The first real sign of Bomberman moving forward to my knowledge.
I've loved the series since Super Bomberman on the SNES, but since they perfected the core game (number 2 imo) it's never really made any real progression. Bomberman 64 finally gives it a proper 3d makeover. The basic idea is still there but the mechanics have been altered to make things slightly more complex and crazy.
You now have upper and lower levels, you can pump your bombs, you can pick up your dazed enemies and chuck em over the side, you can be killed and come back as a ghost to tip the balance. It's slightly less thinking and more mucking for a scrap.
I am of course talking about the multiplayer, which is the reason most play the Bomberman games. The story mode is also good though, it requires alot more thinking and technique and provides hours upon hours of challenge with numerous unlockables. In fact I'd say it's a lot more fun than the old story modes with those stupid drone enemies which do nothing but waltz back and forth.
Saying all this, I wouldn't say it's better or worse than the classics, just different, which is good. I still have yet to play Bomberman Generations but I'm hoping it takes this games idea in a fresh new direction.