Bomberman (universe)
| Bomberman (universe) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Konami Hudson Soft Interplay |
| Publisher(s) | Konami Hudson Soft Interplay Sinclair Research Mattel Nintendo Ubisoft |
| Genre(s) | Action Maze Puzzle |
| Console/platform of origin | PC-8801 |
| First installment | Bomberman (1983) |
| Latest installment | Super Bomberman R 2 (2023) |
The Bomberman universe (ボンバーマン, Bomberman) is a series of maze-based action and puzzle games formerly developed and published by the late 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 major installment during Ultimate's release being Super Bomberman R in 2017 as a timed Nintendo Switch exclusive.
Franchise description
Originally developed as a strategic maze-based computer game by Hudson Soft, Bomber Man debuted in 1983. Also known as Eric and the Floaters in Europe, this game laid the foundation for the series: players navigate a maze, placing bombs that explode horizontally and vertically, to destroy enemies and blocks within their range while avoiding self-destruction. Unlike later entries, Bomber Man featured an archaeologist on a quest for hidden treasures guarded by balloon-like enemies called Floaters, who would become mainstays of the franchise. Following this game, an enhanced port known as 3-D Bomberman was released featuring a first-person perspective. This marked the last appearance of the archaeologist character.
In 1985, Hudson Soft ported the original game to the Super Famicom with a complete makeover. Simply named Bomberman, this port introduced a new protagonist, created using recycled sprites from their earlier game Lode Runner. It also debuted iconic power-ups like Fire-Up, Bomb-Up, and Remote Control, which became staples of the series. Interestingly, the game served as a prequel to Lode Runner, with the ending showing Bomberman transforming into the Lode Runner character upon reaching the surface. Following this, Hudson Soft would produce other games for later consoles such as Bomber Boy for the Game Boy and Bomberman for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1990, the first of which would bring the series' iconic multiplayer battle mode and introduce the concept of multiple Bombermen. The following year, these elements would appear in an arcade version of Bomberman and Bomberman II for NES.
Following several other releases, including Bomber Man World and Bomberman '93, the series took a major step with Super Bomberman for SNES in 1993, which brought exciting new elements like the Power Glove and Pierce Bomb power-ups. The same year, Bomberman '94 introduced Louies, animal companions that became a common fixture of the series and Buggler, the most consistently appearing antagonist of the series. Super Bomberman was later followed with successors such as Super Bomberman 2 in 1994, which introduced the Five Dastardly Bombers, cyborg antagonists who appeared in multiple games. One of them, Pretty Bomber, later evolved into the series' leading female character.
In 1996, the Sega Saturn received Saturn Bomberman, introducing the Hige Hige Bandits and Mujoe. Hudson Soft's next major project was Bomberman 64, the first fully 3D game in the series. It reinvented the formula, replacing the grid-based movement with open 3D environments and eight-way movement, and also introduced the concept of Bomb Pumping. The next year, Hudson Soft released a more classic Bomberman experience with Bomberman World for PlayStation, as well as Bomberman Hero, which marked the series' only foray into 3D platforming. 1998 saw the release of Bomberman Party Edition, featuring a complete single-player remake of the NES port of Bomberman. 1999 brought Bomberman 64: The Second Attack!, a sequel expanding upon its predecessor with a deeper storyline, improved graphics, and the debut of more element bombs. This game's biggest addition was Bomberman's new companion, Pommy, who acted as a helper character and could transform based on his food consumption. The game's free-roaming 3D mantle would later be succeeded by Bomberman Generation in 2002.
The early 2000's saw several minor projects and spin-offs such as the Bomberman Land games. Seeking a more mature audience, Hudson Soft attempted to rebrand the series in 2006 with Bomberman: Act Zero, which was critically panned upon release. Several smaller, classic-styled downloadable games would release in the years following this, such as Bomberman Live, Bomberman Blast, and Bomberman Ultra. 2008 also saw the release of Bomberman 2 for Nintendo DS, also known as Custom Battler Bomberman. In January 2011, Konami absorbed Hudson Soft and was fully merged in March 2012. This resulted in the acquisition of some famous Hudson series, with Bomberman being one of them, the series mainly continued to appear on mobile devices until 2017, when Super Bomberman R launched as a timed Nintendo Switch exclusive. It became the best-selling Bomberman game, leading to a resurgence with games such as Bombergirl, Amazing Bomberman and Super Bomberman R 2.
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
Headgear
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 10 games. The latest game represented in this universe is Super Bomberman R, released on March 3, 2017.
Bomberman (PC88-01)
- Assist Trophy:
This game features the earliest version of the Bomberman (formatted as "Bomber Man").
- Spirits:
- Bomberman appears as a spirit.
Lode Runner (NES)
- Assist Trophy:
- Bomberman's current design originates from this game.
Bomberman (NES)
- Assist Trophy:
- Bomberman's current design makes its series debut in this version.
- Bomberman's Remote Bombs originate from this game.
Bomber Boy
- Playable character:
- The Black Bomberman first appeared in this game.
Bomberman (TurboGrafx-16)
- Playable character:
- Bomberman appears as a costume for the Mii Brawler, with its overall design originating from this game.
- The Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue Bombermen originate from this game.
- Assist Trophy:
- Bomberman's design used in Ultimate originates from this game.
Bomberman '93
- Playable character:
- The Pink, Cyan, and Purple Bombermen first appear in this game.
Super Bomberman
- Playable character:
- The Orange Bomberman originates from this game.
Super Bomberman 2
- Playable character:
- The Lime Green Bomberman first appeared in this game.
- Assist Trophy:
- The design for Remote Bombs comes from this game.
Hi-Ten Bomberman
- Playable character:
- The Brown Bomberman originates from this game.
Super Bomberman R
- Playable character:
- Bomberman's model was ripped directly from this game.
- Assist Trophy:
- Both the standard bombs and Bomberman's model are ripped directly from this game.
- Music:
- "Grand Prix Battle Stage - Central": Used in the Mii costume reveal trailer for Bomberman in Ultimate.
