Xbox Live Arcade has brought gamers some wonderful old school titles that have been “refreshed” for our next gen pleasure. Games like Frogger have been graphically enhanced and others like Pac-man CE have been re-imagined leaving the core game play intact. The retro games library is extensive and brings that wonderful feeling of “nostalgia” for older gamers and a sort of history lesson for the youngsters. The newest of these XBLA titles is Bionic Commando: Rearmed which was challenging and innovative during its day as an 8bit game on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Capcom introduced us to our bionic hero, Nathan “Rad” Spencer, back in 1988 (Did the nickname “Rad” help date the time any?). So now 20 years later we get an updated version of a truly classic platformer that has inspired other games and entertained gamers when controllers only had 2 buttons.

Gameplay:

The great thing about Bionic Commando: Rearmed is that it stays true to its roots by not altering the story line or changing the key game play mechanic. “Rad” Spencer is sent by the Federal States of America to rescue a famed soldier, Super Joe, from the clutches of the evil Imperial Army. The wicked Imperials are devising to build a super weapon and resurrect a powerful leader from their past to crush their opposition. The only way to foil their ill intentions is to accomplish your mission and fight off the hordes using your trusty bionic arm. This special weapon allows you to grab and swing from ledges and objects, deflect incoming weapon projectiles, and grab barrels, enemies, and power ups. Since this is your only means of over traveling up or over obstacles (sorry no jump button) there is a degree of difficulty and frustration in timing your hook shots to their intended targets. With this updated 2-D version of Bionic Commando there are also new weapons and upgrades available, such as the shotgun, bounce shot, and rocket launcher. This gives a new twist to the old game play even though it doesn’t change anything drastically. There is a world map that gives an overview of the levels, each with a distinctive number. Although the areas may be labeled that doesn’t mean they are played in order. For example, sometimes you may have to beat level 5 to gain access to level 3 because you need a certain item to gain entrance to the level. The only way to obtain these items are fighting every stage’s big boss battles. The bosses each have their own gimmick to defeat them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoyable. Some of the levels are outposts for the Federal States of America where Spencer gains access to valuable items, 1ups, and gain access to challenge maps. Capcom has also added a nice little mini-game to BC:Re where you hack computers by maneuvering a green orb around a 3-D cube. Another unique twist to BC:Re is that traveling between levels will sometimes run you into an enemy convoy where you have to fight the enemies while in an over-the-top point of view (think Iqari Warriors for you old school gamers). Each of these scenarios are basically a rehash of the previous, however once in a while you may find a 1up for your troubles. In addition to the regular game play, BC:Re is packed with tons of other goodies to keep you playing, like multilayer battles, co-op campaign, and challenge maps. Although multiplayer and co-op modes are offered, it can only be done in local game play. The co-op works surprisingly well, but takes a bit of getting use to after playing solo for so many years. The multiplayer supports 4 people locally for some intense fire button mashing game play. It is really a shame that they couldn’t have at least offered these modes for play over Xbox Live.

Graphics:

Instead of the usual fresh coat of paint, Bionic Commando: Rearmed feels brand new and looks like a next gen arcade game. The graphics are stunningly crisp and vibrant and the contrast of grappling objects isn’t obscured into the rest of the scenery. Each character and boss are wonderfully detailed and move fluidly throughout the levels. Some of the levels even use a lighting effect to give it a more dramatic feeling giving the player the sense of being underground or inside of a dark building. Another cool thing that the game does is throw bits of the “old school” Bionic Commando at you in the form of 1ups that look like the original BC, achievement icons with the 8bit look and an option to play as Spencer looked in 1988 with the retro skin.

Sound:

One thing I couldn’t remember about the Bionic Commando game was what it had sounded like. After rummaging through my packed away systems I found my copy of BC and hooked up my NES to “refresh” my memory. Comparing the old with the new I have to say that they nailed the sound 100%. The music feels like the old BC, but in a freshly remixed way so that the player isn’t bothered by the droning euphony that some games offer. The sound effects fit great with everything in the game and give impressions of the classic game.

Longevity:

Even without the options to play over Xbox Live, Bionic Commando: Rearmed will entertain the gamer with the sheer abundance of game play options that very few arcade titles include. The challenge maps will provide plenty of extra time trying to shave down completion times to boost your rank on the Xbox Live Leader boards. The ability to pick up and play at any given whim means that BC:Re will be a keeper title on your hard drive.

Overall:

Bionic Commando: Rearmed gives both old school fans and newcomers alike an arcade title worthy of spending 800 Microsoft points. The game offers quite the challenge during the story mode and with the slew of other gaming options it should entertain gamers enough to keep luring them back for more. The amazing graphics and sound don’t give away that this is a rehashed game from the late 80's. Even though the game controls can be frustrating at times it personifies everything that had us “hooked” the first time around. Nathan “Rad” Spencer and his bionic arm are one of the rare “must have” retro games to have hanging around in your games library.