The Bombing Islands

The Bombing Islands (The Bombing Islands: Kid Klown's Craze Puzzle ボンビンアイランド キッドクラウンのクレイジーパズル (Bonbin Airendo Kido Kuraun no Kreiji Pazuru) in Japan) is a puzzle video game developed and published by Kemco for the PlayStation. It was later re-released for Nintendo 64 in North America on April 30, 1999, and in Europe on June 18, 1999.[1][3] A cell phone game named "The Bombing Island" was also released in 2003 by Kemco,[5] but with graphics from the game Bombuzal with the main character changed to Kid Clown.

The Bombing Islands cover art (North American, PlayStation version)
Developer(s)Kemco, Realtime Associates (Nintendo 64 version)
Publisher(s)Kemco[1]
SeriesKid Klown
Platform(s)PlayStation, Nintendo 64
ReleasePlayStation
Nintendo 64
PlayStation Network
Genre(s)Puzzle[1]
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

The player controls the game's main protagonist and is tasked to demolish a series of bombs located on 60 islands, taking place across six different environments. He must use these bombs and other things located on each island to help him clear the bombs so he can proceed to the next island. An island has a single red detonator bomb, which must be grouped alongside other bombs in the level by pushing the bombs (excluding ones planted in the ground) before lighting the detonator bomb, which allows for all the bombs to explode and destroy the island. If the player is either caught in an explosion or fails to remove all the bombs in the level, they are forced to retry the level from the start. As the player advances, additional hazards are added to make the game more challenging, such as moving platforms, spikes coming through the ground, and slippery surfaces that prevent him from pushing bombs across. After each island is cleared the player has given a password which consists of five playing cards.[1]

Story and other differences in the versions

In the PlayStation versions of the game, the main character is Kid Clown, from the earlier Kid Klown series of video games. He is given a message from the King Clown to rid the planet of the bombs on all six continents.

In the Nintendo 64 (N64) version, the hero is Charlie Blast, a demolition expert. His job is to clear the six rivers that have been dammed by the evil 'King of Industry'.[1]

PlayStation version Nintendo 64 version

The play mechanics for both games are almost identical. However, in 'Bombing Islands' there is a step meter counting each step and move that Kid Clown makes. This earns the player Gold, Silver, Bronze or no medal. The N64 version doesn't have this step counting requirement, however, Charlie can jump without having to step on spikes to do so. While Kid Clown only jumps when having stepped on spikes. Some of the sixty levels in the game are the same from one version to the next. However, the graphics to both are completely different, even though the obstacles serve the same purpose with both versions.

Charlie Blast's Territory
Charlie Blast's Territory (North American N64 version)

The game was independently re-developed for the Nintendo 64 by Realtime Associates,[1] and game designer Scott Kim.[1] In the early days of the games production it was titled "Charlie Blast's Challenge".[1][6] Besides changing the graphics, a four-player versus mode was also added wherein players can control Charlie or one of three other characters and must conquer as much of the land as possible with one's own bomb blasts. The multiplayer mode includes several bombs not featured in the main solo mode, like a freeze bomb, which when lit, will encase the other player(s) in blocks of ice, and a rainbow bomb, which is capable of exploding an entire row or column that the bomb is facing.

Reception

Charlie Blast's Territory received mostly mediocre reviews from critics, for its flawed control scheme. GameSpot criticized the graphics and the sound of the game, noting, "... this game seems like a generally decent puzzle game in a substandard package."[7] IGN rated the game higher, and recommended it for hardcore puzzle gamers.[1] GamePro also noted the lackluster presentation.[8] Despite these minor changes in graphics and control, Allgame reviews gave the Charlie Blast's Territory version a better overall score than The Bombing Islands.[9][10]

Video Game reviews
64 Magazine 68% out of 100%[11]
Allgame 3/5 (Charlie Blast's Territory, version)[9]
2.5/5 (The Bombing Islands, version)[10]
Electronic Gaming Monthly 5.25 out of 10
GameCenter 2 out of 5
GamePro 2 out of 5
GameSpot 4.8 out of 10
IGN 6.9 out of 10
N64 Magazine 52% and 3 stars, out of 100% and 5 stars[12]
N64 Pro Magazine 56% out of 100%[13]
Nintendo Official Magazine 78% out of 100%[14]
Nintendo Power 6.3 out of 10[15]
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References
  1. Schneider, Peer (April 9, 1999). IGN. Charlie Blast's Territory Review. Retrieved on June 20, 2009.
  2. http://psx.ign.com/objects/016/016403.html IGN.com's 'About this Game' section for The Bombing Islands.
  3. Charlie Blast's Territory Release Information for Nintendo 64. GameFAQs. Retrieved on June 20, 2009.
  4. http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0013npjj00577_000000000000000001.html jp.Playstation.com official software listing for 'The Bombing Islands' with release date for PSP/PS3 version.
  5. http://www.kemco.jp/applipage/gen_result.php?c=S&genre=PZL&page=5 Kemco's official cell phone 'The Bombing Island' release date.
  6. Nintendo Official Magazine Issue 72, page 118
  7. Ben Stahl (May 11, 1999). Charlie Blast's Territory Review for Nintendo 64. GameSpot. Retrieved on June 20, 2009.
  8. Air Hendrix (November 24, 2000). Review: Charlie Blast's Territory (N64). GamePro. Retrieved on June 20, 2009.
  9. "Charlie Blast's Territory" game's overview, review score and statistics information.
  10. "The Bombing Islands" game's overview, review score and statistics information.
  11. 64 Magazine, Issue 35, Page 93, Paragon Publishing Ltd.
  12. N64 Magazine, Issue 39, page 105, Future Publishing.
  13. N64 Pro Magazine, Issue 29, page 74, Paragon Publishing Ltd.
  14. Nintendo Official Magazine, July 1999. Issue 82, page 29
  15. Nintendo Power, Issue 116, page 127, Nintendo of America Inc.
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