Bomberman Blast

Infobox VG
title = Bomberman Blast


caption =
developer = Hudson Soft
publisher = Hudson Soft
designer =
engine =
picture format = 480p, 16:9
released = Wii
vgrelease|JP=September 25, 2008|NA=TBA|EU=TBA

WiiWare
vgrelease|JP=September 30, 2008|NA=September 29, 2008|EU=September 12, 2008
genre = Action game
modes = Single-player, multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=E|OFLCA=G
platforms = Wii, WiiWare
requirements = Wii Remote
input =

"Bomberman Blast" is an action game developed and published by Hudson Soft for the Wii and WiiWare. It is part of the "Bomberman" series.

The game was released as two versions: a fully featured retail release and a downloadable, lower priced WiiWare version with less content. The retail version was released in Japan on September 25, 2008, while the WiiWare version was released on September 30, 2008. [ [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/data/946471.html GameFAQs] ] The WiiWare version was released in Europe on September 12, 2008 [ [http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/09/eu_wiiware_update_plattchen_bomberman_blast_and_midnight_pool EU WiiWare Update: Plättchen, Bomberman Blast, and Midnight Pool!] ] and in North America on September 29, 2008. [cite news|title=Orbient, Bomberman and Super Turrican 2 Hit Wii Shop Channel|url=http://gamefreaks365.com/newsarticle.php?sid=2878|accessdate=2008-09-29]

Overview

The WiiWare version of "Bomberman Blast" only contains the traditional battle mode, while the retail release also includes a story mode and other additional features. The plot of the story mode revolves around Bomberman saving the player's Miis by defeating five bosses who have kidnapped them. The story mode covers 39 stages across 5 worlds, featuring 31 different unique enemies. [http://gonintendo.com/?p=37858 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » More Bomberman Wii details] ] [http://gonintendo.com/?p=37638 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » Famitsu news - Bomberman Wii] ]

The game features new items, such as a rocket that enables the player to fly, and a shield. A number of items are activated by shaking the Wii Remote. In the retail version, players are also able to purchase upgrades and power-ups by cashing in gems collected during play, such as Hearts, Fire Ups, Bomb Ups and Speed Ups. In addition, players are also able to use their Miis during play, [http://www.siliconera.com/2008/03/18/blow-mii-up-in-bomberman-for-wiiware/ Siliconera » Blow “Mii” up in Bomberman for WiiWare] ] [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=37894 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » Bomberman hub site confirms playable Miis in Bomberman Wii?] ] and the retail version features a mode called "My First Bomberman" which teaches novice players the basics of the game.

The game is primarily controlled with the Wii Remote held on its side NES gamepad-style, though the game also supports GameCube controllers. [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=38464 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » Bomberman Wii supports Cube controller] ] The game also supports 480p and 16:9 widescreen display modes, but does not output in Dolby Pro Logic II.

Battle mode

The game's battle mode features eight-player, worldwide online play with rankings, and players with the retail and WiiWare versions of the game are able to compete against each other. 10 battle stages are included with the WiiWare version, while the retail release includes an extra 2 stages, for a total of 12. [http://www.siliconera.com/2008/05/19/hudson-quizzed-on-wiiware-development-tetris-with-the-balance-board/ Siliconera » Hudson quizzed on WiiWare development (Tetris with the balance board?)] ]

Battle mode also introduces "appeal motions", an emote players can perform. WiiWare players will have access to 10 motions, while retail players will have access to 20 in total.

Development and release

2008, the year "Bomberman Blast" will be released, is the 25th anniversary of the "Bomberman" franchise. The game is developed in-house by Hudson, unlike "Bomberman Live" for Xbox Live Arcade which was outsourced to Backbone Entertainment. The game was originally scheduled to be released in June 2008, but was later delayed to September 2008 due to Hudson wanting to make sure the online mode was top-notch. [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=43324 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » Japan - Bomberman Wii, Bomberman WiiWare delayed until Fall 2008] ]

The official website initially opened on March 28, 2008, fully opening on July 11, 2008. [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=37856 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » Bomberman Wii webpage opens] ] The final name was revealed through the game's rating by the German USK on July 9, 2008. [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=49224 Go Nintendo » Blog Archive » Japan - Bomberman WiiWare gets a name] ]

To celebrate the release of "Bomberman Blast", Hudson is conducting a "Bomberman Blast" tournament called "Bomb It Up". [ [http://hudsonentertainment.com/tournament_register.php?tournament_id=4 Bomberman Blast Tournament "Bomb It Up" Details Page] ]

Reception

WiiWare World gave the game an 8/10, praising the wealth of options and new features in the game and favorably comparing "Bomberman Blast" against the similar "Bomberman Live". However, they were slightly disappointed that the game did not see the return of the theme music from previous "Bomberman" games. [ [http://www.wiiware-world.com/reviews/2008/09/bomberman_blast WiiWare World Bomberman Blast Review] ] Eurogamer, which gave it an 8/10, were also impressed by the many game modes and options available. Although they believed the game was "a tad pricey" at 1000 Wii Points, they otherwise felt that "it's hard to quibble over such a dependable game". [ [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=239049&page=2 Eurogamer: Bomberman Blast Review] ]

Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game 88%, calling it a "brilliant version" of "Bomberman" and recommending it over "Bomberman '93" on the Virtual Console. However, despite the general praise of the online play, they did voice some minor concern about "a few instances" of lag, and also believed some players may be put off by the WiiWare version's focus on multiplayer battling. [ [http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=5849 ONM: Bomberman Blast Review] ] IGN scored it an 8.1/10, claiming that despite the lack of innovation and some minor interface hiccups, the game is "a blast to play" and maintains "that classic, addictive quality" from past "Bomberman" games. [ [http://wii.ign.com/articles/914/914423p1.html IGN: Bomberman Blast Review] ]

ee also

*List of Bomberman games
*List of Wii games
*List of WiiWare games
*List of Wii Wi-Fi Connection games

References

External links

* [http://www.bomberman.jp/wii/bomberman/ Official Bomberman Blast Website (Japanese)]
* [http://www.hudson.co.jp/ww/bombermanblast/usa/e/ Official Bomberman Blast Website (English)]
* [http://hudsonentertainment.com/tournament_register.php?tournament_id=4 Hudson Entertainment Bomberman Blast Tournament Page (English)]
* [http://www.bomberman.jp/ Official Bomberman Website (Japanese)]
* [http://www.hudson.co.jp/gamenavi/gamedb/index.cgi?mode=info&f=wii_bomberman Hudson Soft's Bomberman Blast (Wii) Page (Japanese)]
* [http://www.hudson.co.jp/gamenavi/gamedb/index.cgi?mode=info&f=wiiware_bomberman Hudson Soft's Bomberman Blast (WiiWare) Page (Japanese)]