Bomberman DS: Multiplayers a blast - single player merely fizzles

I picked this up on a nostalgic impulse mostly for the multiplayer action and was not disappointed. As the DS is capable of massive multiplayer matchups (2 screens = twice as many bombers!) this is pretty much spot on if you can find other DS owners (only one cart is needed). There are many different arenas, and customisation options lots of which I hadn't seen in a bomberman title. Some modes such as Zombies & capture the crown show new directions and innovations for the series which when the multiplayer mode is set to random can add spice to a traditional gaming session. Handicaps can also be set easily giving novice players a helping hand with more power-ups to start with.

Like many other versions of the game the single player is less stellar, but does stand up on it's own merit. The ability to hoard power ups and choose when to use them is great, but the touch interface is clunky with you having to turn the page to access some power-ups which in the heat of a boss battle isn't intuitive. It is set over a series of screens which must be cleared of enemies to unlock the exit portal. Destroying enemies gives points based on how many are destroyed at one time.

If you loved the title originally in the 1990's it's a must buy - this is the best version since the multiplayer saturn days. If you are wondering what the fuss is about maybe play it first, it can be slow paced and strategical which isn't what the Halo Generation may be after.

For us 16-bit junkies retro gaming just got a neat little upgrade.

On a side note an online version of this title is being released next year (2006) so it may be worth scouting around for this if online gaming is your thing.