Bomberman
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NYCC 09: Bomberman Ultra hands-on (PSN)
Bomberman isn't Bomberman if it isn't done in that classic 2D, top-down style. It's a simple formula that has transcended generations, making hits when staying true to its roots ... and making facepalms when it doesn't. It's with this thought in mind that we're left unsurprised to see what Hudson has decided to do with Bomberman Ultra -- the latest entry into this 26-year old series. Hudson is sticking to tradition with this PlayStation Network title.Bomberman Ultra is, in a nutshell, a slightly upgraded port of Bomberman Live! which debuted on Xbox Live back in 2007. The visuals are virtually identical as this PS3 version retains a crisp and clean look along with some very vibrant colors. Other identical features include the very same power-ups and character customization options found in Live!. Ultra also contains all of Live!'s additional levels from the Bomb-Up Pack DLC, as well as three all-original stages for a total of 17 playable levels. Gallery: Bomberman Ultra
Bomber man threatens to blow up Bomberman dev
A 29-year-old man in Japan has been arrested for threatening to blow up Bomberman developer Hudson's offices. The publisher obviously had a sense of humor about being torn apart in a fiery blast, as the man had sent 11 terrorizing emails during a four-month period before the company finally decided to do something about it. The misguided gentleman allegedly made the bomb threats because he was unhappy with the quality of Hudson's products.Protip: When unhappy with a company's product or service, don't threaten harm to it or yourself. Make a clear statement by using your wallet as a tool of consumer activism.[Via Kotaku]
Mercs on Virtual Console in North America soon, Twinbee, Bomberman '94 in Australia
Capcom announced today via their official blog that Mercs, the Sega Genesis sequel to Commando, will be available "soon" on the Virtual Console in North America. It's changing the title to Wolf of the Battlefield: Mercs, which both matches the Japanese title for the game and makes the connection more explicit between this game and Capcom's XBLA/PSN release, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. The name change, as implied by Capcom's Seth Killian, has less to do with branding and more to do with the Mercenaries series: "Let this be a lesson kids, register your IPs!"In other Virtual Console news, the OFLC ratings board has revealed that Konami's Twinbee and Hudson's Bomberman '94 could show up on the VC soon. Twinbee for the Famicom never left Japan, though we got a sequel, Stinger.
Bomberman 2 exploding in Europe next month
Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Konami has revealed it will bring Custom Battle Bomberman to Europe next month, on February 13 (so now you know how to win our hearts, in time for the following day). For its western debut, the game will be known by the far blander moniker of Bomberman 2. As the Japanese title suggests, customization is the name of the game here. An extensive (and busy-looking) create-your-own-Bomberman mode will allow you to design your own explosives-toting hero, to be used in the rest of the game. According to Konami's press release, over 160,000 combinations will be possible. According to us, all will look better than the Bombermen from Bomberman: Act Zero.After bolting your Bomberman together, you'll be able to use your creation in Wi-Fi battles for up to four players, or fight in wireless matches for up to eight. Sure, it doesn't beat the ten-player matches of Saturn Bomberman that molded us into the people we are today, but it's not such a logistical nightmare!%Gallery-40903%[Via press release]
XBLM Deal of the Week: Bomberman Live
Larry Hryb – Xbox Live's Major Nelson – has dropped a bomb via his blog. Er, rather, he delivered news of a dropping in price of the Avatar-supporting Bomberman Live. As of Tuesday, December 16, the game will be on sale for 600 ($7.50), down from 800 ($10). The special price will be in effect for seven days.There's still a wee bit of time left to snag last week's deal, the Foo Fighters album The Colour and the Shape for Rock Band, at 1200 ($15). After today, it returns to 1600 ($20).
Holiday Deal of the Week: Bomberman LIVE
Bomberman LIVE, that Xbox Live Arcade game that you've come to obsessively love thanks to the addition of NXE Avatars, is being cheapened. We've just been informed via a nearly frozen carrier pigeon that this week's Holiday Deal of the Week is Bomberman LIVE, which has been discounted to 600 Microsoft points. A 200 point savings over its retail price and something we can only describe as being "blastacular!" The holiday deal goes live Tuesday morning, so prep those MS points for spending. Ho, ho, ho and merry Holiday Deal of the Week! %Gallery-5187%
Top 5: Infections
After visiting friends and relatives this Thanksgiving, I was left with something special inside. Was it fond memories? Was it a deeper connection with those who I love? Was it several containers of leftovers? Sure, I received a fair share of those, but the most significant thing I received this Thanksgiving was the flu. I should have known. At least five different folks I saw over the course of the day claimed to be recovering from some form of the dreaded virus. Sure enough, by Friday evening I was sweating and freezing at once, aching all over, and debating on which end to point at the toilet (too much?). Whenever I get sick, I tend to feel very isolated. While everyone else was out enjoying their four-day weekend, I was tethered to the bed. But it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm certainly not alone. Everyone gets sick sooner or later, and no one is truly immune. In fact, even our video game counterparts have their fair share of sicknesses that affect their goals. And thankfully, just like said counterparts, the infections are usually brief. Here's our Top 5 sicknesses to avoid. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Top 5: Multiplayer Experiences
As someone who writes on the Internets, I do a lot of reading as well. As just about any successful author will advise, if I want to be a better writer then I should be reading as much as possible. Thus, I tend to spend a good amount of time scouring the gaming websites and reading commentary from just about anyone. I wouldn't insult anyone by pointing out flaws in their work (as I'm host to many of my own), but it is sufficient to say that there is great diversity in the quality and other general attributes of gaming commentary. One source that I do consistently enjoy comes from GoNintendo's head honcho, known as RawmeatCowboy. Equal parts Nintendo fan and beard enthusiast, RMC has a passion for gaming unmatched by nearly anyone else in the entire industry. Whereas some journalists and commentators may give off an impression of jaded cynicism, this particular blogger is a bundle of video game-loving joy. Though he's not quite the wordsmith of a Jerry Holkins, his joy and optimism transcend any potential criticism. And after all, that should be the reason we play video games: for happiness. Stepping away from worshipping his shrine, I'll get back on target. In a recent post, RMC discusses offline multiplayer via a get-together involving several friends of his trying out Guitar Hero: World Tour. He states that multiplayer is more enjoyable in person than online, and I find it difficult to disagree. That is not to say that online multiplayer is garbage; quite the opposite is true. Aside from the obvious pragmatics of not always being able to round up a few friends to play a game you enjoy, there's the global aspect behind online gaming. Though I've been battling people online via chess years before any major console had such capabilities, the enormous power of the technology didn't register with me until very recently. As I was connecting to an online race in Mario Kart Wii, the identification of racers on the globe really hit home. Realizing that I was simultaneously connecting with individuals from Japan, China, Germany, and England was strangely beautiful. Despite the fascinating global implications of such connections, I remain a bit of a luddite in that I don't think there's anything better than having your friends in the same room with you while fighting with or against each other. Here's the Top 5 ways we recommend that you enjoy such opportunities. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
PSN Bomberman is simply 'Ultra'
We suppose one more Bomberman won't hurt anything. Then again, can it do any good? Seriously, Hudson today admitted that there have been "over 60 iterations" in this series on nearly all major platforms -- one obvious exception: PlayStation 3. You can guess where this post is headed ...Announcing Bomberman Ultra, arriving worldwide this winter on PSN! Featuring 8-person online multiplayer (4-player local), 14 arenas and more than 150,000 possible outfit combinations. Sound familiar? Our thoughts exactly. %Gallery-33161%
Bomberman blows up Art Style: ORBIENT on WiiWare
God, this just keeps getting better. We thought that last week was the best example of a known quantity trying to sneak its creepy friend past the bouncer and into Club WiiWare, but it's been absolutely topped.On the one hand, you have Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, 1,000 Wii Points) all decked out in his finest suit. He's making eyes at the ladies and he just bought Cristal for everyone in the club. He's the superstar and he knows it.Then we have Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points) which we can find practically nothing on. Seriously. GoNintendo has a single screen shot and Silicon Era thinks it's a Bit Generations game. And that's it. To continue the above analogy, Art Style: ORBIENT is the equivalent of the Little Rascals standing on each others shoulders in a trench coat, and insisting to the bouncer that they're "a real grownup who just wants to drink all the beer and kiss pretty ladies."How do they make it inside? It's a mystery.
Retail and download releases for the week of September 29th
Sorry, folks. Compared to last week's releases (well, maybe just the one release), this week is going to disappoint. We've got some WiiWare releases, one new Virtual Console game and some retail releases, as well. So, head past the break and catch the details.%Gallery-20743%
New Bomberman screens are, predictably, a blast
While Europe gleefully blasts Bombermen at home and online, we must be content to stare at screenshots and artwork of the game, while we sit by and eagerly await our millionth chance to play Bomberman. Hudson has obligingly sent along new screens and art for us to direct our sighs toward. We wouldn't be surprised to see it here soon, though, now that it's out elsewhere.As excited as we are about the 8-player online play, in our minds the 8-player home play is the real star here. We imagine a hypothetical situation in which we could gather enough Bomberman-friendly people in one place, with enough controllers, to make for an awesome party. Game Night seems like a much more ... possible venue for Bombermannery. %Gallery-18349%[Via press release]
VC Friday: Explosive [Update 1]
Clicky clicky for more images We believe the technical term for this is "a no-brainer." Bomberman Blast -- WiiWare -- 1,000 Wii Points Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint -- WiiWare -- 1,500 Wii Points Midnight Pool -- WiiWare -- 800 Wii Points Sorry, Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint, but if you're going to turn up at this party with absolutely no footage to show us and a price tag of 1,500 Wii Points, then you'll be spending the rest of the night alone -- we prefer our thrills cheap. And although we wouldn't usually be so dismissive, Midnight Pool, is it okay with you if we spend the evening just whispering sweet nothings in the ear of Bomberman Blast? It is? Great, punch bowl's over there, go nuts with Plättchen.[Update: Plättchen footage has just entered the building -- hit the break!]%Gallery-18349%
New video of Bomberman: the Not-WiiWare Edition
We were confused for quite a while about the two simultaneously-developed Wii Bomberman games, one for WiiWare and one on a disc. Part of the confusion turned out to be due to the fact that the multiplayer portions of both games were essentially the same, with the retail version adding single-player mode and other extras. Helpfully, this promotional video for Bomberman shows the box and the 5,040 yen ($47) price at the end, which reinforces that this is the retail game and not Bomberman Blast. The video introduces Bomberman's story mode, with adventure sequences (or cutscenes) between Bomberman-style action stages and fights against giant bosses. You can get crystals to power up, and even (apparently) buy equipment for your Bomberman. Then the video shows off the battle mode, which is ... well, Bomberman. As it should be.
Alien Crush Returns, Bomberman Blast to make American debut at PAX
Tycho and Gabe, as well as all those other game companies, must be feeling pretty insecure right now, because they're all going to be upstaged by a humble WiiWare game. Or, at least, that would be the case if this year's Penny Arcade Expo were being attended exclusively by a crowd of weirdos just like us, because Hudson will have Alien Crush Returns and Bomberman Blast on display at their booth. This will be the first official public appearance in North America by either of these games!Fishing Master World Tour and the already-released Deca Sports will also be on display. And Alien Crush Returns! Did we mention that one?%Gallery-19346%%Gallery-18349%[Via press release]
Bomberman Blast detonating on WiiWare
Hudson announced this morning that Bomberman Blast, an "all-new Bomberman," will release for WiiWare at some point in the future. The game will support the use of Miis and 8-player online multiplayer.Don't expect this WiiWare version to be a totally awesome re-imagining of the Bomberman franchise like Act Zero -- the press release makes it sound like this is going to be the same iteration rehash of the formula we've seen for a few decades. There's currently no word on a release window or how online matchmaking will be handled. We've contacted Hudson regarding both matters.
Hudson just can't make up its mind about Bomberman Blast
Click for bigger image Okay, first of all, there are new screens for the upcoming WiiWare title. Hit them up in our gallery below, then come back here, because we're got some things we need to discuss. Back? Good. Okay, to clarify: Bomberman Blast, the WiiWare title for download and not the retail disc, will feature Mii support and 8-person online multiplayer (up to four players can go online on the same Wii) and is officially on its way to North America. We know we told you something else before regarding the Mii stuff, but the press release that literally just landed into our inbox tells another story. So expect this to be one content-rich download.And on top of those details, Hudson also let us know that they'll be offering online tournaments. In fact, one will even coincide with the release of the game (which is due out in Japan this fall)!%Gallery-18349%[Via press release]
Gaming to Go: Bomberman Land Touch! 2
Nobody likes minigames, right? Nintendo's stellar sales have attracted far too many of them, unfortunately, resulting in some pretty bitter words about the white waggle box's expanding library of games. Everyone's favorite handheld has also seen its fair share of minigame collections over the years, only a handful of which are worth your time and money.Bomberman Land Touch! 2 is one of those proud few. That's a pretty debatable point, I'm sure, given the game's paper-thin plot and utterly forgettable soundtrack, but the title does have two redeeming qualities: rockin' multiplayer and a surprisingly solid collection of minigames for you to blast through.I don't even like minigames, honestly, so it's a little puzzling that I've spent over nine obsessive hours playing what Bomberman Land Touch! 2 has to offer. Want to be equally confused? Come along with Gaming to Go and I'll show you just why this bite-sized gameplay is perfect for your next lunch break.%Gallery-11087%
And it shall be called ... Bomberman Blast
Has Hudson really not used the name Bomberman Blast before? Seems like a pretty obvious choice -- but the genius of Bomberman cannot be quantified with words, so we assume Hudson knows exactly the right thing to do at exactly the right time. They simply said: "Let there be Bomberman Blast." And it was so.We discovered earlier that the upcoming blast-fest will actually be split into two versions; the WiiWare edition will be a classic Bomberman experience, whereas the full retail edition features Mii support and bonus content. According to a recent interview with Cubed3, Europe will only be receiving the WiiWare version -- so any shopaholics must be confined to the vast expanse of the internet for any purchasing enjoyment. There's no confirmation which versions will be released in other regions, but by using the simple process of elimination, North America will likely receive the retail copies (unless the differences are significant enough to warrant dual versions in the same region). How does that make you feel? Angry? Wanna blow something up?%Gallery-18349%[Via GamerBytes]
Top 5: Anticipated WiiWare Games
Every Monday, Wii Fanboy brings you the Top 5. Inspired by sages such as David Letterman and John Cusack, the Top 5 will give us a chance to share our opinions on the numerous facets of a vast video game culture. And after all, who doesn't like reading these kinds of lists (and then bitching about them afterwards)? So jump right in, agree or disagree, and maybe leave a comment with your own personal Top 5. The first batch of WiiWare was released awhile ago, and there have been high-profile releases, as well as a few future cult-classics. Despite the plentiful start, there are still many more titles on the horizon. Here's a look at what we are anticipating the most. 5. Bomberman - Since 1983, not much has changed in the Bomberman universe. This has its pros and cons. It's good because the basic Bomberman formula is not one that needs tinkering with. It's bad because, well, it's a little ridiculous to shell out full retail price for the same game generation after generation. Then along comes Bomberman for WiiWare. Nintendo's downloadable service is the perfect platform for a game such as this. With online multiplayer for 2 - 8 players, this release should be everything we need out of Bomberman: simple, classic gameplay for a reasonable price. The reduced cost should be wonderful news for wallets that were unfortunate enough to weather Bomberman, Super Bomberman, Bomberman 64, and Bomberman Generation.
