Game guide
Bomberman Tips: Fuse Time, Power-Ups and Finding the Exit Door
Key takeaways
- A bomb goes off 160 frames after you drop it, about 2.7 seconds; we read the bomb's fuse counter in the game's memory.
- Every stage hides one exit door and one power-up under bricks; blast the last enemy, then walk into the door.
- Hitting the door or a power-up with a blast releases a new wave of enemies, so be careful where the fire goes.
- Power-ups stay with you from stage to stage; losing a life takes some of them away, such as the remote control.
In the NES Bomberman, a bomb goes off 160 frames after you drop it, about 2.7 seconds, and its blast runs in four directions. Every stage hides one exit door and one power-up under the brick walls: uncover them, defeat every enemy, then walk into the door. That is the whole game in two sentences, but there is a lot more to it: what each power-up does, why bombing the door is a bad idea, and how to stay out of your own fire. We measured the fuse in the running game, and you can try everything below in Bomberman on Yes This Game.
How long does a bomb take?
We dropped a bomb and read the game’s memory every few frames. A counter starts at zero when the bomb lands and goes up by one every frame; when it reaches 160, the bomb explodes. The NES draws about 60 frames a second, so the fuse is about 2.7 seconds. That is enough time to walk around one corner, but not much more, so plan your escape before you press the button.
| Value | What we found |
|---|---|
| Bomb fuse | 160 frames, about 2.7 seconds |
| Time limit per stage | Starts at 200 |
| Blast length | Stored as the number of squares times 16; one more square for each Flame power-up |
| Number of bombs | Stored as bombs minus one; one more bomb for each Bomb power-up |
Every power-up
| Power-up | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bomb | One more bomb on the field at the same time |
| Flame | The blast reaches one square further |
| Skate (speed) | You walk faster |
| Remote control (detonator) | Bombs wait until you set them off with B |
| Wall pass | Walk through brick walls |
| Bomb pass | Walk over bombs |
| Flame pass | Your own blasts can’t hurt you |
| Mystery (question mark) | A short time of invincibility |
Power-ups stay with you from stage to stage, but losing a life takes some of them away, such as the remote control, so they are worth protecting.
Finding the door, and why not to bomb it
The exit door and the stage’s power-up each hide under one brick wall. When a blast breaks that brick, the door or the power-up appears. The door does nothing until every enemy on the stage is gone; then it opens and you can walk in.
Be careful once they are uncovered: if a blast hits the door or a power-up, a new wave of enemies comes out of it. Many players lose a run by placing one more bomb next to the door to catch a last enemy, and then face a crowd.
8 Bomberman tips
1. Drop and step around a corner
The blast travels in straight lines. Standing around a corner from the bomb, diagonal to it, is always safe.
2. Never box yourself in
Before you drop a bomb, check that you have a way out that the blast won’t reach. Dead ends are the most common way to lose a life.
3. Let enemies walk into the fire
Drop a bomb in a corridor an enemy is heading into, then step away. Its path takes it into the blast.
4. Chain your bombs
A blast that reaches another bomb sets it off at once. With several bombs you can clear a long line of bricks in one go.
5. Take the remote control seriously
With the remote control the fuse no longer matters: place bombs, walk to safety, then press B. It makes every stage easier.
6. Open up space early
Clear the bricks around you first. More open squares mean more ways to escape your own blasts later, when the stage gets busy.
7. Watch the timer
When TIME reaches zero, fast enemies flood the stage. Leave enough time to finish.
8. Use the password
The game shows a password at Game Over. Choose CONTINUE on the title screen and type it in to start again from that stage.
Bomberman cheats on Yes This Game
Bomberman runs free in your browser: the arrows walk, X drops a bomb and Z sets bombs off once you have the remote control. Press the magic wand button next to full screen for five optional cheats: Unlimited lives, Super bombs (10 bombs with five-square blasts), Remote control, Blast-proof and Infinite time. For another classic with destructible brick walls, try Battle City.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bomb take to explode in Bomberman?
On the NES, 160 frames, about 2.7 seconds. We read the fuse counter in the game’s memory as it counted up after a bomb was dropped.
How do I find the exit door in Bomberman?
It is hidden under one of the brick walls. Blow up bricks until you uncover it, defeat every enemy, then walk into the door.
What happens if you bomb the exit door?
A blast that hits the door or a power-up releases a new wave of enemies. The door itself stays.
What is the best power-up in Bomberman?
Many players say the remote control, because your bombs wait until you set them off, so you can place them safely and blast at the right moment.
What happens when the timer runs out?
A crowd of fast, tough enemies appears. Finish the stage before the timer reaches zero.
Can I play Bomberman online free?
Yes. The NES Bomberman runs free in your browser on Yes This Game, with optional cheats such as super bombs and the remote control.