Introduction:

Bomberman Jetters, another 3-D Bomberman game to add to the pile. Bomberman Jetters takes off in the similar style of Bomberman Generation for the Gamecube. It is also similar to Bomberman Hero for the N64. It is the new 3-D take on Bomberman games; for those of you who just remember the old classic Bomberman games. But don't be discouraged, they still have a mode where you can play the old style Bomberman play, with a new 3-D look.

Story:

The Story is the same old thing, something is threatening Planet Bomber, so it is up to Bomberman and his Allies to stop this.

Gameplay:

There is two different gameplay styles in this game. There is that of the Normal game, and that of the Battle Game. I will start with Normal Game. In Normal game you will be able to save your progress in one of 3 Save slots. Once you start your game you will enter a stage. In each stage you will be moving around, and of course, laying bombs. I was shocked to see that Bomberman couldn't jump. I know he never jumped in the classic Bomberman games, but in this 3-D world environment, with the style of game it is, I would have thought that there would be a jump button. But getting over that, there will be powerups for Bomberman along his journey. Powerups will make him lay multiple bombs at a time, move faster etc. You can pick up your bombs and throw them. You can also kick your bombs. You can lift a bomb above yourself and power it up, to make it more powerful. There will be a variety of enemies along your journey. You will rotate the camera angle with the L and R Buttons. It gets a little getting used to, well, for some people, if you are used to using the c-stick to rotate the camera. Bomberman will get these little friends to help him in stages. His first friend is Sharkun, who is basically a shark that Bomberman rides around the rivers and ponds. Bomberman will get more friends throughout his adventure. In each stage you can play as Bomberman OR with the simple click of a button turn into Max. Max has the same Bomb capabilities as Bomberman, (Power Up Bomb, Kick Bomb, Throw Bomb). But Max cannot use Bomberman's friends. You will collect new Bombs throughout your adventure, such as the Hurricane Bomb. Each stage will compose of you,  trying to get to the end, you will have to find your way to the end by going through enemies and these metal pipe things, that move you across the stage. Basically the only gameplay in this game is destroy your enemy with a bomb. Throw your bomb, drop your bomb, or kick your bomb at your enemy. That is basically all that you have to do. You will of course have to run fast to avoid the enemies, they are not just going to sit still. The gameplay is basically just that, avoid the things your enemies throw, and hit them with a bomb. I found the Normal Game very repetitive. It was fun for a little bit, but it became the same thing, over and over again. Now, onto the Battle Game. This is where the 4-Player fun is. Either with Humans or with Computers. The Battle game has 4 Styles. Standard Battle, Battle-One-Two, Battle for Balloms, and Knockout Battle. Each Battle stage is the classic square. Here is a picture of the square design. In Standard Battle your mission is to be the last player standing. First you will have to blow up the bricks with your bombs. Under some bricks are items that you will use to help you win. But there are bad items. Of Course this is all customizable. You can select the length of each battle, if there is items or not, difficulty, sudden death. You can even play on teams. In each square arena stage, you will have to lay your bomb(s) and avoid other players as well as your own. You will be able to select your character, there is a nice variety.  The other battle styles just branch off from the original battle with new things to do. In  Battle for Balloms you will have to go across the square arena and collect these Balloms, then put them in a hole. Whoever has put the most in the holes at the end wins. But, if any of your Balloms get hit with a bomb while you are getting them to a hole, they will not be yours anymore. There are different stages too, there is one with grass for a floor, and wind will blow. The battle stages are fun to play with a friend or friends or just by yourself.

I give the gameplay for Normal Game: 5/10-----I give the gameplay for Battle Game: 6.5/10

Graphics:

Now, the graphics in this game are very cartoony. Is that even a word? They look like one of those new 3-D Cartoon shows. But this look does go with the game. Bomberman has long legs, just thought I'd mention that for those of you who have just played the classic Bomberman games, and pictured Bomberman with short legs. The enemies look ok, for the cartoony style. Bomberman looks good. Looks like he always has, just 3-D and cartoony. The environment is done ok.

I give the cartoony graphics: 7/10

Sound:

The Background sound is good. The rhythm suites the game. Now, Sound FX are good for some things, like when a Bomb Blows up. I personally don't like Bomberman's Voice. It's just not what I pictured his voice to be. I just think it's too high pitched. I looked at the credits in the instruction book, and a girl does Bomberman's voice! I have just always thought Bomberman is a man, since it's Bomberman and not Bomberwoman. It is a nice voice, if it were lets say Bomberman's girlfriend, but its NOT. I just think Bomberman should have a man's voice. Other than that, the Sound is fine.

I give the sound: 4.5/10----- It would have been 6/10 if Bomberman Sounded like a boy.

Replayability:

Once again I am drown to the fact that there are two game styles in this game. The Normal Game has bad replayability, in the fact that the game is very repetitive and dull. The replayability of the Battle Game is very good. Since it's just 100% action. You can play with different rules, and stages and characters. The battle game is one of those fun little games that you can put in, and just play for a little bit. It never really gets boring.

I give the replayability for the Normal Game: 4.5/10-----I give the replayability for the Battle Game: 7.5/10

Challenge:

Of course, once again the challenge varies from the two Game Modes. I found the challenge in Normal Mode very bleak. It was simple. Once you figure out the controls, it becomes easy. You throw a bomb at an enemy, you run away from an enemies weapon. It seems to me that the challenge was more aimed at little kids. Maybe that is why Bomberman sounds like a little girl. It seems this game would be challenging for 7-10 year olds. Maybe for 10-12. But this is not to say that every 7-10 or 10-12 year old will find this challenging, there are those kids that are surprisingly good. Now, for the Challenge of the Battle Game. The Challenge of the battle game is good. You can set the difficulty, so if your finding normal to easy, then switch to hard. This is good, because people have different skill levels, and will improve and want more of a challenge.

I give the Normal Game Challenge: 4.5/10-----I give the Battle Game Challenge: 7/10

Value:

Now, for the value of this game. I would not suggest buying this game unless you are looking for a nice wholesome fun game for a 7-10 year old. Or, if you REALLY, REALLY liked Bomberman Generation. Or, you manage to find it for cheap, like $10. If I saw it for $10 I would buy it, since you rarely see Gamecube games for $10, and even if I did, I would only play the Battle Game. I would say this is more a renting game. Even if you want to play the Normal game, I think you could rent this game, and beat it. So, I wouldn't buy it. It would also be good for a renting game is lets say, you and 3 friends want to stay up late playing 4-Player Gamecube games. You are at the Video Store and have already picked out Mario Party 5, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and are in need for another 4-player game. The Battle Game on this will be a fun to play with 4 people. But this is only if you like the classic Bomberman game style.

Overall for Normal Game:

Well, during this review I feel like I have written two reviews. One review for the Normal Game, and another for the Battle Game. For the first time in my Reviews, I will give this game 2 Overall Rankings. One for Normal and one for Battle Game. I will Start with the Normal Game. The gameplay in Normal mode is very basic and repetitive. You will kick, throw, or drop a bomb at an enemy. You will avoid the enemies weapons. The Graphics are good for the style of this game, I say they are cartoony, in the sense they look like one of those new 3-D Cartoon Shows. The background sound is fine, it's ok for the game. Almost all of the Sound FX are good. I hate how Bomberman sounds like a little girl. It's BomberMAN. The replayability of it is not good. The challenge is not there, maybe if you don't have much video game experience it will be a little challenging. The Value of this game depends if you REALLY like Bomberman Generation or it is very cheap, or if your buying it for someone who likes this type of game.

I give Bomberman Jetters-Normal Game: 5/10

Overall for Battle Game:

The gameplay style in Battle game are those of the classic Bomberman games, but with extras thrown in. As well as different variations on the classic square arena stages. The graphics are cartoony. Since they look like one of those new 3-D children cartoons. The sound is good. The replayability is very good, you can play it every once in awhile. The challenge is nice, you can adjust the skill level. The Value all depends, since you will also be paying for the Normal Game. Overall the Battle Game is a fun game.

I give Bomberman Jetters-Battle Game: 6.5/10

Conclusion:

Well, this is what happens when 2-D games get brought into the 3-D world. I am just incredibly glad that the transition for 2-D to 3-D for Super Mario was done incredibly well. I think some people will always like this 3-D game style of Bomberman, others will not. I am just glad they throw in the Classic Bomberman Battle game. That transitioned into 3-D nicely. I liked what Hudson was onto in Bomberman 64. I know some people hated it, but it was different then this new Bomberman 3-D style. It had a bit of a puzzle element. That is what I think the new Bomberman's need, a puzzle style. They can of course keep having him laying bombs, but make it more of a puzzle game. For anyone who has played the classic Bomberman games, and wants to see how 3-D Bomberman is, I would suggest renting this game. It's not bad, Hudson just has to change the gameplay style a little.

Written by: Joey Anderson

Date Written: April 5th, 2004