Bomberman (universe)

Bomberman (universe)
Developer(s)	Konami Hudson Soft
Publisher(s)	Konami Hudson Soft
Genre(s)	Action Maze Puzzle
Console/platform of origin	PC-8801
First installment	Bomber Man (1983)
Latest installment	Super Bomberman R Online (2020)

The Bomberman universe (ボンバーマン, Bomberman) is a series of maze-based action and puzzle games formally developed and published by Hudson Soft and currently developed and published by Konami. The first installment of the series, Bomberman, launched on various home computers in 1983, and was released on Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. The series received more than 70 other titles released on various consoles, with its latest installment being Super Bomberman R in 2017.

Franchise Description

The original Dig Dug was created to be in contrast with the original Pac-Man. While that game tasked players with navigating through pre-made mazes, this new game allowed players to make their own mazes. This manifested in the player digging holes both vertically and horizontally, dodging obstacles and flanking enemies. When an enemy is in the right position, the player can use their air pump to burst them. If an enemy gets too close, the player can also use the pump to briefly stun them and make a retreat. The game released on February 20, 1982, on the Galaga arcade board to critical and commercial success, being the second best-selling video game of the year behind Pole Position.

The game received a sequel in 1985. Titled Dig Dug II and released on the Super Pac-Man arcade board, the game adopts a top down perspective and involves the player activate fault lines in the ground to sink portions of the map and drown enemies with out accidentally drowning themselves. The game received a mixed reception and significantly lower sales than its predecessor. These disappointing sales are often credited to the game’s vast departure from the first game and overall more restrictive and less strategic gameplay.

A pseudo sequel released in 1996 as part of Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2 titled Dig Dug Arrangement. While fundamentally similar to the original, the game includes new enemies, power-ups, boss fights, and 2 player co-op play. A full 3D remake of the original was released in 2001 titled Dig Dug Deeper. A proper sequel released in 2006 for Nintendo DS titled Dig Dug: Digging Strike, which combined elements of the first two arcade games with a bigger emphasis on story. An MMO version of the game titled Dig Dug Island released as an adaptation of Dig Dug II where many players can play the game online simultaneously. Servers shut down less than a year later in 2009 due to poor player numbers.

The character of Dig Dug has also made appearances in many other games, usually as cameos alongside other characters from the game such as Pooka. Other instances include several slot machines in 2003, multiple webcomics, and Dig Dug music remixes being used in other games. A particularly notable appearance is in the Mr. Driller series. Dig Dug, now officially renamed Taizo Hori, is the canonical father of protagonist Susumu Hori, who he had with his now divorced wife Masuyo “Kissy” Tobi from the Baraduke series.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!, the Virtual Boy version of Panic Bomber, Bomberman Hero (in PAL versions only), and Classic NES Series: Bomberman are mentioned among the titles listed in the Chronicle in Western versions of Brawl. However, no other content from the series is seen anywhere else in the game.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The Bomberman universe would receive a huge upgrade in terms of representation, with its eponymous character appearing as an assist trophy, a spirit, and as a purchasable Mii costume later in 2020.

Assist Trophy

Bomberman: The main protagonist of the games appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. When summoned in battle, Bomberman will run and jump across the stage, laying down bombs. After a few seconds, the bombs detonate in cross-shaped patterns reminiscent of the original Bomberman games, dealing damage and knockback to the enemies hit and possibly to himself. Enemies can move the bombs around by hitting them, and Bomberman can also be defeated.

Mii Costume

Bomberman appears as a Mii Costume for the Mii Brawler in Round 7 of the paid Mii Costume DLC. The Mii's color affects the color of the costume.

Outfit

• Bomberman Outfit (DLC)

Headgear

• Bomberman Mask (DLC)

Spirit

Bomberman also appears as a spirit.

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability
1,293		Bomberman		★★★	2	2688	8107	1882	5675	806	2432	No Effect

Games with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series

The Bomberman universe has games represented throughout the Super Smash Bros. series with a total of 12 games. The latest game represented in this universe is Super Bomberman R, released on March 3, 2017.

Bomberman (1983)

• Assist Trophy:
  • This game features the earliest version of the Bomberman (formatted as "Bomber Man").
• Spirits
  • Bomberman appears as a spirit

Lode Runner (NES) (1983)

• Assist Trophy:
  • Bomberman's current design originates from this game.

Bomberman (1985)

• Assist Trophy:
  • Bomberman's current design makes its series debut in this version.
  • Bomberman's Remote Bombs originate from this game.

Bomberman (1990)

• Playable character:
  • Bomberman appears as a costume for the Mii Brawler, with its overall design originating from this game.
  • The Black, Green, Yellow, Red and Blue Bombermen originate from this game.
• Assist Trophy:
  • Bomberman's design used in Ultimate originates from this game.

Super Bomberman

• Playable character:
  • Both the Purple and Orange Bombermen originate from this game.

Super Bomberman 2

• Playable character:
  • The Pink, Lime Green and Cyan (Aqua) Bombermen originate from this game.
  • The design for Remote Bombs comes from this game.

Hi-Ten Bomberman

• Playable character:
  • The Brown Bomberman originates from this game.

Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!

• Misc:
  • This game is mentioned in the Chronicle.

Panic Bomber (1995)

• Misc:
  • This game is mentioned in the Chronicle.

Bomberman Hero

• Misc:
  • This game is mentioned in the Chronicle, but only in PAL versions.

Classic NES Series: Bomberman

• Misc:
  • This game is mentioned in the Chronicle.

Super Bomberman R

• Playable character:
  • Bomberman's model was ripped directly from this game.
• Assist Trophy:
  • Both the bombs and Bomberman's model are ripped directly from this game.
• Spirits
  • Bomberman uses artwork from this game
• Music:
  • "Grand Prix Battle Stage - Central": Used in the Mii costume reveal trailer for Bomberman in Ultimate.