"Unique Platformer Under a Huge Shadow"

Note: This is an amazing platformer, and my favorite game of all time, and if I could max the score, believe me I would, but as a reviewer I have a duty to thoroughly break this game down. I think it's the best game I've played, but I know it's not the best game ever.

Introduction- In this game you follow the story(fight the bad people who take the cube) of Bomberman and his journey to save Planet Bomber. To critics this is another failed attempt of a franchise trying to adapt to the 3d gaming era, but to me this is a unique action platformer that gets a lot less credit than it deserves.

Story- This is Bomberman 64 's weakest part the story. While other famed 2d franchises like Mario took the step to 3d they seemed immune to the process of receiving a story review. To be fair though you really can't expect a good story from a game like Bomberman. The story it offers however seems to be just there to be there, and what's even worse is you get a pseudo-ending for beating the sixth boss. The only way you'd unlock the next stage (arguably the best stage in the game), and get the true ending is to collect all 100 gold cards from the first five stages. How ever in the true ending it all comes together and offers a decent story. ---------5/10

Game-play-- okay here is where Bomberman 64 truly shines it's game play. Despite what many critics would lead you to believe this is not a mediocre game, in fact in many levels this game is far more challenging then games such like Mario 64 or Banjo Kazoo-ie. A prime example of this would be the Rainbow Place Stage three, which is the most challenging level I've played in a platformer to this day( I spent three or four months trying to figure it out). There are six stages to this game ,each with its own highlights. The stages consist of four levels, and are in this order every time platforming, mini boss, platforming, and then boss. As stated above the platforming segments are challenging, and this is partially due to the games unique blend of puzzles and platforming. None of Bomberman's moves are useless, from big bomb to bomb hop they all serve a purpose. Though Hudson was smart to allow you to rotate between the first four worlds, as your bound to get stuck. The mini boss's just have patterns, which you can exploit, and require little strategy, yet they to me are the coolest part of the game. The boss's however require you to exploit both their weaknesses and patterns, providing for a more fulfilling experience. Though the roles of mini boss and boss are switched in the later stages, I think you get the picture on Bomberman 64 's single-player game-play. --------10/10

Multi-player- First of all I would like to clear this up, the Bomberman series' multi-player has always been, and always will be a party game. Despite how many reviews of this game act like Bomberman 64 turned Stratego into Pong, when in-fact the fast paced nature of Bomberman just allowed for quick thinking at best. So why do people think Bomberman 64 stripped the series of its strategy elements? Well I would go with it slowed down the Bomberman series' fast pace, and is in full 3D (after this game the series went to 2.5D. excluding Generation's single player). Now in Bomberman 64 's multi-player their are eight levels, and the goal is as in all the other Bombermans is to have fun. These levels can have up to four players, and use one of two modes; Battle mode (death match) Team Battle (You must break the other team's crystals). Finally one thing I forgot to touch in the Single Player is through out the game you'll find opportunities to collect custom balls. Now another section in the main menu called custom allows you to use the custom balls you've earned throughout the game to create your own Bomberman for multi-player, provided you have a memory card. This Bomberman does what Bomberman does best, and offers by far the best multi-player I've experienced on the N64. ---10/10

Graphics- Well it certainly is not the best on the N64, but it featured some of the best of its year. The character models specifically Bomberman, Regulus, Altair, and Sirius look very good, and their animations are great. Even to day you can appreciate its cute art style. -8/10

Sound- Bomberman 64 had some pretty good sound fx, and its share of catchy techno like tunes. Not much more to say really other than this game just offers a pretty good, but not quite great soundtrack. ----7/10

Controls- Okay unlike other N64 platformers the controls are very basic, and the camera works great. You'll use the c buttons to zoom out/in, and move camera left/right, A to lay bombs, B to pick up or, pump them big, Control stick to move ,and Z to detonate remote bombs. Pretty simple huh? That is part of what make this game fun, instead of focusing on the controller you can focus on the game. ----------10/10

Replay Ability- Okay this game has some of the best replay value of any game on the N64. This Is due to the outstanding multi-player, and collectibles that aren't required (gold cards and custom balls). What really makes this title really replay able however, is the ability to play any level you've beaten. Unlike other platformers where you have to start a new games. -----10/10

Conclusion- When many people hear N64 platformers, hell even N64 or plat formers they think of Super Mario 64, Banjo Kazoo-ie, even DK 64, because of the praise and attention they received. Bomberman 64 however, is a unique platformer under a huge shadow cast by these games. I know this isn't the best game ,but I'll be damned if it isn't one of the best platformers.

Overall Score -------9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/17/07