BomberMan 2

Behold! BomberMan is back, and on some serious steroids, in a better, brighter, and more visually and game friendly enhanced version. Every aspect of the original BomberMan reintroduces itself here but in a superior way. BomberMan moves much faster than in the first game, the graphics have an incredible amount of detail for a puzzle game. There even are (albeit lame) cinematic sequences to further the game's plot. OK, so this BomberMan clone breaks into bank, steals the money, and frames BomberMan for his nefarious crime. BomberMan must then break out of jail and hunt this S.O.B. down like the dog he is.

Well, BomberMan 2 isn't quite as "Shaft" like I just described it, but the game is so... so... nifty! Only a word that vague could possible give this game due credit. Parents surely complained to Hudson and Nintendo that the hero of one of their licensed games was breaking the law by attempting to escape prison, but that didn't stop the creation of a robot who loved to make things explode, especially the clueless balloon enemies everybody remembers from the original BomberMan. However, BomberMan does not begin his journey with the power of death. At first, BomberMan's explosives have a very limited range and take quite a while to explode, but each level contains a power up. As our favorite robot collects these, he can lay down multiple bombs, have their deadly flames reach further, and he can even nab a timing device which allows him to detonate the bombs on command instead of waiting five seconds for an explosion. Sadly, this last power up disappears when BomberMan dies. Speaking of BomberMan's many, many deaths, starting at about 2--4, the game's difficulty just becomes blatantly unfair. 75% of the time BomberMan perishes within three seconds of the level start, due hordes of enemies who have the ability to walk through walls.

Overall, BomberMan 2 is superior to its predecessor, but the game cart is both rare and expensive, so good luck to those who wish to possess it. Other than meaningful cinemtaic secenes, instead of merely highly detailed graphics shots, I would have liked the programmers to make the computer AI a bit easier. I don't mind a fight-for-life towards the end of the level, but to be killed instantly right after the ready screen appears is unforgivable.

Graphics A

Sound/Music B+

Play Control A-

Challenge A+

Fun Factor B+

Overall A- 1/2 links