In the 16-bit era of multiplayer classics, none can go without mentioning Super Bomberman and its many incarnations. Super Bomberman was released by Hudson Soft in 1993 for the SNES. The Bomberman franchise had already been going strong 10 years before this entry across multiple consoles and would continues to this day (albeit on the mobile platform now). That's several decades of Bomberman action and countless hours spent blowing up friend and foe alike!
Super Bomberman is played with a top-down view of the level, typically arranged in a grid format, as you guide your character through the aisles to lay bombs and blast unsuspecting foes. Certain walls can be destroyed as you collect power ups that either boost your character's abilities or upgrade your bombs. Continue to survive and collect power ups until the point where you effortlessly vaporize all enemies! Super Bomberman games may be most known for their multiplayer, but single player mode is pretty solid, too. The primary discussion of this review focuses on single player, but will entail both aspects of the game.


Graphics: 7

Every bomb blast is a bright, crisp orange. The sprites are a little rough compared to later games, but that means that it only goes up from here! There are some minor animations within the enemies (e.g. spinning propellers, walking, facial expressions, etc.). The graphics are, overall, simple but effective.


Sound: 7

The most prominent sound in Bomberman games are the bombs blasting. Granted, that sound isn't overpowering to the point it occludes the great music throughout each level. Some other great, notable sound effects include acquiring power ups, punching bombs, and the prominent horn-like sound that lets you know you've been killed! There is only one multiplayer battle theme across that mode, but it's a very well known tune that returns in most of the later games of the Bomberman series.


Addictiveness: 9

Super Bomberman is very easy to pick up and play. In single player mode, there are multiple worlds to explore. While there is no password system, progressing through each level is fairly quick starting from the very beginning. In truth, the bulk of Super Bomberman's addictiveness comes from its multiplayer mode. Whether you face off against the AI or other players, every match is action packed and typically doesn't last too long. Since the same concept applies to single player, either branch of Super Bomberman can be addicting to just keep playing through!


Story: 4

The gameplay itself tells very limited story with the player largely filling in the blanks and assuming the story on their own behalf. From looking up various other sources, Carat Diamond and Dr. Mook are assembling an army of robots, and want to incorporate a new weapon using Bomberman's abilities. To achieve this, they launch an invasion of Bomberman's world. This is where you, Bomberman, come in to fight back their assault. In the game itself, we do see sprites of Bomberman following the two evil guys across each level culminating in a gauntlet of deathmatches at a coliseum. The Bombermen eventually take the fight to the enemy's HQ before fighting Diamond & Dr. Mook head on. Honestly, the story isn't the main selling point of the game. If you're playing Super Bomberman, you're looking to blow things up, rather than become engrossed in a story. Understanding the plot isn't integral to understanding or enjoying the game itself, but you have the option!


Depth: 6

In single player mode, the goal of each level is to find the exit (hidden amongst the destructible blocks) and kill every enemy before being allowed to enter. If you blast the exit for any reason, more enemies spawn. Technically, you're on the clock for each life, but levels rarely take so long that you would be killed by time itself; plus, there are power-ups that specifically give you more time. The only level where time becomes an issue is the coliseum.
There are no ways to skip levels so each progressive playthrough will play out similarly. However, the power-ups will appear at random as blocks are destroyed. In this way, it always pays to blow up every block possible before exiting the level. A second player can jump in turning “single player” mode to co-op where the continues are shared. Just make sure you don't accidentally blow up your buddy! While there isn't inherently a lot of depth to Super Bomberman, each level's ease of access gives this game great replay value.


Difficulty: 6

There are two main power ups: number of bombs, and distance. As you collect these power ups, you can lay more bombs out at a time before any explode, allowing tactical bomb layouts that corner enemies or destroy multiple blocks at once. Distance affects how far a bomb blast travels and aids in that tactical effort. If you lose a life, you still maintain these power-ups, but if you lose a continue, then you start at square one.
Meanwhile, there are other abilities like being able to punch, kick bombs that allow safer/alternative methods of attacking enemies. The most powerful items give you the ability to detonate your own bombs remotely, at your own discretion, as well as the ability to walk over walls. Be warned though, losing a life means you also lose all of these power-ups.
After achieving various milestones of score, you're rewarded with an extra life. Continues remain finite. As long as you can gain momentum and power through the levels, the game isn't difficult. It's tougher on first timers who may be getting their bearings; the first time I played Super Bomberman, I hit my wall at the coliseum. Keep in mind, when respawning, you're briefly invincible for a few seconds. Do what you will with that knowledge!


Overall: 8.2

Super Bomberman doesn't have an intricate, engrossing story, nor is it a major graphical spectacle. What it does have is addicting gameplay (more-so in multiplayer) and wonderful replay value. There's nothing more satisfying than quickly excavating each level with a powerful arsenal of remote bombs + wall walking. Just don't get careless and lose it all! The Bomberman formula is already pretty fleshed out at this point in the series, and only continues further with each successive game. I feel that most folks remember Super Bomberman for its head to head multiplayer, but my personal favorite way to play the game is going through the normal game mode in co-op. Whichever option is your method of choice, you will have a blast playing Super Bomberman!