Bomberman Jetters (video game)

Bomberman Jetters (ボンバーマン ジェッターズ, Bonbāman Jettāzu) is a video game for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2 systems, though only the GameCube version was released in North America.^[1][2] It is an adaptation of the anime series Bomberman Jetters which was based on the Bomberman game series. This is the second Bomberman title licensed under Majesco Games. It was released in Japan in 2002 and in North America in 2004. The PS2 version does not use cel-shaded graphics, while the NA GameCube version continues to use cel-shading, just like the previous game in the series, Bomberman Generation.^[3]

The opening theme to the game uses footage from the Japanese opening to the Jetters anime series, but the Japanese theme song "Boku wa Gakeppuchi" was replaced with a rock instrumental in the North American version.

Plot

Mujoe and The Hige Hige Bandits, sick and tired of Bomberman repeatedly stopping their plans at galactic conquest, enact a plan to do away with him and his kind forever; Dark Star, Mujoe's artificial comet, would be used and hurled straight into Bomberman's home world, Planet Bomber. The resulting collision would completely obliterate the planet and all who were still on it. Dark Star will hit the planet in under 24 hours, so Bomberman and Max are sent out to deactivate the huge engines propelling the comet through space, thereby disabling its flight-plan and again thwarting the Hige Hige Bandits.

Gameplay

Normal Mode

The actual game-play itself is somewhat different from its predecessor, Bomberman Generation. Instead of playing as just Bomberman, players can switch between him and his partner Max, whose addition to the gameplay is the use of the Hyper Plasma Bomb to destroy certain walls and destroy all on screen enemies, which is also useful for some bosses. He cannot use Charaboms, as Bomberman can. You cannot pick a world to start from as in Generation, they must be played in order.

The Charabom usage is different from that in Generation. Instead of Pokémon-style battles to acquire them, they are either hidden in certain levels or held hostage by the Hige Hige Bandits or other enemies. Some have different effects than in the first game, and those effects are increased the stronger the Charabom becomes. Some charaboms are required to progress through a stage or collect hidden items. There are also about 16, versus the 18 seen in Generation (including hybrid Charaboms). However, unlike Generation, Charaboms can evolve, much like a Pokémon does. When a Charabom evolves, its appearance changes, sometimes drastically, and its ability may become stronger.

Attribute Bombs are again in use, though they have much different effects and can only be put down one at a time.

Battle mode

Battle mode has also been improved from Generation. Instead of having only the four standard bombers, a variety of characters can be used and a few can be unlocked, such as mighty and mujoe. The handicaps in the game are also different. Instead of granting just hearts, the player can be given items on default.

Characters also have a super move-type ability called the "Killer shot" which allows them to gain the upper hand on opponents by attacking them or gaining special abilities during the match. The hyper bar must be full in order to use a hyper shot, and it can only be filled by laying bombs consistently.

Also, unlike previous games in the series, Bomberman Jetters sports various modes and stages.

The gameplay modes are as follows:

Standard Battle: Basic overhead battle in which the series is known for.

Battle one-two: Players must press the numbered switches in the order they flash to win the game, stepping on a number already activated will take back the numbers the player currently is on. Only one player can do the process at a time, meaning the other players will have to neutralize him/her first before trying to press the switches.

Battle for Balloons: Players must collect balloon enemies and drop them in any of the four open holes. Players can blow an opponent's collection up, decreasing his chances of winning. Also the more balloons you collect, the weight of the amount will slow you down.

Knock-out Battle: Players have fully powered bombs, throws, punches, and kicks. The field has no destructible blocks and blasts can go through obstacles. The goal is to use bomb blasts to knock the other players off the arena.

After each game, players go to "Dig Em Bomber" (If the mini-game option is on). The winner(s) must dig for their own items while the others dig items and toss them off-screen. If played in 4P vs, the winner's character will be turned gold.

Bomber Mansion

Players also have an arcade style mini-game in which they can access by dying at least once in normal mode. Similar to the arcade mode in Saturn Bomberman, the game lasts five stages and players can gain different ranks depending on how well they do.

Reception

Bomberman Jetters received average to mixed reviews. The game was criticized for its voice-acting, character's personalities being altered compared to the anime series version, and gameplay being unimproved from Bomberman Generation. Max's inclusion in the game was considered a wasted improvement and the charabom system was slightly criticized for being an imitation of Pokémon and for being required to get through some stages. However, as with its predecessor, it has won praise due to its multiplayer as many have stated it to "remain true to the formula".

In an episode of Judgement Day on G4, Tommy Tallarico criticized the game for its voice acting and abundance of invisible walls.

Notes

• Though based on the anime series of the same name, the "Jetters" game is more along the lines of a sequel to 2002's Bomberman Generation as a result of the similar gameplay, graphics, and characters (Bomberman and Max versus Mujoe and the Hige Hige Bandits).
• Bomberman is only referred to as "Bomberman" once in the game (during the opening anime sequence); throughout the rest of the game he is referred to as "White Bomber" and is never called "Shirobon".

References

External links

• Japanese Hudson Soft page