Atomic Bomberman?!

Listen a moment, traveler, and Supergeek shall tell thee a tale of the spells required to use the worlds crafted by the BombEdit magick, a tale of the dark sorcery that is known as Atomic Bomberman.

Introduction
Power-ups
Diseases
Where is it?!

Introduction

Ah, yes, the immortal Bomberman! His weapon a simple bomb, our hero wreaks an inferno that decimates his adversaries. To get stronger, he must blast through walls to uncover precious power-ups. Plant a bomb, move out of the way, pick up the power-ups, and be the last one standing. This is the principle of Bomberman.

Atomic Bomberman is yet another incarnation of this great legacy. Published by Interplay, the game builds some unique effects on the tried and true "blowing stuff up." Not only does Bomberman get cool, new, hightech armor, but the whole play experience is augmented by a variety of sound effects and animations. Whether it's the cry for mommy when Bomberman gets a disease, or the little devil that rises from the ashes of a fallen hero, this game is a lot of fun.

Available only for Windows PCs, Atomic Bomberman allows up to ten human or computer-controlled ("AI" or "fuzzy") players on up to five separate machines to connect over an IPX network for great multiplayer mayhem. Plus there are lots of game elements that can be customized to keep the other players on their toes.

Just so you don't get tired of the same old scenery, there are several levels that come with the game. A level is a set of brick and background graphics as well as environmental hazards. Conveyor belts, warp holes, trampolines, and bricks that grow back to box you in, all vary from level to level. In addition, the host of the game also chooses a scheme, which determines the layout of bricks, player starting positions, and available power-ups for the match.

Power-ups

The table below details the power-ups found in Atomic Bomberman, as well as how the game controls relate to each. To check how your controls are set up, check the "Options" screen. In Supergeek's clan, we call these items "yummies."

Icon Power Directions Action 1 Action 2 Comments

bomb Bomb - Plant a bomb. - Increases the number of bombs you can have on the screen simultaneously. The bomb is back in your stock when it detonates, and you don't have to wait for the old flame to disappear. Use multiple bombs to set up a chain reaction. As long as they have stock, AIs will continuously plant their bombs when an opponent is near them.

flame Flame - - - Increases the range of a bomb's explosion one space in every direction. AIs "count" them as they are collected, and like to stop one screen pixel out of range.

disease Disease Can be reversed, accelerated, or slowed. Can be disabled. Can be disabled. Makes Bomberman sick, messing up his abilities. See the disease list for details of the various effects than can be found. Misery loves company, so be sure to tag other players to share the fun.

kick Kick Kick a bomb. - Stops your own bombs regardless of who kicks them. Does not stop jelly bombs. One of the most useful "stronger" power-ups, the kick can get you out of many sticky situations. And don't forget the nasty surprise you can give an unsuspecting foe by kicking a bomb into a blast where he thought he was safe! AIs won't usually use this even if they have it, which makes them easy to trap in small cubbies.

skate Skate Faster movement. - - Increases Bomberman's speed. Can make all the difference in a footrace to rare and valuable power-ups. But be careful, because in this case, you can have too much of a good thing!

punch Punch - - Punch bombs. Knocks a bomb next to you into the air, causing it to land a short distance away. Airborn bombs will fly over bricks and land on the other side. If you punch a bomb off the screen, it will wrap and land on the other side of the arena. Normally, you will lose trigger if you pick this up. An AI with punch is significantly more difficult to kill, as it will always punch any bomb that is laid next to it. A punched bomb goes off instantly if it lands in a flame.

grab Grab Carry bomb while Action 1 is pressed. After planting a bomb, press down to pick it up and release to throw. - Like punch, this sends bombs flying over walls. In one-player mode, getting hit on the head by an airborn bomb causes Bomberman to drop power-ups. AIs like to use this power-up when they have it to cause mass confusion, and sometimes rapid fire if they get cornered. Normally, you will lose spooge if you pick this up.

spooge Spooge - After planting a bomb, press to plant the rest of your bombs in a straight line. - Instantly create a wall of bombs. Useful for flooding an opponent's hiding place. If you spooge into a flame, the whole chain will go off. I have never seen an AI use this ability, and in network play they sometimes will wander around right out in front of spooged bombs. Normally, you will lose grab if you pick this up.

goldflame Goldflame - - - Powers flame length up to maximum range, reaching all the way across the arena. A good way to reach out and touch someone long distance if they're not paying attention. This power-up is particularly nasty when used in combination with trigger. In Supergeek's clan, we call this power combo "gold triggers."

trigger Trigger - - Detonate bombs in order by remote control. Sometimes called "remote" or "detonator." A powerful offensive weapon, allows you to set off you bombs as quickly or as slowly as you like. Plant, move, detonate for an attack that leaves your opponent wondering what hit him, or leave them around the perimeter to ward off invaders. AIs will set off their own trigger as soon as they are out of range, so beware. Normally, you will lose jelly and punch if you pick this up.
What is with that icon?? Everybody knows a remote bomb is suppose to look like this:

trigger

jelly Jelly - - - Bombs that will bounce off walls. Harmless in and of themselves, but lethal in combination with kick, throw, or punch. A kicked jelly bomb cannot be stopped like normal kicked bombs, and will rebound if it hits a wall (which sometimes means it comes back and bites the sender!) Airborn jelly bombs can change direction while bouncing on bricks, so where they will land is completely unpredictable. If you punch a jelly bomb that has almost no fuse left, someone will be in for a really nasty surprise (just make sure it isn't you!) Normally, you will lose trigger if you pick this up.

bad disease Bad disease Can be reversed, accelerated, or slowed. Can be disabled. Can be disabled. Without a doubt, this is one of the nastiest power-ups in the game. As if diseases weren't bad enough, this can give you up to three different diseases at the same time! See the disease list below for a look at what you're in for. Warning! Some combinations are inescapably lethal.

random Random Any effect. Any effect. Any effect. Only appearing in one-player mode, this power-up can grant any other power-up, including diseases. You can even get power-ups which are not normally available in a scheme (For example, it can give you a trigger bomb even if trigger bombs don't normally appear in the scheme.)

slow Slow Slower movement. - - Traditionally called "clog." This power-up can only be obtained from the winner's roulette in one-player mode. The "winner" starts with less speed than the other players.

Diseases

This table lists the various ailments Bomberman can contract when he picks up a disease or bad disease power-up. In Supergeek's clan, we call diseases "fungus." To the best of my knowledge, this list is complete. If you think there needs to be an addition or correction, let Supergeek know.

Name Effect

Constipation Bombs cannot be planted.

Crack poops Bombs are planted automatically as you move, and speed is significantly increased. This is like a combination of poops and speedy.

Molasses Speed is significantly reduced.

Poops Bombs are planted automatically as you move. A player with throw will rapidly throw all his bombs ("throwing up"?) Sometimes, the punch power-up is disabled while you have this disease.

Reverse Directonal controls work in reverse. Up is down, left is right, etc. AIs appear to be immune to this disease.

Short flame Flame length is reduced to one square. No effect if you have goldflame.

Short fuse Fuse length is cut in half. No effect on trigger bombs. Particularly nasty in combination with reverse, molasses, and poops.

Speedy Speed is significantly increased.

Swap Appears only in one-player mode. Randomly switch places with another player. No long term effects, but it is very disorienting. AIs are virtually immune to this disease.

Where is it?!

Because Atomic Bomberman has been around for a few years, you may or may not be able to find it at your local software retail store. The first stop on the net would be Interplay, although it doesn't appear to be listed in their on-line store anymore. I have seen it listed at StarVector for about $20, but you may also be able to find it at other sites that stock out-of-production titles. Finally, there is a demo version of the game that can be found at a number of popular download sites, such as ZDNet and CNet.

Icon	Power	Directions	Action 1	Action 2	Comments
	Bomb	-	Plant a bomb.	-	Increases the number of bombs you can have on the screen simultaneously. The bomb is back in your stock when it detonates, and you don't have to wait for the old flame to disappear. Use multiple bombs to set up a chain reaction. As long as they have stock, AIs will continuously plant their bombs when an opponent is near them.
	Flame	-	-	-	Increases the range of a bomb's explosion one space in every direction. AIs "count" them as they are collected, and like to stop one screen pixel out of range.
	Disease	Can be reversed, accelerated, or slowed.	Can be disabled.	Can be disabled.	Makes Bomberman sick, messing up his abilities. See the disease list for details of the various effects than can be found. Misery loves company, so be sure to tag other players to share the fun.
	Kick	Kick a bomb.	-	Stops your own bombs regardless of who kicks them. Does not stop jelly bombs.	One of the most useful "stronger" power-ups, the kick can get you out of many sticky situations. And don't forget the nasty surprise you can give an unsuspecting foe by kicking a bomb into a blast where he thought he was safe! AIs won't usually use this even if they have it, which makes them easy to trap in small cubbies.
	Skate	Faster movement.	-	-	Increases Bomberman's speed. Can make all the difference in a footrace to rare and valuable power-ups. But be careful, because in this case, you can have too much of a good thing!
	Punch	-	-	Punch bombs.	Knocks a bomb next to you into the air, causing it to land a short distance away. Airborn bombs will fly over bricks and land on the other side. If you punch a bomb off the screen, it will wrap and land on the other side of the arena. Normally, you will lose trigger if you pick this up. An AI with punch is significantly more difficult to kill, as it will always punch any bomb that is laid next to it. A punched bomb goes off instantly if it lands in a flame.
	Grab	Carry bomb while Action 1 is pressed.	After planting a bomb, press down to pick it up and release to throw.	-	Like punch, this sends bombs flying over walls. In one-player mode, getting hit on the head by an airborn bomb causes Bomberman to drop power-ups. AIs like to use this power-up when they have it to cause mass confusion, and sometimes rapid fire if they get cornered. Normally, you will lose spooge if you pick this up.
	Spooge	-	After planting a bomb, press to plant the rest of your bombs in a straight line.	-	Instantly create a wall of bombs. Useful for flooding an opponent's hiding place. If you spooge into a flame, the whole chain will go off. I have never seen an AI use this ability, and in network play they sometimes will wander around right out in front of spooged bombs. Normally, you will lose grab if you pick this up.
	Goldflame	-	-	-	Powers flame length up to maximum range, reaching all the way across the arena. A good way to reach out and touch someone long distance if they're not paying attention. This power-up is particularly nasty when used in combination with trigger. In Supergeek's clan, we call this power combo "gold triggers."
	Trigger	-	-	Detonate bombs in order by remote control.	Sometimes called "remote" or "detonator." A powerful offensive weapon, allows you to set off you bombs as quickly or as slowly as you like. Plant, move, detonate for an attack that leaves your opponent wondering what hit him, or leave them around the perimeter to ward off invaders. AIs will set off their own trigger as soon as they are out of range, so beware. Normally, you will lose jelly and punch if you pick this up. What is with that icon?? Everybody knows a remote bomb is suppose to look like this:
	Jelly	-	-	-	Bombs that will bounce off walls. Harmless in and of themselves, but lethal in combination with kick, throw, or punch. A kicked jelly bomb cannot be stopped like normal kicked bombs, and will rebound if it hits a wall (which sometimes means it comes back and bites the sender!) Airborn jelly bombs can change direction while bouncing on bricks, so where they will land is completely unpredictable. If you punch a jelly bomb that has almost no fuse left, someone will be in for a really nasty surprise (just make sure it isn't you!) Normally, you will lose trigger if you pick this up.
	Bad disease	Can be reversed, accelerated, or slowed.	Can be disabled.	Can be disabled.	Without a doubt, this is one of the nastiest power-ups in the game. As if diseases weren't bad enough, this can give you up to three different diseases at the same time! See the disease list below for a look at what you're in for. Warning! Some combinations are inescapably lethal.
	Random	Any effect.	Any effect.	Any effect.	Only appearing in one-player mode, this power-up can grant any other power-up, including diseases. You can even get power-ups which are not normally available in a scheme (For example, it can give you a trigger bomb even if trigger bombs don't normally appear in the scheme.)
	Slow	Slower movement.	-	-	Traditionally called "clog." This power-up can only be obtained from the winner's roulette in one-player mode. The "winner" starts with less speed than the other players.

Name	Effect
Constipation	Bombs cannot be planted.
Crack poops	Bombs are planted automatically as you move, and speed is significantly increased. This is like a combination of poops and speedy.
Molasses	Speed is significantly reduced.
Poops	Bombs are planted automatically as you move. A player with throw will rapidly throw all his bombs ("throwing up"?) Sometimes, the punch power-up is disabled while you have this disease.
Reverse	Directonal controls work in reverse. Up is down, left is right, etc. AIs appear to be immune to this disease.
Short flame	Flame length is reduced to one square. No effect if you have goldflame.
Short fuse	Fuse length is cut in half. No effect on trigger bombs. Particularly nasty in combination with reverse, molasses, and poops.
Speedy	Speed is significantly increased.
Swap	Appears only in one-player mode. Randomly switch places with another player. No long term effects, but it is very disorienting. AIs are virtually immune to this disease.