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Bomberman Hardball for PlayStation 2
Bomberman Hardball for PlayStation 2 combines the classic bomb arena with three full sports. In Battle you place bombs in mazes, break blocks and collect upgrades for range, speed and bomb count. Rule variations add crowns or other objectives. Because blasts travel in straight lines through corridors, each duel revolves around timing, escape routes and trapping rivals.
Baseball has teams bat, pitch and field, while Tennis uses rallies and placement on several courts. Golf chooses clubs and power across a set of holes. Each sport works alone against the computer or with other players. Victories earn coins for My Room, where you name and recolor a Bomberman and equip unlocked clothes for use across the game.
Battle supports four participants with a Multitap and four DualShock 2 controllers. The sports also have local contests, including tennis doubles. More than two players require the correct Multitap setup; accessories are included only when explicitly stated. The whole game is on the disc and needs no network service. The version with a missing manual contains the same game without the paper booklet.
Region and language
Our PlayStation 2 games are PAL editions and come with a Dutch or English box, unless stated otherwise. By default, you receive the version for the European market. We note it in the product details if the region is different or the box is in another language. In almost all cases, the game is playable at least in English, and often in the other five common European languages too.
Bomberman Hardball supports local matches for up to four players. Three or four participants require a PlayStation 2 Multitap and enough DualShock 2 controllers. These accessories are included only when explicitly stated with the product; solo play and two-player matches use the console's normal controller ports.
Manual
Bomberman Hardball for PlayStation 2 includes the manual unless the product title states otherwise. If the booklet is missing, the title says “No Manual”. This lets you see before ordering whether the game comes with a manual.
The manuals included with our games usually contain at least English and often around six European languages. The exact languages vary by edition, so Dutch is not always included. The booklet explains the controls and the main rules. You can use it to check how to control the game, which actions are available and how its different features work.
The history of Bomberman Hardball
Hudson Soft developed Bomberman Hardball, released in Japan as Bomberman Battles. The European PlayStation 2 edition followed in 2004. The series had explored many maze-battle variations, but this entry placed baseball, tennis and golf beside Battle as separate games. It became a package of four recognizable activities around the same characters rather than a collection of tiny tasks.
The traditional arena remained the connecting element. Players place bombs, create chain reactions and collect upgrades as in earlier Bomberman games. The sports translate the lighthearted look into other rules, where aiming and timing determine a hit, serve or throw. My Room links the parts because match coins unlock clothes. The customized Bomberman changes presentation, not each sport's basic rules.
Hardball appeared only on PlayStation 2 and should not be confused with later Bomberman sports games on other systems. The Japanese name can also confuse import listings, but Bomberman Battles and European Hardball share the same design. The physical PAL release contains the local activities on disc. Battle, baseball, tennis, golf and My Room need no downloads or continuing servers.
Similar games for PlayStation 2
Super Bomberman 3 focuses entirely on maze battles with bombs, animals and colorful arenas. Hardball keeps that foundation in Battle but adds baseball, tennis, golf and a customizable character. Both reward clever chain reactions in local multiplayer; Super Bomberman offers a narrower classic formula, while Hardball provides a broader party package.
Everybody's Golf develops one sport much further with golfers, courses, wind, clubs and long progression. Bomberman Hardball makes golf one of four activities, using simpler rules beside bomb arenas, tennis and baseball. Both have a light style and local matches, but Hardball changes activity faster while Everybody's Golf deepens every shot and course.
Virtua Tennis 2 uses real professionals, varied surfaces and a career with training. Hardball presents simpler tennis with Bomberman characters and connects it to three other games. Both support local singles and doubles; Virtua Tennis emphasizes positioning and tournaments, while Hardball seeks immediate multiplayer and variety on one disc.
MLB 06 simulates baseball with official teams, player statistics, seasons and accurate field positions. Bomberman Hardball uses fantasy characters and shorter, simpler rules that groups can learn quickly. Both include batting, pitching and fielding, but Hardball treats baseball as a party activity beside three other games and has no licensed competition.
Jungle Party uses special Buzz controllers for dozens of short jungle games with colored monkeys. Bomberman Hardball uses DualShock controllers and offers four larger activities, with Battle retaining the bomb maze. Both focus on local competition and support four players; Jungle Party changes tasks faster, while Hardball keeps one sport or arena going longer.
