Saturn Bomberman

From Sega Retro

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Satbomberman01.png

Saturn Bomberman
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Hudson Soft
Developer:
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (29 tracks)
Peripherals supported: 6Player
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-10
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥6,800 (7,004)6,800e[3] T-14302G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
JP
(Satakore) 		¥2,8002,800 T-14314G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
JP
(Party Pac) 		¥9,980 (10,279)9,980e[4] T-14313G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
US 		$39.9939.99[6] 81070
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Saturn
EU 		MK81070-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE 		MK81070-50
USK: 6
Sega Saturn
UK 		£39.9939.99[7] MK81070-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL
Sega Saturn
AU 		FSAT23SSC
OFLC: G8

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Saturn Bomberman (サターンボンバーマン) is a Sega Saturn puzzle action game developed and published by Hudson Soft. An entry in the popular Bomberman series of multiplayer-focused puzzle titles, the game was first released in Japan in July 1996.

Two months later, it was followed up with an XBAND-compatible version for online gameplay, released exclusively in Japan; this version was later localized and brought to the United States in August 1997, with the game being reprogrammed to utilize the Sega NetLink modem accessory. Versions published in Europe and Australia, as well as the Japanese Satakore budget release, do not feature online functionality.

Gameplay

The game is played on a grid where the player drops bombs and must defeat opposing foes and clear obstructions. Power-ups are distributed to enhances the character or increase the reach of dropped bombs or it's behavior.

Controls

These are the default controls. Controls can be changed to five different presets in the Options menu.

  • D-Pad - Move Character
  • C - Bomb Set, Line Bomb
  • B - Remote Control
  • A - Power Glove - Dino Ability
  • L or R - Kick Stop
  • L + R - Dismount Dinosaur

This game also supports the 3D Control Pad, however it must be switched to + mode (analog mode off) for it to function.

Items

The game features a number of items that are split across all three game modes. While most will provide players benefits, some items may also hinder them. A letter next to each one notes where the item can be found. N refers to Normal Game, B refers to Battle Game and M refers to Master Game.

Bomb N, B, M
Fire N, B, M
Speed N, B, M
Sandals N, B, M
Penetrator N
1-Up N
Bomb Kick N, B, M
Power Glove N, B, M
Bomb Pass N
Block N
Remote Control N, M
Power Bomb N, B
Bead Bomb N, B
Line Bomb N, B
Fire Suit N, M
Heart N, B, M
Rubber Bomb N, B
Mine B
Clock N
Merger B
Apple N, B, M
Meat N
Ice Cream N, M
Egg N, B
Skull B
Devil B

Skulls

During a Battle Game, players can pick up a Skull icon that will affect them with a specific sickness. Collecting a Devil icon causes everyone to be affected by a random illness. The player who collected the Devil icon will be highlighted until the illness ends for all players.

  • Sprint Sickness - Increases player's speed radically.
  • Sluggish Sickness - Decreses player's speed drastically.
  • Diarrhea - Sets bombs constantly
  • Paralysis - Cannot set bombs
  • Minimal Sickness - Decreases bomb explosion range
  • Can't Stop Sickness - Cannot stop moving unless the player runs into a wall
  • Reverse Sickness - Reverses the controls
  • Short Fuse Sickness - Bombs explode quickly after setting them
  • Long Fuse Sickness - Bombs take longer to explode after setting them.
  • Involuntary Transplantation - Switch places randomly with another player

Eggs

During a Normal Game or a Battle Game, an egg can be discovered by blasting a softblock apart. Running into one will hatch out a Dinosaur. Not only will they provide the ability to take damage for the player, they also provide special abilities by pressing A on the control pad.

Dinosaurs also have the ability to grow. In Normal Game, collecting food items such as Apples Running into another egg while riding the dinosaur or in Battle Game, running over another Egg will cause the Dinosaur to grow which boosts their powers. They can grow up to three levels.

Dinosaurs can be dismounted at any time by holding both L and R buttons.

  • Purple Dinosaur - Lets out ultrasonic waves that sets off bombs and reveals objects hiding under softblocks.
  • Blue Dinosaur - Able to kick bombs.
  • Green Dinosaur - Able to sprint into a wall without stopping. The higher level it is, it then provides a chance to stop a sprint and then provides the chance to turn corners.
  • Yellow Dinosaur - Able to stun opponents by roaring at them.
  • Pink Dinosaur - Able to jump over bombs and soft blocks. Once it gains levels it can then leap over hardblocks.

Modes

Saturn Bomberman is divided into three modes of play, though each mode plays in the traditional Bomberman fashion.

As well as offering a single-player campaign, Saturn Bomberman is notable for its multiplayer options, allowing up to 10 human players to compete on-screen through the with the use of the 6Player (and in Japan, Hudson made its own Bomberman-themed one). Even today some modern iterations of Bomberman lack this feature. Online play can be found in the the US and Japanese versions of the game, though the European version does not support this feature.

Normal Game

Normal Game is the story mode for Saturn Bomberman and supports up to two players. Players take control of White and Black Bomberman and must play through a series of levels based around different time periods.

The main antagonists are the Hige Hige bandits, who have gone on to be featured in other Bomberman titles and animated series including Bomberman Generation, Bomberman Jetters and more.

Stages
  • Stage 1 - Amusement World
  • Stage 2 - Samurai World
  • Stage 3 - Wild West World
  • Stage 4 - Dino World
  • Stage 5 - Mr Meanie's Future World

Battle Game

Battle Game serves as the multiplayer mode that goes up to 10 players through the use of two 6Players. You can also set up a series mode that allows specifications such as how many players playing, which stages are played and the rule set. In the US and Japanese versions of the game, players can make use of the Sega NetLink modem and link up one other system with up to 2 players per console for up to 4 player multiplayer online, and like all other Netlink games can now be played over a high speed internet connection with Voip.[9]

Depending on how many players are allowed to play determines which stages can be selected. Up to 8 players can choose from any of the gimmick stages. 10 player matches can only be played on the Wide Stage. This stage appears zoomed out to accommodate for the additional players and does not feature any gimmicks.

Characters

Instead of using differently colored Bomberman, players can choose from White and Black Bomberman as well as a host of other Hudson Soft based characters and mascots.

  • White Bomberman
  • Black Bomberman
  • Kotetsu - Hudson mascot
  • Miss Honey - Hudson mascot
  • Bonk - PC-Genjin/Bonk series
  • Master Higgins- Adventure Island series
  • Milon - Milon's Secret Castle
  • Manjimaru - Tengai Makyou series
  • Kabuki - Tengai Makyou series
  • Kinu - Tengai Makyou series

In addition to the regular ten characters are two secret characters. To unlock them, navigate to the Battle Game Menu. Once it appears hold both L and R until a chime sounds. The two characters should be selectable then.

  • Yuna - Galaxy Fraulein Yuna series
  • Manto - Tengai Makyou series

When playing online, players are split between two teams with up to two players each. Red Team plays with White Bomberman and Miss Honey. Blue Team plays with Black Bomberman and Kotetsu. If one team has two human players and the other only has one, the remaining slot will be replaced by a computer controlled teammate. Maps are selected at random.

Stages
  • Hold the X, Y and Z buttons for a few seconds when choosing a stage to unlock different stage variants. Press Up or Down to change the time of day. Each stage has four different variants.
  • Stage 1 - Path to Glory
  • Stage 2 - Soccer Stadium
  • Stage 3 - Jungle Trap
  • Stage 4 - Desert Twister
  • Stage 5 - Space Colony
  • Stage 6 - Bouncing Bomber
  • Stage 7 - Ninja House
  • Stage 8 - Factory Floor
  • Wide Stage - Field of Glory - Can only be played if "Wide" is selected in the rules setup. This is the only map that will fit up to 10 players.

Master Game

Master Game is similar to Normal Game that supports one player only. Players play as White Bomberman and go through twenty rooms. At the end of the game, players are graded based on their performance.

Development

During development, Saturn Bomberman was known by the working title Bomberman SS.

Production credits

Production
Marketing
For Hudson
  • Planning: Tatsumitsu Watanabe
  • Programming: Satoshi Mikami, Tetsuya Wakabayashi, Yoshikazu Okeya
    • Chief Designer: Kohei Maruyama
    • Design: Mika Kakutani, Miho Nitta
    • Animation Director: Shoji Mizuno
    • Sound Direction: Toshiaki Takimoto, Keisuke Mitsui
    • Composition, Arrangement, Performance: Jun Chikuma
    • Cooperation: Joe Down Studio
    • Special Thanks: Hiroyuki Ota, Kazumi Sawai
    • Product Manager: Haruhiko Ikeda
    • Director: Shigeki Fujiwara
    • Executive Producer: Hiroshi Igari
    • General Producer: Yuji Kudo
Source:
US manual
Saturnbomberman sat us manual.pdf
[10]

Magazine articles

Main article: Saturn Bomberman/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1996-12: "1996-12 (1996-07-26)" (1996-07-12)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1996-13: "1996-13 (1996-08-09)" (1996-07-26)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1996-22: "1996-22 (1996-12-27)" (1996-12-13)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 [11]
90 [12]
90
90 №6, p109 [1]
90 2015-05-12
Sega Saturn
 90
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
75
[13]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
100
[14]
Edge (UK) NTSC-J
70
[15]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
93
[16]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[17]
Fun Generation (DE) NTSC-J
80
[18]
Fun Generation (DE) PAL
90
[19]
Gambler (PL)
92
[20]
GameFan (US)
92
[21]
Game Power (IT)
90
[22]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[23]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-J
80
[24]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
83
[25]
Gry Komputerowe (PL)
85
[26]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[27]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-J
91
[28]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
100
[29]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
87
[30]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
87
[31]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
87
[32]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
87
[33]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-J
85
[34]
Next Generation (US)
75
[35]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
50
[36]
Player One (FR)
95
[37]
Playmag (FR) PAL
78
[38]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
75
[39]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
74
[40]
Saturn+ (UK) NTSC-J
93
[41]
Saturn Power (UK)
91
[42]
Secret Service (PL)
78
[43]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
93
[44]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
73
[45]
Świat Gier Komputerowych (PL)
70
[46]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
90
[47]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
73
[48]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
81
[49]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
81
[50]
Super Power (FI)
88
[51]
Ultra Game Players (US) NTSC-U
85
[52]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-J
70
[53]
Sega Saturn
 83
Based on
41 reviews

Saturn Bomberman

Saturn, JP
Satbomber sat jp backcover.jpgSatbomber sat jp frontcover.jpg
Cover
SaturnBomberman Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
SaturnBomberman Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
SaturnBomberman SS jp manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, JP (Satakore)
SaturnBomberman Saturn JP Box Back Satakore.jpgSaturnBomberman Saturn JP Box Front Satakore.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (Party Pac)
SaturnBomberman Saturn JP Box Back PartyPac.jpgNospine.pngSaturnBomberman Saturn JP Box Front PartyPac.jpg
Cover
Saturn, US
SaturnBomberman Saturn US Box Back.jpgSaturnBomberman Saturn US Box Front.jpg
Cover
SaturnBomberman Saturn US Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturnbomberman sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
Saturn Bomberman Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
SaturnBomberman Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
SaturnBombermanSaturnEUManual3L.pdf
Manual
Saturn, DE
SaturnBomberman Saturn DE cover.jpg
Cover
SaturnBomberman Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, AU
SaturnBomberman Saturn AU back.jpgNospine.pngSaturnBomberman Saturn AU cover.jpg
Cover
SaturnBomberman Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Saturn
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
567,876,288 CD-ROM (EU) MK81070-50 V1.000
Sega Saturn
✔
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
569,654,400 1996-05-31 CD-ROM (JP) T-14302G, T-14314G V1.000
Sega Saturn
✔
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
581,461,440 CD-ROM (US) 81070 V1.003

Save data

Saturn Bomberman makes use of the Saturn's internal battery back-up as well as the Saturn Backup Memory to save data for all three modes.

Saturn Bomberman Save Data
Name Comment File Size
BOMBERSS_## NORMAL 1
BOMBERSS_## BATTLE 11
BOMBERSS_## MASTER 5

References

  1. ↑ File:Satbomber sat jp backcover.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-20 23:05)
  3. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-12 (1996-07-26)" (JP; 1996-07-12), page 4
  4. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-22 (1996-12-27)" (JP; 1996-12-13), page 5
  5. ↑ http://riehlspot.simplenet.com/vgame/new/saturn.html (Wayback Machine: 1999-02-21 17:22)
  6. ↑ Press release: 1997-09-04: Number One Multi-Player Game In History Comes To Sega Saturn
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Press release: 1997-04-04: Sega's Spring Line Up
  8. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1997" (UK; 1997-04-11), page 49
  9. ↑ http://www.dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8453
  10. ↑ File:Saturnbomberman sat us manual.pdf, page 42
  11. ↑ ', "1996-22 (1996-12-27)" (; 1996-12-13), page 92
  12. ↑ GamesMaster, "June 1997" (UK; 1997-05-14), page 61
  13. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1996" (UK; 1996-09-09), page 78
  14. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1997" (UK; 1997-04-11), page 72
  15. ↑ Edge, "October 1996" (UK; 1996-08-30), page 89
  16. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1997" (US; 1997-1x-xx), page 193
  17. ↑ Famitsu, "1996-07-26" (JP; 1996-07-12), page 1
  18. ↑ Fun Generation, "09/96" (DE; 1996-08-14), page 82
  19. ↑ Fun Generation, "07/97" (DE; 1997-06-12), page 92
  20. ↑ Gambler, "7/1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
  21. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 10: October 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 21
  22. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio 1997" (IT; 1997-0x-xx), page 38
  23. ↑ GamePro, "October 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 148
  24. ↑ Game Informer, "October 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 58
  25. ↑ Game Informer, "October 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 66
  26. ↑ Gry Komputerowe, "7-8/1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
  27. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Mayo 1997" (ES; 1997-xx-xx), page 78
  28. ↑ Intelligent Gamer, "October 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 66
  29. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 69
  30. ↑ MAN!AC, "09/96" (DE; 1996-08-14), page 53
  31. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/97" (DE; 1997-04-09), page 81
  32. ↑ Mega Fun, "09/96" (DE; 1996-08-21), page 76
  33. ↑ Mega Fun, "05/97" (DE; 1997-04-02), page 82
  34. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "November 1996" (UK; 1996-10-04), page 80
  35. ↑ Next Generation, "November 1996" (US; 1996-10-22), page 273
  36. ↑ Next Generation, "November 1997" (US; 1997-10-21), page 201
  37. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1997" (FR; 1997-xx-xx), page 86
  38. ↑ Playmag, "Mai 1997" (FR; 1997-0x-xx), page 84
  39. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 17" (JP; 1996-08-02), page 186
  40. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 19" (JP; 1996-09-06), page 80
  41. ↑ Saturn+, "Issue 4" (UK; 1996-10-24), page 31
  42. ↑ Saturn Power, "June 1997" (UK; 1997-xx-xx), page 75
  43. ↑ Secret Service, "Lipiec/Sierpień 1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 66
  44. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1997" (DE; 1997-05-14), page 68
  45. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1996" (UK; 1996-08-29), page 46
  46. ↑ Świat Gier Komputerowych, "6/1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
  47. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "May 1997" (UK; 1997-04-12), page 52
  48. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-12 (1996-07-26)" (JP; 1996-07-12), page 220
  49. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 13
  50. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "8 July 1997" (UK; 1997-06-25), page 15
  51. ↑ Super Power, "7 1997" (FI; 1997-0x-xx), page 50
  52. ↑ Ultra Game Players, "October 1997" (US; 1997-09-16), page 90
  53. ↑ Video Games, "9/96" (DE; 1996-08-28), page 91


Saturn Bomberman

Satbomberman01.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information


Books: Saturn Bomberman Hudson Koushiki Guide Book (1996)

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Bomberman games for Sega systems
SG-1000
 Bomberman Special (198x)
Sega Mega Drive
 Mega Bomberman (1994) | Mega Bomberman: Special 8 Player Demo (unreleased)
Sega Saturn
 Saturn Bomberman (XBAND) (1996) | Saturn Bomberman Fight!! (1997) | Bomberman Wars (1998)
Sega Dreamcast
 Bomberman Online (2001)
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