Bomberman

Famicom Disk System

Famicom Disk System

Our hero, Bomberman, worked in a bomb factory located in an underground labyrinth. He grew very bored making bombs day in and day out. One day, he learned of a rumor that stated if a robot could ever escape the labyrinth and reach the surface of the world, his wish would be granted and he would b...

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Developer
Hudson Soft

Released on
1990

Size
1 Player

Version
Famicom Disk System

Requirements
Nintendo Famicom Disk System

Downloads
Action

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Our hero, Bomberman, worked in a bomb factory located in an underground labyrinth. He grew very bored making bombs day in and day out. One day, he learned of a rumor that stated if a robot could ever escape the labyrinth and reach the surface of the world, his wish would be granted and he would become human. Bomberman is determined to find out if this rumor is true.

Based on an earlier MSX game of the same name, Hudson Soft dramatically improved the game for its Famicom release by adding a number of enemies, horizontally scrolling stages, and the power-ups that make keeping Bomberman alive so worthwhile. But they also made the first steps in shaping the Bomberman character that we know and recognize today. The sprite used for Bomberman actually came from an enemy sprite used in Hudson Soft’s very successful Famicom conversion of Lode Runner. One of the robotic enemies that chased the Lode Runner hero learned that he might become human if he can climb fifty underground floors to escape from his plant and reach the surface of the world. The only weapon at Bomberman’s disposal, of course, are bombs.

Bomberman

Overview & History

Released exclusively in Japan in 1990 by Hudson Soft, the Famicom Disk System (FDS) version of *Bomberman* is a fascinating transition piece in the franchise's history. Taking advantage of the writable magnetic floppy disk format, this iteration bridged the gap between the simplistic 1985 MSX/NES arcade roots and the explosive 16-bit multiplayer phenomenon that would later dominate the Super Famicom and PC Engine. Unlike its ROM cartridge predecessor, this FDS release introduced refined pacing, distinct audio enhancements utilizing the RP2C33 sound chip, and a deeper single-player campaign that expanded upon the lore of the cyborg hero attempting to escape an underground labyrinth to become human.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core objective revolves around navigating a grid-based, destructible maze populated by hostile patrolling enemies such as Balloms and Pontan. Players control the titular Bomberman, utilizing a top-down perspective to strategically lay timed explosives. Detonating these bombs blasts away soft concrete blocks to clear paths, unearth hidden power-ups, and obliterate foes caught in the crossfire. Strategic depth is amplified through iconic power-up items: the Bomb Up increases your concurrent explosive capacity, Fire Up extends the blast radius in four cardinal directions, Speed Skates accelerate movement, and the elusive Remote Control allows manual detonation. Players must also beware of the dangerous skull panel, which inflicts randomized status afflictions like explosive diarrhea or sluggish movement. Success demands meticulous spatial awareness, cornering enemies, and ensuring you never trap yourself in your own fiery radius.

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Navigate Bomberman through the maze corridors
Action Keys: Drop bomb (A Button) / Manual detonation when remote is active (B Button)
Enter: Start / Pause the game