is a
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
franchise
Franchise may refer to:
Business and law
* Franchising, a business method that involves licensing of trademarks and methods of doing business to franchisees
* Franchise, a privilege to operate a type of business such as a cable television p ...
created by Shinichi Nakamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara, originally developed by
Hudson Soft and currently owned by
Konami
, is a Japanese multinational video game and entertainment company headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, it also produces and distributes trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, pachinko machines, slot machines, and arcade cabinets. Konami has casino ...
.
The
original game, also known as ''Bakudan Otoko'' (爆弾男), was released in Japan in July 1983 and has since spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs released on numerous platforms, as well as several
anime
is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...
and
manga adaptations.
As of 1998, the series has sold over 10 million copies. The most recent iteration, ''
Super Bomberman R 2'', was released on September 12, 2023 on
Nintendo Switch,
PlayStation 4,
PlayStation 5,
Xbox One
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third base console in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was first released in North America, parts of ...
,
Xbox Series X/S
The Xbox Series X/S are home video game consoles developed by Microsoft. They were both released on November 10, 2020, as the fourth generation Xbox, succeeding the Xbox One. Along with Sony's PlayStation 5, also released in November 202 ...
.
Gameplay
Most games in the ''Bomberman'' franchise largely revolve around two modes of play; single player campaigns where the player must defeat enemies and reach an exit to progress through levels, and multiplayer modes where players must attempt to eliminate each other and be the last one standing. Gameplay involves strategically placing down bombs, which explode in multiple directions after a certain amount of time, in order to destroy obstacles and kill enemies and other players. The player can pick up various power-ups, giving them benefits such as larger explosions or the ability to place more bombs down at a time. The player is killed if they touch an enemy or get caught up in a bomb's explosion, including their own, requiring players to be cautious of their own bomb placement. In addition to the main maze-based ''Bomberman'' games, some spin-off titles involve adventure,
platformer
A platform game (often simplified as platformer and sometimes called a jump 'n' run game) is a sub-genre of action game, action video games in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform game ...
,
puzzle, and
kart racing
Kart racing or karting is a road racing variant of motorsport with open-wheel, four-wheeled vehicles known as go-karts or shifter karts. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits, although some professional kart races are also held on fu ...
gameplay.
Story
Plot
Several games in the series are loosely connected through
recurring characters
A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who frequently appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in more than one episode, sometimes being the main foc ...
and settings.
The
1985 game for
Famicom / Nintendo Entertainment System (and ''
Atomic Punk
''Atomic Punk'', released in Japan as and in Europe as ''Dynablaster'', is a video game released for the Game Boy in 1990 by Hudson Soft, as part of the ''Bomberman'' series. It was the first game of the series to be released on the Game Boy ...
'' for
Game Boy
The is an 8-bit fourth generation handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on April 21, 1989, in North America later the same year, and in Europe in late 1990. It was designed by the same t ...
) begins with "Bomberman" (the eponymous character of the game) who worked day in and day out making bombs in an underground compound, but he dreamed of
liberty
Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom.
In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...
, so he plotted his escape. After hearing a rumor that robots reaching the surface become human, he decides to escape. He was aided by the only skill he knew, bomb making. He uses the bombs to destroy the enemies preventing his escape and to clear blocked walls. When he reaches the surface, he transforms into an organic human being and becomes known as the "
Runner
Running is a method of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. Running is a type of gait characterized by an aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground (though there are exceptions). This is ...
". This storyline is not present in some versions, such as ''
Bomberman Party Edition'', and this setting was largely abandoned but used for connections with Hudson's ''Lode Runner'' games and ''
Bomberman: Act Zero''.
In the ''
Bomberman
is a video game franchise originally developed by Hudson Soft and currently owned by Konami. The original game, also known as ''Bakudan Otoko'' (''爆弾男''), was released in Japan in July 1983 and has since spawned multiple sequels and sp ...
'' for the
TurboGrafx-16
The TurboGrafx-16, known as the outside North America, is a home video game console designed by Hudson Soft and sold by NEC Home Electronics. It was the first console marketed in the fourth generation, commonly known as the 16-bit era, thoug ...
, Bomberman is used as a prototype for further Bomberman robots by Dr. Mitsumori. To distinguish him from other Bombermen, the main character is given the name White Bomberman (or White Bomber). In earlier appearances, the second Bomberman model (known as Black Bomberman) was usually the rival or the main antagonist.
In the ''
Super Bomberman'' series, the two characters would regularly join forces to handle bigger threats, most notably the evil alien Professor Bagura and the Five Dastardly Bombers, the Hige Hige Bandits (led by Mujoe and Dr. Mechado), as well as a mysterious rival known as Regulus.
Characters
* Bomberman, also referred to as "White Bomberman", "White Bomber", "Cheerful White" (in ''
Bomberman Land Touch!''), "Bomber John" (in ''
Bomberman Touch''), and (in Japan) "Shirobon", is the hero of the series. In the standard games, he is the protagonist and
player-character
A player character (also known as a playable character or PC) is a fictional character in a video game or tabletop role-playing game whose actions are controlled by a player rather than the rules of the game. The characters that are not control ...
. He is usually portrayed as the heroic yet cheerful type, often saving his home planet from disaster. Like all Bombermen, he has the ability to generate bombs in his hands. In later games, such as ''
Bomberman Max
''Bomberman Max: Blue Champion'' and ''Bomberman Max: Red Challenger'' are video games released for the Game Boy Color on May 14, 2000. The game was followed by ''Bomberman Max 2'' which was released for the Game Boy Advance on June 4, 2002. There ...
'' and ''
Bomberman Tournament
''Bomberman Tournament'' is a game in the ''Bomberman'' series for the GBA. The game contains a multiplayer battle mode between linked Game Boy Advances. The player and up to three others can compete in any of the game's eight multiplayer battl ...
'', he is shown to be part of an interplanetary police force stationed at Bomber Base. The White Bomberman also made appearances in other games, such as ''
Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!'', a Bomberman game featuring Bomberman alongside
Nintendo mascot
Mario
is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the ''Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his cre ...
's rival,
Wario
is a fictional character in Nintendo's ''Mario'' series, designed as an arch-rival to Mario. He first appeared in the 1992 Game Boy game '' Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins'' as the main antagonist and final boss. His name is a portmanteau ...
(although that was not the case in Japan). He also appears in ''
DreamMix TV World Fighters''—a Hudson
fighting game with characters from Hudson Soft,
Konami
, is a Japanese multinational video game and entertainment company headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, it also produces and distributes trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, pachinko machines, slot machines, and arcade cabinets. Konami has casino ...
, and
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. (株式会社タカラ) was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955. In March 2006, the company merged with Tomy Co., Ltd. to form Takara Tomy. The Takara motto was 遊びは文化」("playing is culture").
Products Toys
In 1 ...
, and in the
Nintendo fighting game ''
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' is a 2018 crossover fighting video game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fifth installment in the '' Super Smash Bros.'' series, succeed ...
'' as a non-playable Assist Trophy and as a Mii Fighter outfit. He even makes a giant playable appearance in ''
Star Parodier'', a spoof of the ''
Star Soldier
A star is an astronomical object comprising a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by its gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night, but their immense distances from Earth ma ...
'' series, which is also developed by Hudson Soft. He has been featured in three
anime
is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...
series; ''
Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden
, commonly abbreviated as or ''BBB'', is a ''CoroCoro Comic'' series created by Koichi Mikata, based on Bomberman and B-Daman. An animated television series was created and originally broadcast on Nagoya TV and TV Asahi at 17:00. It was al ...
'' and ''
Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V
''Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden Victory'' or is a Coro Coro Comic series by Koichi Mikata, based on ''Bomberman'' and ''B-Daman''. The animated television series is broadcast on Nagoya TV. V stands for "Victory" but the anime is also based o ...
'' are based on the
marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite. Marble is typically not foliated (layered), although there are exceptions. In geology, the term ''marble'' refers to metamorphose ...
shooting game
B-Daman, while ''
Bomberman Jetters
is a 2002 Japanese anime television series produced by NAS and TV Tokyo and animated by Studio Deen. It has also spawned two manga series and three video games, one of which was also localized and given an English dub. It is based on ...
'' inspired the video game of the same name. In the anime ''Bomberman Jetters'', he had an older brother named Mighty. and he also made a cameo appearance in the 2015 film,
Pixels
In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest point in an all points addressable display device.
In most digital display devices, pixels are the sm ...
.
* Black Bomberman ("Cool Black" in ''
Bomberman Land Touch!'') looks identical to Bomberman, only he is colored black and doesn't have white pants. In many of his first appearances, he was shown to be the main rival of Bomberman, often performing acts such as robbing banks to fight him. He eventually becomes a gradual friend of Bomberman, and acts as the second player in the two-player story modes of the games. Hudson has given him a cool and collected personality in the later games. In his first appearance, he also led Red Bomber, Blue Bomber, Green Bomber, and Yellow Bomber.
* Max first appears in ''
Bomberman Max
''Bomberman Max: Blue Champion'' and ''Bomberman Max: Red Challenger'' are video games released for the Game Boy Color on May 14, 2000. The game was followed by ''Bomberman Max 2'' which was released for the Game Boy Advance on June 4, 2002. There ...
'' as one of the main characters. He is somewhat competitive and arrogant, as shown in his first appearance that despite the urgency of the mission, he challenges Bomberman to a contest to see who can gather the most Charaboms. Max wears a black suit of armor with a helmet that completely hides his face. He is also a playable character in the game ''
Bomberman Jetters
is a 2002 Japanese anime television series produced by NAS and TV Tokyo and animated by Studio Deen. It has also spawned two manga series and three video games, one of which was also localized and given an English dub. It is based on ...
'', where he joins Bomberman in the fight against the Hige Hige Bandits again, and he is an unlockable character for the battle mode of ''
Bomberman Generation
is a 2002 video game released for the GameCube. It was followed up by ''Bomberman Jetters''.
Gameplay
''Bomberman Generation'' consists of six worlds consisting of about five levels each. The levels involve puzzles, mini games, Pokémon-like ba ...
''. He is also unlockable in ''
Bomberman 2
''Bomberman 2'' (''Custom Battler Bomberman'' in Japan) is a video game for the Nintendo DS. Part of the ''Bomberman
is a video game franchise originally developed by Hudson Soft and currently owned by Konami. The original game, also know ...
'' for Nintendo DS. His backstory is greatly expanded upon in ''
Bomberman Tournament
''Bomberman Tournament'' is a game in the ''Bomberman'' series for the GBA. The game contains a multiplayer battle mode between linked Game Boy Advances. The player and up to three others can compete in any of the game's eight multiplayer battl ...
'', revealing him to be a native of the planet Phantarion who became a cyborg due to injuries sustained during the first invasion attempt of the Five Dastardly Bombers.
* Dr. Ein (also known as Professor Ein) is a scientist who assists Bomberman. He is eccentric and doesn't seem to show many emotions. He is fat, has white spiky hair, and glasses with spirals covering the lenses. Despite never having a playable appearance, one of the customization sets in ''
Bomberman Live
''Bomberman Live'' is a downloadable video game for the Xbox Live Arcade, developed by Backbone Entertainment as part of the Bomberman, ''Bomberman'' franchise. The game was announced on May 16, 2007 and released later that year. It would later se ...
'' lets Bomberman wear Dr. Ein's lab coat and glasses.
* Charabon (also known as Karabon) are small creatures that help Bomberman progress by granting him abilities. First appearing in ''Bomberman Max'', each game featuring Charabon features a unique set of them. Bomberman often finds Charabon trapped in cages, and he can partner with one to use its ability. He can also fuse them together and battle them against others. Pommy is a recurring Charabon, who first appears in ''
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack'', where he is a loyal, but cowardly sidekick and a mimic. He is capable of shooting lightning and taking on many different forms. In ''
Bomberman Tournament
''Bomberman Tournament'' is a game in the ''Bomberman'' series for the GBA. The game contains a multiplayer battle mode between linked Game Boy Advances. The player and up to three others can compete in any of the game's eight multiplayer battl ...
'', he can teleport. Charabons have four possible elemental attributes, of which they can have up to three: Fire, represented by dinosaurs and dragons; Water, represented by fish and mollusks; Earth, represented by beasts; and Electric, represented by Pommy's various forms. The elemental attributes have a simple
rock-paper-scissors
Rock paper scissors (also known by other orderings of the three items, with "rock" sometimes being called "stone," or as Rochambeau, roshambo, or ro-sham-bo) is a hand game originating in China, usually played between two people, in which each p ...
relationship, with Water being strong against Fire, Fire being strong against Earth, Earth being strong against Electric, and Electric being strong against Water (Water and Earth are neutral against each other and usually don't harm each other; the same is true of Fire and Electric).
* Louie (also known as Rooi) are kangaroo-like animals with rabbit ears who help Bomberman by letting him ride on their backs. In ''
Super Bomberman 4'', they were replaced by various animals, and in ''
Saturn Bomberman'' by the dinosaur-like Tyra / Tirra.
* The Bad Bombers (a.k.a. the Five Dastardly Bombers) are a gang of five recurring boss enemies in several games of the series. They were produced by Professor Bagura.
[『Super Bomberman 3』Japanese manual page 21.] Magnet Bomber sports a scarf-like cape, has a magnet shape attached to his helmet, and uses bombs that are attracted to his enemies. Golem Bomber is much larger than the others and he utilizes fire bombs. Pretty Bomber is distinguished from her male counterparts by her pink skirt, yellow
neckerchief
A neckerchief (from ''neck'' (n.) + ''kerchief''), sometimes called a necker, kerchief or scarf, is a type of neckwear associated with those working or living outdoors, including farm labourers, cowboys and sailors. It is most commonly still see ...
, and the large yellow heart attached to her helmet. She also appears as a close friend to Bomberman in several games, where both White and Black Bomber are attracted to her. Brain Bomber(known as Phantom Bomber in ''Super Bomberman R'') is the engineer of the group, who wears a cloak and has the symbol of a crown on his helmet. He is shorter than the other characters and sometimes floats above the group. Plasma Bomber is the leader. Plasma Bomber wears a neckerchief and has a lightning bolt attached to his helmet that can create electric currents.
* Professor Bagura (also known as Bagular, Burglar or Bugler) is the main villain in many of the games. He resembles a blue and white, large, elderly man with a bushy white beard, a
monocle
A monocle is a type of corrective lens used to correct or enhance the visual perception in only one eye. It consists of a circular lens, generally with a wire ring around the circumference that can be attached to a string or wire. The other ...
, and a cape. He first appears as the main villain of ''
Bomberman '94
is a video game from the ''Bomberman'' series which was developed and published by Hudson Soft for the PC Engine and released on December 10, 1993, in Japan. It was later re-developed by Westone and re-published by Sega as ''Mega Bomberman'' o ...
'', in which he attempts to run a comet-disguised ship into Planet Bomber after throwing it into chaos. He later appears in several games, including ''
Super Bomberman 3'', ''
Super Bomberman 4'', ''
Bomberman Hero
is a platforming video game and the second ''Bomberman'' game for the Nintendo 64. It was originally planned as a ''Bonk''/''PC Kid'' game known as ''Ultra Genjin'', but became a Bomberman game during development.
A further departure from the ...
'', ''
Bomberman World
is a List of maze video games, maze Action game, action video game released in 1998 by Hudson Soft for the PlayStation (console), PlayStation. It is part of the ''Bomberman'' series. The game was also re-released for Personal computer, PCs in 20 ...
'', and ''
Neo Bomberman''. In some odd appearances, he is reduced to a brain that wants to rebuild an empire and wants revenge on Bomberman. In the
anime
is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...
, he is the true leader of the Hige Hige Bandits, with Mujoe as his second-in-command. Dr. Mechado also serves the group by creating technology, such as the Hige-Hige Bandits, small robotic minions who are very weak and serve under Mujoe.
Other media
*''
Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden
, commonly abbreviated as or ''BBB'', is a ''CoroCoro Comic'' series created by Koichi Mikata, based on Bomberman and B-Daman. An animated television series was created and originally broadcast on Nagoya TV and TV Asahi at 17:00. It was al ...
''
*''
Bomberman Jetters
is a 2002 Japanese anime television series produced by NAS and TV Tokyo and animated by Studio Deen. It has also spawned two manga series and three video games, one of which was also localized and given an English dub. It is based on ...
''
**
2002 video game
See also
*
Battle royale game
A battle royale game is an online multiplayer video game genre that blends last-man-standing gameplay with the survival, exploration and scavenging elements of a survival game. Battle royale games involve dozens to hundreds of players, who st ...
*
Last man standing (video games)
Last man standing (LMS) or last team standing (LTS) is a multiplayer deathmatch gameplay mode featured in some first-person shooter computer and video games, and is also the essence of battle royale games. The aim of a player in a last man standi ...
References
External links
Bomberman Series Official Site– Hudson Soft (Japanese) on Wayback Machine
Hudson – Bomberman Portal Page– Hudson Soft (US) on Wayback Machine
– Hudson Soft (Japanese) on Wayback Machine
''Bomberman'' gameson
MobyGames
*
{{Konami franchises
Hudson Soft games
Konami franchises
Extraterrestrial superheroes
Robot superheroes
Video game superheroes
Video game franchises introduced in 1983About "Bomber Man (Bakudan Otoko、爆弾男)" series<-->