Bomberman 64

Overview

Bomberman 64, known in Japan as Baku Bomberman (or "Explosive Bomberman") is a 3D sci-fi fantasy top-down platformer developed and published by Hudson Soft for the Nintendo 64 in Japan on September 26, 1997, with an overseas release by Nintendo in December 1997.

Hudson's first foray onto the Nintendo 64, Bomberman 64 is the first game in the Bomberman series to be rendered in polygonal 3D. Rather than maneuvering around a flat level comprised of same-size blocks as in previous games, this game features more expansive environments of different shapes, sizes, and verticality, similar to other 3D games at the time. It includes both a single-player adventure mode and a multi-player battle mode for up to four players, the latter making use of customizable characters.

While it includes most of the series' mainstay objectives and power-ups, players can now move their character in eight directions, bombs now explode in a sphere pattern (rather than a line in the same row and a line in the same column), and players no longer have to clear the playfield of breakable blocks to maneuver. Rather than trapping enemies (or themselves) with bomb placements, much of this game revolves around stunning.

The game's story puts players back into the role of the titular Bomberman, as he must prevent the masked commander Altair and his subordinates (Artemis, Orion, and Regulus) from using the power of the Omni Cube to siphon all energy from Planet Bomber. Aided by the mysterious Sirius, Bomberman must venture through four anchors of the Black Fortress to gain access and then take on Altair himself.

The game received two sequels, Bomberman Hero and Bomberman 64: The Second Attack, each with their own unique gameplay changes (with the former being a faster-paced platformer and the latter bringing back the classic cross-shaped explosions). It later received a digital re-release as a Virtual Console title for the Wii U on March 9, 2017 (in North America) and June 28, 2017 (in Japan).

Gameplay

Bomberman 64 maintains many similar elements from the original games. Bomberman can place bombs or kick them in a straight line. He can also hold and throw bombs, and charge them up to give them a larger explosion area. Bomberman cannot jump, but he can "bomb jump," which involves placing a bomb below a ledge and falling down on it. This will bounce him back up, and allow him to get across gaps. Bombs can also be stacked on top of each other, which can be used in conjunction with the bomb jump to traverse high-up chasms.

There are several power-ups that can be found in each level, all of which have been seen in other Bomberman titles.

• Extra Bombs: Allows Bomberman to have an additional bomb active.
• Extra Range: Expands the (spherical) range of the bomb explosions.
• Remote Bombs: Lets Bomberman place bombs that only explode when triggered.
• Super Bombs: Increases Bomberman's bombs' explosive power so they can destroy through more materials.

At the onset of the game, players can choose any of the four different worlds to explore, each having multiple levels where players must use Bomberman's abilities to solve puzzles and clear obstacles as they make their way to the next zone. In the middle of each world, there will be a sub-boss fight which plays out like older Bomberman titles. At the end of each world, players will be confronted with a unique boss. After the four initial worlds have been cleared, the final world is unlocked.

In every level there are five gold cards that the player can collect. They can be found in secret areas, or by accomplishing certain goals in each level. In boss fights, they are earned by damaging the boss in specific ways. For players going the extra mile and discovering every gold card (100 total), they will be presented with a secret, hidden world after the black fortress. Beating this level will earn them the true ending.

Worlds

The game has 24 total "stages", split into six "worlds". Players can tackle the first four worlds in any order, which then unlocks the fifth world. While it is presented as the final world, collecting all 100 Gold Cards reveals the hidden true final world. Each world is organized in a similar fashion, with the first and third stages being standard stages an the second and fourth stages being boss battles.

Green Garden

Set in lush and ancient ruins. It is seen as the game's tutorial world, with the first stage having Sirius explaining how the game is played. Its boss is a sparring match against Sirius, as well as the large dragon Draco.

1. Untouchable Treasure
2. Friend or Foe?
3. To Have or Have Not
4. Winged Guardian

Blue Resort

Set in a port town along the water. Its boss is Artemis (Kapera in the JP version), as well as the large fish Leviathan.

1. Switches and Bridges
2. VS Artemis
3. Pump it Up!
4. Sewer Savage

Red Mountain

Set in a mine inside a volcano. Its boss is Orion (Hauto in the JP version), as well as the large mining machine Hades.

1. Hot on the Trail
2. VS Orion
3. On the Right Track
4. Hot Avenger

White Glacier

Set in snowy mountains and slippery ice. Its boss is Regulus, as well as the crystalline spider creature Mantis.

1. Blizzard Peaks
2. VS Regulus
3. Shiny Slippy Icy Floor
4. Cold Killers

Black Fortress

A high-tech fortress city, unlocked after clearing the original four worlds. Its boss is the guardian mech Cerberus, as well as a boss battle against Altair.

1. Go for Broke
2. High-Tech Harvester
3. Trap Tower
4. VS Altair

Rainbow Palace

A storybook-fantasy sky castle, unlocked after earning all Gold Cards from the other worlds and then completing "VS Altair".

1. Beyond the Clouds...
2. Spellmaker
3. Doom Castle
4. Final Battle!

Battle Mode

Stages

The following stages' sudden death mechanic is a non-stop barrage of meteors at random locations:

• Rock Gardens
• Field of Grass
• Sea Sick (unlockable)
• Lost at Sea (unlockable)

The following stages' sudden death mechanic has the water level rising, eliminating those who get caught in it:

• Up and Down
• Pyramid

The following stages' sudden death mechanic has the left and right of the stage closing in.

• Greedy Trap
• Top Rules
• In the Gutter (unlockable)
• Blizzard Battle (unlockable)