Gaming franchises must evolve to remain relevant, but Super Bomberman R 2 fails to bridge the gap between classic mechanics and modern innovation. While the core multiplayer experience retains some of the series’ signature charm, the title is marred by a lackluster story mode and inconsistent online performance, ultimately resulting in a disappointing misfire for Konami.
Visual Performance and Technical Hurdles
A primary concern for this release is its performance on the Nintendo Switch. Upon booting the game, the visual presentation is jarring; textures appear blurry, lighting is remarkably flat, and shadows suffer from noticeable pixelation. It is a significant regression from the original Super Bomberman R, which launched alongside the console. While performance remains stable across platforms, those seeking a visually polished experience should opt for the PlayStation 5 version rather than the Switch.
A Deeply Flawed Story Mode
The story mode serves as the game’s weakest link. The narrative follows White and his seven Bomberman siblings, whose dialogue is written specifically to be abrasive. The writing is grating, and the voice acting—delivered with agonizingly slow pacing and over-the-top delivery—makes the cutscenes difficult to endure. The plot, which involves a mysterious “Black Moon” threatening various planets, fails to provide enough engagement to justify the slog through the campaign.
Gameplay Design Mismatches
The campaign attempts to blend traditional Bomberman mechanics with a pseudo-open-world structure. Players must collect “Ellons,” small creatures required to unlock fast-travel points and progression gates. However, the game fails to account for the fact that Bomberman’s toolkit is fundamentally unsuited for exploration. Furthermore, the automated upgrade system forces power-ups on the player that often hinder progress, such as increasing explosion sizes, which frequently result in the accidental death of your Ellons and the need to backtrack through previously cleared areas.
Castle Mode: A Glimpse of Potential
The most significant addition, Castle Mode, allows players to design custom bases to protect their treasure. This is the only segment of the story mode that offers genuine entertainment. Crafting complex layouts and traps provides a rare moment of satisfaction, even if it occasionally allows for exploits where the A.I. becomes completely unable to navigate your defenses. However, raiding enemy bases is equally frustrating, as the game forces you to compete against your own siblings, who are programmed to be as disruptive as possible.
Online Multiplayer: Hit or Miss
Outside of the campaign, the game leans on competitive modes, with the “Battle 64” mode standing out as the most consistent experience. Much like other battle royale-style titles, it provides fast-paced, interconnected fun. Unfortunately, the standard online experience is hampered by restrictive scheduling. Konami funnels players into specific modes during limited time windows, which can lead to repetitive gameplay and sparse lobbies. Being forced into one-on-one matches against the same opponent due to a lack of players highlights the thinness of the current online ecosystem.
Ultimately, Super Bomberman R 2 is only enjoyable when it leans on the classic mechanics that defined its predecessors. If you are strictly looking for local multiplayer fun, it functions as a serviceable title. However, as a complete package, the surrounding bloat and design failures make it difficult to recommend.
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