Mighty Bomb Jack-NES--Any Fans?

[rbudrick]

Hey folks,

I used to play this game over and over as a kid and always got this nagging feeling I was missing SO much of the game...it's quite a big game with a LOT of secrets, alternate paths, and levels...I don't think I ever understood exactly what I was supposed to do to get the best ending (or even beat it period), but I kept coming back to it for some reason I could never explain.

Anyone else dig this game? And even more importantly, has anyone ever made a map to this game?! I've always wanted to see this game mapped out....can't say I've ever run across one...

-Rob

[Videogamerdaryll]

Anyone else dig this game


I do..

[Ikari Warrior]

He's my avatar! I also loved it as a kid, but like you I never knew exactly what I was doing, I had a general idea, but it was pretty hard after a few levels. He never had much of a following, but he's a cool character.

[ArnoldRimmer83]

I always liked this game. Its pretty different from most other Nes games. I always thought it was ridiculous that Seanbaby listed this as one of the worst Nes games of all time. Yet Back to the Future was nowhere on his list.

[rbudrick]

True, and anyone who has actually progressed anywhere in Deadly Towers knows it's a great game...just hard to get into at first....he trashed that game...then again, Sean Baby has always been a fucking dick. :D


-Rob

[Drexel923]

I like Mighty Bomb Jack alot. I used to play that game so much when I was younger. As far as a map goes, I do remember one issue of Nintendo Power have a huge fold out map for the game. I haven't played the game in a while...maybe I'll play some tomorrow. :D

[SkiDragon]

My friend really liked this game, but since his mom threw out their NES (the idiot...), he gave the game to me. Too bad the graphics are messed up...

[tynstar]

That game sis the shit!!!! One of my fav NES games. I have used MBJ as my Avatar a few times.

[Ernster]

Cool I thought I was the only Bomb Jack fan! I have had this game since I was young and remember getting up to the last level but running out of time and died :(

Its a different sorta game...and one I should start playing again :)

[kainemaxwell]

What's the differences between the NES and Arcade Bomb Jacks?

[theoakwoody]

This was my very first Nes Game back in '88. I got my nes with that "The Black Book" instead of a pack in game so my mom picked up Mighty Bomb Jack and Castlevania. I played the hell out of those games and then I think I got Tiger Heli or some crap like that. By the way, I believe the game came with a map that showed you all the secret rooms. You just had to figure out how to unlock them. Yeah, its a great game but too damn hard, well, not as hard as castlevania but I never beat either one without Game Genie. Actually I never beat mighty bomb jack because it kept freezing when I'd use game genie. Whatever great game, great memories.

[captain nintendo]

That game sis the shit!!!! One of my fav NES games. I have used MBJ as my Avatar a few times.


Great game !


And tynstar........ Now I have proof of you liking a nes product :P

[adaml]

Here's something I transcribed from a hint book and posted on gamefaqs: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/game/7947.html

I beat the game awhile back but didn't find a lot of the secrets. I must have gotten the shit ending.

[spoon]

I also used to own this back in the day. I played teh hell out of it, but, never knew what I was doing. I've never really understood why I like this title. Maybe because it is so quirky/different?

Tecmo used to make some great stuff. They still do, but, it's not the same.

[Graham Mitchell]

I also used to own this back in the day. I played teh hell out of it, but, never knew what I was doing. I've never really understood why I like this title. Maybe because it is so quirky/different?

Tecmo used to make some great stuff. They still do, but, it's not the same.

I agree totally.

I still own this cart and I play it regularly. I've never beat it...it's really tough. I think there's more to it than what I see on the surface.

You know, come to think of it, a lot of Tecmo's older NES games seemed to have more to them than your typical action game. Rygar was probably one of the first "epic" games I ever played. Solomon's Key just seems like it's got some sort of secret in it somewhere as well...I have yet to find it, but I just get this feeling....anybody else get that?

And yes, it's a different feeling from the one in your pants when you play DOA beach volleyball. :P

[Jasoco]

I loved this game so much in my childhood, I had to but a used one for $7 at EB or GS a few years ago.

I truly hope it makes its way to some port sometime. The NES version. I'd love a Classic NES version. :D

When I'm in the zone, I can go for a long time. Until I mistakenly go into that stupid torture room for being greedy.

[rbudrick]

As far as a map goes, I do remember one issue of Nintendo Power have a huge fold out map for the game. I haven't played the game in a while...maybe I'll play some tomorrow.

Really? Hmm, can't say I remember that...anyone know what issue or how complete the map was?

I think I remember the instruction book, but it wasn't really too helpfull...left many questions to be asked...which was typical of many of their instruction books.


What's the differences between the NES and Arcade Bomb Jacks?

Good question..I'm not sure I even knew there was an arcade version!

Oh, and I hated that torture room! It was a real pain in the ass to escape from..those damn sea turtles with no heads were a pain in the ass!

-Rob

[ArnoldRimmer83]

The arcade version of the game is simply called Bomb Jack, and it plays exactly like the single screen rooms that appear at the end of every stage in the Nes version. There are no quest elements or anything like that. Also each stage usually takes place in front of some world landmark.

[adaml]

Hey Arn, I decided to play through the game again...where and how did you find the Tecmo Bunny? I seem to remember their being flame in the area, but I could be wrong.

[Bratwurst]

You know, come to think of it, a lot of Tecmo's older NES games seemed to have more to them than your typical action game.

This was the underlying beauty of the NES. Because of its technical limitations, pure-action ports from the arcade didn't translate well since they could no longer rely on the super graphics found in stand-alone units. Ninja Gaiden, Bionic Commando, Strider etc. had to be injected with a little depth when they were converted into 8-bit titles..

Having tried a bunch of Tecmo games lately (Bombjack, Solomon's Key) they suffer from a lack of password progress in retrospect. Rygar gets a ton of respect from me of course.

[DDCecil]

Mighty BombJack originally did come with a somewhat crude map (My used one did anyways). I don't have it anymore though...

[Graham Mitchell]

You know, come to think of it, a lot of Tecmo's older NES games seemed to have more to them than your typical action game.

This was the underlying beauty of the NES. Because of its technical limitations, pure-action ports from the arcade didn't translate well since they could no longer rely on the super graphics found in stand-alone units. Ninja Gaiden, Bionic Commando, Strider etc. had to be injected with a little depth when they were converted into 8-bit titles..

Having tried a bunch of Tecmo games lately (Bombjack, Solomon's Key) they suffer from a lack of password progress in retrospect. Rygar gets a ton of respect from me of course.

Really? I was under the impression that Nintendo simply REQUIRED their 3rd party licensees to come up with different games brandishing the same names as their arcade counterparts if they wanted to port over an arcade game. It makes sense, I mean look at the track record; Strider, Willow, Section Z, Gauntlet, Double Dragon 1,2, and 3...this even bleeds over onto the SNES with UN Squadron. Then go look at the Sega Consoles. Double Dragon for the SMS is a direct arcade port, along with Genesis Strider.

Whether it's because of Nintendo's authoritarian ruling or the technically insufficient NES processor is beside the point, however...the NES is simply a wonderful time in the history of gaming because there were so many risks taken, which ended up with wonderful, quirky games (Guardian Legend, Legacy of the Wizard, etc.) These Tecmo gems are no exception.

[adaml]

Here's my description of what I believe are the 2 best endings. I am assuming the two worst endings are just rescuing the King (worst) and rescuing the King and Queen (second worst). If someone knows what these endings consist of, please share. Here are the 2 best endings (along with a long and drawn out description):

MIGHTY BOMBJACK (Tecmo)
-There are 17 Rounds. Some rounds are really short, some are long and maze-like. To get the best ending you must find both of the Crystal Balls and also at least 5 S-Coins before reaching Round 17. In Round 17 you will rescue the King. Now the 4 different endings depend on certain criteria being met. With one crystal ball found, you'll be able to rescue the Queen also. With two crystal balls, you can rescue the King, Queen and the Princess. If you have both crystal balls plus five or more S coins, you'll also capture Beelzebub, giving you the best ending to the game. Round 17 is a series of rooms where you will rescue the King, Queen, Princess and capture Beelzebub in that order. After capturing Beelzebub, leave the room and you will see the ending where the pyramid is destroyed, and the message shows King Pamera moved with joy as Bombjack yells out "Father." Bombjack then sinks into the ground and when you press a button it shows your GDV and goes back to the title screen. If you got the two crystal balls but not the S-Coins, you will not go to the Beelzebub screen, but instead when you leave the Princess' room you get the same sequence showing the pyramid blowing up but instead the message states that Jack and the Princess got married and a baby was born who was destined to fight for world peace some day.

[Bratwurst]

Really? I was under the impression that Nintendo simply REQUIRED their 3rd party licensees to come up with different games brandishing the same names as their arcade counterparts if they wanted to port over an arcade game.

I've never found any documentation espousing that in 3rd party conditions or contracts.. wouldn't surprise me though. However, for every game different from its arcade counterpart there's a Bubble Bobble, Pac Man, Ikari Warriors, 1942, Ghosts and Goblins, Gradius, etc. that attempt to bring the arcade game home.

[KJN]

Mighty Bombjack is a conversion of a 1986 arcade game (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=M&game_id=8690) (the original Bombjack came out in 1984).

http://kim.c64.org/covers/full/mighty_bomb_jack.jpg
There were also versions for C64, Amiga, Atari ST, PC, etc.

[ArnoldRimmer83]

Hey Arn, I decided to play through the game again...where and how did you find the Tecmo Bunny? I seem to remember their being flame in the area, but I could be wrong.

Its in round 16, in the second room. Keep going to the right until you see a closed door on the ceiling.

http://arnoldrimmer83.home.comcast.net/j.png http://arnoldrimmer83.home.comcast.net/j2.png

Float to the grey block under it, and jump on it to reveal a chest. Jump on it again to reveal the sphinx, then float towards it opening the door, and while still floating, move back to the left to safety. This is pretty difficult to accomplish, since enemies spawn on that block. Using Mighty Coins helps.

http://arnoldrimmer83.home.comcast.net/j3.png

Then move back to under the door, and try to land on an invisible chest. (Location pictured above.) Then use it to reach the door.

http://arnoldrimmer83.home.comcast.net/j4.png http://arnoldrimmer83.home.comcast.net/j5.png

Stand on the spot to the left of the door in the hidden room, and jump to reveal the chest containing the Tecmo Rabbit mascot. Getting him gives you a 1up.

Regarding the endings, there's not much to the other two. Only save the king, and the text says something about the curse being solved and peace was paved. The ending with the king and queen saved simply says "Jack was a hero for saving the king and queen."

By the way the best ending always bothered me. The thing you collect at the end never really looked like a person. More like a mask. Plus I don't understand the ending dialog. King Pamera being moved with joy as Jack shouts out 'father'. Is that implying the king is Jack's father? I hope not, cause that makes the ending where he marries the princess and they have a child very disturbing.

[Jasoco]

Must. Find. Obscure. Arcade. Cabinet!

The NES version is one of my most favorite childhood memories, right up there with Fast Food for the 2600 and the original SMB as well as the Bubble Bobble arcade game.

[slip81]

I discoverd MBJ about six months ago when I bought it at gamestop for three bucks I think. I had never played it, but was familiar with the arcade bomjack games, so I picked it up, and it's now one of my favorite puzzle games on NES. It's just a great all around simple game that anyone can pick up and play for hours. It's like Othello, insanely simple in design and fun.

[adaml]

Hey Arn, I decided to play through the game again...where and how did you find the Tecmo Bunny? I seem to remember their being flame in the area, but I could be wrong.

Regarding the endings, there's not much to the other two. Only save the king, and the text says something about the curse being solved and peace was paved. The ending with the king and queen saved simply says "Jack was a hero for saving the king and queen."

By the way the best ending always bothered me. The thing you collect at the end never really looked like a person. More like a mask. Plus I don't understand the ending dialog. King Pamera being moved with joy as Jack shouts out 'father'. Is that implying the king is Jack's father? I hope not, cause that makes the ending where he marries the princess and they have a child very disturbing.

I was hoping for something better when capturing Beelzebub at the end...or what looked like a Spinx head. I did get the impression that the King was Bombjack's father, leading me to believe that the kingdom of Pamera was indeed built upon incestuous relationships. Perhaps that is why Jack wears a mask.

Thanks for the rabbit info. I think I actually accessed that room from above during one of the earlier stages, but since a lot of the areas look alike, I am probably incorrect.

[rbudrick]

By the way the best ending always bothered me. The thing you collect at the end never really looked like a person. More like a mask. Plus I don't understand the ending dialog. King Pamera being moved with joy as Jack shouts out 'father'. Is that implying the king is Jack's father? I hope not, cause that makes the ending where he marries the princess and they have a child very disturbing.

Well, it's not that far fetched...royalty is always fucking their families....they're all their own grandpas.

Or, he meant father as in "father in law."

Bah, I doubt it.

So where do we find the 5 S coins? How many are in the game?

Was it MBJ or Soloman's Key where the other game's character is hidden? How is this done(Oooold issue of Nintendo Power, I believe)?

-Rob

[adaml]

By the way the best ending always bothered me. The thing you collect at the end never really looked like a person. More like a mask. Plus I don't understand the ending dialog. King Pamera being moved with joy as Jack shouts out 'father'. Is that implying the king is Jack's father? I hope not, cause that makes the ending where he marries the princess and they have a child very disturbing.

Well, it's not that far fetched...royalty is always fucking their families....they're all their own grandpas.

Or, he meant father as in "father in law."

Bah, I doubt it.

So where do we find the 5 S coins? How many are in the game?

Was it MBJ or Soloman's Key where the other game's character is hidden? How is this done(Oooold issue of Nintendo Power, I believe)?

-Rob

I only found 2 of the S coins. ArnRimmer probably knows where they are, unless he cheated like I did: if playing in an emulator, set address $03E5 at value 5. This will set your S coin value at 5 and allow you to get to all 4 rooms at the end. I did find one of the coins in Round 11. Not sure how many there are total.

MBJ is in Solomon's Key. Reach level 17 on your first life. Hit the gray unbreakable block on the far right side eleven times. Dana will transform into Mighty Bomb Jack. All the enemies in the room will transform into fairies with bonus items.

My question is, how the hell would you find that easter egg on your own??

[Graham Mitchell]

My question is, how the hell would you find that easter egg on your own??

That's why I've pretty much given up on beating MBJ without help. When I get time maybe I'll clobber it...

[ArnoldRimmer83]

I don't remember where all the S Coins are. I found them by simply jumping everywhere in every room in the game. Kind of tedious but its the only way to find hidden stuff.

By the way for anyone trying to get the best ending, you have to make sure you have at least 3 mighty coins before colleting an S coin. You have to use 3 of them to turn Jack green, then he can collect one.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.