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Bionic Commando, originally released in Japan as Top Secret (トップシークレット), is an arcade game produced and released by Capcom in 1987. It is the first, obscure installment in the Bionic Commando series of action platformer games. Directed by Tokuro Fujiwara, it was later released for several home computers. This game is included in Capcom Classics Collection for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Gameplay[]

Super Joe traverses through five levels from a forest to a base, in order to stop a threatening armed force. Super Joe is equipped with a bionic arm featuring a grappling gun, allowing him to pull himself forward or swing from the ceiling.

At the time, the game was notable for being one of the few instances of a platform game in which the player cannot jump. To cross gaps or climb ledges, the hero must use his bionic arm. The levels themselves are, like any conventional platformer, straightforward, with many situations in which there are enemies, cliffs, pits and other dangers lying in wait, that must be overcome.

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.

Differences from sequel[]

Although this game is generally considered the original version of the NES Bionic Commando, the two have almost nothing in common, except for the localized title (the original titles are different).

Localized title Bionic Commando
(arcade)
Bionic Commando
(NES)
Original title Top Secret Hitler's Resurrection: Top Secret
Player character Super Joe Rad Spencer
Mission Just defeat the enemies 1) Rescue Super Joe
2) Prevent Hitler's resurrection
3) Destroy the Albatross
Bionic arm Prevents shooting when extended;
usable when on the ground only.
Allows to shoot when extended;
can also be extended in mid-air.
N. of regular stages 5 12
Neutral areas? No Yes, 7
Overworld map? No Yes
Overhead
segments?
No Yes
Communicators
and dialogue?
No Yes
Extra hit points No Yes, up to 8
Inventory 1 weapon. Period. 5 weapons
4 communicators
5 tools
3 armors


Characters[]

BCommandoArt

Promotional art.

Enemies[]

  • Soldier
  • Heavy Soldier
  • Beehive
  • Mutant
  • Rocket Soldier
  • Short Soldier
  • Gremlin
  • Captain
  • Crate Soldier
  • Flamethrower Soldier
  • Mech Pilot
  • Helicopter

Credits[]


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Trivia[]

  • Bionic Commando (original title: "Hitler's Resurrection: Top Secret") is the sequel of this game.
  • Bionic Commando and Bionic Commando (2009) are enhanced remakes of the second Bionic Commando ("Hitler's Resurrection").

Gallery[]

Box art[]

Merchandise and advertisement[]

External links[]

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