Bomb Bee, Namco’s 1979 arcade sequel to its pioneering title Gee Bee, is making a highly anticipated debut this week on modern platforms through the Arcade Archives and Arcade Archives 2 series.
Developed by legendary game designer Toru Iwatani—best known for creating Pac-Man—Bomb Bee brings its unique blend of brick-breaking action and pinball mechanics to a whole new generation of gamers.
This restored classic arrives on November 20 across Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, continuing Hamster Corporation’s commitment to preserving and spotlighting historic arcade games. Bomb Bee follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Gee Bee, by maintaining familiar brick-breaking gameplay while introducing new features to enhance the original formula.
Notably, players can now earn extra lives and interact with a newly added 1000-point bumper, which functions as a high-scoring hazard that can trigger bomb explosions for even greater rewards.
According to Bandai Namco Entertainment, “Bomb Bee stands out due to the excitement and strategy added by hidden bombs in the playfield.
Aim for high scores by strategically detonating these and mastering simple, intuitive controls.” The standard Arcade Archives edition of Bomb Bee launches on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 at a price point of $7.99.
This release includes the classic HI SCORE MODE and CARAVAN MODE, both offering competitive challenges and online leaderboards to foster community engagement and replayability.
Fans seeking an expanded experience can opt for the Arcade Archives 2 release, available for $9.99 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Switch 2.
In addition to existing features, this version introduces TIME ATTACK MODE, encouraging players to compete against the clock for top rankings on global leaderboards. Originally released in 1979 by Namco Limited—now Bandai Namco Entertainment—Bomb Bee cemented the company’s reputation as an innovator in arcade game development.
Its integration of mouse control, as seen in both Gee Bee and Bomb Bee, provided accessibility and smooth gameplay, a testament to Namco's forward-thinking approach to hardware and input methods. The return of Bomb Bee through Arcade Archives not only celebrates the game’s historical significance but also highlights Toru Iwatani’s enduring legacy within the video game industry.
While Cutie Q, the final installment in the "Gee Bee trilogy," has yet to be announced for the Arcade Archives series, the release of both Gee Bee and Bomb Bee rejuvenates interest in Namco’s formative titles. For retro gaming enthusiasts and new audiences alike, Bomb Bee’s arrival on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S provides a rare opportunity to revisit a foundational piece of arcade history.
Players can now experience the thrill of uncovering in-game bombs and setting high scores, just as it was intended over four decades ago. Bomb Bee is available for download starting November 20 through the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, cementing its place as a must-play addition to the growing library of Arcade Archives releases.
Developed by legendary game designer Toru Iwatani—best known for creating Pac-Man—Bomb Bee brings its unique blend of brick-breaking action and pinball mechanics to a whole new generation of gamers.
This restored classic arrives on November 20 across Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, continuing Hamster Corporation’s commitment to preserving and spotlighting historic arcade games. Bomb Bee follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Gee Bee, by maintaining familiar brick-breaking gameplay while introducing new features to enhance the original formula.
Notably, players can now earn extra lives and interact with a newly added 1000-point bumper, which functions as a high-scoring hazard that can trigger bomb explosions for even greater rewards.
According to Bandai Namco Entertainment, “Bomb Bee stands out due to the excitement and strategy added by hidden bombs in the playfield.
Aim for high scores by strategically detonating these and mastering simple, intuitive controls.” The standard Arcade Archives edition of Bomb Bee launches on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 at a price point of $7.99.
This release includes the classic HI SCORE MODE and CARAVAN MODE, both offering competitive challenges and online leaderboards to foster community engagement and replayability.
Fans seeking an expanded experience can opt for the Arcade Archives 2 release, available for $9.99 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Switch 2.
In addition to existing features, this version introduces TIME ATTACK MODE, encouraging players to compete against the clock for top rankings on global leaderboards. Originally released in 1979 by Namco Limited—now Bandai Namco Entertainment—Bomb Bee cemented the company’s reputation as an innovator in arcade game development.
Its integration of mouse control, as seen in both Gee Bee and Bomb Bee, provided accessibility and smooth gameplay, a testament to Namco's forward-thinking approach to hardware and input methods. The return of Bomb Bee through Arcade Archives not only celebrates the game’s historical significance but also highlights Toru Iwatani’s enduring legacy within the video game industry.
While Cutie Q, the final installment in the "Gee Bee trilogy," has yet to be announced for the Arcade Archives series, the release of both Gee Bee and Bomb Bee rejuvenates interest in Namco’s formative titles. For retro gaming enthusiasts and new audiences alike, Bomb Bee’s arrival on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S provides a rare opportunity to revisit a foundational piece of arcade history.
Players can now experience the thrill of uncovering in-game bombs and setting high scores, just as it was intended over four decades ago. Bomb Bee is available for download starting November 20 through the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, cementing its place as a must-play addition to the growing library of Arcade Archives releases.
