Follow TV Tropes

Following

Video Game / Bomberman II

Go To

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bombermanII-cover_872.PNG

Bomberman II is a 1991 installment in the Bomberman franchise, and a direct sequel to the 1985 Video Game also released for NES.

The young miner White Bomberman has been framed for a robbery by his rival Black Bomberman and been thrown in jail. The player must escape the cell, find Black Bomberman, and bring him to justice. Gameplay is the classic Bomberman formula, complete with square, grid-based arena and balloon-esque enemies.

This is the second of three games to feature Black Bomberman as the main antagonist, following 1990's Bomberman and proceeding to 1992's Bomberman '93, both for TurboGrafx-16. It is also the third title overall to include multiplayer, after Bomber Boy and the aforementioned Bomberman the previous year.

Not to confuse with Custom Battler Bomberman, which was released in Europe as Bomberman 2 (see Market-Based Title).


This game provides examples of:

  • Frame-Up: In the opening cutscene, Black Bomberman robs a bank and pins it on White Bomberman.
  • Helpful Mook: The bomb frogs, in the sense that they destroy enemies for you. However, they also can potentially find the exit door and explode in front of it.
  • Market-Based Title: Was released as Dynablaster in Europe, as its NES predecessor did not receive a PAL release.
  • Nintendo Hard: Starting with Area 2, the game gives you less and less time to clear a stage while introducing highly dangerous enemies that move fast, pass through walls, or teleport. This makes losing the "Remote Bomb", "Go-through Walls", and "Go-through Bombs" Upgrades much more severe as they really help you destroy the enemies and find the exit much, much faster than is possible if you didn't have them.
  • Timed Mission: Running out of time results in an instant life loss, unlike the first game.
  • Underground Level: The fifth area takes place inside a limestone cavern.
  • The Unfought: You'd expect the game to be culminating in a final confrontation like the TurboGrafx-16 games, but...
  • Unwinnable: Area 6 is potentially the most unforgiving part of the game as it has the shortest time limits, the most dangerous enemies, and lots of soft blocks. Losing the "Remote Bomb", "Go-through Walls", and "Go-through Bombs" Upgrades could very well make it simply impossible to clear a stage.
  • Villains Want Mercy: The game ends with Black Bomberman begging White Bomberman (who he framed for a Bank Robbery) to spare him.

Top