The Bionic Commando Experience

The Bionic Commando Experience
A Bionic Commando for NES Walkthrough
By Kefka Floyd ([email protected])
http://www.rpgdarkside.com

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Version 1.1 - 3/3/00

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Version History

1.1 - 3/3/00 - My first update to this in a while. I fixed some grammar
and some other inconsistincies as well as fixing some of the
level strategies.

1.0 - 2/26/99 - The First Release. It's all new!

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Table Of Contents

1. Introduction
1a. Characters
1b. Story line
1c. Controls
1d. Objectives
2. Areas and how to complete them (in recommended order)
2a. Area 1
2b. Area 4
2c. Area 5
2d. Area 2
2e. Area 3
2f. Area 6
2g. Area 8
2h. Area 9
2i. Area 7
2j. Area 10
2k. Area 11
2l. Area 12
3. Area difficulty ratings
4. Neutral Zones (in numerical order)
4a. Area 13
4b. Area 14
4c. Area 15
4d. Area 16
4e. Area 17
4f. Area 18
4g. Area 19
5. Bosses and Recommended strategies for them
5a. Platoons
5b. Bearded Soldiers
5c. Pi-Pi-Pi Defense System
5d. Giant Soldiers
53. The Albatros
5f. Destroying Master-D's chopper
6. Strategies and tricks
7. Other versions of Bionic Commando
8. Communicators, Guns, Items, and other weapons and gizmos
9. Enemy List
10. Credits

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Welcome to the Bionic Commando Experience, a FAQ/Walkthrough for
all of you lost in this game! I am Kefka Floyd, your FAQ man for today.
If you want something added to this or removed, please email me at
[email protected].

1. Introduction.

1a. Characters

There are numerous characters in BC, but there are a few major
ones that we discuss here.

Ladd - The main character of the game, the bionic commando. You
play him and try to win.

Super Joe - The Federation's best soldier, sent out to destroy
the Imperial army's leader. He has lost contact with them, however.

Generalissimo Killt - The main villain of the game. He is trying
to build the Albatros, a super laser canon.

The Commander - Offers advice, but later in the game, he may
surprise you.

The Various Comm-ops - They communicate with you throughout the
game in the various communications rooms.

Master-D - More on him later.

1b. Storyline

The Imperial army is trying to build a super laser cannon called
the Albatros, which the Badds (I will get to the real stuff after we
talk about a history lesson in this game) designed, but never built.
The Imperial Army has found these plans, and have decided to execute
them. The federation sends out Super Joe to thwart their plans, but he
is captured. Therefore, a lone soldier equipped with a bionic arm is
sent out to rescue Super Joe and continue where he left off. This is
where the game begins.

1c. Controls

D-pad - Move the commando around or swing.
Start - Use item (i.e. flares, medicine)
Select - Pause and show the stats screen.
A - Fire the weapon
B - Shoot out the bionic arm. You can control the direction with
the D-pad.
Start + A + B - Evacuate the area. Good if you're stuck or need a
different weapon, but makes you start at the beginning.

1d. Objectives.

Rescue Super Joe and defeat the Imperial's attempt to build the
Albatros.

2. Areas To Complete in Recommended order

2a. Area 1

Ah, the first area! This is a good area to learn how to use the
bionic arm, and strategies to use it. The first part is outside of a
military base, and the inside is the inside of that base. Your first
stop is the communications room. You should have the red communicator
for this level. After communicating (or wiretapping, if you wish.
Beware, you may be ambushed when wiretapping, but you may learn some
important info). There is also a second communications room, but do not
go into it! A bug in the game makes the elevator return to the top once
going in and communicating! It is not necessary to communicate in this
room to proceed to the boss. The area where the electric barrier is
located is a great place to earn energy units, because of the abundance
of paratroopers. Get about six energy units (green squares), and move
on. It takes about 200 bullets to get the six. You can find your bullet
status in the status screen. In the boss room, there is a platoon, and
a reactor. In every level, you must destroy the reactor to complete it.
There is a boss to complete to get to it, however. Platoons require no
boss killing, except to get past the onslaught of enemies to get a
clear shot at the reactor. Shoot the reactor, and after about 30 hits
with the regular gun, it should explode. You do not have to kill the
commander or the soldiers, but it's a good idea to get the ones that
are in your way out of your way. After completing this level, you
receive the medicine, which can be used once to completely recover your
energy units.

2b. Area 4.

Area 4 is a cavern, basically. You should have the flares from
neutral zone 13 (which is right off of area 1) and the red
communicator. Proceed inside. When it gets dark, release a flare to
brighten the room. Swing your bionic arm to get past the spikes, and
reach the communications room. Communicate, and exit it. There will be
an area of platforms. Traverse them until you get to the boss room,
where you face the bearded soldier. You can kill him by shooting him in
the back. After you dispose of him, attack the reactor. After
completing this area, you get the wide gun, which shoots three bullets
in a wider angle, but has a short range.

2c. Area 5

This area is basically a giant tower. It requires much experience
with the arm. You should use the red communicator, and bring the
medicine and wide gun. There will be rolling balls that will mess up
your timing, and flying chopper dudes with electric guns that will
knock off your bionic arm and damage you, and a knife shooter that will
unhook your bionic arm and hurt you if you get hit by it. After
reaching the first comm room, you learn some important info. This is
also a good place to wiretap. After communicating, the second part of
the level will come. This is basically like the first. After reaching
the second communications room and communicating, the third and final
part is here. There are lots of springs and paratroopers, so if you can
avoid the troopers and use the springs to your advantage when climbing,
there should be no problem reaching the boss room. This boss room
contains the Pi-Pi-Pi defense mechanism. If you can get all the way to
the reactor and get behind it, you can kill it easily. After destroying
it and the core, you receive the rocket launcher, which is basically
the most powerful gun. It mows down all the enemies in the path of the
rocket. However, only one rocket can be on the screen at a time.

2d. Area 2

This is a waste area. You should bring the green communicator,
the rocket launcher, and the medicine. The main objective is to get
past the slimes that leak around. If the slime catches you, you have to
escape by locking the bionic arm onto something. This can be tricky, as
the slimes move fast. Try to keep away from them. After reaching the
communications room, there are bulldozers that carry a dwarf soldier,
which means it takes two shots to kill them, and you have to kneel to
kill the dwarfs. They also have cranes which can block all kinds of
firepower. After getting past a tricky bionic arm maneuver, you face
the second platoon. Again, use a regular platoon battle strategy. After
beating this level, you receive the pendant, which blocks only one
bullet. Better than no protection, aye?

2e. Area 3

Ah, the wilderness! Bring the green communicator, the pendant for
protection, the medicine, and the rocket launcher. This area consists
of two areas, one is a wilderness, and the other is a base inside.
After traversing the trees, there are bugs and butterflies that can be
killed with one shot, but watch the ground and listen carefully. You
may walk over a man eating plant! These cannot be killed. So where a
plant lives, move towards it, and then walk back. Move across it
quickly as it goes down. More climbing with the arm and avoiding the
plants leads you inside. Take the express elevator down, and then go
into the communications room. After communicating, you come to an area
which, if you work your arm correctly, can bring you to a secret area.
It has no use however. This is a tricky part that requires much
mastering of the arm. One false move can kill you. In the boss room is
the Pi-Pi-Pi, a relatively easy kill. After beating this level, you get
the magazine, which enables your regular gun to be rapid fire. It's
rather useless.

2f. Area 6

This is one of the most difficult areas in the game. It takes a
lot of patience and mastery of the arm. You should bring the green
communicator (although you don't use it), pendant, medicine, and rocket
launcher. In the beginning, use the launcher to destroy the barrier,
and swing to the green building. This part is relatively easy, but
after the green building are the lamps, which you have to time your
bionic arm swings to grasp on to correctly. After getting past this
part, you get to a door, which takes you to the second part. Swing the
arm to get to the large green base. This is a hard part right here, to
swing over. One false move means missing. After you get on the
building, there are few construction soldiers throwing spiked balls.
These hurt you and force you to time correctly. And to add insult to
injury, there are metal blocks that your arm can't grasp. You will
almost always get hurt here. Destroy the soldiers, and get to the boss
room, where you face the giant soldier! He is hard to beat. If you feel
up to it, try to take out the reactor only, but it is hard with the
soldier there. So I recommend destroying the giant soldier first. After
all this is said and done, you get the permit, which allows you to
enter area 14 to get the blue communicator. After that, you will be
able to get to area 8!

2g. Area 8

I think this is my favorite level in the whole game. The music in
this level is surprisingly upbeat, very groovy, and is only heard in
this level! But, it is a sprawling maze that you can get lost in for
hours if you play your cards wrong. This is also a good place to get
all 8 energy units if you haven't already. Bring the blue communicator,
pendant, rocket launcher, and medicine. First order of business is to
communicate. The first communications room is right near the beginning.
After doing so, proceed to the second communications room, which to get
to, you must go to the left after communicating, and go in that door.
There will be a corridor. Go through it, and you will wind up at a
place with three elevators. Take the elevator and go to the top door.
You will get to an area that has a moving platform. Climb up to reach a
communications room, and talk with the commander. Joe is in area 9!
Sweet! Continue going up, until you reach a door. Proceed to the right
in the next area, and once you can't go right, go down. You will reach
another corridor. After passing these corridors, you will reach another
room with three doors and an elevator. The middle door is the boss
door. It will be unlocked if you communicated both times. Inside is a
platoon. Destroy the reactor (watch out! The reactor fights back!). You
will receive the iron boots for beating it, which will kick enemies
when you swing with your bionic arm. They are cool, and I recommend you
try them once, but I prefer having the medicine.

2h. Area 9

This is where Joe is! It is a disposal area, and has the Area 2
music. Bring the blue communicator, rocket launcher, pendant, and
medicine. After getting past the first part, it is all bionic arm
action. You will reach an area that has disposal carts. Go into the
communications room and communicate, then ride the carts to get to the
boss room after climbing up. It is a platoon (again)! They inform you
that Joe has been moved, and attacks you. Kill the reactor. You will
receive the three-way gun, which isn't a great weapon, but you need it
to clear area 7.

2i. Area 7

This is a Prisoner of War camp, where Joe was moved to. You
should bring the blue communicator, three-way gun, medicine, and helmet
(you should have it by now). The first part is a barrier you have to
destroy with the three way gun. After getting past that, climb up and
to the right. There are dwarves driving attack mobiles. Dispose of
them, and you will reach a tower area. Dwarves are flying choppers.
They are a nuisance. Kill them, and reach the top of the towers. Swing
over on the blocks (this is extremely tricky, watch the timing) until
you reach the boss room (no communications room here). There is a giant
soldier. If you have somehow managed to escape and use the rocket
launcher, you should go and kill the reactor. If not, and you have the
three way gun, kill the giant soldier. He pauses momentarily. That is
the time to attack him! After killing him, destroy the reactor, and you
will reach Super Joe! Here, he informs you of the Imperial forces' evil
plans. He talks to you about Master-D, the man Generalissimo Killt is
trying to revive to help him complete the Albatros. He leaves to get to
area 12. You get no reward for this level, however, you can get Super
Joe's gun in neutral area 18. Talk to Destroyer-3, and choose yes. The
first man is destroyer-1 (read the word bubbles carefully), and the
second is destroyer-2. Do not talk to either! If you do, choose no.
After you get the gun, head to area 10.

2j. Area 10

This is arguably the hardest level in the game. Bring the orange
communicator, rocket launcher, helmet, and medicine. This will be your
first encounter with the laser canons. Destroy them. The next part is
tricky. You have to swing yourself to the right, and then catch the
floor on the left. It is hard, so don't get frustrated. After getting
past this, you have to climb up, and let the slime on the left catch
you and bring you down. Kneel down, and let the slime bring you past
the spiked ceiling. Quickly grab onto the platform, and climb up, and
do the same with the next part. Communicate in the room, and then exit.
Wait for the moving platform to come by, then swing onto it. Kneel
down, and wait until you get to the part where you can swing off. Go
down, and proceed to the left. At the far left there are platforms
which you must climb. Get to the boss room, and you will face the Pi-
Pi-Pi defense mechanism. Kill it with one shot with the rocket
launcher, and then kill the reactor. You get a one up. Cheap bastards,
giving you such little reward for such a hard level.

2k. Area 11

This level is a tad easier than area 10, but is still difficult.
Bring the orange communicator, medicine, helmet, and rocket launcher.
There are flames on the bottom of the screen. Don't fall into them!
Make your way to the communications room by swinging on the platforms
and springs, and avoid the little machines. After communicating, you
will get to a very hard part. This requires absolute perfect timing
with the arm, otherwise you mess up. After getting past that part and
to the boss room, there is a platoon. Destroy the reactor. You will get
the bullet proof vest, which blocks two out of every three bullets. It
helps out a lot. Now to the final level!

2l. Area 12

While area 12 is not the most difficult level, it is the longest,
and reveals much of the plot. Bring the rocket launcher, orange
communicator, bullet proof vest, and medicine. The first part of the
level has a communications room (communicate with Super Joe), and after
doing that, go into the next room. It has an electrified floor. Get to
the door in the middle of the area while dodging the sparks. Go in and
destroy a power core. The level is not over! After destroying it, climb
up, and exit it. Take the elevator down, and go past the formerly
electrified barrier to another elevator. Take the elevator down to
another communications room. Communicate, and then head into the other
door. There is an electrified floor that moves faster sparks, and an
annoying ball and chain that messes up timing. The power room is at the
bottom. Destroy this power core, and exit. Climb up and exit. Go down
the elevator and past the formerly electrified barrier. There is
another elevator. Take this down, and swing past the spiked floor. You
will reach a room with Generalissimo Killt and Master-D! *gasp!* After
saying arrogant talk to you, he tells that the Albatros is complete and
has pulled the switch on the revival device. However, like any good
video game villain, Master-D doesn't want to stay dead. He drains the
life force from Killt, and comes out of the device. When his word box
comes up, you'll see a familiar face. Master-D is really Adolph Hitler!
After talking Hitler-speak to you, he says something that was
devoid of NES games. He swore! He said "You Damn Fool." In 1988, that was
nonexistent. He sends you to battle the Albatros. The Albatros is very
difficult to beat. There is a pulsating orange spot that is weak to
gunfire. It takes many hits with any gun, and will take some time to
kill. After you blow the Albatros, you find yourself in a hangar. After
speaking to Hal, he will give you the hyper bazooka. Swing the arm, and
jump off the edge. Aim for the cockpit of the chopper as you fall. If
you time it right, you will hit the cockpit. If not, the chopper's
machine gun will slice to tiny pieces. If you hit it, you will see the
goriest and most rewarding death scene in NES history. Hitler's head
explodes right before your eyes! How groovy is that? But, the game is
not over! You have to escape from the base! Easy, right? You have 60
seconds to escape. A giant soldier will try to stop you, but don't
waste time trying to kill it. Escape, and watch the ending. It may
surprise you.

3. Area difficulty ratings

This is a list of the levels in the order you face them, and my
view of their difficulty, rating from 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest).

Area 1 - 2
Area 4 - 2
Area 5 - 3
Area 2 - 3
Area 3 - 2
Area 6 - 5
Area 8 - 4
Area 9 - 3
Area 7 - 3
Area 10 - 5
Area 11 - 4
Area 12 - 4

4. Neutral Zones in numerical order

4a. Area 13

The only thing useful in this area is the flares.

4b. Area 15

Find the Orange communicator here, and meet Killt!

4c. Area 16

Get the green communicator here.

4d. Area 17

Interrogate the soldier held prisoner to get the secret passage
to get the helmet, and find out where Super Joe is.

4e. Area 18

Get Super Joe's Machine gun here.

5f. Area 19

This place is useless. Nothing of interest.

5. Bosses and Recommended strategies.

5a. Platoons

There is no real strategy for the platoons. Kill the standing
still soldiers (like the bazookas, commanders, etc), and then attack
the energy core.

5b. Bearded Soldiers

This guy has an arm that knocks you off, and a knife in front of
his bullet repelling shield. Get behind him, and rattle off shots. When
he turns around, get out of the way. Repeat as necessary.

5c. Pi-Pi-Pi defense system

Get behind it, and let loose your attack. This is the easiest
strategy.

5d. Giant Soldiers

They have an arm that can grab you and pull you towards them to
hit them and lose your energy. Shoot him from behind, as his front is
bullet proof. This means some fancy footwork. Some of them pause.

5e. The Albatros

The big one! The Albatros has several platforms and grasping
places. Use them to your advantage. When you get to the highest one,
let the barrage begin! If you get it right, you can get about three
hits of the rocket launcher in. Make sure to avoid the propulsion
system, as it will knock you off and make you lose energy.

5f. Destroying Master-D's chopper

This is relatively easy. Time your shot to hit the cockpit. Keep
trying.

5. Strategies and Tricks

Always look around in all directions! You may miss something.

Talk to everyone! This long lived RPG strategy helps in this game
too. If you miss someone, you may miss an item or important info!

Stock up on energy units. This helps later on.

Timing is everything. Don't be hasty, and advance with caution.

Try something different! You may find something new.

6. Other Versions of Bionic Commando

There are four versions of Bionic Commando. One is the arcade
version, called Top Secret in Japan, and Bionic Commando in the USA. It
is much different than the NES and Famicom versions. There are four
stages to complete, with Bionic action.

The next version is Top Secret, the game released in Japan that
is Bionic Commando here. It is quite different in looks and story than
game play. The whole title is Top Secret: Hitler's Resurrection or
something in that order. Master-D is Hitler. Killt had a real WW2
general's name. There were swastikas EVERYWHERE. In area 8, next to the
second comm. Room, there were two on the flags. The challenge was
different in certain areas, and placement of enemies differed as well
as certain missing features.

The version this FAQ talks about is NES Bionic Commando. It is
the same as Top Secret, except for the Nazi references, aesthetics, and
enemy placement.

The fourth version is the Game Boy version. I have not played it,
so I have no info on it. :)

There is a fifth (!) Version of BC, and it has just came out! It's
for Game Boy Color. I have yet to buy it, so look for info for that in another
FAQ!

7. Communicators, Guns, Items, and other weapons and gizmos

These are the communicators and their level uses:

Red - 1, 4, 5

Green - 2, 3, 6

Blue - 7, 8, 9

Orange - 10, 11, 12

These are the guns:

Normal gun - Shoots 1 bullet, you start with it.

Wide Gun - Shoots three bullets at a wide angle, but a low range.

Rocket Launcher - Penetrates and destroys enemies, only 1 at a
time.

3-Way gun - Shoot in 3 directions, and breaks the barriers.

Joe's Machine Gun - Rapid Fire, shoots at a wide angle.

These are the Items:

Medicine - Restores health. Use with Start button.

Magazine - Enables rapid fire on normal gun.

Iron Boots - Kick enemies when swinging.

Helmet - Blocks 3 bullets

Flares - Light up area 4.

Pendant - Blocks 1 bullet

Permit - Enable entry to area 14 and 17.

Bulletproof Vest - Blocks 1 out of every two bullets.

One up - A free guy!

POW - A rotating energy ball surrounds you for 7 Seconds.

Bullet - Get them when enemies are killed.

Continues - Get a continue by killing big enemies (wired gunner,
suicide bombers, Jeeps) in the platoon trucks. They are shaped like
eagles.

8. Enemy List

Knife Soldier - Runs at you and stabs with knife.

Soldiers - In platoons, run at you and shoot.

Suicide Bombers - They throw bombs at you. Kill to get a
continue.

Jeep - Moves sideways and shoots at you. Kill to get a continue.

Bearded Soldier - Boss

Barrier Soldier - Makes electric barriers that hurt and unlock
Bionic Arm.

Double Deck Canon - Shoot at canons to kill.

Laser Canon - Shoots lasers at angles.

Helicopter - Run by dwarves. Shoot to kill dwarves and chopper.

Wired Gunner - Has a wire to block bullets. Kill to get a continue.

Construction Soldier - Punches that hurt!

Generalissimo - It's Killt!

Dwarf - Short soldiers. Kneel to shoot and kill.

Wired Soldier - Uses wire to avoid shots.

Crane Caterpillar - Crane trucks. Chain blocks bullets.

Normal Soldier - Just that. A normal soldier.

Bazooka - Bazooka shoots bombs and heavy bullets.

Pod - Flies and shoots bullets.

Remote Control Soldier - Controls the pods.

Heavy Object Throwing Soldier - Throws spiked balls.

Canon Mobile - A Canon on wheels.

Commander - Commands the platoons.

9. Credits

This FAQ is written by me, Kefka Floyd (Dan Vincent). Some of the
info here is based on the instruction manual. If you would like something
changed, please email me, and I will update it. Bionic Commando is copyright
1988 Capcom, and all other copyrights are to their original owners. This FAQ is
copyright 2000 Dan Vincent, all rights reserved. Don't steal it.