Graphics:
4 out of 5: The graphics look great, but they can negatively affect the multi-player action. I experienced several incidents during multi-player matches in which players or items were obscured by 3D obstacles. On the other hand, the graphics are well suited to the one-player mode. Either way, the graphics don't make up for the lackluster gameplay.
Music:
4 out of 5: Overall, the music is varied and good, but not great. It's happy without being overly hyper. A few of the tunes are rather catchy, and it's a substantial improvement over the music of past Bomberman titles.
Sound FX:
4 out of 5: The bomb sounds are good. Bomberman's voice is funny, but too repetitious.
Play Control:
3 out of 10: This is definitely the game's weakest element. In order to pick up a bomb, you must stand perfectly still without touching the control stick, and press B. It sounds easy, but this crucial move gave me and my friends lots of trouble. The precision needed in using the control stick (in both picking up and throwing bombs) is just too much.
Update: 2/10/98:
I have received several e-mails informing me that there is a less complicated method of picking up bombs that doesn't require placing them on the ground first. This method simply involves holding B while pressing A. While this definitely makes the game’s control a little better, the fundamental gameplay is still the same. In other words, I still stand by my review. Additionally, since neither myself nor my friends discovered this method during play (nor did we find the method to be explained clearly in the manual), I will not be raising the game’s Play Control score.
I would like to thank all of you who sent an e-mail to notify me of this important element! You have helped me to make this review more complete and accurate.
Frustration Factor:
6 out of 10 (10 being the worst):
The poor control makes things more difficult than they should be. The one-player game is repetitious, and the multi-player action is outdone by the 16-bit original. This disappointment is frustrating in itself.
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