Bionic Commando (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Bionic Commando (1987)

Bionic Commando is a side-scrolling action game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was released in Japan in 1987 and in North America and Europe the following year. The game follows the story of Super Joe, a soldier who is equipped with a bionic arm that can extend and contract, providing him with great strength and mobility.

Bionic Commando was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best NES games of all time. It has been praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging level design, and memorable characters.

Gameplay

Bionic Commando is a side-scrolling action game in which the player controls Super Joe as he fights his way through enemy territory. Joe is equipped with a variety of weapons, including a rapid-fire gun, a grenade launcher, and a heat-seeking missile launcher. He can also use his bionic arm to swing across gaps, climb walls, and grab objects.

The game is divided into six stages, each of which is filled with enemies, traps, and obstacles. Joe must use his skills and weapons to overcome these challenges and reach the end of each stage.

Story

The story of Bionic Commando is set in the year 2048. The world has been ravaged by war, and the few remaining humans are struggling to survive. Joe is a soldier who has been chosen to lead a mission to infiltrate the enemy headquarters and destroy their weapons.

Joe is equipped with a new type of fighting machinery: a bionic arm that extends and contracts, providing him with unheard-of strength and maneuverability. With this new weapon, Joe sets out on his mission to save the world.

Legacy

Bionic Commando has been praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging level design, and memorable characters. It is considered to be one of the best NES games of all time, and has been ported to a variety of other platforms, including the Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360.

The game has also been the inspiration for a number of other games, including Bionic Commando Rearmed (2008) and Bionic Commando (2009).

Reception

Bionic Commando was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging level design, and memorable characters. The game was also a financial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.

Bionic Commando has been ranked among the best NES games of all time by a number of publications, including IGN, GameSpot, and Nintendo Power. It has also been included in several lists of the best video games of all time.

Bionic Commando in Popular Culture

Bionic Commando has been referenced in a number of other works of popular culture, including the films The Running Man (1987) and Ready Player One (2018). The game has also been featured in a number of television shows, including The Simpsons and Family Guy.

Conclusion

Bionic Commando is a classic NES game that still holds up today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that is sure to please fans of action and platforming games. If you have never played Bionic Commando, I highly recommend checking it out.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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