Definition
Bomberman is a video game franchise created by Hudson Soft in 1983, originally released for Japanese home computers before becoming a Nintendo staple. The player controls a cute, round-headed character who places bombs to destroy obstacles and defeat enemies in a maze-like arena. The core gameplay is deceptively simple: drop bombs, avoid explosions, be the last one standing. It’s multiplayer chaos distilled to its purest form.
Why it matters
Bomberman is essentially the grandfather of the battle royale genre. Long before Fortnite or PUBG, groups of friends would gather around a console and try to blow each other up in frantic, screen-sharing multiplayer matches. The game’s genius lies in its accessibility — anyone can understand “bombs go boom” — combined with surprising strategic depth. Power-ups, trap placement, and the psychology of bluffing elevate it far beyond its simple premise. It’s one of the most enduring multiplayer franchises in gaming history.
Example
The 1990s Super Bomberman titles for the Super Nintendo are considered the series’ golden era. Four players could battle simultaneously using the multitap accessory, and the result was screaming, laughter, and grudges that lasted weeks. A typical match: you’re cornered between two opponents, you place a bomb as a diversion, grab a speed boost, and escape just as the blast engulfs the player who thought they had you trapped. Then your own bomb’s chain reaction catches you from behind. Classic Bomberman.
Internet Angle
Bomberman has a dedicated internet following that keeps the game alive through ROM hacks, online emulators, and speedrunning communities. Twitch streamers occasionally host Bomberman tournaments for nostalgic audiences, and the game is frequently cited in “best local multiplayer games ever” listicles. The franchise’s decline after Hudson Soft’s absorption by Konami is itself a topic of internet mourning — fans share their favorite memories and lament what could have been. Bomberman remains a touchstone for “the good old days” of couch multiplayer.
Related Terms
- Hudson Soft — The original developer, also known for the Mario Party series.
- Battle royale — The genre Bomberman helped pioneer, now dominated by Fortnite and Apex Legends.
- Power-ups — The bombs, speed boosts, and shields that define Bomberman’s strategic layer.
- Couch co-op — The local multiplayer tradition that Bomberman epitomized.