Ever since the first game in the series was released in 1983,Bombermanhas continued to blow players away with its chaotic gameplay and manic multiplayer modes, making it a true classic franchise in the eyes of many gamers. Because of how popular the games would become inthe 80s and 90s, this inspired a plethora of spin-off and portable games to be released alongside the mainline entries, to the point where there are nowover 60 games in the series.
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This can understandably seem very overwhelming for anyone hoping to jump into this series for the first time, but it needs to be said that there are a few entries that stand out from the others for being much more fun, focused, and worthwhile, and that’s what we’re going to look at today. These are theBombermangames that many fans agree are among the best and that are guaranteed to provide an exhilarating gaming experience for anyone who decides to boot them up with a few friends.
8Bomberman 64 (Nintendo 64)
Considering the immense successSuper Mario 64received upon its release in 1996, it was only a matter of time until one of gaming’s otherbiggest mascotsalso took the leap into full-realized 3D gameplay. The result was somewhat of a mixed bag, but still a beloved entry in theBombermanseries nonetheless.
Bomberman 64actually puts a lot more focus on its story compared to previous iterations as Bomberman is tasked with hopping between multiple unique worlds to defeat themysterious space pirate Altairand his underlings. The extra features, such as being able to pump up bombs to make them more explosive, definitely help the game stand out, but the unreliable camera and unresponsive controls do dampen the enjoyment of this otherwise underrated gem.
7Bomberman Tournament (Game Boy Advance)
ManyBombermangames follow a similar pattern of having a single-player mode which is largely overshadowed by the multiplayer, and potentially the best example of this is withBomberman Tournamentfor the Game Boy Advance. The retro design of the arenas gives the game a real charm that throws it back to its roots, but the addition of numerous new power-ups that would appear at random made the game truly addicting anda real joy to play with friends.
The single-player Quest mode is still very worth a playthrough, especially because it mixes elements ofZeldaandPokemonto make for a truly unique experience for this series, but it can still feel a little out of place considering the fact that many players relatedBombermanwith puzzle-based fast-paced action.
6Bomberman (Nintendo DS)
While developing aBombermangame for the Nintendo DS,developer Ubisoftbegan making some pretty big claims about what was going to be included in the package, one of which was that the single player was going to feature a staggering “100 stages”. To the surprise of many people, this actually turned out to be true, and while the puzzles included in each level weren’t exactly the most difficult, they still offered a fun experience that could be enjoyed over several hours.
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Alongside a fantastic single-player experience,Bombermanfor the DS also offered an incrediblyfun and addictive multiplayermode where up to 8 friends could duke it out over wireless play. There are also a wide variety of rules that can be applied to certain stages. Some examples of these include Tiebreak where Pressure Blocks will gradually start filling in after a certain amount of time, and Revenge which dictates whether or not a defeated player can throw bombs at others who are still alive.
5Bomberman: Party Edition (PlayStation)
After a few disappointing entries on the Nintendo 64, it looked like theBombermanseries might have finally run out of steam, but the doubters were proved wrong whenBomberman Party Editionarrived on Sony’s PlayStation in 2000. While the game had been slowly steering away from thetop-down perspectivethat had become so synonymous with the franchise by that point,Bomberman Party Editionbrought this back while also providing one of the most varied multiplayer offerings of its time.
The game features over 20 stages which are split up into beginner, normal, and advanced difficulties. There’s also a wide cast of quirky characters to choose from including the Hammer Bomber and wild-west-inspired Bomber Kid. The single-player does let the game down a bit seeing as it’s nothing more than a remake ofBombermanon the NES, but it still provides one of the best multiplayer packages in the series to this very day.
4Bomberman Generation (GameCube)
Bomberman Generationmight be the most unique game in the series with how it plays. Rather than going all in with a 3D or top-down perspective,Generation mergesboth by giving the player a clear view of a fully realized 3D Bomberman without the camera getting stuck on any walls or waving around randomly.
It also needs to be said thatBomberman Generationis definitelyno walk in the park, with each area containing a variety of puzzles that can sometimes take a lot of brainstorming to figure out. Additionally, the lack of a mid-stage save feature also means players will need to be on their A-game, especially when facing the incredibly intense Crush Bomber encounters. The multiplayer is also just as good this time around, and while the 8 stages can get repetitive after a while, the 5 available modes still mean there is plenty of fun to be had.
3Bomberman ‘93 (TurboGrafx-16)
Strategy has always been a core component of theBombermangames, after all, they are essentially classed as puzzle games, but some entries in the series will put much less focus on this in order to make them as accessible as possible.Bomberman ‘93doesn’t take this route, and instead, could be classed as the most difficult and strategic game yet, with each of the 7 worlds providing an engaging challenge andplenty of brain-teasersto keep the experience fresh.
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While the multiplayer only hosts up to 5 people at a time, the random nature of the gameplay and the addition of deadly Skull Blocks ensure that each match is manic, memorable, and so much fun when playing with a group. Due to the time it came out, the game also features a stripped-back retro which really leans into the charming aesthetic ofBomberman, especially since it allows characters and enemies to make some downright hilarious facial expressions.
2Super Bomberman (SNES)
At first glance,Super Bombermancan seem like a pretty generic game, especially due to the fairly outdated graphics, but it’s in the core gameplay where the game shines and truly feels unlike anything else. Bomberman moves notably faster in this game, meaning that at times, players will be racing around a stage at blistering speeds trying to drop down as many bombs as possible.
The pacing of the single-player mode is extremely well done, with each stage gradually building on the difficulty until aterrifying boss appearsbefore allowing the player to move on to the next area. It also needs to be noted just how varied each of the areas is, whether it’s the arena style of the Robot Tournament Ground which features a large crowd of spectators, or the colorful and upbeat aesthetic of the Robot Amusement Park, these fresh and unique designs ensure the game never becomes stale or predictable.
1Saturn Bomberman (Sega Saturn)
Saturn Bombermanhas become somewhat of a cult classic, considered by many to be one of the greatest multiplayer games ever made. There’s so much to love about this entry, from the 10-player functionality to the incredibly colorful stages, or even the co-op story mode. It’s a gamepacked full of replayabilitywhich is often considered to be the pinnacle of the series.
In terms of local multiplayer,Saturn Bombermanreally is the best in the series, allowing a room of players to crowd around a single TV all desperately trying to blow each other up while also taking advantage of the many new power-ups, such as the speedy dinosaurs. Upon booting upSaturn Bombermanand hopping into a few games, it’s incredibly easy to see why so many people would consider it one of thegreatest games ever made for the Sega Saturn, and a truly thrilling multiplayer experience that the series is yet to top.
