Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Bomberman on the Nintendo DS delivers a satisfying blend of classic maze-based action and fresh twists that keep each stage feeling rewarding. The single-player campaign spans 100 stages, steadily increasing in complexity as you earn new abilities. Early on, you’ll unlock essentials like the Bomb Kick and Remote Bomb, then graduate to more advanced tools such as the Power Bomb and Hyper Dash. Each new power-up fundamentally changes how you navigate the grid, transforming simple escape puzzles into strategic demolition challenges.

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Beyond basic bombing, the game peppers in varied puzzles and formidable bosses to test your skill set. Some stages reward quick reflexes to dodge fire trails or rolling boulders, while others require careful planning to trigger chain reactions. This alternation between high-octane bomb battles and methodical puzzle-solving ensures that the action never feels repetitive, and the difficulty curve remains engaging throughout the adventure.

The crown jewel of Bomberman’s gameplay is undoubtedly its multiplayer mode. Up to eight players can duke it out with a single game card, making spontaneous battles easy to set up. For solo players, the game offers up to seven AI-controlled bots, each with distinct behaviors—from aggressive bomb rushers to cautious tacticians. As if that weren’t enough, the DS’s microphone gets involved in select voice-controlled stages, challenging you to plant or detonate bombs through voice commands—a quirky feature that keeps the multiplayer scene fresh and unpredictable.

Graphics

Graphically, Bomberman on DS embraces a colorful, cartoonish aesthetic that perfectly suits its lighthearted gameplay. The primary Bomberman character and most enemies are rendered in crisp, vibrant sprites that pop against the tiled backgrounds. Movement animations are smooth, with satisfying bomb explosions that burst in bright hues, leaving behind distinct scorch marks—a visual cue that helps you anticipate safe paths amid the chaos.

Stage design varies widely, ranging from tropical islands and snowy caverns to mechanical fortresses. While the DS’s limited resolution can make some environmental details feel slightly pixelated up close, the overall presentation remains clear and charming. Background elements—like swaying palm trees or flickering torches—add depth without cluttering the playfield, ensuring you can always spot hazards or power-ups at a glance.

Special effects, such as the shimmering glow of a Remote Bomb or the dazzling radius of a Power Bomb, are executed with surprising flair given the handheld’s hardware limitations. Even during eight-player matches, the frame rate holds steady, avoiding stutters or slowdowns that could compromise split-second decisions. Bomberman’s visual design strikes an effective balance between nostalgia for longtime fans and accessibility for newcomers.

Story

Bomberman’s narrative is intentionally minimalistic, serving primarily as a backdrop for the explosive gameplay. You play as the titular hero on a mission to thwart the nefarious plans of the Dark Force, who has scattered obstacles and minions across the realm. Each world culminates in a boss battle that ties into this overarching conflict, but the story progression is light on dialogue or cinematic cutscenes.

What the plot lacks in depth, it makes up for in momentum. The straightforward setup—rescue your friends, reclaim stolen power-ups, and restore peace—allows you to dive directly into the action without getting bogged down by lengthy exposition. Brief nods to Bomberman’s allies and enemies appear between certain levels, offering just enough context to keep you invested in the journey from stage to stage.

For players seeking a rich narrative experience, Bomberman may feel a bit sparse. However, the series has always prioritized gameplay over storytelling, and this installment remains true to that tradition. The simplicity of the tale means that every explosion, puzzle, and boss encounter takes center stage, ensuring the core mechanics shine through unencumbered by superfluous plot threads.

Overall Experience

Bomberman on the DS stands out as a robust addition to the long-running franchise, offering a generous single-player campaign alongside a highly replayable multiplayer suite. The 100-stage adventure provides hours of varied puzzle and combat sequences, while the eight-player battles—complete with AI bots and voice-activated gimmicks—ensure every session feels fresh and unpredictable.

Controls are intuitive, with the D-pad and face buttons handling Bomberman’s movements and bomb placements flawlessly. The touchscreen is used sparingly for menu navigation, so gameplay never feels hindered by awkward touch inputs. Whether you’re chaining bombs in a heated match against friends or strategizing your next move in solo mode, the game’s responsiveness never falters.

In the end, Bomberman for the Nintendo DS is a must-have for portable action fans and party-game enthusiasts alike. Its blend of tight controls, charming visuals, and endless multiplayer mayhem makes it equally suitable for quick pick-up-and-play sessions and long-term replay value. If you’re looking for a handheld experience that balances nostalgic mechanics with modern twists, Bomberman delivers in spades—just don’t stand too close when those bombs start flying.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10