Has Hudson really not used the name Bomberman Blast before? Seems like a pretty obvious choice -- but the genius of Bomberman cannot be quantified with words, so we assume Hudson knows exactly the right thing to do at exactly the right time. They simply said: "Let there be Bomberman Blast." And it was so.
We discovered earlier that the upcoming blast-fest will actually be split into two versions; the WiiWare edition will be a classic Bomberman experience, whereas the full retail edition features Mii support and bonus content. According to a recent interview with Cubed3, Europe will only be receiving the WiiWare version -- so any shopaholics must be confined to the vast expanse of the internet for any purchasing enjoyment. There's no confirmation which versions will be released in other regions, but by using the simple process of elimination, North America will likely receive the retail copies (unless the differences are significant enough to warrant dual versions in the same region). How does that make you feel? Angry? Wanna blow something up?
Every Monday, Wii Fanboy brings you the Top 5. Inspired by sages such as David Letterman and John Cusack, the Top 5 will give us a chance to share our opinions on the numerous facets of a vast video game culture. And after all, who doesn't like reading these kinds of lists (and then bitching about them afterwards)? So jump right in, agree or disagree, and maybe leave a comment with your own personal Top 5.
The first batch of WiiWare was released awhile ago, and there have been high-profilereleases, as well as a few futurecult-classics. Despite the plentiful start, there are still many more titles on the horizon. Here's a look at what we are anticipating the most.
5. Bomberman - Since 1983, not much has changed in the Bomberman universe. This has its pros and cons. It's good because the basic Bomberman formula is not one that needs tinkering with. It's bad because, well, it's a little ridiculous to shell out full retail price for the same game generation after generation. Then along comes Bomberman for WiiWare. Nintendo's downloadable service is the perfect platform for a game such as this. With online multiplayer for 2 - 8 players, this release should be everything we need out of Bomberman: simple, classic gameplay for a reasonable price. The reduced cost should be wonderful news for wallets that were unfortunate enough to weather Bomberman, Super Bomberman, Bomberman 64, and Bomberman Generation.
With details on Hudson's two Bombermans making the games sound pretty irresistible, we were disappointed to hear that they've both been delayed. Originally meant to hit Japan in June, Hudon's website now reports that they're releasing in the fall.
Fortunately, Hudson's other hot titles (Tetris and Alien Crush, anyone?) seem to be right on schedule for this summer -- in Japan, that is. Still, we know the drill; the sooner games come out in the Far East, the sooner we get them elsewhere.
It's worth keeping in mind that none of these titles have actually been announced for localization yet. We'd be extremely surprised if such franchises (especially Bomberman and Tetris) don't release outside of Japan, though.
A recent Siliconera interview with Hudson Japan's VP, Kentaro Murayama, has revealed quite a few interesting details about some upcoming Hudson games. For one, we were a bit startled to hear that the company's WiiWare rendition of Tetris might incorporate the Balance Board. Right now Hudson is just "tossing around the idea," but even so -- that sounds like crazytalk. We're sure regular controls would be offered even if the game ended up utilizing the board, but we can't help but wonder how it would even work.
Murayama also cleared up some of the confusion between the disc-based and WiiWare versions of Bomberman. The disced game will include a tutorial mode, a "deep" story mode, thirty-nine stages, thirty-one different enemies, and five bosses. The Bomberman for WiWare, on the other hand, will (clearly) cost less, which seems to be its main advantage.
Both titles will include battle mode, but the Wii version will have twelve stages and twenty "appeal motions," while the WiiWare one will have just ten of each. Fortunately, you can battle with friends no matter which version they own, as the battles can cross between the disc-based and WiiWare games.
To check out more details about Hudson's upcoming lineup, just click on the "Read" link under the galleries.
Update: This actually is the WiiWare Bomberman game.
Famitsu recently got a taste of what Hudson's Bomberman that isn't is on WiiWare will be bringing to the table (uh, lots of bombs?) and it should come as no surprise to any of you that we are pumped. We're not only excited for the online battles (Game Night, anyone?), but also the plain old regular Bomberman action (with Mii support and items, natch). Since when has playing Bomberman not been fun? Okay, maybe that one time it was kind of crappy.
Why do we love the Wii with friends? Because we want all to share the splendor and majesty that comes from playing the best home gaming console around. So that's why we set out to bring you a nice, easy package of great multiplayer games for the Wii.
Both online and local multiplayer is covered, as well as games that have released and those that are still in production. We hope you find this useful in your own life, in some small way, or at least a good place to link a friend who has no idea what they're getting into with the Wii. So read on and see what we have in store, then come back here and tell us what multiplayer experiences you enjoy most on the Wii!
Look at that. Look at it. That is a screenshot of a new Alien Crush game. Even if it is a little ugly, it's the most beautiful thing ever. If we didn't already have a Wii, we'd be camping out for one right now based on this alone -- seriously. And it's WiiWare! With online leaderboards! (Online leaderboards for Alien Crush?Where would you get an idea like that?) Just like with the Virtual Console, Hudson has proven that they know how to support a download service. Alien Crush is coming out in Japan in August, and it had better come out worldwide near that time. Including the stuff shown today (and Star Soldier R), Hudson has ten WiiWare titles planned.
This AMAZING NEWS was revealed at a Hudson event in a Brazilian restaurant in Shibuya, along with Blue Oasis, a virtual fish-tank type game that interacts with the Forecast Channel. It'll be out sometime this year. Hit the break for screens, as well as some new Tetris and Bomberman images!
We weren't sure before if all this talk of Miis and other goodies in Bomberman referred to the game on WiiWare or a separate game. As it turns out, we weren't the only ones confused, and Hudson stepped in to clarify the issue. Apparently, there are two separates games coming to the Wii; the WiiWare version will be more like classic Bomberman, while the new title (due out this June in Japan) will be the one with Mii support and special items. It looks like a lot of fun, but price point will be key in determining its appeal -- with so much Bomberman on the market, gamers might find it hard to commit to this iteration.
Will you be Bomberman-ed out by the time this game releases despite the nifty features, or is this a purchase you could see yourself making?
This week's Japanese Virtual Console update features three games that aren't what they seem. Super Gussun Oyoyo totally looks like a platformer in screens, but it's actually a Lemmings/Pac-Man 2 style game in which you direct an uncontrollable character with falling blocks. Similarly, you might make assumptions about the genre of a game called Bomberman: Panic Bomber (possibly that it is in the Bomberman games genre) but it's also a puzzler!
Most deceptive of all is Nekketsu Kunio-kun. It's a Kunio game from Technos, which leads one to assume that it's going to be great. It is not great. It is profoundly not-great.
Only Mr. HELI no Daibouken is what it seems: an adorable cute-em-up starring a lil' helicopter.
Though it's still unclear whether all this Bomberman media is for Hudson's announced WiiWare title or for a disc-based retail release, we're not going to enjoy these screenshots any less because of those doubts. Already, we've spotted new, game-changing items -- rocket packs and shields. Presumably, the rocket pack allows you to hover over the arena until you find a safe landing spot. If you were smart, however, you'd use the rocket pack to fly the hell away from the battlefield and its crazed bombermen, escaping towards a distant, bombless country.
Bomberman will consist of a story mode, battle mode, and "My First Bomberman" mode, the latter of which teaches the game's basics and new weapons with a series of lessons. The 39-stage story mode charges you with the quest of saving your system's Miis, while the battle mode is the multiplayer arena you're all familiar with, except with eight-player support, Nintendo WiFi Connection matches, and online leaderboards. Sounds like a solid game! The only detail we're wary of is its Wii Remote features -- you can use items by shaking the controller.
We'd like to point out that the only Bomberman we know about is the Wii Ware Bomberman game announced via the Japanese Wii Ware page. This scan is interesting, though, because it reveals some details about this upcoming Bomberman game we're assuming is the Wii Ware version.
This latest scan shows the game will retain that Bomberman look and we're crossing our fingers that it will retain that classic feel, as well. And, thanks to this same magazine scan, we can confirm the game has 8-player support for online fun. It will also include 39 different stages and is scheduled for release on Wii Ware in Japan this June. Oh, and it will also feature Mii integration.
Like we said, this could be a new retail Bomberman game being developed for the Wii, or it could be the Wii Ware title. We're leaning toward the Wii Ware game, but it's not like Hudson hasn't hooked us up with retail discs containing Bomberman in the past.
The steady stream of Wii Ware news continues, this time with Nintendo's launch of its official Japanese site for the video game download service. So far, the hub lists almost a dozen upcoming titles, attaching new screenshots to some of the releases:
LostWinds and other western-developed games are noticeably missing, but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't planned as launch or near-launch titles for other territories. Much to our disappointment, the page neglects to mention any specific pricing for the titles.
One worthwhile detail that we spotted is the above screenof Dr. Mario's four-player cooperative mode. The puzzler was already perfect before -- now it's even perfecter. There's also a multiplayer shot for Magnetica (Puzzloop) worth checking out!
We can't really explain the parallels in our mind between Bomberman and Shaggy's "Boombastic." Something about the boom makes us think about bombs or something. We really can't understand why we're just so damn insane sometimes.
Anywho, Bomberman Land is the only new game this week. For us, we're still chipping away at No More Heroes. What about you all? What are you playing?
Just as is the case on the Virtual Console, this week's retail release list is extremely short. In fact, it's so short as to not be a list at all, easily being summed up by one video game title. It's one that has some minigames within, as well as the benefit of having a nice price point.
We make fun of minigames, especially when they're tacked on to Bomberman, which is already the gold standard for multiplayer party gaming. But we hesitantly admit that a well-done minigame collection can be great for group play.
At worst, then, Bomberman Land is a Bomberman game with some minigames on the disc that you can ignore. At best, it's a Bomberman game with some other diversions for between games of Bomberman. Without too much information about how to play these minigames (are you shooting at the goal? Bouncing the ball repeatedly? How do the controls work?) we can't tell you if these are the good kind of minigames or the Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz kind. All we can do is point you at the new screens and say that they might work out. And, as always, our gallery has more Bomberman Land content to gawk at.
