Part 2

This guide covers the legal information and background of Bionic Commando, including its development, different versions, and the author's personal thoughts on the game's innovative mechanics and playability.

This section of the guide provides legal information regarding the Bionic Commando FAQ and details about the game itself.

Legal Information:

Bionic Commando, its characters, and logos are copyrighted by Capcom. This FAQ is copyrighted and unauthorized use, reproduction, or imitation of its content is prohibited. Permission to use information from this FAQ must be obtained via email, with proper attribution to the original author and source. The FAQ is intended for private, personal use only and must not be used for commercial purposes. It is freeware and meant to assist individual gamers. The FAQ is authorized for hosting on GameFaqs, Neoseeker, GameNotOver, and HonestGamers. Any other hosting requires explicit permission. Unauthorized hosting should be reported to Linuso@hotmail.com. Permission for hosting is granted upon polite request, with a description of the site and a link, provided no content is altered. Content changes are only made by the author during updates, and suggestions can be discussed via email.

About Bionic Commando:

Bionic Commando was developed by Capcom and released on the NES in 1988, initially as "Top Secret" in Japan before being renamed for US and European releases. Despite its innovative gameplay and production, it did not achieve the sales of other Capcom titles like Mega Man. However, it significantly contributed to the platform action genre and popularized the bionic arm-swinging mechanic, influencing later games such as Super Castlevania IV, Mickey's Magical Quest, and Super Metroid. In later years, Bionic Commando gained recognition, being ranked #59 on IGN's list of the 100 best games ever in 2005, ahead of titles like Final Fantasy VII and Sonic The Hedgehog. The game also had an arcade version in Japan, also called "Top Secret," which differed from the NES version. Bionic Commando is available on Commodore 64, Game Boy, and PC, with a Game Boy Color remake also existing. The Japanese version featured Nazis as enemies, referred to as "Nazz," with swastikas as insignia, and Master-D resembling Adolph Hitler. These elements were altered for American and European releases due to potentially disturbing content.

Author's Thoughts on the Game:

The author considers Bionic Commando to be an excellent game, praising its concept and playability. The bionic grappling arm is highlighted as an awesome and well-implemented feature that redefines the platform action genre. The controls are described as superb, ensuring that any failures in gameplay are attributable to player error rather than the game itself. The game emphasizes skill and improvement over luck, encouraging players to refine their abilities.