Bionic Commando (1987 video game)
A grappling hook replaces jumping in this arcade platformer.
Bionic Commando is a 1987 run and gun platform game developed and published by Capcom for arcades. Designed by Tokuro Fujiwara, it builds on the grappling hook mechanic of his earlier game Roc'n Rope. The game was advertised in the United States as a sequel to Commando, referring to its protagonist as Super Joe.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Capcom; Software Creations (UK C64)
- Designer
- Tokuro Fujiwara
- Composer
- Harumi Fujita
- Platforms
- Arcade
- Amiga
- Amstrad CPC
- Atari ST
- Commodore 64
- MS-DOS
- ZX Spectrum
- Released
- March 1987 (JP)
- June 1987 (NA)
- 1987 (EU)
- Genre
- Run and gun, platform
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The world record high score for Bionic Commando was set in October 2007 by Rudy Chavez of Los Angeles, California, with 2,251,090 points.
- An emulation of the arcade version appears in Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 1 and Capcom Classics Collection Remixed.
- The story takes place ten years after an unspecified World War between two warring factions.
Gameplay
The game is a side-scroller with eight-way scrolling. The player cannot jump, instead using a mechanical arm to grapple onto ledges, collect power-ups, and attack enemies. Power-ups and points appear in crates suspended from parachutes, revealed by shooting them. The arm cannot be used in the air, and the player cannot shoot while using the arm.
Ports
The game was ported to MS-DOS, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, and Atari ST. Capcom handled the US Commodore 64 version, while Software Creations made the UK one. Some ports have an extra helicopter level between stages 3 and 4. U.S. Gold published the UK home computer releases. Tim Follin arranged the music for the ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, Amiga, and PAL Commodore 64 versions, using a driver by Stephen Ruddy.
Reception
U.S. Gold's home computer release sold 70,000 copies in the United Kingdom by 1989, becoming their best-selling Capcom release. Home versions received average to decent reviews, though the ZX Spectrum version earned ratings of 9/10 from Your Sinclair and 92% from CRASH. The game won Best 8-bit Soundtrack of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Bionic Commando (1987 video game)?
Bionic Commando was developed by Capcom and Software Creations (UK C64).
Who composed the music for Bionic Commando (1987 video game)?
The music for Bionic Commando was composed by Harumi Fujita.
Is Bionic Commando (1987 video game) single-player or multiplayer?
Bionic Commando offers single-player and multiplayer play.
More in Capcom Games of the 1980s
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