Play Super Bomberman 5 (Japan)

Super Bomberman 5 (Japan) – A Retrospective Look at a Hidden Gem

Introduction

Super Bomberman 5, released exclusively in Japan in 1997 for the Super Famicom, stands as a legendary entry in the Bomberman series. Developed and published by Hudson Soft, this title served as the final Super Bomberman installment on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), or Super Famicom in Japan. Despite being overshadowed by newer consoles and a Japan-only release, Super Bomberman 5 pushed the 16-bit hardware to its limits and offered an incredibly refined and content-rich experience that fans still revere to this day.

It’s often considered the pinnacle of the series on SNES due to its deep customization, robust multiplayer, and unique features that elevated it beyond its predecessors. This retrospective will explore what made Super Bomberman 5 such a standout, and why it remains a cult favorite even decades after its release.

Gameplay Basics

At its core, Super Bomberman 5 follows the classic formula: players control Bombermen who navigate grid-like arenas, placing bombs to eliminate obstacles, defeat enemies or opponents, and outsmart each other. The gameplay is simple to learn but offers layers of strategy, especially in multiplayer battles.

In each level, the player places bombs that explode in a cross pattern. Timing, positioning, and power-ups play crucial roles. Power-ups include increased bomb count, blast range, remote detonation, the ability to kick or throw bombs, and more. Mastering these tools allows for high-level competitive play.

Story Mode

The game features a Story Mode that supports both solo and two-player cooperative play. The narrative follows the aftermath of Super Bomberman 4, where Bagular, the primary antagonist, escapes after his defeat and releases a gang of criminals from prior Bomberman titles. The goal is to stop these villains across different themed worlds and bring peace back to the Bomberman universe.

Story Mode consists of multiple zones, each with distinct stages and a unique boss fight at the end. Players must navigate through increasingly complex maps, facing off against AI-controlled enemies and solving simple puzzles to open the exit doors. The design is more open than in earlier titles, with branching paths and multiple exits that affect which levels you encounter next. This adds replayability and gives players more freedom in their progression.

Battle Mode

Where Super Bomberman 5 truly shines is in its Battle Mode, the core of the multiplayer experience. Up to five players can join (using the Super Multitap accessory), and battle it out in free-for-all or team-based matches. This mode includes:

Character Selection

Players can choose from a large roster of Bomberman characters, including classic designs and various themed versions (ninja, robot, pirate, etc.). Many characters were brought back from previous games, and each had their own look and in some cases, their own abilities or attributes (depending on the settings).

Custom Battle Rules

What set Super Bomberman 5 apart from its predecessors was the custom battle system. Players could create their own rules for matches, including:

Starting items (e.g., max fire, bomb kick)
Number of rounds
Battle time limits
Revenge settings (whether eliminated players can still interfere)
Stage hazards (like conveyor belts, teleporters, or random block drops)

This allowed for a highly tailored experience, suitable for both competitive and casual play. The variety ensured that no two matches felt exactly the same.

Stage Variety and Custom Maps

The game comes packed with over 20 battle stages, each with unique gimmicks:

Warp Zones: Teleport players across the map.
Conveyor Belts: Move bombs or players in certain directions.
Hidden Traps: Fall-through tiles or sudden hazards.
Block Changers: Tiles that change or regenerate over time.

Even more impressive was the inclusion of a Map Editor, a rare feature on 16-bit consoles. Players could design their own battle arenas by placing destructible blocks, walls, items, and hazards as they saw fit. These custom maps could be saved and reused, encouraging creativity and giving the game essentially infinite replayability.

Graphics and Sound

By the time Super Bomberman 5 launched in 1997, the SNES was nearing the end of its commercial life. As a result, Hudson Soft had full command over the hardware. The graphics were crisp, colorful, and expressive. Characters had fun animations, and explosions were satisfying to watch. Each zone and battle stage had its own theme and visual identity, from icy caves to lava-filled fortresses.

The soundtrack followed the classic Bomberman style — upbeat, catchy, and well-suited to both fast-paced battles and more methodical story mode play. Sound effects like the explosion booms, pickup chimes, and player yells added to the chaotic energy of matches.

Hidden Content and Unlockables

Hudson Soft packed the game with secrets:

Unlockable characters
Hidden levels in Story Mode
Cheat codes for special abilities
Hidden stages and options in Battle Mode

Players who experimented with routes in Story Mode or tried every character could uncover a surprising amount of content. This kind of depth rewarded exploration and added longevity to the game.

Japan-Only Release

One of the most curious things about Super Bomberman 5 is that it never received an official international release. By 1997, the SNES had largely been replaced by the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in the West, so Hudson opted to limit its release to Japan. This meant that many Western gamers never got the chance to experience it unless they imported the game or used emulation.

Thanks to fan communities, Super Bomberman 5 was eventually translated into English by fans, and the ROM has circulated widely among enthusiasts. The fan translation allows non-Japanese speakers to enjoy the game’s full content, including the story and menu options.

Legacy and Impact

Although it wasn’t the most commercially successful title, Super Bomberman 5 is often cited by fans as one of the best entries in the entire Bomberman series. It refined all the systems introduced in previous games, added customization and creation tools, and made multiplayer more accessible and enjoyable than ever.

Its influence can be seen in later Bomberman titles, particularly in how Battle Modes became a staple and customization remained important. For example, Bomberman Live and Super Bomberman R continued to build on many of the features first perfected in SB5.

In retro gaming circles, it’s considered a “hidden gem” — a game that may have flown under the radar but delivers tremendous fun, especially in multiplayer settings.

Super Bomberman 5 represents the peak of the Bomberman franchise on the SNES and arguably one of the most complete Bomberman experiences ever made. With its rich character roster, inventive levels, extensive customization, and the rare inclusion of a level editor, it provided players with endless hours of explosive entertainment.

Although limited to Japan at launch, the game has since gained a loyal international following through fan translations and emulation. It remains a must-play title for anyone interested in retro multiplayer games, competitive couch gaming, or the Bomberman franchise as a whole.

Whether you’re battling friends in a chaotic five-player deathmatch, building your dream arena, or blasting through zones in Story Mode, Super Bomberman 5 proves that sometimes the best games are the ones that never left their home country — but found a way to explode into hearts worldwide.