Bomberman Tournament

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Short description: 2001 video game
Bomberman Tournament
Developer(s)Hudson Soft
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Shigeki Fujiwara
Producer(s)Hiroyuki Mikami
Artist(s)Shoji Mizuno
Kozue Satoh
Composer(s)Koichi Seiyama
Jun Chikuma
SeriesBomberman
Platform(s)Game Boy Advance
Release
  • JP: April 27, 2001
  • NA: June 26, 2001[1]
  • EU: August 10, 2001[2]
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Bomberman Tournament[lower-alpha 1] is a game in the Bomberman series for the Game Boy Advance. The game contains a multiplayer battle mode between linked Game Boy Advance consoles. The player and up to three others can compete in any of the game's eight multiplayer battle arenas, each of which has its own unique gameplay twist.

Story

On the edge of the galaxy sits a small planet, Phantarion. From the cutscene at the beginning of the game, it is given that five meteors (the five Dastardly Bombers, from Super Bomberman 2 and Super Bomberman 3) hit the planet. Shortly thereafter, a large fortress was erected, and in turn the land around the tall, tower-like fortress and the fortress itself began to freeze over. The people of Phantarion sent out a distress call, and Professor Ein sent Max to investigate. Upon arriving on the planet, Max makes his way to the base of the tower. Once inside, he is confronted by a huge bird creature (later found to be Plasma Bomber in his transformed state). He is knocked out by the bird by one fell blow, and is either sent to the top of the tower or down a hole (the exact cannot be determined, Max is only shown being pulled into a dark, foreboding circle in the center of the screen). When Doctor Ein talks to Bomberman a week later, Bomberman tells him that they have lost all contact with Max. Bomberman is then sent by Ein to save Phantarion and find Max, thus beginning the playable portion of the story.

Gameplay

Tournament was generally lauded for its simple, approachable gameplay. In order to score (in multiplayer mode), players must lay time bombs in order to trap and obliterate their opponents, with the last player alive becoming the winner. As the player defeats enemies and clears away obstacles, a variety of power-up tiles appear. Randomly selected from a pool of 10 different items, these tiles have a number of effects, such as increasing bombs' blast radius, increasing the player's bomb capacity, or even reversing a player's controls.

Unlike other Bomberman games, Tournament's single-player quest mode is an action-adventure game with influences of Zelda, Pokémon and especially Hudson's Neutopia.

The majority of the action takes place in 2D from a top-down vantage point, while Karabon battles and select minigames are presented in a side view. Each of the game's six different environments possesses only a minimum of rectangular features but is detailed with other features, such as trees that topple over or an earthen giant collapsed in the middle of a road.

Development

Bomberman Tournament was developed by Hudson Soft. The game was first announced at the 2000 Nintendo Space World, with a single screenshot shown to the public.[3][4] Publisher Activision was given publishing rights to release Tournament in Europe and North America.[5]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings83%[6]
Metacritic88/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarStar[8]
EGM7/10[9]
Eurogamer8/10[11]
Famitsu26/40[12]
Game Informer8.5/10[13]
GameSpot8.6/10[14]
GameSpy90%[15]
IGN8.5/10[16]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[17]
Nintendo PowerStarStarStarStar[18]
Nintendo World Report(Metts) 9.5/10[19]
(Lake) 9/10[20]

Bomberman Tournament received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7] NextGen called it "An established multiplayer classic whose added single-player mode mixes in two of Nintendo's most beloved franchises."[17] In Japan, however, Famitsu gave it a score of 26 out of 40.[12] Michael "Major Mike" Weigand of GamePro said, "Complete with colorful visuals and simple, dead-on controls, Bomberman will be right at home in this Tournament."[21][lower-alpha 2]

According to a sales report from Reuters, Bomberman Tournament contributed to Activision's revenue going up thirty percent to $110 million in the second quarter of 2001. Both Tournament and the Game Boy Advance version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 accounted for 31% of the revenue.[22]

Notes

  1. Known in Japan as Bomberman Story (ボンバーマンストーリー, Bonbāman Sutōrī)
  2. GamePro gave the game two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. Harris, Craig (April 18, 2001). "Bomberman and Pinobee for US Launch". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220922052512/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/18/bomberman-and-pinobee-for-us-launch. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  2. "UK Release Dates (2001 Releases)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 16, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010816115417/http://eurogamer.net/release-dates.php. Retrieved November 27, 2023. 
  3. GameSpot staff (August 24, 2000). "New GBA Games Announced". Fandom. Archived from the original on June 21, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010621224154/https://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2619274,00.html/. Retrieved August 30, 2022. 
  4. IGN staff (February 23, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament (Preview)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090224/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/24/bomberman-tournament-2. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  5. Ahmed, Shahed (April 18, 2001). "Activision announces two more for the GBA [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 6, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20011006005414/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2709528,00.html. Retrieved August 30, 2022. 
  6. "Bomberman Tournament for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/477602-bomberman-tournament/index.html. Retrieved November 7, 2024. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Bomberman Tournament". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240117115743/https://www.metacritic.com/game/bomberman-tournament/. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  8. Semerad, Jay. "Bomberman Tournament - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114135400/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34666&tab=review. Retrieved August 30, 2022. 
  9. Johnston, Chris (July 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (144): 91. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230119023333/https://retrocdn.net/images/e/ea/EGM_US_144.pdf. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  10. Zimmerman, Chris (July 20, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on January 4, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030104033638/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6435&full=1. Retrieved August 30, 2022. 
  11. Bye, John "Gestalt" (October 7, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 25, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20011125030436/https://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_bombert_gba. Retrieved August 30, 2022. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 "ボンバーマンストーリー" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220830160524/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=12182&redirect=no. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  13. "Bomberman Tournament". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (101). September 2001. 
  14. Provo, Frank (July 5, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230101195842/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bomberman-tournament-review/1900-2782867/. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  15. Bub, Andrew S. (January 28, 2002). "Bomberman Tournament (GBA)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 2, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020602003316/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/january02/bombermangba/index2.shtm. Retrieved November 9, 2018. 
  16. Zdyrko, David (July 6, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200603212040/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/06/bomberman-tournament. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 "Bomberman Tournament". NextGen (Imagine Media) (79): 62. July 2001. https://archive.org/details/NextGen79Jul2001/page/n63/mode/2up. Retrieved August 30, 2022. 
  18. "Bomberman Tournament". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 146. July 2001. 
  19. Metts, Jonathan (August 25, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220830160522/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3799/bomberman-tournament-game-boy-advance. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  20. Lake, Max (September 23, 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230906230244/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3804/bomberman-tournament-game-boy-advance. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  21. Weigand, Michael "Major Mike" (August 2001). "Bomberman Tournament". GamePro (IDG) (155): 72. Archived from the original on October 10, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041010121608/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/15047.shtml. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  22. Bye, John "Gestalt" (July 25, 2001). "Activision on rise". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220830160523/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-30961. Retrieved February 14, 2024. 
  • Official page at Hudson Soft's Japan Website
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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