Bomberman

About Bomberman (NES)

Bomberman is an action-puzzle game developed and published by Hudson Soft for the NES in 1985 in Japan and 1987 in North America, based on the 1983 arcade game Bomber Man. You play White Bomberman, trapped in a maze of blocks and enemies, with one goal per stage: blast a path through, find the hidden exit door, and escape - all 50 stages of them.

Simple to learn and devilish to master, it established the bomb-dodging, chain-blasting formula that made Bomberman a multiplayer legend for decades. Clearing all 50 stages reveals one of gaming’s most famous surprise endings - and Hudson Soft’s little bomber went on to headline legendary multiplayer battles, from the SNES to the Saturn’s 10-player wars. The NES original is a pure single-player test of planning and nerve.

Detailed Gameplay

Each stage is a grid maze of indestructible hard blocks and breakable soft blocks. Bombs explode in a cross pattern after a short fuse; enemies roam the maze, and the exit door hides under one random soft block - along with power-ups under others.

Bombs and Blasts

• Drop a bomb and run - the cross-shaped blast destroys soft blocks and enemies alike
• Your own blasts hurt you, so always plan an escape route before lighting the fuse
• Chain blasts to clear wide areas, but never trap yourself in a corner

Power-Ups

• Bomb Up: Drop more bombs at once for bigger traps
• Fire Up: Extend your blast radius across the maze
• Speed Up: Outrun your own fuses and faster enemies
• Special items like the remote detonator and wall-pass open new tactics

Enemies and the Exit

• Balloons, coins-turned-monsters, and faster foes each move with different patterns
• Touch the exit the moment it appears, or clear enemies first for bonus points
• Some exits spawn extra enemies when revealed - be ready to run or fight

50 Stages

• Every stage remixes the maze layout, enemy mix, and block density
• Later stages demand pixel-perfect fuse timing and route planning
• Beat all 50 for a surprise ending worth the struggle

Game Highlights

• Pure Formula: The original bomb-maze gameplay that started a phenomenon.
• 50 Stages: A long, escalating single-player gauntlet.
• Risk and Reward: Every bomb is a bet - plan the blast and the escape.
• Power-Up Hunting: Bomb, fire, and speed upgrades hidden under the blocks.

Controls

Navigate the maze with the NES controller. - D-Pad: Move Bomberman through the maze - A Button: Drop a bomb at your feet - Plan before you bomb - the fuse is short and the blast shows no mercy

Tips and Strategies to Win

The maze rewards patience, not speed. - Always know your escape route before dropping a bomb near yourself. - Trap enemies in dead ends where the cross blast leaves no dodge. - Grab Fire Up early - longer blasts clear blocks and enemies far more efficiently. - Reveal the exit, then decide: escape immediately or farm enemies for points first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How many stages are in Bomberman? A: The NES original has 50 stages, each a maze of blocks, enemies, and one hidden exit.

Q: Does the NES Bomberman have multiplayer? A: No - the NES original is single-player only; multiplayer arrived with later entries in the series.

Q: Can I play Bomberman online for free? A: Yes, you can play it online for free in your browser on RiveGame with no downloads or installation required.