Atomic Bomberman
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Atomic Bomberman
- Platform: IBM PC Compatible
- Release Date: 1997
- Genre: Action
- Style: Overhead View Action
Game Description
Atomic Bomberman takes the Bomberman series to the next technological level. Using the powerful capabilities of high-end PCs, Atomic Bomberman challenges players to engage in frantic high-speed competition to trap the other players between a bomb and a hard place. A classic mode allows fans of the series to play the previous editions of the game while an enhanced mode offers new play options, power-ups, levels and animation.Powerful tools allow players to custom design Atomic Bomberman to their liking, create new levels, taunts, and tile sets on the fly. Up to ten people can go head-to-head via modem or network in several variations of multi-player competition. A Microsoft Plus theme is also included with the game.
~ Scott Steinberg, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
Bomberman was first introduced to the computer gaming public in 1989 and has gone through many revisions and enhancements since that time. This current version features 3D animation, multi-player options (complete with pre-packaged player taunts), and new character animations.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
How hard can it be to make a good Bomberman game? You put the player in the role of a mad bomber who is trying to blow up his enemies in a top-down, bird's-eye view world. You hook them up with hidden items that can make them lay down multiple bombs or with power-ups to make them run faster. You add a ton of maps with each one progressively harder than the last and voila! That's how you make a good Bomberman game. In essence, Interplay tried to follow this formula in Atomic Bomberman, but somehow they failed to make it good.In my opinion, Interplay felt that a Bomberman game would be too childish for the mature PC game audience. After all, the main focus of this series has always been on mindless, arcade-style fun. Far be it for the PC gaming community to have a game that doesn't have a story or mind-blowing graphics. So, Interplay tried to remedy this. They replaced the kiddie look with a mature, SVGA look. This isn't a bad thing as the game looks pretty good and retains its top-down perspective. Unfortunately, though, they single-handedly destroyed everything this game is about, namely, the fun.
Atomic Bomberman isn't a single-player game; its main thrust is in the multi-player aspect. The lack of a single player campaign is sickening. There are no little creatures to fight any more nor hidden doors to be found. Instead, they've been replaced by computer AI 'bots. You can customize these 'bots to act differently, but who cares? There are no level progressions or anything along that line. It's just not fun at all.
So the single player game has been shot to oblivion but how about multi-player support? After all, the game is intended for online play. Too bad that it's downright horrible. The online support is a lag-filled, bug-ridden mess. There's no excuse for a simple game like this to be choppy online. Even the Quake games run better than Atomic Bomberman. There are glitches in the program, which only add salt to the wound. People will get dropped from servers randomly and ghosts will appear. That's right, people who aren't even there will start joining up!
The Bomberman name has been soiled by Atomic Bomberman. Nearly every Bomberman game, since the original one for the NES, has been enjoyable. In this instance, the developer tried to take the game to new heights and failed. Just look at Bomberman 64. A 3D adventure? That's not what this series is about.
This is where Atomic Bomberman fails, as Interplay tried to do something new by taking it to a multi-player format and failed miserably by sacrificing the one key ingredient--mindless fun.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
The single-player game is nothing more than a computer AI 'bot match with no level progressions or anything Bomberman fans love. The multi-player aspect is fairly shoddy so there's really not much to enjoy about Atomic Bomberman.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Some of the textures in this game look pretty good while other things, such as icons and effects, look pretty drab. The character animation is fairly smooth and there are some funny FMV sequences.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
The sound effects are amusing and the music is upbeat. Both fit well with the party element.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
Fortunately, you can customize characters and levels to your heart's content. But, because the game has no sense of enjoyment or fun, there's still not enough here to keep you interested for more than a few hours.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
The booklet is somewhat bland but it does describe some of the items.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
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Atomic Bomberman
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Atomic Bomberman
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| Atomic Bomberman | |
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| Developer(s) | Interplay Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Interplay Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Jeremy Airey, Kurt W. Dekker |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Arcade game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer (10 players) |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: K-A (Kids to Adults) |
| Media/distribution | CD-ROM |
| System requirements
Windows 95/98, DirectX 3.0, Intel Pentium 90 or 100% compatible, 16MB RAM, 40MB free hard disk space, 2x CD-ROM drive, SVGA video card |
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Atomic Bomberman is a game by Interplay for the PC that was released in 1997. It was the first original Bomberman game to be developed for Windows, and the second game of the series made for the PC, following 1992's Bomber Man.
The game is relatively unusual in the Bomberman series, as it was officially licensed from Hudson Soft and developed by an American team. Most titles in the series were developed in Japan. It has a different look and feel compared to other Bomberman titles as a result (despite basic gameplay being unchanged), using pre-rendered 3D characters and backgrounds as opposed to hand-drawn animated sprites, techno-inspired background music and the extensive use of voice samples during gameplay. The voice clips are by well-known voice actors Charles Adler and Billy West.
Level editor
The player has the ability to edit existing maps as well as to create new maps. Maps used by the game are in the form of .sch "Scheme" Files. The map editor is a simple interface, showing the map, dotted with different colors (0 to 9) to represent player spawns. The number keys choose which spawn to place, and the mouse cursor chooses where. A function called DENSITY chooses how "dense" the collection of breakable items are. The Powerup Manager chooses the list of powerups to be included, how often, whether they can be destroyed and what happens when two conflicting powers are picked (such as Bomb Splooge versus Glove). The editor also sports a basic graphic interface, the player can switch between the "Green Acre" theme and a monochrome, patterned representation.
Hidden game options and voice packs
Unique options and voice packs were left very well hidden in the game. In an example, it appears as though TCP LAN and online play were being developed but were never completed. Additional options are available through modifying a specific set of Game System files. The player could make adjustments to the game, such as the number of powerups available per round, the starting bombs or powerups, how quickly bombs explode, or the difficulty setting.
Hidden audio samples were left in the game. These could only be accessed using the game CD. The player could modify audio, or add their own voice. There were also controversial content, including profanity that could only be accessed with specific programs.
External links
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