2: Dyna Blaster

Number 2
(287.8 points)
Dyna Blaster
1992: 13 (17.6)
1993: 3 (39.2)
1994: 4 (58.2)
1995: 5 (76.8)
1996: 5 (96.0)

In the end, it was so very close, but Dyna Blaster missed out on top spot by a measly 2.4 points. The reason is simple, really: it came out too late to feature in the 1991 list, and if it had placed number 1 in 1992, instead of number 13, it would have equalled the points tally of our number one game on this list. Still, Dyna Blaster put up a good fight, and is clearly one of the most fondly-remembered games on the Amiga.

More widely known as Bomberman today, this first entry in the long-running series is relatively straightforward. You can play either a single player campaign where you must eliminate every enemy and find the power-ups and exits before the time runs out, or play a multi-player battle royal with your friends (there is no option of playing against computer opponents). What made this game so well loved at the time is the inclusion of an adaptor for the Amiga allowing you to connect two extra joysticks, which when combined with the two existing joysticks, and the keyboard, allowed five players to compete against each other at once, an extremely novel feature at the time. It may have been surpassed by the endless iterations of the game since then, but when it came to simple party action in the early 90s, Bomberman - or Dyna Blaster - was the one to play.

Oh, what a surprise: the Amiga Power team loved a game that focussed on the multi-player aspect. In the end, they adored it so much - being in the top five for four years in a row - that it very nearly took top spot in my list. Personally, you can't beat a bit of Bomberman, and if I were able to get four other people around an Amiga at the same time, I'd certainly have a go myself. It could even be fun nowadays. A note for some of you: hold both mouse buttons when loading to activate PAL 50fps mode, as it normally plays at a weird 59fps, which can be a bit awkward with modern equipment.

Recommended TOSEC disk(s):
Dyna Blaster (1992)(Ubi Soft)[cr VF]