Bomb Jack

Bomb Jack leaped across single-screen stages collecting bombs before they exploded. The twist: collecting lit bombs in sequence multiplied your score. This simple risk/reward system, combined with tight controls and colourful graphics, made Bomb Jack an arcade and home computer favourite.

Fast facts

Developer: Tehkan (later Tecmo).
Release: 1984.
Screens: Famous landmarks.
Mechanic: Sequential bomb collection.

Core mechanics

Action	Function
Jump	Reach platforms
Glide	Control descent
Collect	Grab bombs
Sequence	Multiplier bonus

The scoring system

Collection	Points
Unlit bomb	Base points
Lit bomb	Bonus points
Sequential lit	Multiplier chain
All sequential	Maximum bonus

This encouraged risky play for high scores.

Stage backgrounds

Famous locations:

Egyptian pyramids
Greek Parthenon
German castle
Hollywood sign
More landmarks

Enemy types

Enemy	Pattern
Birds	Horizontal movement
Orbs	Chase player
Mummies	Walking hazards
UFOs	Erratic flight

Power-ups

Item	Effect
P	Extra points
B	Bonus life
E	Extra bomb
S	Freezes enemies

Control feel

Feature	Quality
Jump	Responsive, high
Glide	Precise air control
Momentum	Controllable descent

The floaty jump was distinctive and satisfying.

Home versions

Platform	Quality
C64	Excellent, Elite conversion
Amstrad CPC	Solid port
NES	Later release

The Spectrum version

Elite’s Spectrum conversion was reviewed as one of the strong arcade ports of 1986 rather than a compromise.

Magazine	Score	Issue
CRASH	92%	April 1986
Your Sinclair	9/10	May 1986
C&VG	9/10	May 1986
Sinclair User	4/5	May 1986

CRASH’s component marks run from 91% to 95%, so the reviewers agreed with each other as well as with the rest of the press. The budget re-release two years later still took 84% from CRASH in September 1988 and 9/10 from Your Sinclair in October.

Sequels

Title	Year
Bomb Jack II	1986
Mighty Bomb Jack	1986
Bomb Jack Twin	1993

Legacy

Bomb Jack influenced:

Single-screen platformers
Score-chasing design
Risk/reward collection
Home computer conversions

Platform precision