Back to the Past: Bionic Commando (NES)

Oh Bionic Commando!! I miss you so much (I lost the cartridge unfortunately). This is one of my childhood favorite games and easily one of the best platformer games of all time. Released back in 1988 on NES and loosely based on the 1987 arcade version of the same name, this is one of the few games in its era to have a serious level of storyline. So here is the story goes. During sometime in the 19XX, there were two states: The Federation and the Empire. The Imperialist Forces of the Empire, led by Generalissimo Killt, found an important classified document of a project of a powerful weapon named “The Albatross” which was left incomplete by the organization named “Badds” (in Japanese Famicom version, it was actually a Neo Nazi group with a swastika logo but was later renamed in the English NES version, replacing the logo with a logo of an Eagle, maybe in order to avoid possible racial tension). So let’s get back to the story. The Federation, realizing the danger, sent their hero Super Joe to stop the project. However he was reported missing so the Federation sent Radd Spencer (the player) to rescue Super Joe. Radd Spencer is a pretty stylist guy. No matter where he is, he will keep his hair style intact (maybe by using gel). He is trained to use wired guns and also has a Bionic Arm (because he cannot jump!!!!!). Well this made the game totally original. The player has to rely mostly on Bionic Arm to cross through various platforms by swinging and climbing. Also this nifty bionic arm can be used to dodge enemy fire as well as grab important items as well. Crossing platforms using Bionic Arms can be a little bit challenging and need time to master. At least this is what I experienced when I was a little kid. The video below shows the overall gameplay.

 

 

Source: Wikipedia

 

 

In my early NES days, this game is my most played one. I sometimes had a slight obsession on getting into Area 8 since I could not get access to the area so early. So my dad used to help me get the permit and get the pass. He also tried to finish the game but somehow thought it’s very hard. I also thought this game was hard, especially when I had to go through intense battle with the Albatross. I was not skillful enough to play the game. As time went, I was able to master the swing and in process help my dad finish some of the grueling levels like Area 3 or Area 11. When I finally beat the Albatross, I jumped up in joy a lot. It took me at least 2 years of playthrough. Maybe you guys can conclude that I was not a good gamer when I was a kid. After the Albatross was destroyed, there was another. I was like…….!!!! Why?? Then after 2-3 tries it took me to figure out the weak spot to shoot my bazooka to the main antagonist Master D (or Adolf Hitler in Japanese version) thus making his face explode (that was one of the creepiest scene I have seen). Is the game finished? No!! You have to escape the base within 1 minute, with your swing (not to mention you have to face one of the toughest level in the game that haunted both me and my dad for years in Areas 6 and 7 (until I found out the weak spot). After I passed this, it was a great sigh of relief. I finally finished the game at last. Also the ending was epic which was so rare in NES. The ending was like 4-5 minutes long. Also the ending also shows that the whole game was a flashback of Super Joe when he was old and remembered the time when Radd Spencer rescued him.

 

When we played this game, my dad and I brought some following conclusions:

1. The thing (transformer) that powered my NES in BD was my friend and it was used as a communicator. If we use wrong equipment it would always be Ga Ga Ga.
2. Never ever shoot in friendly territories anywhere in the game or outside the game.
3. Radd Spencer’s babies are your saviors (I mean 1UP).
4. Never ever try to wire tap or you are screwed.
5. Practice makes perfect
6. Area 7 is horrible, yet mandatory

 

I am done with the conclusions. I always loved the Area 1 music and this time I made an orchestral rock version of the whole music. Enjoy!!!

 

Track Name: Area 1

 

Original Composer: Junko Tamika