Bionic Commando

by Capcom

• Bionic Commando brings the original 8-bit game into an era of high definition graphics
• Explore the beautiful, free-roaming 3D world of Ascension City
• Bionic arm allows players to swing, grapple, and attack enemies
• Multiplayer options allow up to 10 simultaneous players
• Nathan Spencer voiced by Mike Patton

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000ZK9QFK
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: May 19, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,879 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360

Amazon.com

Bionic Commando is back, now on the Xbox 360, 20 years after the NES classic was initially released. And returning with it is the swinging bionic arm game mechanic that made it so popular and critically acclaimed. Bionic Commando makes the move to 3D, and gamers will be able to grapple, swing, and scale a giant environment filled with buildings, canyons, and more.

There are many creative uses for your bionic arm. View larger.

Being able to swing and shoot is an essential skill. View larger.

Freely explore Ascension City and its outskirts. View larger.

Ten players can get it on the action at the same time. View larger.

Nathan Spencer is Back
Bionic Commando takes place 10 years after the 1988 game, with Nathan Spencer again the protagonist. Voiced by Mike Patton, ex-Faith No More singer, Spencer is betrayed by his government, falsely accused of murder and sentenced to execution. Just prior to his execution, however, the city is bombed and Spencer is asked to track down the terrorists in return for his freedom.

Bionic Arm Offers New Control Possibilities
Like in the original game, the bionic arm is what separates Bionic Commando from other games. With it, you can swing between buildings, grapple onto ledges and zip up, walk walls, pull apart the landscape, throw heavy objects, attack enemies, and more.

Giant, Sweeping World to Explore
As you swing around with your bionic arm, you'll be subjected to beautifully detailed scenery that ranges from Ascension City and its bridges and skyscrapers, to outdoor environments like canyons. By mastering different swinging techniques, players will be able to reach different areas and target enemies while mid-swing or even hanging upside down. If you misjudge your swing by even a little bit, you might find yourself plunging to your doom.

Swinging Multiplayer Fun for up to Ten Players
Bionic Commando allows up to 10 players at a time to get in on the swinging fun, finding new ways and techniques with the bionic arm to dispatch your friends and enemies. Maps are designed with the swing and gun game mechanic in mind, rewarding players who are adept at simultaneously swinging and aiming.

Bionic Commando is an updated and beautiful take on the classic, bringing the core elements of the 8-bit original into a beautiful, 3D world. Fans of the classic and newcomers alike will delight at the unique game play options that the bionic arm afford.

Product Description

Bionic Commando sees the return of the bionically-enhanced Nathan "Rad" Spencer, voiced by Mike Patton, the former lead singer of Faith No More. Time has not been kind to Spencer: 10 years after his heroic defeat of the Imperials in the original game, he has been betrayed by the government he swore to serve, imprisoned for crimes he didn't commit, and sentenced to death.

On the very day of Spencer's execution, terrorists detonate a massive experimental weapon in Ascension City, unleashing an intense earthquake that has turned the city into rubble and wiped out its population. With the terrain in ruins and the city's air defense grid now in the control of a massive terrorist force whose goal remains unclear, the FSA have only one option left - a behind-the-lines assault. The perfect job for a Bionic Commando.

Bionic Commando transposes the swing-and-shoot gameplay of the 8-bit original to a 3D environment of towering buildings, suspended roadways and monorails, deep canyons and sheer rock faces, where every environment is scalable using swinging, scaling, climbing and wall-walking techniques.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Game with Fun Retro Tie-Ins for Old-School Gamers May 21, 2009

By S. Hodgkinson

Platform for Display:Xbox 360

Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I had been anticipating this release for quite some time. I saw a gameplay trailer for it almost two years ago and had been waiting anxiously for it ever since. I'm not disappointed, but some gamers might be.

There's a lot of ground to cover, so I'll try to be succinct.

Unfortunately, if you're not into this game for the nostalgia factor then you're probably going to grow tired of it somewhat quickly after you complete the story mode once or twice. The multiplayer may grab your fancy and keep you coming back, but if you're a CoD or GoW or Halo (later referred to as "The Big 3" in this same review) online player than likely you will find yourself putting your "drug of choice" back in when you need an MP fix.

If you played the original Bionic Commando for the Nintendo Entertainment System this game will have lots of retro flare for you (the Title screen music is the original title music from the NES game redone on piano) and many references to the 1988 game. For those of you who never played it, you're still in for a fun 3rd Person action/adventure/shooter.

I myself am the type to flip through the game manual for a few minutes before I take the game itself for a spin. And at first glance I have to admit I thought the controls would be rather complicated, but I was wrong. Most actions in the game are simple and can be completed with one or two button presses. Use of the Grappling arm (that pretty much IS Bionic Commando) is extremely simple, and fun as well. Some swinging tricks take a little getting used to, but anyone who's played a Spider Man game on 360 will likely have no trouble at all adapting. But fear not if you haven't, it still really simple to get the hang of.

The game looks impressive. The colors are vivid, the shading is nice, and water and shadow effects are pulled off nicely. Sometimes it looks a bit fuzzy, but I blame that on my TV. The levels/areas themselves, unfortunately, feel somewhat restrictive, and life-threatening radiation often prevents you from swinging to an enticing perch.

When it comes to achievements, Bionic Commando is probably a pretty easy completion (1000/1000 GS) for most avid gamers. The achievements are based around the game's Challenges, which require you to perform certain actions throughout the game and reward you with weapon and armor upgrades. Most challenges are relatively simple, but progress in difficulty throughout the game.

The weapons in the game are diverse and fun to use. Enemies die with satisfying replicated agony, and Spencer (your character) makes many little wise-cracks and quips throughout the game. Sure, it's nothing original in that respect but always amusing when done well. I think it was done well in this case.

Unfortunately, the game doesn't really offer much in the way of replay value. There are 3 difficulty levels, and many collectibles stashed throughout the games areas. There are achievements in the game centered around finding all of the collectibles and completing all of the challenges, but you must find/complete them all in one play-through to unlock the completion achievement. That is really the only replay value I see in the game for those just looking for something new to play.

The multiplayer is nothing new or innovative when it comes to game-type selection. Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag are available. But, if you're looking for something a little different than the aforementioned "Big 3" than this might grab your attention for a while. The grappling hook can make battles very interesting.

So, if you really liked the original 1988 NES release of Bionic Commando, you're going to like this game as a matter of principle alone when it comes to content and story. The gameplay mechanics and vivid scenery will keep you playing. There's even and old friend or two who pop up to say Hi.

If you never even knew there was a 1988 NES Bionic Commando until you read this review, you still may enjoy this game if you like 3rd person action/adventure/shooter games with a few unique mechanics and quippy dialog.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars would've been good if.... May 3, 2010

By Pikminfan

Platform for Display:Xbox 360|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 2.0 out of 5 stars   

Bionic Commando would've been good....if:

-There weren't COMPLETELY random toxic areas to limit your exploration and to punish you for no apparent reason.
-You didn't pretty much die every time you fell into water. (Seriously,in some places it's maybe a foot deep-just stand up for goodnessake!)
-The controls weren't so completely unforgiving at times when you need them to be accommodating.
-Swinging from floating mine to floating mine was actually nuanced and smooth instead of insanely aggravating because of poor attach detection and doofus swing mechanics.
-You didn't have to re-play huge chunks of the game over and over again because the save spots were in such stupid and unintuitive places.
-If the story was little more than truly ignore-worthy.
-The main character was less of a tool-shed.

Of course it really would've sucked if not for:

-Really great graphics.
-Fun grappling mechanics.
-Decent combat.
-Taking enemies out by throwing cars and debris with your mechanical arm (One of the game's ONLY saving graces)
-A couple of cool bosses and some really great larger enemies.

I wanted to like this game. I really did. There are some really great moments in it, but man it was hard to get through with all of the frustration. A poorly designed game, with deeply flawed controls a good experience does not make. Play something fun instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good game, funky ending May 28, 2009

By Steven L. Mcdonald

Platform for Display:Xbox 360

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

It was a well put together game, I couldn't put it down. The story line about spencer's wife was a little far fetched. And I had expected more in the ending then there was. The bionic swing was probably my favorite thing in the game. My fav weapon, throwing stuff at my targets. The thing I would change would be the story line about the wife. (My wife is still confused about it). Look forward to a second one (Hint hint)