Gaming Target - Game Boy: Bomberman Tournament

Written by Matt Swider on September 06, 2001

Review: What?! No pause option during battle? No matter, it's on Game Boy AdvanceЕЕЕЕflush

Just as Bomberman debuted on Nintendo's first console in 1990, Activision brings Hudson Soft's signature character to the big N's latest, Game Boy Advance, after numerous appearances on several different systems in-between. Bomberman's legacy, for the unknowing few, is based within each title's battle mode featuring frantic multiplayer action. Though, over the past couple releases, Hudson Soft has been attempting to include a thin quest/story segment in each game, none could ever compare to the intense blast from blowing away a friend during a battle.

The quest mode in Bomberman Tournament aims to deliver an epic adventure like Zelda, with an RPG twist similar to Pokemon. It unfortunately results in gameplay that's hardly comparable to either game. The storyline of this quest begins, as Bomberman must investigate the planet Phantarion when Bomber Max vanishes after a meteor strike occurs during his mission on the planet. Not the most exciting storyline, and likewise can be said about quest's overall gameplay.

As you travel the game's five extensive zones, you'll encounter just a few spots of entertainment, namely areas found within the four dungeons, offering a variety of puzzle and combat throughout the more than 200-room map. In completing the adventure you'll then reach the final boss, Brain Bomber, who is the infamous enemy from each Bomberman title of past.

Similar to collecting Pokemon, Bomberman Tournament has players seek creatures called Karabons. While some may consider them as cute as Pokemon, they're just not as effective, greatly due to their simple nature and abilities throughout the game. Though there are some unique instances where players fuse two Karabons together in order to complete a puzzle, it's simply put that these creatures just don't have the same charm that Pokemon do.

While the solo mode contained in Bomberman is seriously lacking, everything found within the other segment of the game, good old Battle mode, more makes up for it. Battles are played within one of eight environments, all uniquely featured with a variation according to its theme. The object is to blow up the three enemies within the battlegrounds and no matter how simple it sounds, or how much strategy is put into playing, it always turns out to be a frantic blast of excitement.

Possibly the greatest feature that Game Boy Advance boasts, is the ability to play with a single cart on four systems. Although this doesn't quite beat having all four game paks, it truly heightens the value, while reducing the price of buying more than one. Load times of up to a minute are one complaint found in playing this way, however the sheer joy of battling it out with friends puts all gripes to rest.

While many titles for Game Boy over the years have taken extreme cut backs to deliver solid gameplay, Bomberman Tournament is able to do match it's classic predecessors visually and audio wise without much need to condense areas for the portable format. Though there is no pause option available in the battle mode, it may not effect you quite as much with Game Boy Advance, as you'll be able to hit the bathroom, without having to forfeit the game. However, playing while linked to other partnersЕdoes present something of a challenge during this situation.

Two interesting extras found within the battle mode are the reward of fishing for items after you're victorious in a game, and the fact that you can turn up the fun with the game's Super Revenge option. While the option of Revenge is on, when you die you're able to throw bombs from the sidelines, attempting to pick off one of the enemies still playing in the game. However, when placed on Super Revenge, once you blast an enemy with a bomb, you become reincarnated right back into the game to take that bittersweet revenge. The greatest advantage is when you throw a bomb from atop, where it's impossible to be hurt, and it whips out the two remaining players in the game at the same time. You're then set to make the reentry into the battleground, knowing that you've already won the round. Now that's what I call revenge!

Bomberman Tournament

Review: What?! No pause option during battle? No matter, it's on Game Boy AdvanceЕЕЕЕ*flush*

Review: What?! No pause option during battle? No matter, it's on Game Boy AdvanceЕЕЕЕflush