Saturn Bomberman

Saturn Bomberman
Also known as: Bomberman SS (JP; early title) Developer: Hudson Soft Publishers: Hudson Soft (JP), Sega (US/EU) Platform: Sega Saturn Released in JP: July 19, 1996 Released in US: August 22, 1997 Released in EU: 1997 This game has unused graphics. This game has unused sounds. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences. This game has revisional differences.

To do: Different world names between the Japanese and International versions. There are also unused sprites for the "Master Game" suggesting that White Bomber could ride a Tyra and a minecart in that mode. Differences between the standard Japanese version, and the SegaNet version. It's also likely NetLink support was removed in Europe. US version contains an XBAND folder with another folder not found in the Japanese rom featuring translated screenshots, and the netlink folder contains tons of .HTM files, and screenshots of old websites, is there any way to figure out if any of that is used now?

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.

Bomberman SS

Present in both Japanese releases of the game. "Bomberman SS" was the original title for the game, but appears this was changed fairly late in development. The final disc copies still read "BOMBERMAN_SS" if popped into a computer, 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". Like I said, Placeholder.

Master Game

Bomberman's Master Game sprites actually include sprites for him riding a Tyra, even though Tyras don't appear in Master Game! Maybe Tyras were supposed to be included in Master Game at one point.

(Source: Ragey)

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".

World	Code
Hige Hige World	L+R+A+Up-Left
Mage Mage World	L+R+B+Up-Left
Gunman World	L+R+C+Up-Right
Tyranno World	L+R+X+Up-Right
Mujoe World	L+R+Y+Up

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 and R until you hear a chime. Yuna moves the fastest and 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

The title screen was reworked between the Japanese and International versions.

Japanese	International

Japanese	International

• The copyright date was updated to match the localized release.
• 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.

Japanese	Translation	International
ヒゲヒゲランド	Hige Hige World	Amusement World
マゲマゲワールド	Mage Mage World	Samurai World
ガンマンワールド	Gunman World	Wild West World
テイラノワールド	Tyranno World	Dino World
ムジョーワールド	Mujoe World	Mr.Meanie's Future World

Character Names

Character names were changed in the English versions for some reason.

Japanese	Translation	International
Dr.アイン	Dr. Ein	Dr. I
ムジョー	Mujoe	Mr. Meanie
ティラ	Tyra	Dinosaur

Power Ups

Even the power-ups were localized:

Japanese	Translation	International
ファイアー	Fire	Firepower
ローラーシューズ	Roller Shoes	Roller Skates
ゲタ	Wooden Clogs	Sandals
壁通過	Passage Through Walls	Block
ビー玉ボム	Marble Bomb	Bead Bomb
貫通爆弾	Piercing Bomb	Penetrator
ゴム爆弾	Rubber Bomb	Rubber Bomb
耐火スーツ	Fireproof Suit	Fire Suit

Objects

Japanese	Translation	International
コアメカ	Core Mecha	Zarf

Credits

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

Online support

The Japanese version had limited XBAND support for online gaming. The North American version was reworked to support the then-new Sega NetLink accessory, necessitating the release date to be pushed all the way to late 1997.