Konami has done a great job of porting its classic titles to modern gaming consoles, and the latest series to get a lovingly made collection is Bomberman. The Super Bomberman Collection features seven classic games, including all five Super Bomberman games for the Super Nintendo. Featuring two brand-new English localizations, plus a bunch of extras, this winds up being a real celebration of the beloved gaming icon.
The major appeal of the collection is getting all five Super Bomberman games in one place. This is especially impressive since Super Bomberman 4 and 5 had never received English releases and feature new localizations. Some of the games also have other language variants (Japan/US/Europe), so it technically totals out to 10 different versions of Super Bomberman titles. The Japanese versions of the first two Bomberman games for the Famicom are also available as a bonus, which is a really cool touch, as I had never played these and was surprised to learn that versus play was only introduced in Bomberman II.
Bomberman games are relatively basic at the onset, as you use bombs to open up arenas and destroy enemies. However, what’s particularly fun about this collection is getting to see the different approaches over time. From Super Bomberman 2 adding in puzzles and forcing players to deal with traps to Super Bomberman 3 and 4 featuring several rideable creatures, there’s a hook to each game that means you’ll want to experience every single one. They’re all a blast to play solo or with friends locally (sadly, no online has been added).
Each title also features a bunch of quality-of-life enhancements, such as being able to save and load the games, put on a CRT filter, and even rewind time. There are also new boss rush modes for players to really challenge themselves. In between all the bombs and multiplayer fun, there’s also a wide range of bonuses, including scanned instruction manuals for the games, the ability to listen to each game’s music, and a bunch of art to check out. There’s a great presentation of the entire collection, which really shines thanks to the gorgeous art plastered throughout the menus.
Super Bomberman Collection Review: Final Verdict
Featuring seven titles that are all still fun to play, the Super Bomberman Collection is a wonderful celebration of Hudson Soft’s iconic character. Featuring plenty of bonuses and a lot of classic art to look through, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into this compilation, as it features far more than just the games. Fans will find themselves having a blast with nostalgic favorites and some games they likely haven’t played before.
SCORE: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Super Bomberman Collection review. Reviewed on version 1.000.001.
