Bomb Jack II

About

Bomb Jack II is a 1986 platformer from Elite Systems that plays like a direct sequel to the original, but with levels linked through scrolling corridors to form a continuous map. It follows the same basic formula of navigating side-scrolling rooms to disarm bombs and collect keys. The 1993 NMK release Bomb Jack Twin later added two-player co-op, though the core remains the same. Single-player action unfolds across 12 levels, with simple controls and a focus on platforming and timing. The game hit number two in UK sales charts in 1986, trailing only Leaderboard at the time. Reviews were mixed, with critics finding it derivative of the original. The scrolling map design was seen as a modest update rather than a breakthrough, and the single-player campaign lacks the polish of later 8-bit titles. Still, its chart success and optional multiplayer mode in later versions made it a minor but memorable entry in the 1980s platformer scene.