Series
From Bionic Commando Database
This is a list of each unique publication from the Bionic Commando series. You can also view a time line of the release information for the series.
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Arcade
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Main article: Bionic Commando: Arcade
The very first version of Bionic Commando was released as an arcade game in Japan in March of 1987 under the name Top Secret. It was released in the US later that year. This particular version of the game was ported to the Amiga, the Amstrad CPC, the Atari ST, the Commodore 64, DOS, and the ZX Spectrum.
Although it is easy to assume that this game to be a sequel of the earlier Capcom game Commando, it actually has nothing to do with the game except for the hero, Super Joe.
The arcade game contains some elements that would be used in the later games. The eponymous bionic arm is here, but not quite to the complexity as with the later games. Also, many of the enemies look the same. The knife wielding soldier, the heavy object throwing soldier, the helicopter, the dwarf soldier, and the main system are all very similar to the later games.
NES
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Main article: Bionic Commando: NES
Instead of merely porting the rather unsuccessful arcade game to the NES, Capcom decided to give the game a complete overhaul and converted the action-platformer into a more complex action-adventure game with dialog, non-linear areas, and minor exploration.
It was first released in Japan in 1988 with the name Top Secret: Hitler's Revival. It was released later that year in North America with the name Bionic Commando and finally in 1990 in the UK, again as Bionic Commando.
The North American NES release was also included in the Capcom Classic Collection which was released on the XBox in 2005 and the PlayStation 2 in 2006. It was released one more time in Capcom Classic Collection Remixed for the PlayStation Portable in 2006 as well.
Worlds of Power
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Main article: Worlds of Power
A book was published in 1991 about the story line of Bionic Commando. It incorporates some of the main characters of the game into the story, as well as some of the areas, but overall it takes great liberties. Because of its use of unusual elements (ninjas and giant octopuses, for example) and because it has no real ties with Capcom, the book is not considered canon to the Bionic Commando storyline.
Game Boy
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Main article: Bionic Commando: Game Boy
The Game Boy version of Bionic Commando was released in Japan on July 24th, 1992 and in the US in September of 1992. It played remarkably similar to the NES version, to the point where the game wasn't a sequel, but a remake. Many of the items in the game have the same function, the characters have the same names, and some of the areas even look the same. However, the game was altered enough that even a veteran NES player would be unfamiliar with several large sections of the game. The biggest change was the complete remove of all references to Nazism.
Elite Forces
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Main article: Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces was released on the Game Boy Color in the United States on December 31st, 1999. While it too was more of a remake than a sequel, it had many unique ideas developed for it. Although the production value was low compared to other Game Boy Color games, it is still a competent game and fun to play.
Chain of Command
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Main article: Bionic Commando: Chain of Command
Chain of Command is a Web comic written by Andy Diggle and drawn by Colin Wilson. It tells the story of what happened to Nathan Spencer and Joseph Gibson in the ten year gap between the NES game and the 7th Generation game. It debuted on March 12, 2008 and will be updated every Wednesday until the 7th Generation game is released.
In addition, a limited-edition print version will be given out as a preorder bonus for the 7th Generation title.
Rearmed
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Main article: Bionic Commando: Rearmed
Bionic Commando: Rearmed is yet another remake of the original NES version. Rearmed was released on August 13th, 2008 for the XBox 360, PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows. Though the game uses a 3D engine for all it's rendering, it is still presented as a 2D action platformer to better match the original style.
7th Generation
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Main article: Bionic Commando: 7th Generation
The latest Bionic Commando for the 7th generation consoles is still in development. It is currently estimated to be released on November 30th, 2008. It will be released for the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well as Microsoft Windows.
