Who knows what evil is inside those NES cartridges?
Written: Dec 08 '02 (Updated Aug 24 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The game is the first of it's kind. Intense story!
Cons: Maybe too hard for some players.
The Bottom Line: Epinions, you guys gotta fix that image!
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| StarSoldier1's Full Review: Bionic Commando for Nintendo |
BIONIC COMMANDO (Capcom, November 1989)
Bionic Commando maybe the most controversial NES video game in existence! Why? In this game from the late eighties, Bionic Commando, you can get the chance to see and even kill the evil Adolf Hilter. So why the heck is that World War II relic in a NES game here? Only Capcom knows, but Hilter or not, this is still a very cool and very original war/action game with tight graphics, fitting music, and never seen before game play.
Adolf Hilter is easily one of history's most hated men, but I had no clue who guy was until I played this little game called Bionic Commando for the Nintendo Entertainment System! "Spoiler Alert!!" I was around 14 at the time and I was showing a friend how to beat Capcom's Bionic Commando, I was on level 12 (the final level) and I successfully passed all the dangers to meet with the head general who was just suddenly zapped and killed off by a man in suspended animation, naturally the man now wakes up to confront me. My friend then said: "It's Adolf Hilter!" and I said: "who?" I later then learned who this Hilter guy was in High school and sure enough the man in Bionic Commando (named Mr. D in the game) looked just like the German dictator.
In Japanese edition of the game, it even had Hilter on the cover art and the enemies were called the Nazis. The story in Bionic Commando begins has the evil imperial general Lissimo discovers a lost book from a dead dictator which talks about a secret weapon called the Albatros, the general decides to put the plan into practice for himself. The Imperial Forces are now trying creating a huge uprising to help start a great war. One of the top soldiers from the Federation named Super Joe was sent in behind enemy lines to investigate the general but the Federation lost contact with him and that where you come into the picture. You are Captain Radd Spencer, a young man sent in to fight the Imperial Forces and rescue Super Joe (if he's still alive that is). In Bionic Commando, you get to use a cool, new bionic arm behind enemy lines to assist you in rescuing your friend, and hopefully saving the world while you're at it too.
Bionic Commando is absolutely unique because you can't jump in this action/shooter platformer, as Captain Spencer you HAVE to use the bionic arm to get where your going in the game. The arm can also do other things like stun enemies and grab certain item that maybe out of reach normally. It takes some getting use to but you're sure have fun trying your cool little gizmo out. The bionic arm isn't the only cool and original thing about BC, there are also special convoys on the main map that can block you process but if get in contact with one these green trucks, the action shifts into the classic Commando (a older Capcom hit) overhead view and now you have a chance to win some much needed Continues. Another important thing that can be done here is to communicate with other soldiers to get some helpful advice or to unlock certain doors. The game even lets you do some Wire Tapping to hear what the enemy may be up to, just be careful while you're doing it.
Not only is this game a little controversial but BC is also pretty challenging too. The game lets you gain experience if you kill enough enemies like in a traditional RPG but you start off the mission with no life what so ever meaning only one hit will kill you. Capcom also mixed things up a bit in some levels so that only certain weapons, items, and communicators will work on a particle stage. If you stick with it the mission will get easier but make no mistake, this is one tough game.
BC has usual standard issue NES graphics, you know the deal, some repetitive backdrops and some low detail here and there. It's not all bad though, Radd has cool animations especially when he is swinging around back and front with the bionic arm plus I love whole World War II theme mixed in with a futurist Sci Fi look too. Near the end of the mission, you actually get this giant secret weapon and you even get to watch Mr. D's head explodes in a great but still gruesome fashion in a unforgettable NES moment. Who said all NES games are too soft, eh?!
"Ah, the sounds of war!" The music has a lot of impressive drumming beats in the background to get the war feel going but the tracks to seem to repeat themselves too often. To get an idea on the attention given to the various sound effects in BC, all of the 5 different guns you can find in the game each have their own unique firing sounds to them.
Whoa, it's still hard to image: The leader of the sinister Nazis empire that fueled World War II and killed over 10 million people in mass genocides was in a kid's video game......... hard to believe but true. Although Nintendo of America didn't approve Capcom to use the Nazis references the US version of Bionic Commando only the names and minor graphic detail were removed. Plus "you gonna see the ending to this game! You get to kill Hilter himself close to the end! Yes!" That means you have to get good at the game first though. If you forget about the other junk, this game Bionic Commando itself is pretty amazing. The hero has that super cool bionic claw to reach high places, the game looks stylist, the sounds are loud, and the whole World War II look of the game was just a added bonus. Bionic Commando is quickly more popular and is getting even harder to find in the NES discount bins, so don't miss it.
BIONIC COMMANDO overall rating: 85/100
For 1 player only
graphics: 7/10
sound: 7/10
gameplay: 9/10
-StarSoldier1 2002 (Ryan Genno)
http://www.videogames101.com
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
StarSoldier1
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Member: Ryan Genno
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