Questions
Who made Bionic Commando?
It was developed and published by Capcom, with the series creator being Tokuro Fujiwara. Nintendo Software Technology also contributed as a developer on later entries.
When did the original Bionic Commando come out?
The original arcade game launched on March 20, 1987, and the famous NES version followed in 1988.
What made the gameplay so unusual?
The main character cannot jump. Instead you use a bionic arm to grapple, swing, climb, and descend through levels, which was a signature twist on the platformer formula.
Can the bionic arm be used as a weapon?
Yes. Besides crossing gaps and climbing ledges, the grappling arm can pull enemies toward you or push them away.
What was the arcade game called in Japan?
In Japan the 1987 arcade game was titled Top Secret (トップシークレット, Toppu Shīkuretto).
Is Bionic Commando connected to the game Commando?
Yes. The arcade game was advertised in the United States as a sequel to Commando, and Super Joe, the protagonist of Commando, appears in the story.
Who is the hero of the series?
The series hero is Nathan "Rad" Spencer. He was voiced by Dameon Clarke for his crossover appearances in the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 games.
Is it true the game had Nazi villains?
Yes. The original Japanese arcade version featured explicit Nazi imagery, and the series is set in an alternate timeline where Nazism was not completely eradicated after World War II.
How was that content censored outside Japan?
In English versions the enemies were rebranded as "the Badds," and the swastika insignia was replaced with an eagle design, though the manuals still referenced "the Nazz."
What was up with the final boss?
The final boss originally depicted a revived Adolf Hitler and was renamed "Master-D," but he kept his original appearance, reportedly including a gory ending in which his face explodes.
How different was the NES version from the arcade?
The 1988 NES version was drastically different from the original arcade game. A version much truer to the coin-op original was released for the Amiga (OCS) in 1988.
Who composed the music?
Harumi Fujita scored the arcade game as a member of Capcom’s Sound Team, Junko Tamiya handled the NES adaptation, and Tim Follin did the C64, Amiga, Spectrum, and ST versions.
Was there ever a modern remake?
Yes. Bionic Commando Rearmed, an enhanced remake of the 1988 NES version, was released on August 13, 2008 and served as a prelude to the 2009 Bionic Commando game.
How many games are in the series?
There are seven games spanning arcade, NES, Game Boy, and modern platforms, with the final entry, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2, arriving on February 1, 2011.
Where did the original idea come from?
Creator Tokuro Fujiwara designed Bionic Commando as an expansion of his earlier arcade game Roc’n Rope from 1983.
