, flames, and special power-ups, liked timed
bombs and others, are still part of the arsenal. The gameplay in
Bomberman 64, in the final analysis, is refreshing and relatively
progressive, while not being terribly surprising. Bomberman 64 has
evolved into the 64-bit universe, bringing along the simple charms
it's always been loved for in a good, solid package.