Summary
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.
| Bionic Commando: Elite Forces | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 | |
| Genre(s) | Platform game, Metroidvania[2] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay edit
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 edit
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 edit
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 84%[4] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |   [5] |
| Game Informer | 8.25/10[6] |
| GameSpot | 9/10[7] |
| IGN | 8/10[8] |
| Nintendo Life |   [9] |
| Nintendo Power | 8.3/10[10] |
The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[4]
See also edit
- Bionic Commando, for other games in the series.
References edit
- ^ I. G. N. Staff (2001-01-27). "Best Pocket Action Game of 2000: Readers' Votes". IGN. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ "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.
- ^ MegaScorcher.com (April 28, 2008). "Good Game Mondays #15: Bionic Commando Elite Forces GBC". YouTube. Alphabet Inc.
- ^ a b "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ White, Jason. "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (February 10, 2000). "Bionic Commando [Elite Forces] Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ Harris, Craig (January 26, 2000). "Bionic Commando [Elite Forces]". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ Frear, Dave (November 16, 2014). "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces Review (3DS eShop / GBC)". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "Bionic Commando: Elite Forces". Nintendo Power. Vol. 129. Nintendo of America. February 2000.
External links edit
- Bionic Commando: Elite Forces at MobyGames