Bomberman began as a tech demo for Hudson Soft's BASIC compiler, written in 1980, and was released in 1983 as Bomber Man for Japanese home computers such as the PC-88 and MSX. In Europe the MSX and ZX Spectrum versions were renamed Eric and the Floaters and given modified graphics, to avoid associations with IRA bombings during the Troubles.
The player clears rocks with timed bombs to uncover a hidden exit, along with power-ups for more bombs, bigger blasts and remote detonation. Shinichi Nakamoto reportedly ported the game to the Famicom by himself in 72 hours, and that version came out on 20 December 1985 with music by Jun Chikuma. It has 50 levels, and finishing it reveals the game as a prequel to Hudson's Lode Runner, with Bomberman turning into its hero. Zero magazine noted that the game borrowed elements from Sega's Pengo (1982).
The NES version reached North America in January 1989. In 2026 the Japanese Famicom version was included in Konami's Super Bomberman Collection.12
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Bomberman | NES | January 1989 | — | 1 |
| NA | Classic NES Series: Bomberman | Game Boy Advance | Jun 7, 2004 | Nintendo | 1 |
| JP | Bomber Man | MSX | July 1983 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| JP | Bomber ManPC-88 (PC-8801); also 1983 versions for PC-6001 mkII, FM-7, MZ-700, MZ-2000 and X1 | Other | July 1983 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| EU | Eric and the FloatersUK; Wikipedia lists Hudson Soft and Sinclair Research as publishers | ZX Spectrum | April 1984 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| EU | Eric and the Floaters | MSX | 1984 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| JP | ボンバーマンBonbāmanFamicom; Wikipedia gives 20 December, TCRF's category 19 December | NES | December 1985 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| JP | Bomberman Specialport of the Famicom version | MSX | 1986 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| JP | ボンバーマン | Famicom Disk System | Apr 24, 1990 | Hudson Soft | 1 |
| JP | ボンバーマンFamicom Mini series | Game Boy Advance | Feb 14, 2004 | Nintendo | 1 |
| EU | Classic NES Series: Bomberman | Game Boy Advance | Jul 9, 2004 | Nintendo | 1 |
| WW | SUPER BOMBERMAN COLLECTIONcompilation containing the Japanese Famicom version; also on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch and Switch 2 per Wikipedia | Windows | Feb 5, 2026 | Konami | 2 |
Also known as: Bomber Man JP1Eric and the Floaters EU1Bomberman Special JP1
Box art by region
NA Bomberman 
JP ボンバーマン
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GameplayHome computers (1983)Famicom/NES
The 1983 home computer versions are more basic and follow different rules from the 1985 Famicom game, which has 50 levels.1
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TitleMSX (EU)ZX Spectrum
In Europe the home computer versions were renamed Eric and the Floaters and given modified graphics, to avoid associations with IRA bombings during the Troubles.1
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TitleNES (NA)
The North American title screen drops the border around the logo to fit longer copyright text and places the game options side by side.3
Where to play legally today
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Steam Purchase
SUPER BOMBERMAN COLLECTION
Bomberman (Japanese Famicom version)
Checked: 2026-10-132store.steampowered.com
In lists
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
Spotted a mistake? Write to atlas@old-games.net.