Bomberman (ボンバーマン) is a classic Japan-exclusive game series developed and published by Hudson Soft. The first game in the series, Bomberman, was released in 1983 and it has since become a classic of the gaming world. The series revolves around the titular character, Bomberman, an anthropomorphic robot whose mission is to rid the world of evil monsters and other obstacles. The player takes control of Bomberman and navigates through a maze-like environment, avoiding or defeating enemies and setting off bombs to clear the way. The game also features power-ups which can give Bomberman special abilities, such as the ability to throw multiple bombs at once or to increase the range of the bombs. As the series progressed, new features have been added, such as the ability to play with other players, or the ability to customize Bomberman's appearance. The series has been hugely popular in Japan, and has spawned numerous spin-offs and sequels. The latest game in the series, Bomberman Blast, was released in 2008.