14 DAY TRIAL // Atlus USA Inc. recently announced the acquisition of the North American publishing rights to Bomberman Land Touch!, the newest installment of a legendary Bomberman franchise. This time, developers bring the boom to the pirate Theme Park of Bomber Island, guaranteeing a lot of adrenaline packed hours while challenging your friends to a grudge match. The action adventure game for the Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in early November 2006 and should reach Europe sometime after Christmas. As with the previous titles, one question remains: "Who's the bomb?!"
Bomberman Land Touch! will put your handheld's touch screen to good use, whether you change the gameplay icons, check your status or switch the equipment. The developers also mentioned in-game fictional email. At the same time, the top screen will display your inventory and a map of the current zone. You might want to use the DS's microphone to blow out a lit fuse in some cases. The Story Mode presents players with unique puzzles, chatting with rival characters, and 36 different attractions to enjoy: action, racing, sports being just a few. You have to show your bomb mastery across five zones, themes like a harbor town, a mountain range, an aquarium, a jungle, and a castle. You'll have to defeat opponents to earn essential items and gate keys throughout your progress in the game. If all goes well, it shouldn't take one more than 15 hours to become the Pirate King. Apparently there is a special reward for "experienced gamers", just waiting to be unlocked. Bigger bombs, I presume.
The Attraction Mode brings together up to four players for some quick skirmish action within any of the 36 previously unlocked mini-games. But the main value of Bomberman Land Touch! lies precisely in its strong multiplayer fun. The Battle Mode will see up to eight players engaging in classic bomberman battles. In addition, WiFi connectivity supports up to four players in a worldwide life and bomb competition. You'll use the D-pad for control across the massive 20 stages, each of them spread over both screens.