Bomberman (1987) | Nintendo Original Game Boy Advance Video Game
Play Bomberman (1987), the classic maze-action game from Hudson Soft. Place bombs, defeat enemies, collect power-ups, and uncover hidden exits across 50 challenging stages.
Game Intro
Bomberman (1987) is one of those classic maze-action games that helped define an entire genre. Originally developed by Hudson Soft, the game puts players in a series of maze-like stages filled with enemies, destructible blocks, and hidden secrets. While its concept is simple, the challenge comes from learning how to use bombs strategically without getting caught in your own explosions.
Each stage requires careful movement and timing. You'll need to clear paths, trap enemies, and search for the hidden exit while managing the limited space around you. As the levels progress, enemy patterns become more difficult to predict, making every stage feel increasingly tense.
What makes Bomberman memorable is how easy it is to understand but how rewarding it becomes once you master its mechanics. The combination of puzzle-solving, quick reactions, and risk-versus-reward gameplay keeps the experience engaging from the first level to the last.
How to Play
Your goal is to complete all 50 stages by finding the hidden exit door and safely reaching it. At the start of each level, the exit is concealed beneath one of the breakable blocks scattered throughout the maze.
To uncover it, you'll need to place bombs that destroy nearby blocks and eliminate enemies. Be careful, though—your own bombs are just as dangerous to you as they are to everything else on the screen.
Throughout the game, various power-ups can be discovered beneath destroyed blocks. These upgrades make survival much easier and allow you to tackle later stages more effectively.
Some of the most useful power-ups include:
- Bomb Up – Increases the number of bombs you can place at the same time.
- Fire Up – Extends the blast range of your explosions.
- Remote Control – Allows you to detonate bombs whenever you choose instead of waiting for the timer.
- Speed Up – Improves movement speed, making it easier to avoid enemies and explosions.
- Wall Pass and Bomb Pass – Special abilities that let you move through obstacles that would normally block your path.
Success depends on balancing offense and defense. Clearing too many blocks too quickly can leave you exposed, while moving too slowly gives enemies more opportunities to corner you.
Controls
Directional Controls
- D-Pad / Arrow Keys – Move Bomberman through the maze.
Action Button
- A Button / Z Key – Place a bomb in your current position.
Gameplay Tips
- Avoid standing near bombs after placing them.
- Leave yourself an escape route before triggering an explosion.
- Learn enemy movement patterns to eliminate them safely.
- Search carefully for hidden power-ups before rushing to the exit.
Final Stage Secret
One of the most interesting parts of the original Bomberman is its ending. After clearing the final stage, players are treated to a surprising reveal: Bomberman transforms into a human character, hinting that the game serves as a prequel to the classic puzzle-platformer Lode Runner. It's a small detail, but it became one of the most memorable endings from the early days of gaming and remains a fun piece of video game history.
