Bionic Commando: Elite Forces Capcom (Nintendo Software Technology Corporation) Reviewed by baDMan badstubn@lasalle.edu Size: 16 megabits (2 megabytes) Save: Battery backup - 3 save slots Released: 2000 Works with: Gameboy Color Only **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: When I was in college, the guys who lived in the room directly connected to mine had an NES, and I was addicted to 3 games - Super Mario Bros 3, Blaster Master, and Bionic Commando. It was one of those games that I would play over and over again even after I had beaten it. Those types of games are rare, so I was awaiting the release of BC for the Gameboy Color with baited breath. Will it hold up to the original? We'll see. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: First of all let me just get this out of the way - this is the game that has finally made me take Game and Watch Gallery 3 out of my gameboy color. You play as either a male or female "commando" given orders to infiltrate the Avars base, and sabotage their plans. What makes this game different that normal platformers is one thing: YOU CANNOT JUMP! Instead, you have a bionic arm that extends and allows you to pull yourself up to platforms as well as swing great distances. In addition to the side scrolling levels, there are also top down levels, as well as a sniper mode that is really cool. There is enough gameplay packed into this cartridge to last a long long time. Liked: Well balanced gameplay. Challenging. Great attention to detail. The bionic arm is a great idea. Hated: nothing **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Pure eye candy. There are vibrant colors and textures, and awesome animation. If graphics can be this good on the GBC, I cannot wait to see what the Gameboy Advance will look like. There is not much else to say about the graphics except that they perfectly compliment the gameplay and they are beautiful. Liked: Everything, really. Hated: nothing **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: The sound in Bionic Commando does the job, but is nothing special. Capcom has tried to include digitized speech with mixed results. Yeah, there is speech. Yeah, you can understand it. But..... It certainly does not sound great. The speech is not an integral part of the game, so it does not detract from the experience. Liked: Sound is not distracting at all. Hated: Leave the speech out. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The controls are excellent and very responsive. It takes some time to get used to using the bionic arm instead of jumping, but once you get used to it, it works great. There is no "looseness" like in the Mario Bros games - this is tight control all the way. Everything is intuitive, and it is cool how you can take different equipment with you on each level, as well as earning new equipment along the way. Liked: excellent controls Hated: nothing here **************************************************************************** Improve: Better speech is the only thing. RIYL: Super Mario Bros, Metroid, **************************************************************************** Final Words: This game is by far the coolest thing I have played on the GBC. It has an indepth story, excellent graphics, and completely engrossing gameplay. If you are thinking of picking up a new game, your money will be well spent on Bionic Commando. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: 5 stars Graphics: 5 stars Sound/Music: 4 stars Play Control/Game Design: 5 stars Personal Opinion: 6 stars Total: 25 The awesome gameplay more than makes up for the small speech problems. Final Score: 100 **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None.