Atomic Bomberman
Encyclopedia
Atomic Bomberman is a game by Interplay
for the PC
that was released in 1997. It was the first original Bomberman game to be developed for Windows
, and the second game of the series made for the PC, following 1992's Bomber Man.
The game is relatively unusual in the Bomberman series, as it was officially licensed from Hudson Soft
and developed by an American team. Most titles in the series were developed in Japan. It has a different look and feel compared to other Bomberman titles as a result (despite basic gameplay being unchanged), using pre-rendered
3D characters and backgrounds as opposed to hand-drawn animated sprite
s, techno
-inspired background music and the extensive use of voice samples during gameplay. The voice clips are by well-known voice actors Charles Adler
and Billy West.
The map editor is a simple interface, showing the map, dotted with different colors (0 to 9) to represent player spawns. The number keys choose which spawn to place, and the mouse cursor chooses where. A function called DENSITY chooses how "dense" the collection of breakable items are. The Powerup Manager chooses the list of powerups to be included, how often, whether they can be destroyed and what happens when two conflicting powers are picked (such as Bomb Splooge versus Glove). The editor also sports a basic graphic interface, the player can switch between the "Green Acre" theme and a monochrome, patterned representation.
Hidden audio samples were left in the game. These could only be accessed using the game CD. The player could modify to audio, or add their own voice. There were also controversial content, including profanity that could only be accessed with specific programs.
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
that was released in 1997. It was the first original Bomberman game to be developed for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, and the second game of the series made for the PC, following 1992's Bomber Man.
The game is relatively unusual in the Bomberman series, as it was officially licensed from Hudson Soft
Hudson Soft
, formally known as , is a majority-owned subsidiary of Konami Corporation is a Japanese electronic entertainment publisher headquartered in the Midtown Tower in Tokyo Midtown, Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with an additional office in the Hudson Building in Sapporo. It was founded on May 18, 1973...
and developed by an American team. Most titles in the series were developed in Japan. It has a different look and feel compared to other Bomberman titles as a result (despite basic gameplay being unchanged), using pre-rendered
Pre-rendered
Pre-rendering is the process in which video footage is not rendered in real-time by the hardware that is outputing or playing back the video. Instead, the video is a recording of a footage that was previously rendered on a different equipment...
3D characters and backgrounds as opposed to hand-drawn animated sprite
Sprite (computer graphics)
In computer graphics, a sprite is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene...
s, techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
-inspired background music and the extensive use of voice samples during gameplay. The voice clips are by well-known voice actors Charles Adler
Charles Adler (voice actor)
Charles Michael "Charlie" Adler is an American voice actor and voice director. His most famous voice credits include The Smurfs, Brandy and Mr. Whiskers, Tiny Toon Adventures, SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, Cow and Chicken, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, I Am Weasel and Rocko's Modern Life...
and Billy West.
Level editor
The player has the ability to edit existing maps as well as to create new maps. Maps used by the game are in the form of .sch "Scheme" Files.The map editor is a simple interface, showing the map, dotted with different colors (0 to 9) to represent player spawns. The number keys choose which spawn to place, and the mouse cursor chooses where. A function called DENSITY chooses how "dense" the collection of breakable items are. The Powerup Manager chooses the list of powerups to be included, how often, whether they can be destroyed and what happens when two conflicting powers are picked (such as Bomb Splooge versus Glove). The editor also sports a basic graphic interface, the player can switch between the "Green Acre" theme and a monochrome, patterned representation.
Hidden game options and voice packs
Unique options and voice packs were left very well hidden in the game. In an example, it appears as though TCP LAN and online play were being developed but were never completed. Additional options are available through modifying a specific set of Game System files. The player could make adjustments to the game, such as the number of powerups available per round, the starting bombs or powerups, how quickly bombs explode, or the difficulty setting.Hidden audio samples were left in the game. These could only be accessed using the game CD. The player could modify to audio, or add their own voice. There were also controversial content, including profanity that could only be accessed with specific programs.