Claim set · data/claims/commando-history.yaml

Commando (history and reception)

Game: Commando.

Capcom released Commando as an arcade game in May 1985. Akagi Masumi's list of arcade games files it in its Japan part under the title 戦場の狼 (Senjō no Ōkami), in the same month. commando-history/arcade-japan

PublisherCorporate History (Capcom IR site, English) · 1985, MayReleased the arcade video game "Commando".アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · 国内編 (Japan), Capcom (OCR text line 2567) — the row sits between "85/02エグゼドエグゼス" and "85/09魔界村" in Capcom's section, the section that holds 1942's "84/12 1942"85/05戦場の狼Our translation85/05 (May 1985) 戦場の狼 (Senjō no Ōkami)アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · index — the OCR splits the index row over two lines, "戦場の狼" and "カプコン85/05"戦場の狼 カプコン85/05Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Read in the list's OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked. Neither source gives a day, and Capcom's history doesn't name the country.

Cited by: Commando

By Akagi Masumi's list, Commando came out in the United States in June 1985 through Data East USA. In November 1986 Computer Entertainer wrote that Capcom had licensed Commando to Data East for arcade and computer games in the U.S. commando-history/arcade-na

BookアーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · 海外編 (overseas), DATA EAST USA (OCR text line 30647) — the OCR reads "[DATA EAST USA _"; the section's rows start at "80/06 Astro Fighter (via Sega/Gremlin-)", and Hammer Car (83/11) comes laterDATA EAST USAアーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · 海外編 (overseas), DATA EAST USA85/06 Commando [Capcom]Our translation85/06 (June 1985) Commando [made by Capcom]アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · overseas indexCommando Capcom/Data East USA 85/06Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 8 (November 1986) · p. 11, More on 3rd Party Games for Nintendo System, Capcom USACOMMANDO, which was licensed to Data East for arcade and computer games in the U.S., is a familiar game of guerilla warfare.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Note corrected; the Data East USA section starts at "80/06 Astro Fighter".

The list gives year and month only and names no source for its dates. Read in the OCR text only.

Cited by: Commando

Capcom dates its release of Commando for the Nintendo Entertainment System to September 1986. Since the NES cartridge came out in North America in November 1986, the September date reads as the Famicom release, 戦場の狼 (Senjō no Ōkami), an inference no source states. commando-history/release-famicom

PublisherCorporate History (Capcom IR site, English) · 1986, Sep.Released "Commando" for NES.Commando came out for the NES in North America in November 1986, with Capcom as licensee. PublisherChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Capcom's English history seems to use "NES" for its Famicom releases too: it dates 1942 for the NES to December 1985, a year before the North American cartridge (1942-history/release-famicom). No source read gives the Famicom day.

Cited by: Commando

The Famicom booklet opens by thanking the buyer for choosing Capcom's cassette, and its back cover sends readers to the Capcom Dial for news of Capcom software. The back cover gives addresses in Higashi-ku, Osaka (after 株式会社, Co., Ltd.) and Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. The cartridge's code, CAP-SJ, comes from the Internet Archive item's title. commando-history/famicom-maker

Manual戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · back cover (PDF p. 36) — the line follows "株 式 会 社" (kabushiki gaisha, Co., Ltd.); the company name before it isn't in the OCR540 大 阪 市 東 区 内 本 町 1 一 41Our translation〒540 Osaka-shi Higashi-ku Uchihonmachi 1-41戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · inside cover (PDF p. 2) — the line goes on "内 に プア ァ ミ リー ロン シン ピュー タカ セッ ト ・", the OCR's reading of のファミリーコンピュータカセットこの た び は カプ コンOur translationThank you for buying Capcom's (Family Computer cassette)戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · back cover (PDF p. 36) — the OCR reads "※ カ プ ブ " コ ン ソ フト 情報 は カプ コン ダイ ヤル へ 。"ソフト情報はカプコンダイヤルへOur translationfor (Capcom) software news, (call) the Capcom Dial戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · back cover (PDF p. 36)〒150 東京 都 渋谷 区 広尾 1 一 3 一 18Our translation〒150 Tokyo Shibuya-ku Hiroo 1-3-18Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Capcom rests on the legible Capcom dial line; the CAPESJ quote dropped; T2.

OCR text only, legible for these lines; the page images haven't been checked.

Cited by: Commando

The Famicom booklet's story has the Gunter brothers, planning to unify the whole world, lead an army of evil and build an impregnable front line; the hero's mission is to wipe out that army and destroy its headquarters, an operation called close to impossible that he is to carry out alone. commando-history/famicom-story

Manual戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 16 — the OCR reads "全 世 界 統一 を 企てる ギュ ンタ ー 上 兄弟 は", with a stray 上 before 兄弟 (brothers)全世界統一を企てるギュンターOur translationthe Gunter (ギュンター), who plan to unify the whole world戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 16兄弟は、悪の軍団を率いて、難攻不落の大戦線を築き上げOur translationthe brothers lead an army of evil and build an impregnable great front line戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 16 — the line before, "の 任務 は" (his mission is), opens with the hero's name, which the OCR garbles as "2 パー ニー ショー」|"悪の軍団壊滅と本部破壊であったOur translation(his mission) was the destruction of the army of evil and of its headquarters戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 16この実行不可能とも言える作戦を彼は一人でOur translationthis operation, which could be called impossible to carry out, he (must do) aloneRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "The hero", not Super Joe (garbled in the OCR); T2.

OCR text only, legible for these lines; the page image hasn't been checked, nor the hero's name on PDF p. 16, which the OCR garbles.

Cited by: Commando

In the Famicom booklet the control pad moves the player in eight directions, one button throws hand grenades and the other fires the machine gun, and START pauses. A briefing in the booklet tells the hero his weapon is a rifle that needs no resupply of bullets. Underground shelters are hidden around the battlefield, holding prisoners at some times, and the booklet ties prisoner rescue to points (ポイント) in the Famicom version. commando-history/famicom-play

Manual戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 4, controller8方向にPLAYERを移動する事ができますOur translation(the control pad) can move the PLAYER in eight directions戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 4, controller — as the OCR reads it, 手 欄 弾 for 手榴弾 (hand grenade); it loses which button (A or B) each line namesボタ ン で 手 欄 弾 を 投げ ますOur translation(one) button throws hand grenades戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 4, controllerボタンでマシンガンを撃ちますOur translation(the other) button fires the machine gun戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 5, START button — under "※ ポー ズ 機 能" (pause function)ゲー ム 中 に 押す と 、 ゲ ー ム が 一 時 中 断 しOur translationpressed during a game, it pauses the game戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 18, comic — the line before reads "き さ ま の 武器 は 、 そ の 弾丸" (your weapon is that ...)弾丸補給無用のライフルOur translationa rifle that needs no resupply of bullets戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 6, underground shelters戦場の各地に隠された地下シェルターOur translationunderground shelters hidden all over the battlefield戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 6, underground sheltersある時は捕虜がOur translationat some times prisoners (are inside)戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 6, points — the OCR reads 重用 (perhaps 重要, important) and 戦場の銀 for the title; whether ポイント means score points or a key point isn't clear from the OCR(捕虜 救出 ) が 重用 な ボ ポイント に な るOur translation(prisoner rescue) becomes a 重用 point (ポイント)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Dropped "important"; the OCR's 重用 noted; T2.

OCR text only, legible for these lines but for 手欄弾 (hand grenade) and 重用; the page images haven't been checked, and which button does what is left open.

Cited by: Commando

The Famicom booklet's continue rule: on the first and second loops a continue puts the player back at the start of the area where he died; from the third loop on, the rule is different. commando-history/famicom-continue

Manual戦場の狼 ファミリーコンピュータ 取扱説明書 (Senjō no Ōkami Famicom instruction booklet, CAP-SJ) · PDF p. 5, コンティニューについて (on continuing) — the line ends "エリ デ 1 に も どき れ ま ます" in the OCR, a garbled "エリア1にもどされます" (is returned to area 1)1・2週目のコンティニューは、PLAYERが死んだエリアの最初にもどされ、3週目以降のコンティニューではその週のOur translationa continue on the first or second loop returns (the player) to the start of the area where the PLAYER died; a continue from the third loop on (returns him to area 1) of that loopRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Cut the garbled third-loop rule; T2.

OCR text only; the page image hasn't been checked. Where a continue from the third loop puts the player is in the garbled end of the line (it seems to name the loop's area 1), so the statement leaves it out.

Cited by: Commando

Commando came out for the NES in North America in November 1986, with Capcom as licensee. commando-history/release-nes

PublisherNES Games (Nintendo of America release list) · PDF p. 3 — the row gives title, licensee, and month, not a dayCommando Capcom November 1986Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Commando

In November 1986 Computer Entertainer wrote that two of Capcom USA's NES introductions would be the first one-megabit games for the NES, then described Commando and Ghosts'n Goblins; its release schedule listed both for November. commando-history/nes-announcement

MagazineComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 8 (November 1986) · p. 11, More on 3rd Party Games for Nintendo System, Capcom USA — the sentence begins "Two of"; the OCR puts a stray ")" before "Capcom's"Capcom's introductions will be the first one-megabit (1024K-bit) games for the NES.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 8 (November 1986) · p. 11, More on 3rd Party Games for Nintendo System, Capcom USACOMMANDO, which was licensed to Data East for arcade and computer games in the U.S., is a familiar game of guerilla warfare.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 8 (November 1986) · p. 14, release schedule, Nintendo-compatible games, NovemberCommando (CAP) Ghosts'n Goblins (CAP)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

The item doesn't say in so many words which two games are the one-megabit ones; Commando and Ghosts'n Goblins are the two it goes on to describe.

Cited by: Commando

Computer Entertainer reviewed the NES Commando in December 1986 as one of a trio of Capcom games newly released for the system. Super Joe fights the Evil Empire Army in a guerrilla war, armed with a rifle with unlimited ammunition and a hand grenade, through four screens. The game opens with a helicopter that drops him into the jungle, and he looks out for grenades in flashing boxes, k-rations, binoculars that show hidden shelters, and a bullet-proof jacket. It is for one player or two alternating, at about $30. It gave two and a half of four stars for graphics and three and a half for game play. commando-history/ce-review

Value
{
 "review": "Computer Entertainer",
 "of": 4,
 "scores": {
  "graphics": 2.5,
  "game play": 3.5
 }
}
MagazineComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Critically Speaking (Nintendo-compatible), Commando — the OCR runs the two columns together; the line reads "COMMANDO (¢¢1/2/¢¢¢41/2) is one of a trio of"is one of a trio ofComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoCapcom games just released for the Nintendo game system.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commandoyou challenge the Evil Empire Army in a fierce guerrilla war. You control Super Joe, armed only with a rifle (and unlimited ammunition) and a hand grenade.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoYou'll face many enemies throughout the four screensComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoThe game begins with an overview of a massive helicopter coming into view. Super Joe jumps out, waves at the fast-disappearing copter, and immediately heads into the jungle.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commandofor additional grenades, located in flashing boxes, as well as k- rations, binoculars (which will tell Joe where the hidden Shelters are), bullet-proof jacket, and more.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commando(one player; two- player alternating)Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commando(MSR approx. $30.00)Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11 (image n10), Commando — the OCR reads "(¢¢1/2/¢¢¢41/2)"; the stars were read on the page image (image n10) by the lead, 2026-11-06COMMANDO (♦♦1/2/♦♦♦1/2)Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 2, rating key — the key for entertainment programs; its symbol is the one the OCR reads as ¢stars=quality of graphics; 2nd set=quality of game play and entertainment value)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Two and a half stars for graphics and three and a half for game play, read on the page image (image n10).

The review is unsigned.

Cited by: Commando

Computer Entertainer, which had been impressed by Data East's Commodore 64 version, found the NES game's action satisfying, but called it the first Nintendo-compatible game in which it had met a blinking problem: parts of trucks, jeeps and enemies flickered, and the score display flashed. It tried three units and found all the same, called the game itself "quite excellent", and suggested trying it before buying. commando-history/ce-verdict

MagazineComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoWe originally saw this game for the Commodore 64 (from Dataeast) and we were quite impressed.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoIn fact, it should satisfy the most action hungry of you out there.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoThis is the first Nintendo-compatible game in which we've encountered a blinking problem.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commandoparts of trucks and jeeps will flash for a second or two here and there.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commandothe running score count (in the upper left-hand corner) flashed quite a bitComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoIt's possible we had a defective unit, but we tried three and found all were the same.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, Commandothe game itself is quite excellent and different from anything currently available for the system.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoThis is one you may want to try before purchase, if possible.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 9 (December 1986) · p. 11, CommandoIt also occurs intermitently with the enemy.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "It also occurs intermitently with the enemy."

Cited by: Commando

Chris Scullion's NES encyclopedia (2019) credits the NES Commando to Capcom as publisher and developer, in 1986, and calls it a vertically scrolling run-and-gun shooter based on the arcade game. Super Joe is dropped by helicopter into an enemy-infested jungle, with a limited stock of grenades for groups of enemies and for the commanders who hide behind barricades; Scullion notes that he is the soldier the player rescues in Capcom's later Bionic Commando. A Fact box quotes a message from the game beginning "Your all mission is all over". commando-history/scullion-view

BookThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando"Year 1986 Publisher Capcom Developer CapcomThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando" — the sentence opens "A VERTICALLY- SCROLLING RUN-"; the OCR puts a stray "00150" after VERTICALLY-AND-GUN shooter based on Capcom's arcade game of the same name.The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando"take on the role of Super Joe, a soldier whos been dropped off by a helicopter into the middle of an enemy-infested jungle.The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando"He's also armed with a limited number of grenades, which he can lob to destroy large groups of enemies and also take out the enemy commanders who hide behind barricades.The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando"he's the soldier you have to rescue in Capcom's later game Bionic CommandoThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando", Fact — the rest of the line is garbled in the OCRThe game’s badly-The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Commando", Fact — the OCR garbles the rest of the message, which ends "was ended.'"says: ‘Your all mission is all over. Thank you forRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Dropped the "badly translated ending"; a Fact box quotes a message beginning "Your all mission is all over".

A secondary source written in 2019; its developer credit is a lead, not the cartridge's own credits.

Cited by: Commando

In December 1985 Crash reported that Commando, an arcade conversion for the Spectrum, would be in the shops in good time for Christmas. Steve Wilcox had brought in demo versions for the Commodore and the Spectrum, and Zzap!64's Rignall, who playtested them, praised the Spectrum one as a faithful conversion. Elite is named as publisher by Crash's review of the Spectrum game a month later. commando-history/elite-news

MagazineCrash, issue 23 (December 1985) · p. 18, news — the sentence begins "Another arcade conversion for"; after "produced by" the OCR reads "EUta", too garbled to name the publisherthe Spectrum that will be in the shops in good time for Christmas this year is Commando, produced byCrash, issue 23 (December 1985) · p. 18, news — the OCR reads "Stov^ Wilcox"; a later line reads "the version Ste?we brougtlt with him"Wilcox was inCrash, issue 23 (December 1985) · p. 18, news — the OCR reads "tho office with domo versions ol the game"; the line goes on "for both tfie CofT modo re and S pect ryrn"dropped into the office with demo versions of the gameCrash, issue 23 (December 1985) · p. 18, news — the line before reads "A very tditl^ful" (faithful); the next, "Liiard Rignall"conversion on the Spectrum, according to ArchCrash, issue 23 (December 1985) · p. 18, newswho playtested the demos.Crash reviewed Elite's ZX Spectrum Commando, at £7.95, in its Christmas Special 1985 (issue 24). Its review describes a mission to take two main fortresses, each reached through four areas that end in a mini fortress, a second mission with more hostile soldiers, and eight areas in all. A reviewer found that the soldiers attack from the same points as in the arcade game, and that the high-score table, with its spinning letters, is the arcade one. MagazineRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: No longer reads Elite from the OCR's "EUta"; cites crash-review.

Read in the OCR text only; the page image hasn't been checked. The item names Wilcox without his post or company, and Rignall without his first name, so the statement gives neither.

Cited by: Commando

Elite's instruction sheet, headed "Commando / Space Invasion" and copyright Elite Systems 1985, makes the player Super Joe, fighting rebel forces alone with a machine gun and six hand grenades and picking up more grenades from defeated outposts on the way to the fortress. It says the game was developed with the aid of Capcom. It gives loading and control lines for the ZX Spectrum, the Commodore 64/128 on cassette and disc, the Amstrad/Schneider on cassette and disc, and a BBC cassette. commando-history/elite-booklet

ManualCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, heading — the OCR breaks the heading over two lines, "COMMANDO /" and "SPACE INVASION"COMMANDO / SPACE INVASIONCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, IntroductionYou are Super Joe the crack combat soldier of the eighties battling against all odds to defeat the advancing rebel forces.Commando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, Introduction — the OCR reads "MEO" for the gun's type before "machine gun"; the German text has "M60 Maschinengewehr"machine gun and six hand-grenades you carry out your lone crusadeCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, Introductioncollecting supplies of hand-grenades from defeated outposts, until you reach your final objective, the fortress.Commando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, IntroductionDeveloped with the aid of Capcom to produce the closest possible home-computer simulation of the original arcade No. 1 hit game.Commando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, loading instructionsCOMMODORE 64/128 DISCCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, loading instructionsAMSTRAD/SCHNIEDER DISCCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, loading instructionsBBC CASSETTECommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, Spectrum controlsFire =Z Grenade = MCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1, Commodore 64/128 controlsJoystick: Port 2 Grenade = Space BarCommando / Space Invasion (Elite Systems) instruction sheet · PDF p. 1Copyright-Elite Systems Ltd.-1985Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Read in the sheet's OCR text, which is clean for these lines; the page images haven't been checked. Loading lines show the formats the sheet covers, not that each version shipped. The sheet doesn't say what "Space Invasion" names.

Cited by: Commando

Crash reviewed Elite's ZX Spectrum Commando, at £7.95, in its Christmas Special 1985 (issue 24). Its review describes a mission to take two main fortresses, each reached through four areas that end in a mini fortress, a second mission with more hostile soldiers, and eight areas in all. A reviewer found that the soldiers attack from the same points as in the arcade game, and that the high-score table, with its spinning letters, is the arcade one. commando-history/crash-review

MagazineCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 130 (image 133), CommandoProducer: EliteCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 130 (image 133), Commando — the OCR reads "Retail price;"Retail price: £7.95Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 130 (image 133), CommandoElite's Commando is theCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 130 (image 133), Commando — the OCR reads "ticerv sed version of th-e classic Cap- com arcade game"version of the classic Capcom arcade gameCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 130 (image 133), Commando — the OCR reads "Ihrough", "fonress", "Iho"; the line before reads "destroy iholr two main foftress"To reach each fortress you first have to go through four areas, each with its own mini fortress at the endCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 130 (image 133), Commando — the OCR reads "tf>e", "lo be connpjeied m similar style", "thf?"then you'll start the second mission which has to be completed in similar style, although the landscape and soldiers are far more hostile.Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings box — under "Screens"; the OCR reads "ffght"eight areas to fight throughCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, first comment — the OCR reads "sokliets" and "seme"the soldiers even attack from the same points!Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, first comment — the OCR reads "highSrf»re"The highscore table is the same as the arcade one too, with its spinning lettersRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Two locators moved to p. 131 (image 134).

Read in the OCR text, which is badly garbled here; the corrected readings in the quotes haven't been checked on the page images (scans 133 and 134 show printed pp. 130 and 131). The page footers read "CRASH Christmas Special 1985". The text layer doesn't hold the reviewers' names.

Cited by: Commando

Crash gave the Spectrum version 94% overall, with 86% for use of computer, 92% for graphics, 95% for playability, 94% for getting started, 95% for addictive qualities, and 92% for value for money. commando-history/crash-score

Value
{
 "review": "Crash",
 "of": 100,
 "scores": {
  "use of computer": 86,
  "graphics": 92,
  "playability": 95,
  "getting started": 94,
  "addictive qualities": 95,
  "value for money": 92,
  "overall": 94
 }
}
MagazineCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings — read on the page image (image n133) by the lead, 2026-11-06Use of computer 86%Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratingsGraphics 92%Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings — read on the page image (image n133) by the lead, 2026-11-06Playability 95%Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratingsGetting started 94%Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings — as the OCR reads "Addictive qualities 95%"A d d ict I ve qua Irties 95%Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratingsValue for money 92%Crash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings — the OCR reads "Oveirall"Overall 94%Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Playability 95%, not the OCR's 96%, read by the lead on the page image (image n133), with all seven marks.

Crash rates each heading as a percentage. The lead read all seven marks on the page image (image n133, printed p. 131), 2026-11-06. The OCR reads use of computer as "86'" and playability as "Playabillty 96%", and garbles the other headings ("A d d ict I ve qua Irties", "Oveirall").

Cited by: Commando

Crash's reviewers liked it. One called it horribly violent and not much of an intellectual challenge, but great fun, and told readers to get it; another hadn't expected it to turn out as well as it did, found the jeep looked more like a tape deck, and called it a great game for those into fast-moving violence. The ratings box found the keyboard play "very responsive" and the sound "great spot effects, but no tune". commando-history/crash-verdict

MagazineCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, second comment — the OCR reads "Horribty vioktnt"; the line goes on "intetfaiayal ch&n enge" (intellectual challenge)Horribly violent, and not much of anCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, second comment — the OCR reads "hut great fun"but great fun. Get itCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, third comment — the OCR reads "sKpected", "turn our", "(t did"; the comment opens "I muat oonfeea" (I must confess)that I never expected this game to turn out quite as well as it didCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, third comment — of the jeep, "in particular to ttie ^eep which"looks more like a tape deckCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, third comment — the line goes on "viol- er>Ge"Commando is a great game for those into fast movingCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings box — under "Keyboard play", which the OCR reads "lC«[ytM«rd play"very responsiveCrash, issue 24 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 131 (image 134), Commando, ratings box — the line reads "Sound: great spot eKects, but no tune"but no tuneChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Read in the OCR text only, with its misreadings noted; not checked on the page image. Which comment sits on which page, and the reviewers' names, are open. The first comment ("Speaking as someone who's youth was spent toggling the joysticks of arcade games") is too garbled in the OCR to quote.

Cited by: Commando

Zzap!64 reviewed Elite's Commodore 64 Commando, at £9.95 on cassette, joystick only, in February 1986. In this version the fortress is reached through two areas, each ending in a mini fortress, then a final run; the second mission covers the same ground again. A bonus comes from killing two guards who hold a colleague prisoner, who then disappears rather than fighting alongside. The value rating counted three of the arcade game's eight levels; one reviewer found levels one, two and four of the arcade machine faithfully reproduced. commando-history/zzap-review

MagazineZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando£9.95 cass, joystick onlyZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commandolicensed version of the classic Capcom arcade gameZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, CommandoTo reach the fortress you first have to pass through two areas, each with its own mini fortress at the end.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commandothe second mission which takes place over the same landscapeZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commandoa hefty bonus can be earned by killing two guards who hold a colleague of yours prisoner.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commandoonce you liberate your ally, he disappears, rather than helping you fight your battle.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, value ratingA tenner for only three out of eight levels of the arcade game seems a bit steep.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, third commentAll the features of levels one, two and four of the arcade machine have been faithfully reproducedChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Read in the OCR text, which is clean for these lines; the reviewers' names aren't in the text layer.

Cited by: Commando

Zzap!64 gave the Commodore 64 version 77% overall, with 72% for presentation, 83% for graphics, 91% for sound, 80% for hookability, 61% for lastability, and 72% for value for money. commando-history/zzap-score

Value
{
 "review": "Zzap!64",
 "of": 100,
 "scores": {
  "presentation": 72,
  "graphics": 83,
  "sound": 91,
  "hookability": 80,
  "lastability": 61,
  "value for money": 72,
  "overall": 77
 }
}
MagazineZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratingsPresentation 72%Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratingsGraphics 83%Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratingsSound 91%Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratingsHookability 80%Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratings — the OCR's reading of "Lastability 61%" (it reads every Lastability row in the issue as "Instability")Instability 61%Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratingsValue For Money 72%Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, ratingsOverall 77%Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The lead confirmed all seven marks on the page image (image n25).

Zzap!64 rates each heading as a percentage. The lead confirmed all seven marks on the page image (image n25, p. 26), 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Commando

Zzap!64's ratings box said it "doesn't quite live up to its potential", and praised Rob Hubbard's remixes of the arcade tunes. One reviewer found it a hurried conversion whose sprites flicker and sometimes vanish, its music the most impressive thing about it; another, whose complaint was the missing levels, found it competent but said it held no interest for them; a third was terribly disappointed, as the three levels are easy to complete. commando-history/zzap-verdict

MagazineZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, overall ratingDoesn't quite live up to its potential.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, sound ratingRob Hubbard's superb remixes of the arcade tunes.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, first comment — the OCR reads "on oc- casions"some of the sprites seem prone to epileptic attacks and on occasions they even disappear!Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, first comment — the OCR hyphenates "Hubb- ard's"The music is the most impressive thing about Commando, with Rob Hubbard's excellent variation on the original themeZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, first comment — the OCR reads "hurr- ied" and "f ame"this seems a very hurried conversion of the arcade gameZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, second comment — the OCR runs stray characters into the comment's lines; it goes on "levels seen on the original"version is woefully lacking five of theZzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, second commentCommando is very competent indeed, but it just doesn't hold interest at all for me.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, third comment — the OCR hyphenates "disa- ppointed"being terribly disappointed with this.Zzap!64, issue 10 (February 1986) · p. 26, Commando, third commentthere are only three which are pretty easy to complete within a few games.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Read in the OCR text; the reviewers' names and the comment boxes' order haven't been checked on the page image, so the statement doesn't name them.

Cited by: Commando

In Zzap!64, a Commodore 64 magazine, the readers' Top 30 chart had Elite's Commando at number 4 in March 1986, with 5% of the votes, up from 23 the month before, and at number 10 in April 1986, with 3%. commando-history/zzap-chart

MagazineZzap!64, issue 11 (March 1986) · p. 66, readers' Top 30 — confirmed on the page image (image n65) by the lead, 2026-11-06, with "ELITE £9.95 cass / ZZAP! rating 77%" under it4. (23) COMMANDO ( 5 %)Zzap!64, issue 11 (March 1986) · p. 66, readers' Top 30 — part of the voting-form line at the foot of the chartZZAP! READERS TOP 30 VOTINGZzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 53 (image 52), readers' Top 3010 ( 4 ) COMMANDO (3%) ELITE, £9.95 cass, £12.95 diskZzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 4 (contents)READERS' TOP 30 CHARTRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The March row confirmed on the page image (image n65); the machine named.

The number in brackets is taken as the previous month's place: April's "(4)" matches March's 4. April's row is read in the OCR text only.

Cited by: Commando

Readers of both magazines voted for Commando in their awards for 1985, printed in April 1986. Readers of Crash, a Spectrum magazine, made Elite's Commando their Best Shoot 'Em Up, ahead of Incentive's Moon Cresta, second. Readers of Zzap!64, a Commodore 64 magazine, put it third for best shoot 'em up, with 9%, behind Dropzone (31%) and Paradroid (19%), and third again among wargames, with 4%. commando-history/readers-awards

MagazineCrash, issue 27 (April 1986) · p. 66 (image 90), Crash Readers' Awards, Best Shoot 'Em UpBEST SHOOT EM UPCrash, issue 27 (April 1986) · p. 66 (image 90), Best Shoot 'Em Up — under the winner's name, which the OCR reads "COMIMANDO"Elite SystemsCrash, issue 27 (April 1986) · p. 66 (image 90), Best Shoot 'Em Up — the OCR reads "onty", "erYter", "ofdup"The only really warlike game to enter into the running in this group came out tops!Crash, issue 27 (April 1986) · p. 66 (image 90), Best Shoot 'Em Up — as the OCR reads "second-place MOONCRESTA from Incentive"; the sentence begins "COMMANDO dr€w nearly rwiee a^ many votes as" (drew nearly twice as many votes as)second-plaoa MODNCRESTAfrom IncentiveZzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 4 (contents)62 ZZAP! READERS' AWARDS 1985Zzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 62 (image 61), Best Shoot Em UpBEST SHOOT EM UP DROPZONE US GoldZzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 62 (image 61), Best Shoot Em Uphigh 31 % from its supportersZzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 62 (image 61), Best Shoot Em Up — the OCR drops Paradroid's PARADROID received, which came in second at 19%.Zzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 62 (image 61), Best Shoot Em Upthird place slot, and a long way down, was Elite's COMMANDO with 9%.Zzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 63 (image 62), wargames — of Theatre Europe (PSS), with 51%their top wargame.Zzap!64, issue 12 (April 1986) · p. 63 (image 62), wargamesOddly enough, the purists gave way to the shoot em up addicts, who voted Elite's COMMANDO into third position with 4%.Crash, issue 27 (April 1986) · p. 66 (image 90), Crash Readers' Awards1985 Awards Poll.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Machines named for each magazine.

Read in the OCR text; not checked on the page images. Crash 27's OCR also has Commando second, behind CCS's Arnhem, in a category whose heading it loses (p. 67); the Zzap!64 wargame category's heading isn't in the OCR either.

Cited by: Commando

In Crash, a Spectrum magazine, Elite's Commando held the top place in the readers' Top 30 for August 1986, at number one as in the month before, above Firebird's Elite. commando-history/crash-chart

MagazineCrash, issue 31 (August 1986) · p. 40, Top 30 for August — the OCR loses the first row's numbers; Commando is the row above number 2TOP 30 FOR AUGUST COMMANDO Elite 2 ( 3) ELITE FirebirdCrash, issue 31 (August 1986) · p. 40 (image n39), Top 30 for August — read on the page image (image n39) by the lead, 2026-11-06; the OCR loses the row's numbers1 ( 1) COMMANDO EliteRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "1 ( 1) COMMANDO Elite" (image n39): top of Crash's chart in July and August 1986.

The bracketed number is the previous month's place, as in Crash's other rows (2 ( 3) Elite).

Cited by: Commando

Looking back on 1985, Zzap!64 called Alligata's Who Dares Wins II highly controversial after Alligata's legal run-in with Elite, which had lately acquired the Commando rights: Alligata withdrew its original Who Dares Wins and redesigned it so as not to infringe Elite's copyright, which left a sequel without a prequel. commando-history/alligata

MagazineZzap!64, issue 9 (Christmas Special 1985) · p. 103, review of the yearWho Dares Wins II as it was released by Alligata. A highly controversial game after Alligata's legal run in with Elite's recent acquisition of the 'Commando' rights. As a result, Alligata's original game was withdrawn and sufficiently redesigned so as not to infringe Elite's copyright and we therefore got a sequel without a prequel.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

The page footer reads "ZZAP! 64 Christmas Special 1985". Zzap!64's account, not Elite's or Alligata's; no court record has been read.

Cited by: Commando

In March 1988 Crash, a Spectrum magazine, pitted its reviewer Ben Stone against a reader on Elite's Commando in its Challenge, and Stone lost; the magazine said the other reviewers "pretend the defeat is nothing to do with them". commando-history/crash-challenge

MagazineCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 46, The Crash ChallengeUm, Ben Stone loses Commando to a readerCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 46, The Crash Challengepretend the defeat is nothing to do with them.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "pretend the defeat is nothing to do with them."

Cited by: Commando

Commando was one of four games on the compilation Best of Elite Vol. 1, with Bombjack, Frank Bruno's Boxing and Airwolf, in an advertisement in Crash in March 1988; the advert's machines haven't been confirmed. commando-history/best-of-elite

MagazineCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 28, advertisementBEST OF ELITE VoL 1 1) BOMBJACKCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 28, advertisement2) FRANK BRUrJO'S BOXINGCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 28, advertisement3) COMMANDOCrash, issue 50 (March 1988) · p. 28, advertisement — the OCR's reading of "4) AIRWOLF"4J AIKWOLFRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Says the advert's machines are unconfirmed.

Read in the OCR text; the advert's advertiser, price, and machines haven't been checked on the page image.

Cited by: Commando

Commando was one of the ten games on Elite's Frank Bruno's Big Box, at £12.99 on cassette. Your Sinclair, a Spectrum magazine, reviewing it in February 1989, called Commando "quite an old coin-op conversion" in which the player, as Super Joe, dashes up the vertically scrolling screen, "a bit dated, but jolly good fun". commando-history/big-box

MagazineYour Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 38, Frank Bruno's Big BoxElite/£12.99 cass/£17.95 diskYour Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 38, Frank Bruno's Big Boxit’s a compilation of ten of Elite’s past gloriesYour Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 38, Frank Bruno's Big Box, CommandoQuite an old coin-op conversion,Your Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 38, Frank Bruno's Big Box, Commandocommando Super JoeYour Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 38, Frank Bruno's Big Box, Commandodash up the vertically scrollingYour Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 38, Frank Bruno's Big Box, Commando — the OCR reads "jojly"A bit dated, but jolly good funRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Your Sinclair named as a Spectrum magazine.

The OCR garbles the rest of the Commando entry; not checked on the page image.

Cited by: Commando

By February 1989 Commando was out on the budget label Encore at £2.99. Your Sinclair, a Spectrum magazine, called it a "totally awesome and absorbing vertical shoot 'em up" and gave its first release as January 1986. commando-history/encore

MagazineYour Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 55, Bubbling UnderCommando Encore/£2.99Your Sinclair, issue 38 (February 1989) · p. 55, Bubbling UnderTotally awesome and absorbing vertical shoot 'em up in the Rambo/ mindless vein. First released: January '86.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Your Sinclair named as a Spectrum magazine.

Your Sinclair's January 1986 is the Spectrum game's first release as the magazine remembered it three years on; Crash had expected it for Christmas 1985 (commando-history/elite-news). The entry says it featured in the previous month's budget round-up, which hasn't been read.

Cited by: Commando

In July 1988 Computer Entertainer reviewed Activision's Atari 2600 Commando, at $19.95, as recommended: graphics sparser than in any other version, but good for the system, and play that captures the essence of the coin-op. It gave three of four stars for graphics and three and a half for game play. It listed the other versions then sold in the U.S.: Capcom's for Nintendo, and Data East's for the Apple II, Commodore 64/128, and IBM. commando-history/atari-2600

Value
{
 "review": "Computer Entertainer",
 "of": 4,
 "scores": {
  "graphics": 3,
  "game play": 3.5
 }
}
MagazineComputer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13, Commandocomes to yet another system in this latest versionComputer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13, Commandoby Activision for the Atari 2600.Computer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13, CommandoGiven the limitations of the Atari 2600, graphics are sparser than in any other version of COMMANDO, but they are good for this systemComputer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13, Commandocapturing the essence of the original coin-op game quite well.Computer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13, CommandoAlso available for Nintendo from Capcom; for Apple II, C64/128, IBM from Data East.Computer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13, CommandoRecommended. (MSR $19.95)Computer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 13 (image n12), Commando — the OCR reads "(xxx/xxx1/2)"; the stars were read on the page image (image n12) by the lead, 2026-11-06(★★★/★★★1/2)Computer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 4 (July 1988) · p. 2, rating key — the key's first set is the quality of graphicsgraphics; 2nd set=quality of game play and entertainment value)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Three stars and three and a half, read on the page image (image n12); "IBM" as printed.

The review is unsigned.

Cited by: Commando

Super Joe returns in Capcom's Bionic Commando, as the commando its hero sets out to rescue, by Scullion's account of the NES game. commando-history/sequel-bionic

BookThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · entry "Bionic Commando"rescue top commando Super JoeChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Commando