Oh what in god's name happened to this world? It's sad that I have to defend this great game with a real review.

User Rating: 8.5 | Baku Bomberman N64
Alright, this is just ridiculous. I mean, it's not the first time I've seen this happen or even seen the rating on this review. But it's been eating at me for a while, like someone walking up to me and telling me "Your mother is a poor cook". That's a powerful statement, but very in a discreet wait. At first it means nothing, but then it slowly sinks in.

My mom is a GREAT cook and this game is EXCELLENT.

Ok, so I'll start off with the story. Really, I shouldn't. But with all of you kiddos who shoot your mouths off about (going into old man mode) your dad gum Modern Warfare 2 or Mass Effect 2 or any other game with 2 many sequels to it (which is ironic as this is like what, the 8th Bomberman game?), no one probably remembers this lovable bionic bomber and his epic tale.

...So maybe it's not so epic. But it's pretty substantial. You're Bomberman, and you have to protect Planet Bomber from these baddies who's going around all the other Bombermen? I think that's close enough. Whatever.

Point is, this is a video game made in 1996, it doesn't need to make sense. It's not Final Fantasy guys, it's pretty f$*%ing simple. Bad guys come, split it up to four worlds, and you go and stop them. What makes this game special is the four worlds. While gamespot called "generic", I call them unique. Again, they're riding Mario 64 harder than Peach was after that game.

The gameplay was so much fun in itself. The worlds each had their own puzzles that you had to come into with a strategy to beat. These puzzles weren't the most complicated things ever, no, but they were just right in the difficulty and amount to keep you engaged in the single player mode. In order to adapt to these puzzles, bomberman learns to evolve as well. Kicking, throwing, and super charging bombs on top of his explosive power adds some nice depth and strategy as well for our ballistic hero. Not only this, but along the way, you could find tons of item upgrades and pieces to pimp out your bomberman however you want. You want to be a knight? Go ahead! How about a cowboy? Sure! How about an awkward robo-bunny? Er, you might be laughed at by your friends, but do as you will! Mix them up even, I don't care! I mean, this game just catered to the fans. Gold cards and power ups scattered throughout the worlds kept a game that would otherwise be extremely short become a long, challenging game that keeps you coming back for more. There was even a special world you could go to with another gold cards, for christ's sake! So Mario 64 can do it, but Bomberman's a clone?

Honestly, what's wrong with this world when someone claims Bomberman is a clone.

Now, what could top all of this at this point? It sounds like a legendary game for the N64 right? If not, well maybe this will convince you. Epic boss battles. Now they aren't colossal in nature, you're essentially fighting other types of bombermen. What makes these fights so great is that they fight like they have a mind of their own (though they do get a little predictable) with their own special moves that are unique and deadly. Fighting these guys in 1-on-1 duels will totally satisfy any Bomberman fan.

Still not buying it? Then I should suggest the multiplayer. Multiplayer allows you to play up to four people, including your custom Bunny Bomberman, in different levels. This on top of the ability to use ghosts to slow your living opponents and sudden death raise the tension and competition for a game in it's time.

But if this game is so great, why did it get a 8.5, and not a 9 like I put on Mystical Ninja? Well, I'll admit, the game does get repetitive at some parts, and you'll play just to get it over with in those cases. Also, when you play a boss, though they move around and like changing up moves on you like a real person would, they do get somewhat predictable after a while. On top of this, there are sometimes bad camera angles that hinder you at the most important times.

But these problems are only slight in comparison to the overall goodness that is Bomberman 64. Like I said earlier, I shouldn't have to even explain it, but our good friends here at gamespot aren't the brightest group in the bunch. A mario 64 clone?

Let me put it this way for you younger kids who can't remember these days (yet somehow found your way here), it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't like Halo: Reach coming out soon because it was a "Modern Warfare 2 clone with more Aliens in it". And by more, I mean the freaky alien kind, not the crazy terrorist kind...Well maybe it is. I don't know.

POINT IS, just give this game a try. It's easy to pick up, easy to leave, then easy to pick up again. It is JUST FUN. Don't sit there and think too hard about something, you'll pull something like the guys here at gamespot. Just try it. Trust me.