Bomberman II (1991-)

• Developer: Hudson Soft

• Publisher: Hudson Soft

• Genre: Puzzle

• Designer: Hitoshi Okuno

• Composer: Jun Chikuma

Bomberman II for the NES was developed and published by Hudson Soft, released in 1991 as a direct sequel to the original Bomberman. The game continued to build upon the formula that made the first title successful, bringing more refined gameplay and new challenges to players. Although it remained exclusive to the NES for its initial release, Bomberman II’s legacy was later carried forward in various Bomberman titles on other platforms. It aimed to expand on the core mechanics while maintaining the accessible and strategic puzzle-action gameplay that fans had come to enjoy.

The game’s premise follows the classic Bomberman character navigating maze-like levels, placing bombs strategically to defeat enemies and clear paths. The inspiration for Bomberman II clearly stems from its predecessor but also shows subtle influences from other maze and action-puzzle games of the era. The sequel introduced new level designs and enemy types, making the experience more varied and challenging. Players had to use more strategy and precision as the game featured more complex mazes and increased enemy AI, demanding careful bomb placement and quick thinking.

Gameplay in Bomberman II maintained the top-down grid layout where players placed bombs to clear obstacles and enemies. It added features such as new power-ups and traps, enhancing the tactical depth. The game also experimented with slightly more intricate level progression and a greater variety of hazards that required adaptation from players. The soundtrack complemented the gameplay with energetic and engaging compositions that matched the game’s pace and intensity, helping to create a focused atmosphere during play sessions.

Bomberman II followed directly from the original Bomberman, continuing the franchise’s early growth but did not introduce multiplayer modes that would become a hallmark in later sequels. It was followed by a series of Bomberman games, including the more widely known Super Bomberman series, which expanded on multiplayer and added new gameplay mechanics. The game was promoted primarily to fans of the original, emphasizing its refined gameplay and fresh challenges. While it received generally positive feedback for improving upon the original, some critics noted it didn’t significantly innovate, though it successfully kept the franchise’s core appeal alive.

Images from MobyGames