Xbox 360 Fanboy

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.

Last week didn't see any kind of XBLA release due to the massive popularity of GTA IV, but now that that particular sales storm has passed, what is the next release for the Live Arcade? Common sense might say that it'd be Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm, given that it was pushed back into May. And that still might be possible as XBLA games can release in pairs. However the Australian site PALGN has Bionic Commando Rearmed set for a 05/07/2008 release, so if they're right we might be seeing that one sooner than we thought we would have. We certainly haven't heard anything else about this week's XBLA release ....

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.

Simon Viklund, creative director at GRIN -- the studio behind both Bionic Commando Rearmed and the upcoming next-gen remake -- has announced on the team's blog that Bionic Commando Rearmed is "approaching completion." According to Viklund, the game will enter the approval process (which presumably includes Microsoft certification) "within weeks." The project is currently undergoing the final steps of development, with GRIN adding the last layer of polish and making sure the game performs properly. No other details are given regarding the game, though Viklund does note that GRIN has a "passion for the old gaming heritage" and that the team is already considering future projects centered around older games. Dare we hope for an HD remake of Mega Man? Ghouls and Ghosts perhaps?

Following the announcement of Bionic Commando Rearmed for Xbox Live Arcade, we jumped -- or should we say swung -- at the opportunity to pry more information out of Capcom. Thus, we cornered Ben Judd, Capcom Japan's Producer in charge of the Bionic Commando brand (must have been an easy job for the last 20 years or so) and shot him some questions. We cover a range of topics from the difficulties of making an old game relevant again to the unfortunate business that is offline only co-op. Find the interview after the jump.

The announcement of Bionic Commando Rearmed for Xbox Live Arcade served as the most intriguing bit of news this week for many gamers. As such, we're happy to bring you a set of new screenshots from the game. You may peruse them in the gallery below. Sure, we'd like some more details on the game -- like when we can get our sweaty little meat hooks on it -- but we'll have to settle for the moment. We've also embedded a non-IGN version of the announcement trailer after the break.

Okay, we're just going to come right out and say it: the Bionic Commando remake for Xbox Live Arcade looks more fun than the upcoming retail remake. That's our opinion, and we're sticking to it (until proven otherwise anyway). Entitled Bionic Commando Rearmed, it's based off of the NES classic and features scads (scads, we say!) of upgrades. First and foremost are the splendid 3D graphics complete with buttery smooth animation. Throw in new weapons (including grenades), new bionic arm abilities, and two player co-op and Capcom has basically created our single greatest childhood dream (yes, we were lonely children). Oh, but wait, there's more. It looks like Rearmed will unlock a new player skin for the retail Bionic Commando. The good news: you can drop the dreadlocks. The bad news: the original Bionic Commando didn't exactly have a great coif either. Hit the "read" link for a preview over at IGN.

[Thanks, Tony]

GameTrailers has posted a three part developer walkthrough of Bionic Commando, giving would be commandos a better idea of what to expect from the game. Perhaps the largest revelation is that Bionic Commando will feature skill based swing mechanics. In other words, you can't simply hold down the swing button and expect your mighty commando to do the aiming for you. Nope, a special reticle for the bionic arm has to be aimed at whatever handily protruding piece of scenery you wish to grapple. The devs feel that the manual aimingsystem is ultimately more satisfying, though they admit that there is some leeway in how accurate players have to be.

Looking decidedly less satisfying at this point is the combat. The demonstrators showed off one weapon (a pretty boring pistol) and some of the ways players can use the claw in combat. Sure, launching your foe in the air and filling him with bullets is great, but its tactical value is a bit suspect, especially considering your completely open to attacks from other enemies as you do so. That said, it's an early build and Capcom promises more weapons and more varied environments to keep things interesting. Let's hope so. Check out the remaining two videos after the break.

Seems like community sites are all the rage these days, and Bionic Commando didn't want to be left out of the party. The Bionic Commando community site is now live and features everything we've come to expect from such things. There's a developer blog, podcast, news, and downloadable goodies like the wallpaper you see above. Strangely absent is a link to any kind of forum. Still, it's got plenty of information for Bionic Commando fans to digest. Hit the "read" link to check it out.