Bionic Commando is an action-platformer developed and published by Capcom for the NES, adapted from the 1987 arcade game. Its defining twist: the hero, Rad Spencer, cannot jump — he swings and climbs using a bionic grappling arm. Players cross platforming stages and top-down areas, shooting enemies and grappling across gaps, to rescue Super Joe and stop a neo-Nazi weapon.
How To Play Bionic Commando
Control
Action
D-Pad
Move; aim the bionic arm; crouch; navigate top-down areas
A Button
Fire the bionic arm to grapple, swing, and climb
B Button
Fire weapon
Select
Open the communicator / item menu
Start
Pause / equipment
About Bionic Commando
Release date
Famicom (JP): July 20, 1988 · NES (NA): December 1988 · NES (EU): 1990
Developer
Capcom
Publisher
Capcom
Platform
NES / Famicom; originally Arcade
Genre
Action-platformer
Series
Bionic Commando
Modes
Single-player
Also known as
ヒットラーの復活 トップシークレット (Hitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret) — Japan
Sheldon has spent over a decade immersed in retro gaming, from NES classics to arcade gems. He's deeply passionate about preserving gaming history and helping others rediscover these timeless titles. When he's not gaming, Shaun writes about the evolution of video games and their cultural impact.
