Bomberman Hero

''Bomberman Hero'' is a platforming video game and the second ''Bomberman'' game for the Nintendo 64. A further departure from the 16-bit ''Bomberman'' titles after ''Bomberman 64'', it gives Bomberman more character moves, and features additional levels, bosses, and weapons. However, in a break from the ''Bomberman'' series formula, it lacks a multiplayer mode. This game was released on the Wii Virtual Console service in 2011.

Gameplay

''Bomberman Hero'' controls very differently from '' Bomberman 64''. In ''Hero'', the character can jump, has a life meter, faces tougher bosses, and has the ability to throw bombs further, thus, making it a more platform-oriented experience. There are several different areas to be encountered, each with about five different stages. A unique feature is that it is possible to play with an extra feature, such as a helicopter top, a jetpack, skateboard, or a submarine bottom.

There are several different types of bombs in addition to the regular ones. Ice bombs turn enemies into a block of ice that can be moved around and used to jump on to get to higher places. Salt bombs only harm slugs, which are invulnerable to all other weapons. Control bombs explode when remotely detonated; a useful ability against certain bosses.

Much of the game's replay value is in the sub-mission of scoring the number of target points per stage, which awards Bomberman a certain amount of stage points (1 through 5) at the end of each level. Stages can be replayed in order to secure the highest possible score within them. Medals are awarded on a per-planet basis, based on the total number of stage points upon the planet's completion (red, blue, bronze, silver, and gold). Getting a perfect score on every planet (or rather, a gold medal on each one) will award mini-games that can be accessed on the options screen.

Plot

The world of Primus Star is attacked by the evil Garaden Empire. The world's leader, Princess Millian, steals a secret data disk and safely smuggles out the information through her robot servant Pibot, but is captured herself. Bomberman is training in his Bomber Base headquarters when Pibot's shuttle crash lands on Planet Bomber, informing Bomberman about the princess's capture. Bomberman and Pibot set out after the Garaden Empire to save Princess Millian.

Bomberman travels through four worlds: Planet Bomber, Primus Star, Kanatia Star, and Mazone Star. During the journey, Bomberman repeatedly encounters Nitros, a mysterious Garaden soldier resembling Bomberman. For the first three worlds, Bomberman chases after Princess Millian only to find that she has been transported to the next world. Each time, Bomberman is forced to battle one of the Four Devils of Garaden, the Empire's strongest soldiers. While on Mazone, Bomberman finds Princess Millian safe in a laboratory, who tells him to retrieve the rest of the disks. After giving the disks to Princess Millian, she reveals herself as Natia, the last of the Big Four, and sends the disks to the Garaden base. After Bomberman defeats Natia and frees the real Princess Millian, he sets out towards Garaden Star.

At Garaden Star, Nitros uses the disks to resurrect the Empire's leader, Bagular, whose body was destroyed in '' Super Bomberman 3''. Bomberman has a final encounter with Nitros, who reveals he was a Bomber Base trainee who had been brainwashed by the Empire until Bomberman freed him in their battle, and offers his power to Bomberman. Bomberman confronts and defeats Bagular, who self-destructs Garaden Star in an attempt to kill Bomberman. Bomberman escapes the explosion and returns to Primus Star, where Princess Millian rewards him for his heroism.

If a perfect score is achieved on every level and all the Adok bombs are collected, Evil Bomber appears on a splinter of the planet Owen, now renamed Gossick Star, seeking revenge on Bomberman for his defeat in '' Bomberman GB 3''. After successfully defeating Evil Bomber, Bomberman is congratulated by Princess Millian and the Black Bombers as they all fly home.

Development

It was originally planned as a ''Bonk''/''PC Kid'' game known as ''Ultra Genjin'', but became a ''Bomberman'' game during development. Jun Chikuma composed the game's soundtrack in the genres of drum and bass and acid techno.

Reception

''Bomberman Hero'' received generally mixed reviews. ''GameSpot'' said, "Despite the uninspired plotline, ''Bomberman Hero'' is a rather surprising success. In a departure from ''Bomberman 64'', ''Bomberman Hero'' boasts a number of new gameplay features that make this a completely new ''Bomberman'' game." In a mixed review, ''IGN'' heavily criticized the lack of multiplayer mode, stating, "Nintendo and Hudson serve up a decidedly average 3D ''Bomberman'' sequel -- without a multiplayer mode."

'' Edge'' criticized the graphics for featuring intrusive distance fog and the same texture pattern, which make it difficult for the player to judge depth. However, the magazine concluded that, as a Japanese platformer, the game should not be overlooked, and favorably compared its rewarding exploration with '' Yoshi's Island''. The game received the Player's Choice label, indicating sales of at least one million units.

References

Notes

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1998 video games
3D platformers
Hero
Hudson Soft games
Nintendo 64 games
Nintendo games
Platformers
Single-player video games
Video games developed in Japan
Video games scored by Jun Chikuma
Virtual Console games