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Bomberman Land Review for the PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Bomberman Land Review for the PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Bomberman Land’s Not a Total Blast

Bomberman Land marks the series’ debut on the PSP. This game mixes classic Bomberman battles with a story mode that’s full of unlockables. The deep customization and multiplayer fun of the Battle Game is impressive. On the other hand, the Story mode is quite dull and just a gimmick to add content. Mini-games can be unlocked through story advancement, but they’re only mildly entertaining. Fortunately, the frantic battles are great, and it makes this title worthwhile. It’s nice that Hudson wants to add depth to the series through a story, but the longevity of this franchise is solely attributable to classic Bomberman battles, and Bomberman Land for the PSP is no exception.

Bomberman Land screenshot

For those of you who have never played Bomberman, Battle Game places you in a simple square arena that’s full of obstacles. Some obstacles can be obliterated with your bombs; others are indestructible. As you clear away the breakable objects, items will drop that will either help or hinder your character. Some items will make you fast or slow, some increase or decrease the number of bombs you can use at one time, and still others will change the potency or type of explosives you’ll use. After just a minute or two all players will be fairly well buffed and interactions between them become very frantic. You’ll try to outwit your opponents by trapping them against objects and exploding a bomb so that they are eliminated from the arena. If you are the last man standing, you win!

There are five different types of battles from which you can choose. Normal Battle is the classic last man standing mode I just explained. Stars Battle is a game mode that sees who can acquire the most star blocks. Point Battles is similar to Normal, but you’ll also have to accumulate as many points as possible. Crown Battle has you duke it out with your opponents in a race to see who will wear the crown first. Finally, All-Out Battles will have you battle with random rules sets. In addition to choosing the kind of battles you can have, you can also select between one of 47 stages. These stages incorporate seesaws, conveyor belts, pipes, and holes, among other things in order to change the overall character of the battle. Furthermore, you will be able choose what kinds of patterns will be used for each stage’s obstacles. You can use pots, blocks, barrels, crates, and even snowmen. Additionally, the rules sets are fully customizable! You are sure to find a number of different combinations that suit your playing style. The Battle Game in Bomberman Land is not only fun, but full of options. Bravo!

Bomberman Land screenshot

The Battle Game is definitely the best part of this title. Alas, there is no online multiplayer, but you can play with up to three other friends via the Wi-Fi connection. Happily, this local multiplayer battle function makes up for a lack of online support because you only have to have one copy of the title. Another great function is the ability to share unlockable elements of the game. Simply go to Sharing and up or download maps and mini-games. That way you and your friends will always be on the same page.

Other than battles, Hudson has included a full-fledged adventure. You’ll take on the role of Cheerful White. You and your friends receive a distress call from the director of Bomberman Land. It seems something awful has happened to the theme park. The staff of the park has lost all of their memories, and the park has been broken up into several pieces. You’ll have to best over 50 attractions (mini-games) and collect 150 unique Pieces in order to restore Bomberman Land to its former glory. Along the way you’ll uncover the mystery and be able to buy items, music, and other unlockables.

Bomberman Land screenshot

Sadly, the story is very weak. You’ll have to button mash your way through seemingly endless, nonsensical dialogue throughout. Moreover, players will have to go back and forth between the five different zones in order to get Zone Pieces that staff members inexplicably wouldn’t give you the first time around. This becomes very annoying, very quickly. In fact, knowing when to venture back to the various zones to obtain the missing pieces is the only challenge, and that’s not a good thing. Gratefully, the Attractions are decent and definitely the most rewarding aspect of the story mode. However, they are extremely easy. If you do find an Attraction that somehow stumps you, you can simply use an Easy Pass or a Super Pass to lower the difficulty. The story just doesn’t offer enough of a challenge, nor is it well enough designed to merit your time. The only thing it has going for it are the mediocre mini-games that may actually sucker you into beating the game. My suggestion would be to get the mini-games from a friend that also owns the title.

Bomberman Land screenshot

The graphics and sounds are run of the mill at best. The visuals just do not capitalize on the power of the PSP. For a series with such a long history, it’s time for the world of Bomberman to start looking a lot more like the Mushroom Kingdom. In other words, there’s a lot of detail that could be fleshed out to make for a much more captivating presentation. This is also the case with the music and sound effects. The BGM theme is very repetitive, and the string of beeps that represent character voices grate on you. I expect a lot more from this franchise.

Mercifully, the controls are very simple to use. The mini-games, battles, and menus are all negotiated with ease. However, I’m sure this game will be far superior on the Wii and especially on the DS. Indeed, the PSP controls are so simple that they make the mini-games seem boring. There is, quite frankly, no challenge outside of the classic battles.

Bomberman Land is pretty much the same game you’ve played time and again. The Battle Game is rock solid and fully customizable. However, the Story mode really misses the mark. As a result, the title isn’t nearly as deep or fulfilling as it could be. The ability to play the game with up to four people with only one UMD is an excellent feature that almost makes up for the fact that there is no online multiplayer component. The graphics and sounds don’t take advantage of the PSP’s strengths and the controls are so easy to use that the player is never challenged. In conclusion, Bomberman Land is a simple title that won’t keep you entertained for very long. If you still need to pick up this game, then I encourage you to do so for the DS; the PSP doesn’t seem to be the ideal platform.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.6 Graphics
The graphics are passable, but not good enough for a PSP title. 4.2 Control
Whether you’re battling it out or working your way through the story, the controls are smooth and concise if not innovative. 2.2 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sounds and music are annoying and repetitive. 3.8 Play Value
The Battle Game is excellent, but the poorly executed Story mode is a real yawner. 3.2 Overall Rating – Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • 50 Mini-games – Extreme sports fan? Try your hand at the skateboarding mini-game. Do you love Sci-Fi? Try out the Laser Ball mini-game. With 50 unique, addictive mini-games there’s something here for everyone.
  • Character Customization – Customize and create you very own Bomberman character with tons of unlockable items.
  • Fun-filled Adventure – Bomberman Land has broken into pieces; uncover the mysteries and restore Bomberman Land by collecting all the pieces and put Bomberman Land back together again.
  • Multiplayer Action – Go head-to-head and battle up to 4 players in either all 50 mini-games or the original Bomberman Game.
  • Original Bomberman Battle Game Included! – The Original Bomberman Battle game is included with all new maps and power up items. Multiplayer Strategy Action doesnt get better than this!

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