Review: "N-Warp Daisakusen" for SNES

I have many fond memories of playing Super Bomberman as a lad. All other games were intimidating and complex, but Bomberman was instantly recognizeable, with minimal controls, colorful graphics, and seizure-inducing gameplay. For a quick 15-minute burst of multiplayer enjoyment, there's absolutely nothing that will destroy lifelong relationships quite like a multiplayer death match in Bomberman.

Micro Multiplayer Mayhem!

 So, when I found out about N-Warp Daisakusen, I couldn't help the onset of major déjà vu. Despite its faux-Japanese title, this raucously enjoyable multiplayer fighting game was actually programmed by Matthias Nadler, a German gentleman who's a veteran programmer, console modifier, hacker, and all-around geek. His latest SNES game isn't just a fun timewaster, though; it's the first game ever released for the SNES with multiplayer mode for eight different players, made possible with the same obscure Multitap accessory I used to play Bomberman way back in 1996.

In case you aren't a programmer, moving sprites (the technical term for a tiled image onscreen) are difficult to manage on any old console, and trying to write code for eight characters moving simultaneously is nigh-suicidal. Thankfully, Matthias has sprinkled some retro fairy-dust into this cartridge, because it is absolutely gorgeous! The graphics sparkle with life and energy, with no signs of processor slowdown or overload. The music, too, is pure early-90s cheese; programmed by French electronic composer mAF, its pumping beats and richly-layered sawtooth waves are sure to release your inner hyperactive 8-year-old.

State of the art, c. 1994

N-Warp Daisakusen is hampered by the occasional graphics and menu bug, especially with the use of both multitaps. Nevertheless, given that it's been to decades since the damn thing was released (and almost ten years since it was discontinued), it's quite impressive that a few dedicated nerds are still setting records on this machine. N-Warp Daisakusen, like all the best things on the internet, is free to download, so head on over to Matthias's blog and take a gander at his impressive work. My only problem now is finding eight other people to play with. (Guess it's time to go back on those gay nerd dating sites again...)