In the annals of video games, few games bring people together like Bomberman can. The premise is deceptively simple: You're in a maze with three other Bombermen and your goal is to bomb them from the level. Once done, you progress to the next level. In addition, power-ups to help in your bombing can be acquired. In the beginning, you can only lay down one bomb that has a explosive radius of one game block. Pick up enough power-ups and you'll be laying down streams of bombs with explosive radii of 8 game blocks. Its mad, frenzied fun that has addicted millions and is probably the best party game on the block.

		That was then. Hudson now places the famed Bomberman into a 3-D platform game that bears resemblance to games such as Sonic Arcade, Prikura Daisakusen and Steamgear Mash. In the picture to the left, a precipitous drop awaits our hero as he stands on an extension of the platform he's on. The view is an overhead isometric one that gives the player a good idea of his surroundings at all times. Fluid rotation allows for quick pans and moves as you make your way through this 64-bit world.

A shimmering ice level where Bomberman slides down an ice chute. The transparency of the ice sheet allows the player to view the distortion behind the glassine surface. Note the subtle shading of the background objects.

A rock monster boss waits a bit before smashing its fists on our bomber. Since this is a 3-D game, this creature will launch its arms out towards you and then hammer them down on your on-screen protagonist. Its a striking effect that we saw a bit of in Yuke Yuke TroubleMakers. Your objective here is to lay down bombs that are close enough to the rock boss to destroy him. Its much harder than it sounds because the boss will do its best to avoid your explosive droppings and counterattack to the best of its ability.

		A winged ice level boss faces off against Bomberman. Bomberman 64 is not due on the Japanese N64 for another couple of months. This page is a chance for NCS to give our customers an update on the game and a look at some of the levels that you'll be facing when the game does arrive. Needless to say, it looks like a fun game that takes our favorite bomber out of those cramped mazes and puts him squarely into the expansive terrain of a 3-D action game. More updates on this game will be posted throughout the summer.