Pocket Bomberman (USA, Europe) (GBC)

In Pocket Bomberman, players control the Bomberman character, navigating through mazes filled with obstacles and enemies. The primary objective in each stage is to eliminate all monsters by strategically placing bombs and finding the exit gate hidden behind destructible blocks. When placing bombs, players must be careful not to get trapped or blow themselves up. Bombs explode in a cross-shaped pattern, destroying blocks and damaging enemies or the player if caught within the blast radius.

Destructible blocks often reveal power-up items that make Bomberman stronger. Common power-ups include: increasing the number of bombs that can be placed simultaneously, extending the bomb's blast range, increasing movement speed, or gaining the ability to kick bombs to push them across the map. There are also special items like gloves that allow Bomberman to pick up and throw bombs over obstacles. Players need to collect these power-ups to overcome increasingly difficult stages.

A unique feature of Pocket Bomberman is its "Day & Night" system. After a certain period within a stage, the screen transitions from day to night. This not only changes the visual appearance but can also affect the behavior of certain enemies or cause new obstacles to appear, forcing players to adapt their strategy. This adds an extra layer of challenge and variety to the familiar Bomberman gameplay.

Each stage has a time limit. If time runs out, indestructible enemies may appear, or blocks may start to fall, pressuring the player to quickly complete the objective. The game features various distinct areas, each with unique layouts and enemy types. Pocket Bomberman upholds the addictive action-puzzle formula that made the Bomberman series famous, while introducing new elements suited for the GBC platform.