Published by Hudson Soft in 1998, Bomberman Hero was the second Bomberman game released for the Nintendo 64. It is considerably different to the previous N64 Bomberman game (Bomberman 64), but is still set in a fully 3D environment.

The story in Bomberman Hero is clearly a parody of Star Wars. A princess steals a data disk from “The Evil Empire” and smuggles it out inside a robot, but she herself is captured. Bomberman is alerted to the princess’s plight and sets off to save her. To do that, he must travel to four different planets and defeat a succession of bosses. Each planet has multiple stages, and each stage has a points target. Medals are awarded depending on how many points are gained after completing each planet. Getting a gold medal on a planet will unlock a minigame that can be accessed from the main menu.

In this game, Bomberman can jump, climb, throw bombs, use weapons and items, and even drive vehicles. He can also use a variety of different types of bombs, including ice bombs (which turn enemies into blocks of ice that can be moved around and used as platforms); salt bombs (which are the only things that can harm slugs), and control bombs (which can be remotely detonated), as well as his regular bombs. Bomberman also has a life bar in this, which is another new feature of Bomberman Hero.

Another departure from previous Bomberman games is the fact that Bomberman Hero doesn’t have a multiplayer mode, which is a break from tradition. The game is focused solely on the single-player story mode.

Each stage has something new to introduce to the game. Switches, conveyor belts, moving platforms, teleporters, and a smorgasbord of annoying enemies. The first stage is a training area, but it doesn’t feel like one – it feels like a regular set of challenging levels, which is good. When you’ve completed that, you’re then given access to one of four gadgets that set the tone of the successive levels. The first set of ‘proper’ levels are mostly set underwater, and you’re given a small submarine type device to propel you through the water, which is cool. Complete those, and you’re then give access to other devices.

Bomberman Hero is more platform-oriented than previous Bomberman games (excepting for the Pocket Bomberman series). It’s also slower – both in terms of movement, and frame rates – than Bomberman 64. Or at least it seemed that way to me. Boss battles are more challenging in this game, too.

It took me a little while to warm to Bomberman Hero, but after completing the training missions, I was fully on-board and enjoying myself.

More: Bomberman Hero on Wikipedia
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