Screenshots from Game Spot

Year released: 2004 (Gamecube)

Number of Players: 1 (story mode) 2-4 simultaneously (battle mode)

Bomberman and Max have to beat up the Hige Hige Bandits again.

Graphics: The characters have nice cel shading to fit in better with Bomberman's new anime-ish design. I've seen better stuff on Gamecube, but the graphics do. Not too much variety, and the environments aren't outstanding. If you've played a previous Bomberman game, you know what to expect; if you haven't, it's no big deal.
Oh, yeah, and the cartoon cutscenes are still great.

Play control: A to lay a bomb, A again to pick it up. Hold A to charge it, then let go to throw the bomb (either it's all charged up or not; there can only be two bomb sizes). B utilizes the character's power (for Bomberman, it depends on what Charabom he has equipped, for Max, he charges up a mysterious shot, letting go of B allows him to shoot it). Y switches between Bomberman and Max (on the spot, can be done at any time).
In order to solve certain puzzles, the engine may have to be looked at in different ways. You see, while the player may get the concept of how to solve a given puzzle, if not done just perfectly, they won't get the result needed. It's not a big problem once you start to recognize this fact; however, if you haven't learned this aspect of control, then you will get easily frustrated.

Sound: In the same vein as other Bombermen by being quaint. Some stuff was compelling, other stuff boring. Not much to say. The sound effects are cartoony/childish.

Challenge: None. Bombing action is sparse (most bombs are for solving puzzles), bosses are easy. And when you reach a puzzle, guess what? It's instantly given away. Granted, a lot of puzzles are based around operating new devices, but such puzzles are spoiled merely by being told how to use such devices, pointing out the shallowness of such puzzles.
Oh, yeah, and you get a health meter. No classic one-hit kills.

Gameplay: Action is nearly non-existant. Enemies are dumb, just as in previous Bomberman games, but in this game, you can just extinguish them without fear of getting blown up yourself or meeting another enemy, both because of how open the area you get to explore is and because of how few enemies there are.
Puzzles basically require Bomberman or Max to use their bombs in different ways (with laying, throwing, and kicking actions), including hitting three types of switches. Enough variation is present to keep you going and keep things interesting, given the other conditions the game is in (lack of challenge, for one).
Charaboms either give minor advantages (such as extending how far you can throw a bomb) or are one-time essentials (like one that allows Bomberman to jump).
Otherwise, you can get a feel for gameplay by reading the Challenge section.

Bottom line: A mixture of easy puzzles and uncreative animal partners. Pick up one of the old Bombermen for a good time. This game will keep you interested for a few days, though.

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