Saturn Bomberman

Saturn Bomberman is Bomberman's first Sega Saturn game. It introduces Dr. Ein (Dr. I), Mujoe (Mr. Meanie), the Hige Hige Bandits (Meanie Gang), and the adorable Tyra (dinosaurs). The game also flexes the Saturn's 2D muscles.

Prototype Info

Bomberman SS Leftovers#

Present in both Japanese releases. Bomberman SS was the original title for the game and is used in the March 1996 demo, but was changed late months of development. The final disc copies still read "BOMBERMAN_SS" if popped into a computer, the Japanese jewel case artwork still has the early name, and the "Bomberman" part was used for the title screen, suggesting they didn't have time to rerecord it.

Unused Graphics#

Suka#

A placeholder item. The text reads "スカ" (suka), which can mean "Lose" or "Nonsense".

Master Game#

Bomberman's Master Game sprites actually include sprites for him riding a Tyra, even though Tyras don't appear in Master Game.

Hidden Codes#

Level Select#

In Saturn Bomberman, there are hidden button combinations that will start you off at certain worlds at full power (10 bombs, Full Fire, Power Glove, Bomb Kick, Line Bomb). To use them, just hold specific buttons while the title screen text reads "Press Start".

View Ending#

While the title screen text reads "Press Start", Hold L+R+Z+Down to view the ending instantly.

Unlock Yuna and Manto#

On the first screen for Battle Game, hold L + R until you hear a chime. Yuna moves the fastest, while Manto has the Power Glove from the start.

Regional Differences#

Hudson Screen#

The Hudson Soft screen and its accompanying voice clip do not play when the game is started up in the international versions. It can however be seen after the game resets itself upon completing the single-player mode.

Title Screen#

Japan	International

• The copyright date was updated.
• The background was changed (it now references the boss fight against Mujoe rather than the first world).
• The title logo was changed completely for obvious reasons.
• The title theme was re-edited to change the voice clip from Japanese to English.
• The voice clip on the title screen has Bomberman say his own name in the Japanese version. In the international versions of the game, he says the game's title.

World Names#

All of the World names were changed in the English versions.

Character Names#

Character names were changed in the English versions for some reason. Future translations would undo these changes.

Power-Ups#

Objects#

Credits#

The voice actor credits were inexplicably removed from the international versions.

Online Support#

The Japanese version had limited XBAND support for online gaming. The American version was reworked to support the then-new Sega NetLink accessory, hence the much later release date.

References#