Bionic Commando (1987 video game)

Bionic Commando, released in Japan as is a 1987 run-and-gun platform game released by Capcom in arcades in 1987. It was designed by Tokuro Fujiwara as a successor to his earlier "wire action" platformer "Roc'n Rope" (1983), building on its grappling hook mechanic; he was also the designer of "Commando" (1985). The music was composed by Harumi Fujita for the Yamaha YM2151 sound chip.
The game was advertised in the United States as a sequel to "Commando", going as far to refer to the game's main character as Super Joe (the protagonist of "Commando") in the promotional brochure, who was originally an unnamed member of a "special commando unit" in the Japanese and international versions.
The protagonist is a commando equipped with a bionic arm featuring a grappling gun, allowing him to pull himself forward or swing from the ceiling. Despite being a platform game, the player cannot jump. To cross gaps or climb ledges, the hero must use the bionic arm.
It was later released for several home systems (ported by Software Creations and published by Go!). Capcom later produced a home version for the Nintendo Entertainment System, also titled "Bionic Commando", that was drastically different from the arcade game.
Plot.
The story takes place ten years after an unspecified World War between two warring factions. The game follows a commando who must infiltrate an enemy base and foil the enemy's plot to launch missiles. The hero must stop a missile from launching and then fight the final boss, the leader of the enemy forces, guarded by an armed bodyguard.
Gameplay.
Unlike most platform games, the player is unable to jump, instead navigating the level via the use of a mechanical arm that can pull him up ledges. The arm may also be used to collect pickups.
Prizes like points and power-ups can only be obtained from crates that come on the screen in a parachute, which can be revealed by shooting them. Unlike most of the later games, the player cannot use the arm and shoot at the same time, the arm cannot be used in the air and the only power-ups are weapon enhancements.
Ports.
There are home ports for MS-DOS, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, and Atari ST. For the Commodore 64, there are two distinct versions: a US version by Capcom, and a UK version by Software Creations. In some versions, there is an additional level between levels 3 and 4, featuring enemy helicopters.
The music for the ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, Amiga, and Commodore 64 PAL conversion was arranged by Tim Follin, using a music playback engine programmed by Follin's brother.
Reception.
In Japan, "Game Machine" listed "Bionic Commando" on their April 15, 1987 issue as being the fifth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.
Home versions generally received average or decent reviews, apart from the ZX Spectrum version which was greeted by some critical praise, receiving ratings of 9/10 and 92% from "Your Sinclair" and "CRASH". The UK Commodore 64 version seems to be the most well-received computer port, while the US version is considered poor.
The game was voted Best 8-bit Soundtrack of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards.
Legacy.
The world record high score for "Bionic Commando" was set in October 2007 by Rudy Chavez of Los Angeles, California. Chavez scored 2,251,090 points.
An emulation of the arcade version is included in "Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 1" for PlayStation 2 and Xbox; and "Capcom Classics Collection Remixed" for PlayStation Portable.