diff --git a/games/boybomb.p8 b/games/boybomb.p8
index df053c7..7f59398 100644
--- a/games/boybomb.p8
+++ b/games/boybomb.p8
@@ -269,6 +269,7 @@ function explosion_adjacent(x, y)
 end
 
 function process_block(x, y)
+    -- called on each block each frame
     local block = puzzle_grid[y][x]
     if block == GRID_EXPLODE_NEXT then
         add_explosion(x, y)
@@ -300,10 +301,9 @@ function update_level()
     -- update grid
     fall_speed = 0.3
     if exploding then
-        fall_speed /= 2
         if bomb_spr.speed == 0 and bomb_spr.anim then
-            bomb_spr.anim = nil
-            puzzle_grid[bomb_y][bomb_x] = 0
+            exploding = false
+            bomb_spr.frame = 0
         end
     end
     if t() - last_gravity > fall_speed then
@@ -329,14 +329,16 @@ function update_level()
         end
     end
 
+    update_sprite(bomb_spr)
+    update_explosions()
+
     if exploding then
-        update_sprite(bomb_spr)
         if bomb_spr.frame > 10 and bomb_spr.anim then
+            -- when explosion hits last frame, particles / update grid
             add_explosion(bomb_x, bomb_y)
             puzzle_grid[bomb_y][bomb_x] = GRID_EXPLODE
         end
-        update_explosions()
-        -- exploding means we're done
+        -- exploding means we're done before input comes
         return
     end
 
@@ -368,7 +370,6 @@ end
 
 function explode()
     exploding = true
-    explosion_time = t()
     bomb_spr.speed = 0.1
 end