data/claims/bionic-commando-history.yamlBionic Commando (history and reception)
Game: Bionic Commando.
Hitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret, the Famicom release, came out in Japan on 20 July 1988 at 5,900 yen, by Famicom Hisshoubon's table of new releases. In its June 1988 preview the magazine had expected it in late July, price undecided. bionic-commando-history/release-japan
printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60), new-release table — the OCR spaces the words; the row's publisher, date, and price followヒットラーの復活Famicom Hisshoubon no. 054, 2 September 1988 · printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60), new-release table — the row reads カプコン / 7月20日 / 5900円 (Capcom, 20 July, 5,900 yen) in the page image, as the scout read it; the OCR has カブコン7月20日5900円Our translation20 July, 5,900 yenFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20), header strip — read from the page image by the scout; the strip goes on 価格未定, price undecided7月下旬発売予定Our translationdue out in late JulyChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
Nintendo of America's NES release list dates Bionic Commando, published by Capcom, to December 1988 in North America. bionic-commando-history/release-na
PDF p. 2 — the row reads Capcom, December 1988Bionic CommandoChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
Nintendo Power's second issue (September/October 1988) listed Bionic Commando among its September 1988 releases in North America; a footnote warned that release dates may vary. bionic-commando-history/na-calendar
PDF p. 3, Insiders' CalendarKick off Fall with these exciting game releases in September!Nintendo Power, issue 2 (September/October 1988) · PDF p. 3, Insiders' Calendar — the OCR reads Galaga as GalasaGhostbusters, Galaga, Mickey Mouse, Bionic CommandoNintendo Power, issue 2 (September/October 1988) · PDF p. 3, Insiders' Calendar, footnoteRelease dates may vary based on product availability.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.A forecast, not a record: Nintendo of America's later release list gives December 1988 (release-na).
Cited by: Bionic Commando
In Japan the game is Hitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (ヒットラーの復活 TOP SECRET), Capcom's Family Computer cassette CAP-HF. Famicom Hisshoubon's preview printed the English title The Return of Hitler beside it. bionic-commando-history/title-japan
cover (PDF p. 1) — read from the page image by the scout; the OCR garbles the coverヒットラーの復活 TOP SECRETHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · p. 2 (PDF p. 2) — read from the page image by the scout; the OCR garbles the title but holds "(CAP-HF )” を お 買い 上げい た だ き"カプコン『ファミリーコンピュータカセット・ヒットラーの復活(CAP-HF)』をお買い上げいただきOur translation(thank you for) buying Capcom's Family Computer cassette Hitler no Fukkatsu (CAP-HF)Famicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20), header stripRETURN OF HITLERChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
The North American manual says the game was created by Capcom, which it calls a premier arcade game designer, and the NES title screen reads © 1988 Capcom Co., Ltd. and © 1988 Capcom U.S.A., Inc., licensed by Nintendo of America. bionic-commando-history/maker
printed p. 2 (PDF p. 3), A Special Message From Captain Commando!created by CAPCOMBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 2 (PDF p. 3), A Special Message From Captain Commando!premier worldwide arcade game designerNintendo Power, issue 2 (September/October 1988) · printed p. 6 (PDF p. 8), title screen shown in the feature — small print on the screenshot, read from the page image by the scout: "TM AND ©1988 CAPCOM CO. LTD / ©1988 CAPCOM U.S.A. INC. / LICENSED BY NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC."; not in the text layer©1988 CAPCOM CO. LTDRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: States what the manual prints instead of "the maker its sources name".Wikidata names Minakuchi Engineering as the developer; none of the sources read prints that name (the manuals, Famicom Hisshoubon 049 and 054, Nintendo Power 2 to 6).
Cited by: Bionic Commando
In North America the game was sold as one of Capcom U.S.A.'s Captain Commando "Challenge Series" games, and its manual was written by Paul Biederman. bionic-commando-history/challenge-series
printed p. 2 (PDF p. 3), A Special Message From Captain Commando!Commando "Challenge Series"Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 21 (PDF p. 22), Hints/Scoring/MemoInstruction Manual by Paul BiedermanChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.In the North American manual's story, set in 198X, a Nazi plan called Abatros that was never carried out has been found; the empire's Generalissimo Killt sets out to carry it out, the federation sends its hero Super Joe to stop him and loses contact, and the player, unnamed, is sent into the empire to rescue Super Joe. bionic-commando-history/premise-us
printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Bionic Commando Story — the manual's spelling, NazzIn 198X we've found Nazz's top secret material called Abatros, a plan which never was put to practice.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Bionic Commando StoryGeneralissimo KilltBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Bionic Commando Storydecided to materialize this planBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Bionic Commando Storystop his attempt by sending our hero Super Joe, but lost contactBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Bionic Commando Storywith a special mission to rescue Super JoeBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), Bionic Commando StoryOur brave man (you the player)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Nintendo Power's feature spells the plan Albatros.
Cited by: Bionic Commando, Commando
The Famicom manual's story is set in the late 1980s: a Nazi top-secret document describing an unrealised "Albatross Plan" has passed to Weizman, leader of the Imperial Army; the Federal Army sends the hero Super Joe to take it back and loses contact, and sends a rescue unit, FF (Double Force), whose members use wires. The player is one of them, Rad Spencer. bionic-commando-history/premise-japan
p. 4 (PDF p. 4), ストーリー1980年代後半、ナチスの極秘文書が発見されOur translationin the late 1980s, a Nazi top-secret document was discoveredHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · p. 4 (PDF p. 4), ストーリーアルバトロス計画Our translationthe Albatross PlanHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · p. 4 (PDF p. 4), ストーリー帝国軍総統ワイズマンの手に渡ったことを知った連邦軍はOur translationthe Federal Army, learning that (the document) had passed into the hands of Imperial Army leader WeizmanHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · p. 4 (PDF p. 4), ストーリー — the OCR drops 帝 from 帝国英雄スーパー・ジョーを帝国へ潜入させたが連絡がとだえてしまうOur translationsent the hero Super Joe into the empire, but contact was lostHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · p. 4 (PDF p. 4), ストーリー — the parenthesis opens 部隊名はFF[ダブルフォース], the unit's name is FF (Double Force), read from the image by the scoutワイヤーを使う部隊の名称Our translationthe name of the unit that uses wiresHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · p. 4 (PDF p. 4), ストーリーラッド・スペンサーが本編の主人公であるOur translationRad Spencer is the protagonist of this gameFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20)その救出部隊の一人、ラッド・スペンサーが本編の主人公である。Our translationone of that rescue unit, Rad Spencer, is the protagonist of this gameChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The two manuals name the enemy leader differently: Killt in North America, Weizman (ワイズマン) in Japan. 総統 is the title the Japanese manual gives him (leader, the word used of Hitler).
Cited by: Bionic Commando
The player picks a route on a map of numbered areas, 0 to 19, starting from area 0, and a helicopter carries him from area to area; enemy vehicles move on the map as he does. On reaching an area without meeting one, the player can descend and play it, which switches to the battle scene, or fly on. bionic-commando-history/structure
printed pp. 7-9 (PDF pp. 8-10), Stage Map(Area 0 thru 19)Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9), Stage MapPlayer starts from area 0 and transfer along the route.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9), Stage MapEach numbered squares are the areas and as soon as your player reaches, screen will change to battle scene.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9), Stage MapHelicopter will transfer your player to the destination area.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 9 (PDF p. 10), Stage MapWhen your player helicopter starts to transfer, enemy vehicles will start to move also.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 9 (PDF p. 10), Stage MapWhen you reach destination without being confronted by enemy vehicle, you have a choice of either to play that area (descend) or still transfer to other area.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
Touching an enemy while travelling starts a scene that Famicom Hisshoubon likened to Senjō no Ōkami (Commando). bionic-commando-history/overhead-encounters
printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20) — read on the page image; the text layer has 接角移動中に敵と接触して展開するOur translationthat unfolds when (you) touch an enemy while movingFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20)戦場の狼もどきOur translationa Senjō no Ōkami look-alikeRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted 接触 from the page image, not the OCR's 接角, and dropped "on the map", which the sentence doesn't say.Senjō no Ōkami is the Japanese title of Commando.
Cited by: Bionic Commando
Before descending into an area the player picks one each of a weapon, a protector, a special weapon, and a communicator, and more are found and stocked during play. bionic-commando-history/loadout
printed p. 12 (PDF p. 13), Weapon SelectionWhen player decides to "descend", weapons selection scene will appear.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 12 (PDF p. 13), Weapon SelectionYou may take weapon, protector, special weapon, and communicators and you may select one each.Bionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 12 (PDF p. 13), Weapon SelectionYou can obtain more items while you play and stock them as you goChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
The manual's guns run from the Normal Gun the player starts with to the Wide Gun, Rocket Gun, 3-Way Gun, Machine Gun, and Hyper Bazooka. Among its other items, Iron Boots let the player kick enemies, a Permit is needed to enter certain neutral areas, and communicators work with compatible ones. bionic-commando-history/items
printed p. 6 (PDF p. 7), How to PlayNormal Gun, Wide Gun, Rocket Gun, 3-Way Gun, Machine Gun, Hyper BazookaBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 13 (PDF p. 14), Earned Weapons — said of the Normal GunYou have it to start withBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Bonus Characters — said of the Iron BootsKick and kill enemiesBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 15 (PDF p. 16), Bonus Characters — said of the PermitNeeded to enter certain neutral areasBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 16 (PDF p. 17), Bonus Characters — said of the communicatorsYou can communicate with compatible onesRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Dropped "only": the manual says communicators work with compatible ones.Cited by: Bionic Commando
The hero carries the Bionic Arm, a wire grappling device, which the North American manual puts on the B button. Nintendo Power noted that it can't be used to climb down, and Famicom Hisshoubon that on the side-view screens the player can't fire while hanging from the wire and swinging. bionic-commando-history/bionic-arm
PDF p. 9, Bionic Commando featureArmed with a wire grappling device called Bionic ArmBionic Commando (NES) instruction manual (Capcom U.S.A., 1988) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), How to Play — the next page says the guns are used by Button B too, against this page's "Button A Shoots Guns"Button B: To extend Bionic Arm.Nintendo Power, issue 2 (September/October 1988) · PDF p. 12, Bionic Commando featureit can't be used to climb downFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20) — read on the page image横画面で、ワイヤーにぶらさがって左右にゆれている間は弾を撃つことができないOur translationon the side-view screen, while (you are) hanging from the wire and swinging left and right, (you) can't fireRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Scoped the no-firing rule to the side-view screens, as Famicom Hisshoubon prints it.Cited by: Bionic Commando
The Famicom manual has sections on wire operation, with a table of wire techniques, on communications, neutral areas, continues, and how to escape an area, and closes with a map of the whole game. bionic-commando-history/japan-manual-sections
contents (PDF p. 3)ワイヤー操作一欄表Our translationwire operation tableHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · contents (PDF p. 3)通信についてOur translationabout communicationsHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · contents (PDF p. 3)中立エリアについてOur translationabout neutral areasHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · contents (PDF p. 3)コンティニューについてOur translationabout continuingHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · contents (PDF p. 3)エリア脱出法についてOur translationabout how to escape an areaHitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (Famicom) instruction manual (Capcom, 1988) · contents (PDF p. 3)全体マップOur translationwhole mapRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the contents page's 一欄表 as printed.The contents page was read from the image by the scout; the OCR garbles several headings.
Cited by: Bionic Commando
The Famicom game is billed as an arrangement of the arcade game Top Secret, which its subtitle names. Famicom Hisshoubon's preview wrote that what was carried over was the controls, the setting, and some of the enemies, and that the game's structure is entirely different. bionic-commando-history/arcade-origin
printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60), new-release tableアーケードゲーム「トップシークレット」を、ファミコン用にアレンジしての移植Our translationa port of the arcade game Top Secret, arranged for the FamicomFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20) — the sentence goes on that the game is ported from the video game Top SecretサブタイトルにあるようにOur translationas the subtitle saysFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20) — the scout read it from the page image; the OCR reads 操作方法と設定 as 採作法と設直移植されたのは操作方法と設定、それに敵キャラの一部で、ゲーム構成は全く違う仕上りになっている。Our translationwhat was ported is the controls and the setting, and some of the enemy characters; the game's structure is finished completely differentlyChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
Nintendo Power's second issue (September/October 1988) ran a 12-page feature on the game, calling it a "super-charged hit". The feature closes that it combines the action of the finest arcade games with the mysteries of a superb adventure. bionic-commando-history/np-feature
PDF p. 5, issue introductionsuper-charged hit, Bionic CommandoNintendo Power, issue 2 (September/October 1988) · PDF p. 19, The Final Conflict"Bionic Commando" has the action of the finest arcade games combined with the mysteries of a superb adventure.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The feature runs from printed p. 6 to p. 17 (PDF pp. 8-19). It gives no score.
Cited by: Bionic Commando
Previewing it in June 1988, Famicom Hisshoubon's Hibiki Akira called it a supremely confident work from Capcom, which kept to action games while others chased role-playing and strategy games, asked what it was if not a masterpiece, and recommended it without reserve. bionic-commando-history/hisshoubon-preview
printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20)流行のRPGやSLGなんかにはOur translation(paying no attention to) the fashionable RPGs and SLGsFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20)AG一本ヤリのカプコンがおくる超自信作がこれOur translationthis is the super-confident work that Capcom, sticking to action games alone, brings usFamicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20)これを名作と言わずして何を言わんか。ボクが絶対にお勧めのゲームです。Our translationIf this isn't a masterpiece, what is? It's a game I absolutely recommend.Famicom Hisshoubon no. 049, 17 June 1988 · printed p. 18 (PDF p. 20)文響あきらOur translationtext, Hibiki AkiraChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Bionic Commando
Famicom Hisshoubon's new-release review (September 1988) summed it up as rated best for both graphics and gameplay. Reviewer (ハ) wrote that it was the first action game in a while to hook him, its balance superb, and recommended it absolutely; reviewer (C) called its overall structure good and the game a bargain. bionic-commando-history/hisshoubon-review
printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60), reviewers' comments — read on the page imageグラフィック、ゲーム性共評価は最高。Our translationGraphics and gameplay are both rated the best.Famicom Hisshoubon no. 054, 2 September 1988 · printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60), reviewers' comments — read from the page image by the scout; the OCR holds only its end, "なのACGなのです"ひさびさにハマったACGです。というのもゲームの命、バランスが絶妙なんだよね。個人的には絶対オススメのACGなのです。(ハ)Our translationIt's an ACG (action game) I got hooked on for the first time in ages. That's because the game's life, its balance, is superb. Personally, it's an ACG I absolutely recommend. (ハ)Famicom Hisshoubon no. 054, 2 September 1988 · printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60), reviewers' comments全体の構成もよく、買得の一作。(C)Our translationThe overall structure is good too; a bargain of a game. (C)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the review box as printed, 最高 (rated best), not "rated highly".The table also rates each game in hearts (difficulty, control, graphics, absorption, overall), too small in the scan read to count; no score is recorded here.
Cited by: Bionic Commando
In Nintendo Power's Top 30 chart it was 28th, new to the chart, in the January/February 1989 issue, 7th in March/April 1989, and 8th in May/June 1989, when it was 4th in the pros' picks. bionic-commando-history/top-30
printed p. 103 (PDF p. 106), Top 30 — the rank, 28, and the new-entry badge were read from the page image by the scoutBIONIC COMMANDONintendo Power, issue 5 (1989-03) · printed p. 71 (PDF p. 67), Top 30B. C. is swinging in past the rest at lucky number seven.Nintendo Power, issue 6 (May/June 1989) · printed p. 71 (PDF p. 73), Top 30 — the blurb under 8, BIONIC COMMANDO, 3,338 points, read from the page image by the scout; not in the pinned textSwinging action, mystery, danger, world threatening plots! There's no way to keep this game down.Nintendo Power, issue 6 (May/June 1989) · printed p. 72 (PDF p. 74), Pros' Picks4 BIONIC COMMANDO 2,369Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The same charts put it 19th (806 points) and 26th (272) in the January/February players' and pros' picks, and 11th (1,499) and 7th (1,598) in March/April's; 19th (969) in May/June's players' picks.
Cited by: Bionic Commando