History VideoGame / BionicCommando

* ''[[VideoGame/BionicCommando1992 Bionic Commando]'' (Platform/GameBoy, 1992)

* ''VideoGame/BionicCommando1992'' (Platform/GameBoy, 1992)

* ''Bionic Commando'' (Platform/GameBoy, 1992)

* ''Bionic Commando: Elite Forces'' (Platform/GameBoyColor, 1999)

* OmnicidalManiac: In the Game Boy game, Director Wiseman's end game is to use the Albatross to blow apart the planet which will lead to everything getting destroyed which is better emphasized in the Japanese release.

* DownTheDrain: Area 2 is an underground chemical waste dumping site.

* FastKillingRadiation: In the 2009 game, several parts of Ascension City are highly irradiated, and staying in them for too long (a couple of seconds) will instantly kill [[PlayerCharacter Nathan "Rad" Spencer]].

* LeapOfFaith: A few notable instances in some parts of the game (particularly Stage 6). Also the title of one of the songs from ''Rearmed'', appropriately enough.
* LostTechnology: In ''Elite Forces'', [[spoiler:Project Albatross is at first thought to be an ancient war machine created by earlier civilizations to repel an alien invasion. In the final battle, BigBad Arturus reveals that the Albatross is actually a long derelict space craft that grants its controller monstrous powers.]]
* MoodWhiplash:
** The halfway point of ''Rearmed'' is interrupted by Spencer mentioning his missing wife to Haley. It's an important plot point in the 2009 sequel, but in ''Rearmed'' it came right out of nowhere.
** While the sequel starts dark and gets darker, Spencer's sheer, unadulterated joy at being free and reunited with his bionic arm, even swinging through a hellhole of a city and viciously killing enemy troops, makes him appear almost sociopathic.

* NotAsYouKnowThem: Spencer and Joe in the sequel. In ''spades''. Somewhat justified in that Spencer has been in prison for five years, just waiting to be killed, and Joe has become bitter and jaded from the events of the Bionic Purge, which he didn't entirely agree with but was forced to implement.

* PoweredArmor: About half the bosses of ''Elite Forces'' are guys wearing this. Also shows up in the sequel in several variants. Because they're not nearly as vulnerable as basic infantry, they need special tactics to take down. [[CombatPragmatist Or you can hit them hard with the secondary weapons]], that works too.

* {{Railroading}}: One of the most frequent complaints about the 2009 game was how poorly marked areas of radioactivity prevented players from exploring the levels.

* SchrodingersPlayerCharacter: Averted in ''Elite Forces'', which grants the player a choice between a male and female commando. The commando you don't choose must be rendezvoused with throughout the game. Though Areas 6 and 9 are different for each character. The boss and level reward in each are the same regardless.

* SnipingMission: ''Elite Forces'' adds this as a gameplay mechanic. Certain areas contain structures far off in the background that house patrolling enemies. Sniping them all within the time limit rewards the player with supplies.

* UltimateUniverse: ''Elite Forces'' seems to be this. It starts with a similar premise -- long time war hero, Super-- er, I mean, Commander Joe missing, etc, but everything else is just completely different. New fictional countries, no Nazis or Hitler, different villainous motivation, a whole bionic corp. Even the final boss seems like something out of an Ultimate book.

* ''VideoGame/BionicCommando2'' (Platform/XBox360 / Platform/PlayStation3, 2011)

* ''Bionic Commando'' (arcade, 1987) - Titled ''Top Secret'' in Japan.

* ''Bionic Commando'' (NES, 1988) - Titled ''Hitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret'' in Japan.

* ''Bionic Commando'' (Platform/XBox360 / Platform/PlayStation3 / PC, 2009)
* ''Bionic Commando Rearmed 2'' (Platform/XBox360 / Platform/PlayStation3, 2011)

* AdaptationExpansion: In both the original NES game and ''Rearmed'', [[spoiler:Area 12 features "Master-D" [[YouCantThwartPhaseOne launching the Albatross]] after killing Generalissimo Killt. In the NES version, the Albatross is just a screen-sized gunship that Ladd has to ColossusClimb to reach the core of. ''Rearmed'' has a cutscene showing the launch of a FloatingContinent-sized Albatross at the end of the stage, and the AirborneAircraftCarrier [[BattleshipRaid is an almost completely new final level by itself]]. The final attack on "The Leader"'s helicopter was also expanded into an actual BossBattle in ''Rearmed'', as well.]]
* AlasPoorVillain: The ending to ''Rearmed 2'' has a lot of this, with Super Joe remarking that none of the game's villains were bad people, just decent folks who ended up doing bad things due to a series of unfortunate events. It also includes a HeelRealization by Super Joe, which somewhat humanizes his previous portrayal in the next gen game.
* AllThereInTheManual: In the sequel, lots of background info is buried in the files you unlock, and the incident leading to Spencer's incarceration is only covered in a webcomic that wound up being packaged as a print comic as a PreOrderBonus.
* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore:
** The Japanese version of the arcade game had characters with wider cartoony eyes.
** The cover art for ''Rearmed 2'' seems to be a deliberate aversion of this trope, as it can only be described as deliberately goofy.
* AnimeThemeSong: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7nw4cqiC6s "Bionic Commando"]] (sometimes called "Go! Go! Bionic Commando" or just "Go! Go! Bionic!") sung by the inimitable Ichiro Mizuki of Music/JAMProject fame. (There's a song on the ''Bionic Commando Rearmed'' OST called "Go Go Bionic," but it's nothing but thirty seconds of a Japanese guy saying "Go! Go! Bionic!" with the NES game's Area 1 tune in the background.)
* ArtEvolution: Although the overall world's art style is similar (enemies with ridiculously colorful uniforms, walking mechs, etc.), the character design has changed drastically from ''Rearmed'' to the sequel. Super Joe now looks like Jack Nicholson in full Joker mode (sans makeup), although the change is somewhat believably attributable to 10 years of aging and a desk job. There's no plausible explanation to how Spencer went from a red-haired Duke Nukem clone to a grungy rock band frontman who could double for [[Series/StargateAtlantis Ronan Dex]], though. Humorously, [[spoiler:Gottfried Groeder]] looks exactly the same as he did in ''Rearmed'', albeit 20-30 years older (guess the years haven't been kind).
* AttractMode: The game has a rather lengthy intro sequence when left running at the title screen that explains most of the story and gives demos of the gameplay.

* {{Bookends}}:
** The game begins with Joe telling the story of a man he met when he was young. It ends with him finishing it, and hoping it will be told for a long time.
** "Damn rookies."

* {{Bowdlerise}}:
** All references to Nazis were edited out of the game and replaced with Nazz/Badds, and there are NoSwastikas. For a more complete list of changes, see [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bionic_Commando_%28NES%29 this game's entry]] over at Website/{{Wikipedia}}. Oddly, Hitler's visage remains untouched (and seeing as his mustache is a relatively iconic feature, it draws attention to the censorship more than it would otherwise).
** What's sort of ironic is that the ''Literature/WorldsOfPower'' book based on this game is one of the few in the series where people actually died.
** ''Rearmed'' is mostly unchanged in the Japanese version, too, making this somewhat of a RecursiveImport.
* BreakingTheFourthWall:
** If you played the demo version of ''Rearmed'' instead of purchasing the game, the first boss will fail to load its attack patterns, saying you need to buy the full version of the game. Your character quips, "Aww, but I really wanted to fight you! Please..?" as well.
** The sequel has a couple of these too: "[[MediumAwareness Is that a long health bar,]] OrAreYouJustHappyToSeeMe"

* CompanyCrossReferences:
** ''Rearmed'' lovingly reminds you of its roots on a regular basis ("Get the heck out of here, you nerd!") Also, the characters strenuously avoid using Hitler's name to the point of (intentional) comedy.
** The 2009 game has large signs for [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil5 TriCell]] all over Ascension City. There are also several smaller posters of ''VideoGame/DarkVoid'' here and there, and once in the game you can spot a large billboard with a [[Franchise/MegaMan Tron Bonne minion robot]] on it.
** In ''Rearmed'' There's a challenge run called the "Dragon Run" which is a reference to the Mecha Dragon Boss of ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''.
* ConspicuousElectricObstacle: Area 12 in the first game has rooms where sparks travel along some of the floors.

* CruelTwistEnding: In the sequel, [[spoiler:discovering that Nathan Spencer's missing wife... Was taken by TASC and had some part of her uploaded or fashioned into his bionic arm! ...How [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Evangelionesque]].]] Surprisingly, THIS twist is rather subtly alluded to, [[FridgeBrilliance making several seemingly-inconsequential comments much, much more meaningful]]. Mind, after TheReveal, they really sledgehammer it in, and yet he inexplicably doesn't get it (or is hugely in denial).
** It's denial. It finally sinks in during the last cutscene, [[spoiler:when Emily Spencer confronts her husband about his avoiding the issue. Nathan finally faces the facts.]]
** It's also potentially because [[spoiler:she may not be dead, because while a section of her is inside his arm if she is dead or if the process is reversible is never commented on.]]

* DarkerAndEdgier:
** The sequel is much, much more grim and apocalyptic (most of the game takes place in a nuked mega city) than any of the prior games, including the company's own remake of the NES game. Super Joe's is shown to be an ass, but then again so has Spencer. Spencer spent a better part of 10 years in prison, without his bionic arm, after witnessing the death of two rogue bionic agents. Ten years after the Master-D mission, TheFederation has turned into a cruel and cynical the-end-justifies-the-means regime. The terrorists opposing it are even worse, nuking a capitol city IN THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME. Oh, and apparently Spencer got his bionic arm by [[spoiler:said federation possibly sacrificing the life of his wife to make it.]] Whether all this is good or bad is up to you.
** Considering the arcade version was a very cartoony game to begin with and the NES version was about blowing Hitler's head off, the NES game itself could be considered a DarkerAndEdgier version of the arcade game (although, not to the same extent as the 2009 sequel).
* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist: Initially, ''Rearmed'' gave you the usual finite life stock for each stage, however a later update gives you infinite lives. Which doesn't necessarily translate to an easy win, because you still get tossed back to the last checkpoint after dying.

* DifficultyByRegion:
** The NES game had some changes to difficulty scattered about from the Famicom version. Rather than making the entire game easier or harder, they change the difficulty of certain segments -- generally speaking, the earlier parts of the game are harder and the later ones easier in the NES version.
** In the original arcade game, the International version lets you keep your weapon between levels, rather than reverting you to the default weapon at the start of every level. Additionally, the helicopters in the International version are lesser in number, drop fewer bombs, and will eventually stop chasing you if you avoid them for long enough.
* DiscOneNuke: In the NES version, you get the rocket launcher, which is ''supremely'' overpowered compared to every other weapon, fairly early in the game (at about the 40% mark). There's only one level (the one with helicopters) where you'd even possibly want to use another gun -- in this case, the three-way. The choppers still aren't around enough to make it worthwhile. It retains its power in ''Rearmed'', albeit with the slight downside that you can kill yourself with it if you're not careful. It still makes most of the early bosses a complete joke.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Spencer was on death row, just cause he didn't follow one single order. Surely such a stunt would just have him stripped off of his Bionic Arm and position within military? The online comic reveals that "one single order" was murdering two bionics who didn't want to be stripped off of their life-supporting implants. He was put in jail because [[spoiler:he didn't kill the two bionics, he let another one escape (Mag), and he killed an entire force of Federation troops when they tried to kill the two bionics. He also found out about the heavy crackdown on bionics, which ultimately led to the creation of [=BioReign=] (Bionic Resurrection Initiative). He was imprisoned for insubordination and treason.]]

* DownerEnding: By the end of the game [[spoiler:Mag is apparently dead, Emily has been revealed to have been changed in an unknown process into Rad's bionic arm, Super Joe is a (dead) scumbag, and the last we see of Rad is him plummeting from several thousand feet up.]]

* EasterEgg: An interesting case of ThrowItIn happens when you re-attempt to fight [[SandWorm The Mo]][[DrillTank hole]] after dying. It only occurs the second time.
-->'''Super Joe:''' "Spencer! There's no way out! You'll just have to [[PrecisionFStrike fuck it!]]"\\
'''Spencer's voice actor:''' "Um..."
* EleventhHourSuperpower:
** You have Super Joe's machine gun for the final three levels of ''Rearmed'', and the upgraded rocket launcher only for the final boss fight.
** You supposedly receive the special bazooka at the end of the original NES game, but despite three levels of explaining how powerful it is, it's exactly the same as the rocket launcher you've been carrying since Area 5.
* {{Engrish}}: The NES game's engrish is legendary, inspiring a number of {{meme}}s. ''Rearmed'' makes several humorous references to it.
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Super Joe in the 2009 game, where he's the BigBad.]]

* FauxActionGirl: Mag, in the modern sequel. Introduced as a possible rival or boss, she then [[spoiler:does nothing of import, and gets [[YourHeadAsplode Hitler'd]] by the Big Bad.]]
* FeedItABomb: After Spencer kills [[spoiler:Groeder]] by shoving a grenade in his mouth and kicking him off the high point they were fighting on, just to make sure he doesn't return again:
-->'''Spencer:''' Try coming back from that!

* {{Gorn}}: In the NES game, and both ''Rearmed'' entries, enemies just die or explode fairly normally without a single hint of blood, and the games even take steps to have surprisingly family-friendly content despite all the people and stuff you take down, complete with ragdolls in ''Rearmed'' just comically flopping around. Then you finish off Hitler- I mean, [[{{Bowdlerise}} Master-D]], with a rocket to the cockpit. Even in the NES game, you get to see [[YourHeadASplode his head graphically blow up as his eyeballs fly off]], and the ''Rearmed'' equivalent even does a RepeatCut followed by a [[{{Overcrank}} slow motion close-up of the chunkiness]] just to bask in recreating the infamous moment. This single scene earned the otherwise fairly-tame remake an M rating, even despite arguably making the game DenserAndWackier.
* GoshDangItToHeck: An enemy soldier in Area 16 will tell you to "Get the heck out of here, [[{{Narm}} you nerd!]]"

* GuideDangIt:
** In the NES version, the player can abort a mission by pressing Start+A+B simultaneously and return to the map screen. This would've come in handy if you enter a stage without having the proper equipment... if it weren't for the fact that the manual doesn't tell you this. Because of this, many first-time players often reset the game when they enter Area 6 without the Rocket Gun.
** Also in the NES game, acquiring Joe's machine gun. You have to talk to the correct person. If you talk to the wrong one, a machine gun still appears in the room, but taking it does not add a weapon to your inventory. Because the game gives no indication you've done anything wrong (or that there was even a test you could fail,) it simply appears that the item is bugged and unobtainable. Just to add insult to injury, when you ''do'' get the right one, it's a piece of crap that's worse than your starting weapon.

* HollywoodHacking: Intercepting enemy communications in ''Rearmed'' requires you to play a short mini-game; in the full console sequel, you just grapple the computer and hit B (or "O," or whatever the action button is for the PC version). In the original game, simply having the correct communicator will allow you to listen in to enemy chatter (though they may detect you and attack as soon as you're done listening). Justified in that spies specifically tune the various communicators to the enemy frequencies.

* InconsistentDub: When the Nazi references were rubbed out of the NES localization, the manual went with "the Nazz" while the intro uses "the Badds" in-game.
* {{Interquel}}: ''Rearmed 2'' takes place between the NES game / ''Rearmed'' and its 2009 sequel. Among other things it shows Spencer and Magdalene working together and sheds some light on the reasoning behind the "Bionic Purge."
* InstantWinCondition: In the NES game, the objective of every area except the last is to destroy the reactor. Bosses can be completely ignored in just about every level, and the two levels that have the boss that cannot be ignored can still be completed easily if you're willing (and able) to take a couple of hits.
* InvulnerableCivilians: Averted -- it's very possible to shoot innocent civilians in a neutral area; you'll just set off alarms and the peacekeeper forces will attempt to kill you. Played straight in ''Rearmed''; opening fire in a [[strike:neutral zone]] FSA camp doesn't trigger anything.

* Level1MusicRepresents: An odd case. The NES Area 1 music is iconic of the series to the point it makes up a large portion of the soundtrack in the sequel but it is in fact a rendition of the arcade game's Stage 2 music.

* TheManBehindTheMan: In the sequel, [[spoiler:Groeder is the last boss proper, but Super Joe is the actual mastermind behind the whole mess.]] Sort of a reversal of roles in terms of difficulty, though.
* MandatoryTwistEnding: More of a twist rising climax in the sequel. [[spoiler:Thanks a whole lot, Super Joe.]]
* ManEatingPlant: You get a slight rustling of leaves, and if you don't move, you're eaten.
* MarathonLevel: [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon The Albatross]] in ''Rearmed'' is three times as long as most stages in the game, which makes it a lot more painful to get back to where you were if you run out of lives late in the level.
* MarketBasedTitle:
** The original NES game is called ''TOP SECRET: Hitler no Fukkatsu'' ("''Hitler's Resurrection'') in Japan.
** The Japanese title for ''Rearmed'' is ''Bionic Commando: MASTER-D Fukkatsu Keikaku'' ("''The Plot to Revive Master-D''").
* MeaningfulRename: ''Rearmed'' changes Hitler/Master-D's name to The Leader, the definition of the man's title of Führer.

* MookChivalry: {{Subverted|Trope}} in the sequel. [=BioReign=] soldiers duck and cover, attack in groups, spot you from long distances and try to kill you dead from that range if possible. The list of things they do correctly is astonishing, and it's clear from the get-go that these guys want to survive, go home, and see their families. [[DoubleSubversion Double Subverted]] in that none [[SuperSoldier of this manages]] [[OneManArmy to accomplish a damn thing.]]

* MythologyGag: Area 5 of ''Rearmed'' features safety posters reading ''Warning! Falling Objects! Wear a helmet!" depicting a [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Met helmet.]] In the same level, there are background decals of a hanging iron balls on chains, an irritating obstacle in the first game which is no longer implemented in the remake.
* NamedByTheDub: The "special commando unit member" was given the name of Super Joe on the American arcade flyer for the original game, in an attempt to market the game as a spinoff to the otherwise unrelated shoot-'em-up ''Videogame/{{Commando}}''.

* NoSwastikas: In the translation, the Nazis were changed to the Nazz/Badds, swastikas were removed, and Hitler was renamed Master-D. Strangely enough, his dialogue portrait, which clearly shows Hitler, wasn't changed at all. In ''Rearmed'', the Nazis are simply referred to as "a long-dead military regime." What ''is'' strange is that there's symbols and power-ups scattered around in both the NES game and the updated remake which resemble [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reichsadler_der_Deutsches_Reich_%281933%E2%80%931945%29.svg the Imperial Eagle.]] That can't be coincidental.

* NukeEm: [=BioReign=] bombs entire Ascension City which is pretty much the game's equivalent to a New York.
* OldSaveBonus:
** If you own both ''Rearmed'' and the 2009 game on the same platform, you can unlock Spencer's "classic" ''Rearmed'' skin for use in the 2009 game. Which is a good thing too, when [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks most players vastly prefer that look.]]
** Obtaining a collection of secret items in ''Rearmed'' unlocks the "Prototype Weapon" for use right away in the 2009 sequel, which replaces the weaker standard firearm.

* PaletteSwap: Notably, the peacekeepers in the neutral zones are just white versions of the {{mooks}} from the rest of the game.

* PoweredByAForsakenChild: In the sequel, it's revealed that all bionic limbs are created [[spoiler:an unknown process using someone with strong emotional ties to the person usually family or spouses.]] It's also a semi-twisted, semi-sweet take on [[spoiler:ThePowerOfLove,]] if you think about it.
* PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo: Super Joe, from the original ''Commando'', appears briefly in the NES version.
* ProductPlacement: In the first level of the 2009 game, there are intact Pepsi vending machines, ads for Nvidia and Alienware cards, and plugs for the then-upcoming ''VideoGame/DarkVoid''.

* ReformulatedGame: The NES version, which adapted the wire swinging concept from the arcade version into an entirely new game with selectable stages and more emphasis on exploration. To a lesser extent, the Game Boy version as well.
* RepeatCut: At the end of ''Bionic Commando Rearmed'' you use a rocket to [[explode Hitler's head]]. This moment is shown once at normal speed, a second time in slow motion, then a third time as a still image showing it in great detail.
* RequiredSecondaryPowers: In the sequel, Spencer is outrageously tough to kill, and can deal great heaping gobs of damage just by ''landing correctly'' (generally that means arm first...). Wholly justified -- his body must be bionically reinforced to keep up with the rigors of his bionic arm.
** Why yes it is. In the 360 / [=PS3=] version, the in-game text actually outright says he possesses some kind of "bionic armor." This not only makes him highly durable, but also allows him to regenerate health. Also like his other bionics, over time he gets used to using it again and it gets stronger, or "upgrades" or whatever you want to call it. So yeah, apparently he ''is'' equipped with some kind of bio mechanical armor, presumably either under his skin or nanotech.
** Still won't prevent him from getting killed with a couple bullets from even the lowest ranking Mooks; Spencer doesn't really take ''less'' damage than a regular human would, but he ''does'' have RegeneratingHealth.

* RogueProtagonist: [[spoiler:Super Joe in the 2009 game.]]

* SequenceBreaking: Mostly Averted in the NES version. Besides level grinding, There's nothing to stop you from playing any and all of the levels in whatever order you want but you won't get far in the later ones without the proper equipment.
* ShotgunsAreJustBetter:
** The '09 game features an ''anti-tank shotgun'' usually aimed at infantry: The Hiker fires nine super sized buckshot shells for clearing out armored enemies, and is, in fact, unstoppable against anything that isn't powered armor, while the last shot is specifically a super heavy armor piercing giant shell for use against armor.
** The ''Rearmed'' shotgun is extremely powerful up close, beaten only by the rocket launcher and a full machine gun clip, but the range is so short, even with the range extending duckbill upgrade, that it's best used to get swinging again than as a weapon.
* ShoutOut:
** The legendary ending of the NES game recalls a similar scene from Anime/MobileSuitGundam, where [[TheRival Char]] fires a bazooka into the cockpit of [[BigBad Kycilia's]] fleeing spacecraft, scoring a [[BoomHeadshot perfect headshot]] in the process. Of course, the results in Bionic Commando are [[{{Gorn}} far more graphic]].
** "[[Film/PlanetOfTheApes1968 Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!]]"
* ShutUpHannibal: As an {{Anti Frustration Feature|s}}, you're allowed to skip a boss' BossBanter about how Spencer is just a pawn if you restart the battle enough times. This is represented in-game as Spencer literally telling him to [[BigShutUp shut the fuck up.]]
* SimonSaysMiniGame: The Fabricator bosses have a phase where Spencer needs to stand in the center of an arch and block spikes launched in sequence, as indicated by lights around the arch. [[spoiler:The Leader's helicopter also has a phase where it launches missiles in sequence, and the player has to anticipate which direction to block from.]]
* SingleUseShield: A pendant, which lasts one stage, and can block a single projectile, but also goes away if you die some other way.

* SociopathicHero: When not angsting about his missing wife or that his country has betrayed him in the most vile way possible, Spencer takes a little too much joy in throwing people off cliffs and shooting them in the head.
* SoundtrackDissonance:
** The music for the first level of the Arcade game is far too upbeat for the setting, especially considering the rest of the soundtrack.
** Also, the music box lullaby after [[spoiler:destruction of [[SpiderTank the Constructor]]]] in the 2009 version.

* SpikeBallsOfDoom: In the first game, spiky balls appear from some of the BottomlessPits.

* TheStinger: The 2009 Sequel. Gets bonus cryptic points for being in Morse code AND German!
** [[spoiler:Also gets points for ContinuityPorn, since it says to activate "Projekt Albatros."]]
** Also, the NES game. See BookEnds above.
* [[StupidJetpackHitler Stupid Helicopter Hitler]]: Among other things, the Imperials utilize wired, cybernetic soldiers, experiment on plant life and bugs in Area 3 in the NES version, have mobilized droids in their ranks, keep their master in a status tube, and they also made the Albatross.
* TranslationMatchmaking: Originally called ''Top Secret'' in Japan, the arcade game was retitled ''Bionic Commando'' and marketed as a ''Commando'' spin-off.

* TheUnfought: Killt is never fought in either the NES game or Rearmed, as he's promptly backstabbed by the revived Hitler before he can do anything.

* VideoGameTools: In the NES version, communicators, flares, and even the bionic arm itself are necessary but not used to damage your enemies directly.

* WreakingHavok: Hurling around debris and enemy soldiers in '09. Spencer can throw ''real'' far and ''real'' accurate and ''real'' hard, making for some really satisfying takedowns.
* YearX: Project Albatross was uncovered by TheFederation in the late 1980's (specifically "198X"), leading to the Imperial Incident; however, in ''Rearmed'', this was updated to the year [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture 2029]].
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: In both the original and ''Rearmed'', Killt, having activated Albatross without the help of "Master-D"/"The Leader", decides he doesn't need him anymore. Unfortunately, Master-D then wakes up and kills Killt, declaring that Killt, having allowed him to waken, no longer needs to be kept around. ''Rearmed'' has "The Leader" say the phrase word for word upon his arrival, aimed at both Killt and Spencer.
* YourHeadASplode:
** Hitler (aka "The Leader" or "Master-D"), when you destroy the helicopter he attempts to escape in at the end of the game. Quite gory, really, considering the Bowdlerization to the rest of the game. This is the ''only'' reason the ''Rearmed'' release has an "M" rating, as there's surprisingly little blood elsewhere.
** In the sequel, it's the only way to make sure a bionic stays dead.

!! List of titles:

* BookEnds:

** The legendary ending of the [=NES=] game recalls a similar scene from Anime/MobileSuitGundam, where [[TheRival Char]] fires a bazooka into the cockpit of [[BigBad Kycilia's]] fleeing spacecraft, scoring a [[BoomHeadshot perfect headshot]] in the process. Of course, the results in Bionic Commando are [[{{Gorn}} far more graphic]].

* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: In both the original and ''Rearmed'', Killt, having activated Albatross without the help of "Master-D"[=/=]"The Leader", decides he doesn't need him anymore. Unfortunately, Master-D then wakes up and kills Killt, declaring that Killt, having allowed him to waken, no longer needs to be kept around. ''Rearmed'' has "The Leader" say the phrase word for word upon his arrival, aimed at both Killt and Spencer.
* YourHeadASplode:

A follow-up for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] was released in 1988. The console sequel not only refines the wire swinging gimmick of the arcade game, but also fleshes out the rest of the game with an added emphasis on exploration such as the addition of a life bar that the player can extend through bullet collecting, the procurement of items and weapons (which are chosen at the start of each mission) which help facilitate the player's mission, and the ability to communicate with friendly agents and wiretap enemy conversations for additional information. The game now starts in an overworld map in which the player uses an helicopter to not only transport the protagonist to [[GameLevel enemy areas]] in any order (although some stages required proper equipment in order to be explored), but also visit neutral zones to meet up with allies and enemies alike, and even engage against enemy convoys through optional [[UnexpectedGameplayChange top-down scrolling stages]] akin to the original ''Commando''.

** Included in ''Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 1'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 and UsefulNotes/XBox in 2005, and ''Capcom Classics Collection: Remixed'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable in 2006.

** Included in ''Capcom Classics Mini-Mix'' for the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance in 2006.
* ''Bionic Commando'' (UsefulNotes/GameBoy, 1992)
** Released for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS Virtual Console in 2011.
* ''Bionic Commando: Elite Forces'' (UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor, 1999)
** Released for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS Virtual Console in 2014.
* ''Bionic Commando Rearmed'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360 / UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 / PC, 2008) - Titled ''Bionic Commando: Master-D Fukkatsu Keikaku'' in Japan.
* ''Bionic Commando'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360 / UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 / PC, 2009)
* ''Bionic Commando Rearmed 2'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360 / UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, 2011)

* OmnicidalManicac: In the Game Boy game, Director Wiseman's end game is to use the Albatross to blow apart the planet which will lead to everything getting destroyed which is better emphasized in the Japanese release.

* OldSaveBonus: If you own both ''Rearmed'' and the 2009 game on the same platform, you can unlock Spencer's "classic" ''Rearmed'' skin for use in the 2009 game. Which is a good thing too, when [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks most players vastly prefer that look.]]

* DiscOneNuke: In the NES version, you get the rocket launcher, which is ''supremely'' overpowered compared to every other weapon, fairly early in the game (at about the 40% mark). There's only one level (the one with helicopters) where you'd even possibly want to use another gun -- in this case, the three-way. The choppers still aren't around enough to make it worthwhile.

* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Super Joe.]]

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* GrapplingHookPistol: Your bionic arm.

* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: After Spencer kills [[spoiler:Groeder]] by shoving a grenade in his chest and kicking him off the high point they were fighting on:
-->'''Spencer:''' Try coming back from that!

** All references to Nazis were edited out of the game and replaced with Nazz/Badds, and there are NoSwastikas. For a more complete list of changes, see [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bionic_Commando_%28NES%29 this game's entry]] over at Wiki/{{Wikipedia}}. Oddly, Hitler's visage remains untouched (and seeing as his mustache is a relatively iconic feature, it draws attention to the censorship more than it would otherwise).

* NintendoHard: This game is really difficult. ''Rearmed'' on the hardest difficulty cranks it UpToEleven.

->''"They lost their hero to the enemy. They went looking for the perfect soldier to rescue him. They found some guy who couldn't even jump."''

->''"Let me tell you about the man I met when I was still young..."''

-->'''Super Joe''': "Spencer! There's no way out! You'll just have to [[PrecisionFStrike fuck it!]]"
-->'''Spencer's voice actor''': "Um..."

* {{Gorn}}: In the NES game, and both ''Rearmed'' entries, enemies just die or explode fairly normally without a single hint of blood, and the games even take steps to have surprisingly family-friendly content despite all the people and stuff you take down, complete with ragdolls in ''Rearmed'' just comically flopping around. Then you finish off Hitler- I mean, [[{{Bowdlerise}} Master-D]], with a rocket to the cockpit. Even in the NES game, you get to see [[YourHeadAsplode his head graphically blow up as his eyeballs fly off]], and the ''Rearmed'' equivalent even does a RepeatCut followed by a [[{{Overcrank}} slow motion close-up of the chunkiness]] just to bask in recreating the infamous moment. This single scene earned the otherwise fairly-tame remake an M rating, even despite arguably making the game DenserAndWackier.
* GoshdangItToHeck: An enemy soldier in Area 16 will tell you to "Get the heck out of here, [[{{Narm}} you nerd!]]"

--->'''Spencer''': Try coming back from that!

* ShoutOut: ''Rearmed'' lovingly reminds you of its roots on a regular basis ("Get the heck out of here, you nerd!") Also, the characters strenuously avoid using Hitler's name to the point of (intentional) comedy.
** The 2009 game has large signs for [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil5 TriCell]] all over Ascension City. There are also several smaller posters of ''VideoGame/DarkVoid'' here and there, and once in the game you can spot a large billboard with a [[Franchise/MegaMan Tron Bonne minion robot]] on it.
** In ''Rearmed'' There's a challenge run called the "Dragon Run" which is a reference to the Mecha Dragon Boss of ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''.

** Area 5 of ''Rearmed'' features safety posters reading ''Warning! Falling Objects! Wear a helmet!" depicting a [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Met helmet.]] In the same level, there are background decals of a hanging iron balls on chains, an irritating obstacle in the first game which is no longer implemented in the remake.
** The legendary ending recalls a similar scene from Anime/MobileSuitGundam, where [[TheRival Char]] fires a bazooka into the cockpit of [[BigBad Kycilia's]] fleeing spacecraft, scoring a [[BoomHeadshot perfect headshot]] in the process. Of course, the results in Bionic Commando are [[{{Gorn}} far more graphic]].

* LawyerFriendlyCameo: Master-D is an obvious stand in for Hitler, especially since despite bowdlerizing all other Nazi references, they left Hitler's very recognizable ''face'' in the game. In ''Rearmed'' and the backstory presented in the 2009 sequel, he is known simply as "The Leader" (with his face is obscured by a breathing mask in the former, though you can still see the top of his iconic mustache poking out beneath it). ''Rearmed 2'' gives us another antagonist, General Sabio, dictator of the island nation Papagaya threatening to launch missiles at the FSA. Obviously a stand in for Fidel Castro and Cuba.

* RepeatXut: At the end of ''Bionic Commando Rearmed'' you use a rocket to [[explode Hitler's head]]. This moment is shown once at normal speed, a second time in slow motion, then a third time as a still image showing it in great detail.

* RepeatXut: At the end of ''Bionic Commando Rearmed'' you use a rocket to [[explode Hitler's head]]. This moment is shown once at normla speed, a second time in slow motion, then a third time as a still image showing it in great detail.

The ''Rearmed 2'' website can be found [[http://www.bioniccommando.com/rearmed2/ here.]]

* AnimeThemeSong: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7nw4cqiC6s Bionic Commando]]" (sometimes called "Go! Go! Bionic Commando" or just "Go! Go! Bionic!") sung by the inimitable Ichiro Mizuki of Music/JAMProject fame. (There's a song on the ''Bionic Commando Rearmed'' OST called "Go Go Bionic," but it's nothing but thirty seconds of a Japanese guy saying "Go! Go! Bionic!" with the NES game's Area 1 tune in the background.)

* BadassBeard: Sabio sports one in ''Rearmed 2''. It's probably what allowed him to become leader of Pagagaya in the first place.
* [[BadassMustache Badass]] PornStache: Spencer has one that would make [[Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja Dan McNinja]] proud in ''Rearmed 2''.