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''Bomberman Max'' is a short series of portable games in the ''VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'' franchise. The games take a few cues from ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'': each game has [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo two playable versions]], a Blue version (starring Bomberman) and a Red version (starring newcomer MAX), and both versions must be played in order to unlock every level and [[{{Mons}} Charabom]]. The Charaboms can also be battled in multiplayer.

The games change up the classic ''Bomberman'' formula somewhat. The game is laid out in a grid format with destructible blocks and enemies; however at the beginning of every level, [[TheProfessor Dr. Ein]] gives the player an objective that must be completed in order to progress. The objectives may include defeating every enemy, defeating a certain type of enemy, or rescuing a Charabom, among others. When the objective is completed an EXIT signal will appear, allowing the player to progress. The game is non-linear, and the player can travel between different levels via blue portals, which lead to new areas, or red portals, which lead to previously-completed levels.

!!Games in this series include:
* ''Bomberman Max'' (1999) - Platform/GameBoyColor
* ''Bomberman Max 2'' (2002) - UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance
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!!These games provide examples of:
* AntiFrustrationFeatures: Whenever a mission is failed in a manner that doesn't involve dying (such as destroying an enemy that you aren't supposed to), the game will immediately create an exit portal that will cause you to repeat the stage. Given that [[ContinuingIsPainful you drop all of your power-ups when you get a Game Over]], this is a far more merciful penalty than stealing a life from you.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: Inverted in ''Max 2''. The protagonists have been shrunken, so now the normal-sized Hige Hige Bandits are gigantic and can stomp on the player to stun them.
* BigBad: Brain in ''Max'', Mujoe in ''Max 2''.
* CombiningMecha: Combine-3 from ''Max 2''.
* ElementalPowers: Bomberman has [[PlayingWithFire Fire Bombs]], MAX has [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Bombs]].
* EvilDoppelganger: Hologra-boms are enemies that take the form of Bomberman or Max, complete with the ability to lay bombs.
* FallingIntoThePlot: While not a part of the actual story, the title screen of the second game shows the version's protagonist coming down from the sky and landing on the ground unharmed upon which the title and options pop up.
* FriendlyRivalry: Bomberman and MAX.
* {{Jidaigeki}}: Secret Star from the first game is based on feudal Japan, with ninjas, lantern monsters, mechanical dolls, and a kabuki-based boss.
* MegaCity: City Star, as its name implies, is a planet entirely dominated by cities.
* {{Mons}}: The Charaboms, creatures that are raised by collecting items in single-player and can be battled and fused.
* MultipleEndings: If the player has less than 80% completion, they receive the bad ending. 80% (the highest completion rate that can be achieved without linking up with the opposite version) nets you a small piece of the good ending, while HundredPercentCompletion is required for the full ending.
* NostalgiaLevel: Zaurus Star from the first game originates from ''VideoGame/Bomberman93'' - it was called "Planet Inferno" in the English version.
* OneGameForThePriceOfTwo: Getting all of the Charaboms and levels requires purchasing and linking both games.
* ShrinkRay: Used on Bomberman and MAX at the beginning of ''Max 2'', setting up the rest of the game.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: "Charaboms" in ''Max'', then "Karabons" in ''VideoGame/BombermanTournament'', then back to "Charaboms" in ''Max 2'' and ''Generation''.
* SpiritualSuccessor: The objective-based single-player of the ''Bomberman Max'' duology is largely built upon the single-player of ''Bomberman [=GB3=]'', only with much more varied objectives.
* SuperTitle64Advance: ''Max 2: Blue Advance'' and ''Red Advance''.
* TheWarSequence: Battle Star from the first game is based on military combat, with gun-toting undead soldiers, helicopters, constant falling bombs, and traps that trigger lines of explosions.