Pocket Bomberman

Japanese manual

Download here (21mb Zip file)

English manual

Download here (3.4MB Zip file) (thanks to DragonBomber for scanning this!)

Story (from English manual, page 4)

Long, long ago, the sun was shrouded by a dark and sinister cloud. Within seconds, darkness spread across the land. No longer could the sun reach the hills and valleys of the beautiful landscape.

An old legend told that the cause for the appearanced of the cloud was a huge monster. That ugly creature laid a curse upon the legendary "Sword of the Sun" and sealed its power.

Now you are the noly hope for the empire. Climb the "Evil Mountain" and collect the five "Power Stones" to break the curse of the sword.

Each stone is guarded by a cruel monster which you must defeat in an intensive battle. Start your quest with only your wits plus a few bombs to protect you, and bring back the sunlight to your country.

intro

	Japanese	English
	・・・これは、ボンバーマンの とおいそせんのものかたり・・・ せかいはやみなとざされ、 「ひかり」をとりもどすという 「ゆうしゃ」のたんじょうが まちのぞまれていた じざい てないれたものな 「ゆうしゃ」のしょうごうが あたえられる 「たいようのつるぎ」をもとめて びとりのせんし・ボンバーマンが たちあがった でんせつなよると 5つの「パワーストーン」を あつめたとき 「たいようのつるぎ」の ふういんがとける という しかし、「パワーストーン」は 「あくまのやま」の5つのせかいの それぞれの「しはいしゃ」が まもっている せかいな「ひかり」を とりもどすため ボンバーマンは 「あくまのやま」へと むかう!	Long, long ago... The sun was covered by a dark and heavy cloud. It was said that the cause was a monster who had sealed the "Sword of the Sun". It was also said that in order to unseal the "Sword of the Sun" a hero must collect five "Power Stones" which were guarded by five monsters in the "Evil Mountain". Bomberman was forced to take up the challenge of collecting all the "Power Stones", as he was the last hero capable of beating such strong monsters.

ending

	Japanese	English
	ついに 5つの「パワーストーン」を はにいれた ボンバーマンは、 「たいようのつるぎ」のもとに たどりついた	Finally, he reached the place where the "Sword of the Sun" had been sealed.
	いまこそ「たいようのつるぎ」の ふういんがとける!	Now he can unseal it with the five "Power Stones"!!
	「ゆうしゃ」たんじょうの しゅんかんである!!!	Well done, Bomberman!!
	・・・こうして、ボンバーマンの かつやくにより せかいは、ふたたび「ひかり」を とりもどした	The sun is again shining on us!!
	おわり	The End.

Hudson page (backup)

The kind of promotional site that has no gameplay footage whatsoever. One of the images is missing from the backup.

IGN review

Dated October 25th 1999, reviewed by Dexter Sly, who seems particularly enamoured with the introduction of story cutscenes (all two of 'em!) to a Bomberman game. Awarded 7 out of 10.

Dengeki Nintendo 64 (電撃NINTENDO64, issue 18)

Dated November 1997, previewing the game a couple of months before release. Notably features some differences from the finished product - see early footage. Image from RetroMags.

Official Nintendo Magazine (issue 66)

Pocket Bomberman's a platformer which suits the Game Boy perfectly. Although there's nothing out-of-this-world about the graphics, it's just right for the limitations of the small screen. With some fast 'n' furious action as you bomb around each level, you'll jump headlong into this with no trouble. Not a huge game, but definitely worth a look.

Dated March 1998, Tim Street gives a quick glance at the game, complimenting its change of design for adapting to the Game Boy's limitations. The info box also believes the game not only has a save feature, but a head-to-head 2-player mode. Who proofreads these things?

Computer & Video Games (issue 196)

Bomberman's first sidescrolling platform game. Hudson Soft have produced some great GB platformers in their time, starring a character called BC Kid (aka Bonk!). Though Pocket BM looks simple. it should present some cute challenges. In addition to the normal game, there's a puzzle-based 'Jump' variation.

Dated March 1998. A quick preview of the Japanese version, using screenshots that don't match the final game; see early footage. Image from the Internet Archive.

Computer & Video Games (issue 197)

Now that Bomberman is in your pocket, expect lots of explosions in your pants. Dated April 1998 and reviewed by Alex Huhtala. Comments on the GB Kiss function from the Japanese version. Awarded a 3 out of 5. Image from the Internet Archive.

Weekly Famitsu / 週刊ファミ通

[what issue is this from, and does anyone have a scan?]

Awarded 23 out of 40. ^[src]