Bomberman Jetters

Bomberman Jetters is the latest iteration of the long running Bomberman series. However, despite Bomberman's tenure, Jetters doesn't really add anything new or noticeable to the series. If anything, Jetters' single-player campaign may force gamers to turn away from the big-headed Bomber.

Bomberman Jetters follows the story of the titular Bomberman as he tries to protect his home planet, the aptly but ridiculously named Planet Bomber, from a comet known as the Dark Star. The Dark Star has been created by the Hige Hige Bandits, who are attempting to destroy Planet Bomber. Our tiny hero sets out to prevent the destruction of Planet Bomber by destroying the four jets propelling the Dark Star towards his home planet, transforming the artificial comet from a weapon of mass destruction to a simple idling asteroid.

From the game's beginning, players will immediately be struck by the sickeningly cutesy mood of the game. The graphics, though now cel-shaded, are familiar, with a bright and colorful anime style for both the almost unnecessary cut-scenes and for the gameplay. By itself, the graphics are more than tolerable. However, when coupled with the annoying music that is reminiscent of the most juvenile of Saturday morning cartoons, Bomberman Jetters becomes nearly torturous for any gamer old enough to read.

The gameplay is fairly simplistic as well. BombermanЕbombs things. Bomberman can drop bombs to destroy obstacles and enemies. He can also toss bombs, kick bombs, and charge bombs to make them more powerful. He can also find and utilize a number of different types of bombs, including an electric bomb and a hurricane bomb. The puzzles are never extraordinarily difficult, since ultimately the solution to ninety percent of the problems lies with bombing something.

Jetters also adds a new playable character to the story. With the press of a button, Bomberman can change into Max, who, except for appearances, is almost indistinguishable from Bomberman. Max's major difference is the ability to use a charged electric attack that isn't particularly useful and his inability to use charaboms, which are the pokemon-esque addition to the Bomberman mythos. Charaboms are little animals that Bomberman must capture and use to aid him on his quest. Each Charabom has a unique ability that is essential to Bomberman and Max's progression through the game. One example is a Charabom that allows Bomberman to ride on its back across water, which he wouldn't be able to cross otherwise. Each Charabom also evolves (sound familiar anyone?) when fed enough fruit, so that its power increases. In the case of the aforementioned Charabom, the second level allows players to swim upstream, and at the third level it can swim up waterfalls. This, although obviously a Pokemon knockoff, is one of the game's biggest innovations.

Where every Bomberman games shines, however, is in the multiplayer, and Jetters doesn't disappoint in that area. There are four modes, which include knockout battle, where your goal is to basically blast your opponents off of the map; battle for balloons, where your goal is to collect the most balloons; battle one-two, where you have to hit the most switches without getting bombed; and standard battle mode, which all Bomberman fans know and love.