Atomic Bomberman

User Summary

This is an unusual entry in the long running and popular 'Bomberman' franchise, in that it does not have a single player mode (though you can play the standard multi-player game with the AI controlling the other characters). This release concentrates on multiplayer, with up to 8 players on a single PC, and up to 10 when playing over a network!

The gameplay follows the standard Bomberman style - drop a bomb, run away before it explodes. When setting bombs, the early aim is to blow up destructible portions of the arena, which would then drop power-ups. These range from giving you extra bombs, and larger explosions, to the ability to pick up bombs or to set off your bombs by remote control.

When you have built up a decent arsenal, your focus switches to trying to blow up your opponents. The last man standing on the level wins!

As well as powerups, sometimes 'diseases' are uncovered by your explosions. These include 'Short Fuse' where your bombs explode more quickly than normal, 'Molasses' where your bomberman is slowed to a crawl, and the highly frightening 'Diarrhoea' where you cannot stop dropping bombs! These diseases can be passed on to other players by touching them, providing an additional dimension to the game.

From the manual

For those of you not familiar with the Bomberman experience, I will spare you the details. The dynamics of the game are as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Drop a bomb.
2. Run like hell.
3. Watch your back (and your front, your left, etc. Just watch out.)