Today, Capcom decided to reveal the box art and this prototype figure for Bionic Commando through its community blog. Check out Nathan, all decked out in his Bionic logo tank-top and rad arm. Take a really good look though because Capcom hasn't decided if the figure will be made available let customers know when, how or if the product will be made available.
Why would Capcom bother showing you then? Gauge customer interest of course! Looking to add another super solider to your wall of heroes? This might be the one you're missing.
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that this six-inch tall prototype was included in a special edition of Bionic Commando priced to own for an extra $20. Interested now? What if we put Todd McFarlane's stamp of approval on it? Come on. Someone must want this thing kicking around.
Ed. Note: This toy was not developed by McFarlane Toys. The reference was a joke.
This ain't your daddy's Bionic Commando. Actually, this really isn't even your Commando really, considering younger gamers have been reintroduced to the series with Bionic Commando Rearmed. Wait...who is this guy? The appropriately named action adventure features a dreaded-out Nathan Spencer as he battles a terrorist threat within the fictional Ascension City.
Owners of Bionic Commando Rearmed also have the ability to play the game skinned as the original Nathan "Rad" Spencer using a code found within the game. Bionic Commando, from Swedish developer GRIN, is set to swing (pun!) into action this holiday season.
Well good lord. After its first week of availability, Bionic Commando Rearmed has sold 130,000 copies. Capcom's own Ben Judd reported the news on the Bionic Commando blog with the appropriate fervor, saying, "Holy fiddlesticks!" He followed up his elation saying that while the sales pale in comparison to retail titles, 130,000 copies qualifies Rearmed as a "JUGGERNAUT." One of the important and overlooked elements of this story is that Rearmed was made available on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC, so we're not sure exactly what percentage each service pulled. Regardless it's obvious that Rearmed has struck a chord and Judd notes that this proves that gamers do enjoy seeing the games of yesteryear made available again, so long as they are "done right" and for the right price. We couldn't agree more.
Only a couple of hours to go before we put an end to our Bionic Commando Rearmed giveaway and pick some winners folks. You have until 12:00 Noon eastern time today to submit your entry, so hurry up and get to it if you haven't already. We can tell you from personal experience that Rearmed is a pretty sweet game. At least it' pretty sweet until you start trying to attain the Elite Commando achievement. Then it becomes an exercise in frustration. But hey, there are three whole difficulties below Super Hard, so there's bound to be one that's right for you! Head over to the official giveaway post and enter.
It's high time we reminded everyone out there that we're giving away five copies of Bionic Commando Rearmed. We've got to give them away, and we figured we might as well give them to our favorite people, our dear readers. So, if you want a crack at winning your very own Bionic Commando RearmedXBLA redemption code, head over to the official contest post and enter. Don't forget that you can enter once a day, so come back and enter tomorrow to increase your chances. Now get the heck out of here, you nerd!
[Update: This giveaway is now closed and the winners have been notified via email. Check your spam boxes, kids!]
You know what? Bionic Commando Rearmed is just swell. It's a great game and it deserves a good home. With just a simple comment donation, it could be part of your home. What we're trying to say here is that we've got five (count 'em, five) download codes for Bionic Commando Rearmed to giveaway. What do you have to do to snag one for your very own? Simple, just follow these instructions:
The key feature in Bionic Commando Rearmed is, obviously, the bionic claw. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you would do if you had your own bionic claw.
Only one comment can be left per calendar day eastern time. Posters of multiple comments during the same calendar day will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until 12:00PM Noon eastern time, Friday, August 22, 2008. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec).
On Friday, we'll pick five winners via a random drawing.
Five winners will receive an Xbox Live redemption code to download Bionic Commando Rearmed, worth $10 each.
We've been so busy playing Bionic Commando Rearmed that we'd nearly forgotten a full-fledged 3D remake heading our way. Fortunately, the marketing folks at Capcom made sure to include a trailer for the new Bionic Commando inside of the Rearmed database. GameTrailers has taken the liberty of posting that trailer and we have to say it looks pretty hot. It details the evolution of the series, from the NES version to Rearmed to the upcoming retail Bionic Commando. The trailer showcases some of the new moves available in Bionic Commando and all of them look pretty slick, particularly the 360 degree bionic arm whip near the end. Also, if you keep your eyes peeled, you'll see the unlockable Radd Spencer character skin, which actually looks pretty good.
Hardcore gamers rejoice for Bionic Commando Rearmed is finally here! What's more, it's good. Definitely not for the faint of heart though, so take heed. We also get Fable II Pub Games, which are ... pub games. While they may look simple on the outside, make no mistake because they are very addictive. The only problem: no online multiplayer. That actually applies to Bionic Commando as well, though it does have offline co-op and versus multiplayer. Overall, we've got two solid games this week, and one of them is free if you pre-order Fable II. Check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief to see if either one is worth your hard-earned MS Points.
[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Continuing the sizzling HOT Summer of Arcade lineup, today sees the release of the fan favorite Bionic Commando: Rearmed and gambling addicts favorite Fable 2 Pub Games. We're sure you heard all about each game, so we'll spare you the fluffy details. But you should know each XBLA purchase will set you back 800 Microsoft points, unless you already pre-ordered Fable 2 at participating retailers, then you received the Pub Games for free. What are these participating retailers? Good question, and thanks to the NeoGAF forums, we've posted a list of Pub Games promotion retailers after the break. Now go and enjoy your Rearmed ... you crazy, crazy XBLA kids.
Just in case you forgot, this Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday we'll be seeing the release of both Capcom's Bionic Commando: Rearmed and the three gambling Fable 2 Pub Games.
Available for 800 Microsoft points, Bionic Commando: Rearmed is a remake of the 80's classic 2D side-scroller Bionic Commando, but now with updated graphics, Live multiplayer support, co-op play and fifty different swinging levels. Rearmed will also sports cross-game unlocks, where achievements earned in Rearmed will unlock goodies in the retail version of Bionic Commando. The other XBLA treat we're receiving this week are the three Fable 2 Pub Games that can be obtained for free as part of the Fable 2 pre-order promotion or can be purchased separately for 800 MS points. Comprised of Keystone, Fortune's Tower and Spinner Box, these gambling games will let you earn gold that can be used in Fable 2. Happy gaming!
Bionic Commando, from Capcom, is a strange beast. Traditionally players would attack the developer for changing the classic series so drastically but from what we've seen the game looks great. Sweeping landscapes and dreads? Sign us up. Check out this gameplay trailer, now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace, and tell us how you feel about the urbanized remake for the classic action title.
If you believe Capcom's upcoming Bionic Commando (in 3D!) is going to be a one of those pick up and play, easy to master kind of games, we ask, what on Earth gave you that impression? Seriously, flinging your body around the jungle Spider-man style is no easy task and even Capcom admits that it's "going to be tough".
Talking with GameVideos.com, Bionic Commando producer Ben Judd agrees that "the second you use the swing mechanic it is both very innovative and cool because of that, but it's also going to be something that requires a little more time to adapt to." Though the learning curve will not go unrewarded as Judd goes on to say "I still believe that once you master it, you're going to feel like the ultimate badass and you're going to really like that part of it. But it's just going to take more patience ..."
Don't worry Mr. Judd, we'll give the game the time it needs to get the hang of the controls before we praise or disgrace its gaming existence. All because we care. Watch the full interview above to learn more about Bionic Commando's controls, locations and what goodies are unlocked when gamers own both it and its XBLA cousin Bionic Commando Rearmed.
Joystiq managed to get some serious play time with Capcom's upcoming remake of Bionic Commando (cleverly titled Bionic Commando). We're sure there are important details we should be discussing, but let's get one thing straight. The swinging is fun. According to Joystiq, it's damned fun. There really isn't much more you need to know about the game, but we still suggest you read Joystiq's full impressions of the game. You run along. We're going to sit here and bask in the relief for a while.
We hope you're sitting own. The anticipated XBLA title, Bionic Commando Rearmed, has been delayed from its original May release. According to a classified communique found on the Bionic Commando blog, the game is complete but still requires some bug fixing, certification process before it's ready for release.
No word on a new release for the title, which still plans to hit the Xbox 360, PC and PS3 simultaneously.
Our friends at Joystiq has spared you the hassle of having to click through the entire retro text message found on the site which you can find after the break.
The official Bionic Commando website has revealed that Bionic Commando Rearmed -- that's the XBLA version -- has received an M rating from the ESRB. The rating was announced via a nifty communicator dialogue reminiscent of the original game (you can see a capture of it above). So, why would a game with no blood and extremely tame violence get an M rating? If you've ever played the original and completed it, we'll give you three guesses. Yes, the reason is that Bionic Commando Rearmed features a recreation of the climactic scene from the original game. You know the one. If by chance you don't know the one, you can find a video after the break (it occurs at 0:10). Be warned, it's spoilerific. And sploderific.