Bionic Commando: Elite Forces

Last updated
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
Bionic-commando-ef-gbc.jpg
Developer(s) Nintendo Software Technology
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Josh Atkins
Designer(s) Akila Redmer
Programmer(s) Samir Abou-Samra
Artist(s) Raymond Yan
Composer(s) Lawrence Schwedler
Series Bionic Commando
Platform(s) Game Boy Color
Release
  • NA: January 24, 2000 [1]
  • AU: January 2000
Genre(s) Platform game, Metroidvania [2]
Mode(s) Single-player

Bionic Commando: Elite Forces is a video game released in 2000 for the Game Boy Color. Though the game is part of the Bionic Commando series of games by Capcom, Elite Forces is the only game in the series to be published by Nintendo, and was the first title to be developed by its Redmond-based first-party studio Nintendo Software Technology. It is the sequel to the Game Boy version of Bionic Commando , which launched worldwide in 1992, though it was only ever released in North America and Australia; however, in November 2014, the game launched for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service in Europe, again published by Nintendo.

Contents

Gameplay

Though the player still cannot jump, Elite Forces is different from the rest of the Bionic Commando series; among the changes are a different plot, new moves for the main characters - an unnamed female commando and an unnamed male commando - and the ability to utilize a sniper rifle in some segments of the game.

The game features stages arranged on a map screen akin to Super Mario 3, with some levels being traditional side scrolling platformers, with others being top-down shooters, or auto-scroller segments. The player receives exposition from "codec" calls, and may also choose specific items or weapons before levels.

There are a few bosses placed in large arenas, and ending slideshow with captions immediately following the final boss.

Plot

The peaceful land of Karinia is being terrorized by an evil man named Arturus. He is the leader of an evil army called the Avars, who have terrorized Karinia for years. As the Elite Forces fight the Avars, they receive a fragmented communication from Commander Joe (presumably Super Joe), an ally who had infiltrated their territory. Joe's message revealed that Arturus was planning to launch the Albatross Project. After that, communication with Cmdr. Joe was lost. The Bionic Corps contacted the Elite Forces to help stop the Avars, prevent the fall of Karinia, and rescue Joe. [3] It is essentially a repeat of the events of the 1988 Bionic Commando , except with a different twist by the end - rather than the resurrection of a long-dead dictator, it is revealed that the Albatross was originally a wrecked space vessel of unknown origin that can give its owner mutant powers.

Reception

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Color</span> Handheld game console by Nintendo

The Game Boy Color is an 8-bit handheld game console, manufactured by Nintendo, which was released in Japan on October 21, 1998 and to international markets that November. It is the successor to the Game Boy and is part of its product line. Critics like IGN consider it more akin to a hardware revision than a next generation product.

<i>Mario Tennis</i> 2000 video game

Mario Tennis is a 2000 sports video game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Following Mario's Tennis, it is the second game in the Mario Tennis series. The game is known for being the introduction of Luigi's arch-rival, Waluigi, and the re-introduction of Princess Daisy and Birdo.

<i>Balloon Fight</i> 1984 video game

Balloon Fight is an action video game developed by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The original arcade version was released for the Nintendo VS. System internationally as Vs. Balloon Fight, while its Nintendo Entertainment System counterpart was released in Japan in 1985 and internationally in 1986.

<i>Excitebike</i> 1984 video game

Excitebike is a motocross racing video game developed and published by Nintendo. In Japan, it was released for the Famicom in 1984 and then ported to arcades as Vs. Excitebike for the Nintendo Vs. System later that year. In North America, it was initially released for arcades in 1985 and then as a launch game for the Nintendo Entertainment System later that year, becoming one of the best-selling games on the console. It is the first game in the Excite series.

<i>Pokémon Puzzle Challenge</i> 2000 video game for the Game Boy Color

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge is a puzzle video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. Released in Japan on September 21, 2000; in North America on December 4, 2000; and in PAL regions on June 15, 2001, it is the second Pokémon-themed entry in the Puzzle League series. While its Nintendo 64 counterpart Pokémon Puzzle League is visually based on the Pokemon anime, Puzzle Challenge instead draws inspiration from the Pokémon Gold and Silver games. The game features multiple modes of play and support for competitive play between two players. Puzzle Challenge was later digitally re-released via the Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console line on November 6, 2014.

<i>Commando</i> (video game) 1985 video game

Commando, released as Senjō no Ōkami in Japan, is a vertically scrolling run and gun video game released by Capcom for arcades in 1985. The game was designed by Tokuro Fujiwara. It was distributed in North America by Data East, and in Europe by several companies including Capcom, Deith Leisure and Sega, S.A. SONIC. Versions were released for various home computers and video game consoles. It is unrelated to the 1985 film of the same name, which was released six months after the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Software Technology</span> American video game developer

Nintendo Software Technology Corporation, doing business as Nintendo Software Technology (NST), is an American video game developer. NST was created by Nintendo as a first-party developer to create games for the North American market, though their games have also been released worldwide. The company was founded by Minoru Arakawa, Claude Comair and Scott Tsumura in 1998 and is located inside of Nintendo of America's headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

<i>Pokémon</i> (video game series) Japanese video game series

Pokémon is a series of video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company under the Pokémon media franchise. It was created by Satoshi Tajiri with assistance from Ken Sugimori, the first games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, were released in 1996 in Japan for the Game Boy, later released outside of Japan as Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version. The main series of role-playing video games (RPGs), referred as the "core series" by their developers, has continued on each generation of Nintendo's handhelds. The most recently released core series games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, were released on November 18, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.

<i>Bionic Commando</i> Video game series

Bionic Commando is a video game franchise consisting of an original arcade video game released in 1987 and several later versions and sequels. The games are platform games in which, with two exceptions, the player cannot jump. A bionic arm is used to cross gaps and climb ledges. The player character, Nathan "Rad" Spencer, uses this as a grappling gun/hook to swing, climb and descend through levels. Seven games have been released, from the original 1987 Bionic Commando to 2011's Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. The series is based in an alternate timeline in which Nazism is not completely eradicated following World War II.

Game & Watch games have had many different re-releases.

<i>Mario Golf</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Mario Golf is a 1999 sports game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Mario, his friends, and his enemies play golf on a variety of Mario-themed courses. Following NES Open Tournament Golf, it is the second game in the Mario Golf series. Camelot also developed a Game Boy Color version, which adds role-playing elements.

<i>Shantae</i> (video game) 2002 video game

Shantae is a platform video game developed by WayForward and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Color in 2002. It is the first title in the Shantae series. The game follows the adventures of the eponymous half-genie Shantae, who must travel across Sequin Land, the setting of the series, to foil the domination plans of the evil lady pirate Risky Boots. During her quest, she learns various dances and acquires items which make her progressively stronger as well as unlocking new abilities and locations, leading her to ultimately face off against Risky in her hideout.

<i>Blaster Master: Enemy Below</i> 2000 video game

Blaster Master: Enemy Below, known in Japan as Metafight EX (メタファイトEX), is a video game for the Game Boy Color. It was also re-released for the Virtual Console on the Nintendo 3DS system in 2011, and on the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2023.

<i>Bionic Commando Rearmed</i> 2008 video game remake

Bionic Commando Rearmed is an enhanced remake of the 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System version of Bionic Commando. It was developed by Grin and published by Capcom for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade, and was released in August 2008. The BlackBerry version was developed and published by Beeline Interactive and released on April 23, 2009. The remake serves as a prelude to the 2009 video game Bionic Commando.

<i>Bionic Commando</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

Bionic Commando, released in Japan as Top Secret is a 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.

<i>Bionic Commando</i> (1988 video game) 1988 video game

Bionic Commando, originally released as Hitler's Resurrection: Top Secret in Japan, is a platform game released by Capcom for the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988. It is based on the 1987 arcade game Bionic Commando.

<i>Bionic Commando</i> (1992 video game) 1992 video game

Bionic Commando is an action platform game released by Capcom for the Game Boy in 1992. It is an adaptation of the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Bionic Commando, changing the present day setting of the NES version into a futuristic science fiction one.

<i>The Rugrats Movie</i> (video game) 1998 video game

The Rugrats Movie is a traditional 8-bit 2D platform video game based on the movie of the same name from the Nickelodeon animated series, Rugrats. It was released for original Game Boy in November 1998 and for Game Boy Color in 1999. The game is also compatible with the Super Game Boy.

<i>The Mummy</i> (video game) 2000 video game

The Mummy, known in Japan as Hamunaptra: Ushinawareta Sabaku no Miyako, is a single-player video game for Game Boy Color, PlayStation and Microsoft Windows, based on the 1999 movie of the same name. It was published by Konami.

<i>Super Mario Bros.</i> 1985 video game

Super Mario Bros. is a 1985 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The successor to the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. and the first game in the Super Mario series, it was first released in 1985 for the Famicom in Japan. Following a limited US release for the NES, it was ported to international arcades for the Nintendo Vs. System in early 1986. The NES version received a wide release in North America that year and in PAL regions in 1987.

References

  1. Staff, I. G. N. (2001-01-27). "Best Pocket Action Game of 2000: Readers' Votes". IGN. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  2. "The Best Undisocvered Game Boy & Game Boy Color Games". Racketboy. November 8, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2016. With Bionic Commando, you start with a short life meter, but it gradually grow as you kill enemies. Also after each stage, a weapon or item is added to your arsenal. These elements give you a bit of an RPG experience similar to games like Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. And much like many Metroidvania games, you often explore the expansive levels by traveling in a variety of directions.
  3. MegaScorcher.com (April 28, 2008). "Good Game Mondays #15: Bionic Commando Elite Forces GBC". YouTube . Alphabet Inc.
  4. 1 2 "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces for Game Boy Color". GameRankings . CBS Interactive . Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  5. White, Jason. "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  6. Fitzloff, Jay (March 2000). "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces". Game Informer . No. 83. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on December 10, 2000. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  7. Gerstmann, Jeff (February 10, 2000). "Bionic Commando [Elite Forces] Review". GameSpot . CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  8. Harris, Craig (January 26, 2000). "Bionic Commando [Elite Forces]". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  9. Frear, Dave (November 16, 2014). "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces Review (3DS eShop / GBC)". Nintendo Life . Gamer Network. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  10. "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces". Nintendo Power . Vol. 129. Nintendo of America. February 2000.