The ‘R’ in Super Bomberman R means three different things

R^3

At last month’s Nintendo Switch event, Konami revealed a new Bomberman game. This was notable for a few reasons: the last non-mobile Bomberman game came out in 2010 and Hudson Soft published it; Konami is making more than just PES and Metal Gear Survive; and it costs $50 and probably features an in-game currency to continue (that may or may not be fueled by microtransactions.)

What most people haven’t been talking about is exactly what the heck the “R” in Super Bomberman R actually stands for. True, most Bomberman games have been numbered sequels or designated by year or had another word tacked on after Bomberman. But this one-letter funny business is unprecedented. What gives?

According to Konami’s social media team, that “R” means three different things. “R is a throwback feel for the devs to when games could simply have a letter and allow that letter to carry many meanings. It symbolized Returns and Reborn because this game is such a homage to SNES and SB3. But it also mean Rangers, to represent the diverse and colorful group of Bomberman characters who patrol the galaxy,” Konami says.

It’s a bit of overkill, but sure — Returns, Reborn, and Rangers. That’s the answer to the question that few were asking. At least it’s marginally better than the far more boring and predictable route of calling it Super Bomberman Switch.

What is the meaning behind the R in Super Bomberman R [reddit via NeoGAF]