Joystiq impressions: Bomberman Live! (XBLA)

by Zack Stern { Jul 11th 2007 at 8:00AM }

I recently played Bomberman Live! at a Hudson media event, getting a sense for this title that goes back to the original Bomberman formula. This Xbox Live Arcade game is expected to launch later this month and will be available for 800 points ($10).

How is it? It's Bomberman. Will you like it? It's Bomberman. Do you like Bomberman? It's Bomberman.

Gallery: Bomberman Live! (XBLA)

In passing conversations the Hudson staff ripped apart Bomberman Act Zero, trying to distance themselves from that dud but making me uncomfortable in the process. Hudson did release it after all. It's like a parent talking about how their next child will right all the wrongs of the first, with the first in the room.

But clearly an old-school Bomberman, the XBLA game features up to four players on a single console and up to eight player games online. Customizable Bomberman characters run through top-down maps dropping bombs and hoping they explode into opponents, eliminating them all. Familiar power-ups include the ability to punch and kick lit bombs and a few new additions feel true to the simple gameplay. Special game modes that have appeared in recent Bomberman releases -- including the objective to claim map territory with each blast -- add longevity to the game.

What more can I say? It's Bomberman. Did I like it? Yes.

Tags: bomberman, bomberman live, bomberman live!, BombermanLive, BombermanLive!, hudson, impressions, party, xbla

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kazi @ Jul 11th 2007 8:18AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomberman_Act:_Zero Have a good laugh and be glad we'll never see that travesty return.

Glad to know I'll be able to play this one with out laughing, I love me some bomber man.

JodyAnthony @ Jul 11th 2007 8:41AM

my brother and I used to stay up for hours late at night playing the SNES bomberman game.

Shagittarius @ Jul 11th 2007 11:17AM

I really use to enjoy 5 player with all my friends on TurboGraphics. It was a blast to have everyone trash talkin and hangin out.

PacoDG @ Jul 11th 2007 9:04AM

"In passing conversations the Hudson staff ripped apart Bomberman Act Zero, trying to distance themselves from that dud but making me uncomfortable in the process."

Aw c'mon, a company finally admits when they made a mistake and now it makes you uncomfortable. I know its not usual, but.. enjoy it!

MosquitoControl @ Jul 11th 2007 9:08AM

Does it have jellybombs?
It'd better have jellybombs.

sheppy @ Jul 11th 2007 10:49AM

I think the Bomberman Act Zero bashing was so uncomfortable mainly because they were hyping the damn thing up as the greatest thing to happen to Bomberman since the NES 4Play. I think it's accurate in the fact that NOW they bash the hell out of it but six months ago, they were defending that turd. The sudden switch to "Maybe if we constantly make fun of the game everyone hated, this will make us cool, right?"

It's like this. Pokemon Dash blew ass, hardcore. As did Yoshi's Touch 'N Go. Both were failed experiments in the DS. Now, when Yoshi's Island 2 came out, did Nintendo put emphasis on that game by cutting down Touch 'N Go? Did Nintendo hype Pokemon Diamond and Pearl by constantly reminding people "Pokemon Dash was a travesty, this time we'll do right by our consumer base?"

Michael McGuire @ Jul 11th 2007 11:11AM

I want to know why journalists never seem to get this question answered on games like this: Can you take multiple people online?

I always have to answer this question myself after I download and purchase the game. Never does it seem to be covered in previews or reviews. I had high hopes we'd see it in Carcassonne, but alas, it was not to be :-(