Bomberman Jetters (video game)

Did You Know?

• The anime series' first title sequence appears as the game's opening cinematic, but the theme song Boku wa Gakeppuchi was omitted from the North American version.
• Mujoe and the Hige Hige Bandits plan to crash the Dark Star, an artificial comet, into Planet Bomber.
• White Bomber and Max have 24 hours to deactivate the Dark Star's engines and prevent Planet Bomber's destruction.

Gameplay

Gameplay is similar to Bomberman Generation. Players control White Bomber and explore 3D environments, using elemental Attribute Bombs to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and reach the end of each stage. Fully exploring stages rewards bonus collectibles such as health upgrades, new characters for multiplayer, and Charabom partners that augment White Bomber's abilities. Up to twelve Charaboms can be found; they are hidden in levels or rescued from enemies, rather than acquired through battles. A new evolution system lets Charaboms change appearance and improve abilities when fed food. Some Charaboms are required to progress through a stage or collect hidden items. A second playable character, Max, can be switched to at any time; he cannot use Charaboms but his Hyper Plasma Bomb destroys certain walls and eliminates all on-screen enemies. Unlike the non-linear progression of Bomberman Generation, Jetters features sequential stage progression. Battle mode includes unlockable characters, handicaps that can grant items on default, and a unique super move called the Killer Shot for each character, accessed by filling a meter through repeated bomb placement. After each match, the winner can play the minigame Dig Em Bomber to dig for items for the next match while others try to stop them. Additional battle stages with unique gimmicks and hazards can be unlocked.

Reception

The GameCube version received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic. Game Informer gave a favorable review, while Edge gave a negative review while the game was still in development. Criticism targeted the voice-acting, altered character personalities compared to the anime, and gameplay seen as unimproved from Bomberman Generation. Max's inclusion was considered a wasted improvement, and the Charabom system was criticized as an imitation of Pokémon and for being required in some stages. The multiplayer was praised for remaining true to the formula. Famitsu scored it 27 out of 40. GamePro noted it may not have the multiplayer diversity of Mario Party but plays to form for primitive addiction.