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Agent K and I were first
introduced to the world of Bomberman on the TurboGrafx-16. As far as we were concerned Bomberman
was the greatest multi-player game of its time. When we found out that Bomberman
existed on the NES we were stoked.
Unbelievably the original Bomberman doesnt even
come with a multi-player option, just a one player quest mode. Luckily Bomberman II is the rare sequel that is better than its
predecessor in every possible way.
Of course, when I say that its better I am mainly talking about the fact that Bomberman
finally brings the insanely fun world of multi-player Bomberman to the
NES.
In the one-player mode you make
your way through 6 worlds, each world co nsisting of a eight levels, for a total of
48 levels (2 less than the first Bomberman). Each level is one board and you must
blow up the bad guys with your bombs and find the exit door to move on to
the next level. In each level
there is one power-up to find as well.
You start out picking up mainly extra bombs and extended fire but
there are many other cool power-ups along the way such as the ability to
time when your bombs will detonate.
The one-player mode is fun but
the multi-player mode is where the real fun is at. Bomberman II takes advantage of the
4-Score adaptor but strangely will only allow up to 3 players instead of
4. This dropped its grade a bit
for me as it just seems dumb. Each
player starts in his designated spot with the goal of being the only
Bomberman left standing. You can
play anywhere from 1 win to the first to get 5 wins.
Positives:
I dont know why
but it is so much fun to trap someone between two bombs and watch them
explode. This game will bring out
some serious competition at a party and is so easy that it is still
completely playable after a couple drinks. The graphics are a major step up from
the original  Bomberman. There is also a substantial number of
new and difficult enemies to face on your journey. I also like the cut-scenes that appear
every once in a while in an attempt to tell a story.
This
is one of my most played
games when I am not playing by myself, which brings me to
Glaring
Negatives:
The quest mode of this game is
just OK. Its not
terrible by any means but the computer enemies are so dumb that there is
virtually no challenge to the game.
Another major negative
is the bizarre decision to only let three players play instead of
four. It seems like since there
are four corners in a Bomberman room and you are using a 4-Score adaptor
that four people would be able to play.
The other negative is that this is a very basic Bomberman
game. The only power-ups available
in the multi-player mode are extra bombs, longer fire and diseases.
Graphics
and Sound: OK
Bomberman II has an overhead view
of a room that you are trying to escape from. Bomberman is a cute little blob and the
bad guys are little blobs too but the graphics are as good as
intended. The graphics are a huge
step up from its predecessor as our screen captures clearly indicate. The music is catchy but repetitive.
Gameplay
and Controls: Great
 Bomberman II is very easy to catch on
to. The controls are perfect,
mainly because they are so easy it would be hard to screw up. Lay bombs and get out of harms
way! You will have no problem
making your way through the regular game and by the time you have
finished that you will be ready to toast your friends in a sweet
Bomberman tournament.
Features:
Battle
Mode!
The whole key to this game is the
battle mode. If you couldnt battle
your friends then the grade of this game would be in the ballpark of the
original Bomberman.
Fun?:
One of the greatest
It is really hard to find a more
fun multi-player game on the NES. Unfortunately the one-player mode is
only average.
Challenge:
Not much
The quest-mode is long but
easy. Of course it could be a challenge
to defeat your friends but if they are as bad as Agent K then you wont have a
problem.
Replay:
Definitely
This is one of my most played
games on the NES when friends are over.
2
Player: Yes
Havent you been
reading the review?
Online
Manual?: No
Not that I could find.
Bottom
Line: Get It
If you can find this game
reasonably priced then pick it up.
Bomberman II is hard to
find and when you do see it, it is often at inflated prices. I picked mine up for around 10 bucks,
which is more than I usually pay but it was worth it.
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