{{Short description|1998 video game}} {{Infobox video game |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |image = Bomberman Fantasy Race.jpg |caption = European cover art |developer=Graphic Research Inc. |publisher={{vgrelease|JP|Hudson Soft|NA|Atlus USA|EU|Virgin Interactive}} |designer = |producer = Akihiro Baba |director = Masato Shibata |composer = Hiroshi Tabata |artist = Shoji Mizuno<br>Kozue Satoh |engine = |series = ''Bomberman'' |released = {{vgrelease|JP|August 6, 1998|NA|April 16, 1999<ref>{{cite web |last=Gentry |first=Perry |date=April 9, 1999 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2657,00.html |title=What's in Stores Next Week |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000616023046/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2657,00.html |archivedate=June 16, 2000 |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref>|EU|July 2000}} |genre = Racing |modes = Single-player, multiplayer |platforms = PlayStation }}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Bomberman Fantasy Race'''''|ボンバーマン ファンタジーレース|Bonbāman Fantajī Rēsu|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} (working title: '''''Bomberman Fantasy Racing''''') is a racing video game developed by GraphicResearch Inc., released for PlayStation in Japan by publisher Hudson Soft in 1998, in North America by Atlus USA in 1999, and in Europe by Virgin Interactive in 2000. It is a spin-off of the ''Bomberman'' series.
The game was re-released via PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable on August 26, 2008 in Japan and May 18, 2010 in North America for the PSone Classics series.<ref>{{cite web |title=ボンバーマン ファンタジーレース |url=https://www.konami.com/games/jp/ja/products/dl_pspps3vita_bombermanfantasyrace_arch/ |website=Konami |access-date=26 May 2026 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chen |first=Grace |title=PlayStation Store Update |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2010/05/18/playstation-store-update-137/ |website=PlayStation.Blog |date=18 May 2010 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref>
In Bomberman Fantasy Race, the player can select six different characters to ride on two different animal types, the Louie or the Tirra, each having unique individual skills. In the single player mode, the player must race against four CPU controlled opponents to reach first place. Creatures are able to dash, jump, and throw bombs. During the race, the player can find random items that can help or hinder their progress. Winning a race provides the player with coins which they can use to buy items, more powerful creatures, and new courses. Other modes include VS. Mode and Time Attack Mode.
==Gameplay== Bomberman Fantasy Race is a 3D racing game featuring two single player modes and a two player mode. Players choose one of six Bomberman characters, then select the creature which they want to ride. There are two types of creatures, the Louie and the Tirra, and the player can eventually choose from six of each. Before starting a race, players purchase items at a shop with their prize money. The goal of the main single player mode is to finish the race ahead of the other four racers, who are controlled by the CPU. The player is rewarded with prize money (called Bomberman coins) if they reach at least third place. If the player reaches first place, the player will be able to play a bonus course that will reward him with more coins. Finishing a course in first place will unlock a mirrored version of that course.
In the two player mode, players are able to bet money on the race. The player who wins the race will earn all the money that the losing player bet before the race. The player with the least amount of money is the one who decides if a bet can be placed on a race.
In Time Attack Mode, players race against the clock to post their fastest lap times and course records. Players can save a ghost data to study their runs or exchange it with friends. The ranking screen posts the player's name, creature, and best time.
Players can look and exchange coins in the bank. The bank has ten boxes with a lit blue light if they have coins, and a red one if they are full. Players exchange one hundred Copper coins for one Silver coin, and ten Silver coins for one Gold coin. When a safe in the bank is full, the coins are exchanged automatically. Coins can be used to buy new creatures at the stable, items, and courses.
Players are able to throw or drop bombs during a race. Other than using bombs to attack other opponents, players can use a bomb dash, giving their creatures an acceleration boost. Creatures are able to dash using stamina for a limited amount of time, and can also use a triangle jump by jumping off walls. During a race, players will come across panels that will give them different items which they can use to help their progress or hinder the progress of their opponents. Players can also find eggs among the course, and a creature can hold three eggs. The eggs function differently for each creature. A Louie will gain a speed boost, while a Tirra will form a barrier that will protect them from bomb explosions.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | GR = 62%<ref name=GR>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196800-bomberman-fantasy-race/index.html |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race for PlayStation |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501150025/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196800-bomberman-fantasy-race/index.html |archivedate=May 1, 2019 |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref> | CNG = 4/10<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Aprile |first=Jason |date=June 25, 1999 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Bmanrace/ |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816033353/http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Bmanrace/ |archivedate=August 16, 2000 |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref> | CP = 76%<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero088/Consoles%2B_N88-Page%200138.jpg |title=Bomberman Phantasy Race [sic] |language=fr |magazine=Consoles + |issue=88 |date=May 1999 |page=138 |accessdate=March 7, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001214831/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero088/Consoles+_N88-Page%200138.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> | EGM = 6.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=117 |date=April 1999}}</ref> | Fam = 26/40<ref name=Fam>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=772&redirect=no |title=ボンバーマン ファンタジーレース [PS] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref> | GI = 7.25/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Informer_Issue_071_March_1999/page/n57/mode/2up |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=71 |date=March 1999 |page=57 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010108024600/http://gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=3120 |archivedate=January 8, 2001 |url-status=live |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref> | GameFan = 77%<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Mylonas |first1=Eric "ECM" |last2=Ngo |first2=George "Eggo" |last3=Chau |first3=Anthony "Dangohead" |url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_03/page/n15/mode/2up |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |magazine=GameFan |publisher=Metropolis Media |volume=7 |issue=3 |date=March 1999 |page=14 |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|In ''GameFan''{{'}}s early viewpoint of the game, three critics gave it each a score of 69, 83, and 80.}} | GSpot = 5.7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Fielder |first=Joe |date=April 27, 1999 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bomberman-fantasy-race-review/1900-2546836/ |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race Review [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=March 7, 2021 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706000930/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bomberman-fantasy-race-review/1900-2546836/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | IGN = 6.8/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Cleveland |first=Adam |date=August 4, 1999 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/05/bomberman-fantasy-race-2 |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=March 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916165802/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/05/bomberman-fantasy-race-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> | NGen = 3/5<ref name=NGen>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_52/page/n91/mode/2up |title=Bomberman Fantasy Racing [sic] |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=52 |date=April 1999 |page=90 |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref> | OPM = 2.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rybicki |first=Joe |url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_2_Issue_7_1999-04_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n91/mode/2up |title=Bomberman Fantasy Race |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |volume=2 |issue=7 |date=April 1999 |page=92 |accessdate=March 7, 2021}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Dengeki PlayStation'' | rev1Score = 60/100, 55/100<ref name="DPS">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/play-station-vol.-81-1998-8-14-28/page/n127/mode/1up|title=DPSソフトレビュー The Deeper Part 2: Bomberman ファンタジーレース|magazine=Dengeki PlayStation|volume=81|publisher=MediaWorks|date=August 14, 1998|page=124|language=ja}}</ref> }}
The game received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.<ref name=GR/> It was reviewed by ''IGN'' who said, "although it lacks a speedy adrenaline rush, and it doesn't push technical limits to the top, ''Bomberman Fantasy Race'' is a good time."<ref name=IGN/> ''Game Informer'' gave it an above-average review, nearly two months before the game was released Stateside.<ref name=GI/> ''Next Generation'' said in an early review, "For all its cuteness and quirk, the somewhat stiff digital controls and tough tracks of ''Bomberman Racing'' {{sic}} make it a choice for fans and racing veterans only."<ref name=NGen/> In Japan, ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of 26 out of 40.<ref name=Fam/>
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==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20101204051624/http://www.atlus.com/gamebfr.php Bomberman Fantasy Race at Atlus.com] *{{moby game|id=/bomberman-fantasy-race}}
{{bomberman}}
Category:1998 video games Category:Atlus games Fantasy Race Category:Graphic Research games Category:Hudson Soft games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:PlayStation (console) games Category:PlayStation Network games Category:Racing video games Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Virgin Interactive games