Google unveiled a new trailer for Super Bomberman R Online at its Stadia Connect event and announced the bomb-blasting title would land on the platform this autumn. The title will feature a multitude of customization options, 64-player simultaneous battles, and also show off Stadia's click to play feature.
The Bomberman franchise has not seen much action as of late, but it holds a certain timeless appeal that shines especially bright in multiplayer where its frantic, puzzle-like combat shines brightest. The franchise's latest installment, Super Bomberman R, was co-developed by Konami and HexaDrive, and originally launched for the Nintendo Switch in March of 2017, before making it's way to Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in June of 2018. While it has garnered mixed reviews so far, the Stadia edition of the game has some notable features that could liven up the title.
64-player battles are undoubtedly the biggest draw to long-time bombers. Footage from the launch trailer suggests this new mode will play something like a simultaneous tournament ladder system, with gated arenas feeding into each other, rather than one huge arena housing all competitors, as per most modern, battle royale games.
In terms of technical novelty, Super Bomberman R Online's most impressive feature may be the addition of click to play, which will allow players to join their favorite streamers in-game by clicking on their stream. If this system succeeds, it could set trends that shape the way spectators and their favorite content creators interact on Stadia. Furthermore, the game's play area showcases all competitors simultaneously, so there is no worry of stream snipers spoiling the fun.
The launch trailer also shows off extensive customization options, including a broad roster of characters, costumes, and bomb skins featuring unique explosion graphics. A blink-and-miss-it cameo suggests that classic Konami characters like Metal Gear's Solid Snake, and Silent Hill's Pyramid Head, who appeared in the prior version of Super Bomberman R, will also be back for the Stadia edition of the game.
Google has been aggressively courting gamers with free titles and new features after the Stadia platform's lukewarm launch last November, and today's Bomberman reveal arrives alongside a host of other announcements for the platform. In addition to teasing new timed exclusives, Google confirmed that it would be teaming up with Harmonix, Uppercut Games, and Supermassive Games to develop titles specifically tuned for Stadia.
A retro-icon like Bomberman may seem like an odd champion for a console that is supposed to represent something radically new, but the addition is a smart move on Google's part. The character's broad recognition brings a degree of old-school cred to the Stadia, and the franchise's library of titles, with Bomberman spanning 30 years of hits and flops, showing that its formula has longevity. The core mechanics make for an ideal party game, and one that can be enjoyed digitally as well as in-person, creating an accessible and appealing option for the age of social distancing.
Super Bomberman R Online is set to launch for Google Stadia this autumn.