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Story

Captain Commando is set in a futuristic vision of Earth in the year 2026, where the eponymous hero, Captain Commando, leads a group of elite crime fighters known as the Commando Team. The team is tasked with protecting the world from a sinister villain named Scumocide, who aims to take over the world with his army of genetically enhanced super-criminals. The narrative, while straightforward, serves as a backdrop for the action-packed gameplay, emphasizing themes of teamwork and justice.

The Commando Team consists of four unique characters, each with their own distinct abilities and backstories:

• Captain Commando: The leader of the team, equipped with a powerful energy glove and a strategic mind.
• Jennety (Mummy Commando): A mysterious alien wrapped in bandages, wielding a variety of fire-based attacks.
• Ginzu the Ninja (Ninja Commando): A master of stealth and martial arts, armed with a katana and shurikens.
• Mack the Knife (Mack Commando): A knife-wielding mummy with a penchant for slicing through enemies with precision and speed.

Together, they traverse various environments, from cityscapes to alien-infested laboratories, battling through waves of enemies to thwart Scumocide’s nefarious plans. The story is presented through brief cutscenes and dialogue, maintaining a classic arcade style that focuses more on gameplay than intricate storytelling.

Gameplay

Captain Commando is quintessentially an arcade beat ’em up, offering players a choice of four characters, each with unique abilities and fighting styles. The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, emphasizing cooperative play, allowing up to four players to join forces and take on the criminal hordes simultaneously.

Character Abilities

Each member of the Commando Team offers a distinct playstyle:

• Captain Commando: Utilizes a combination of hand-to-hand combat and energy-based attacks. His signature move, the “Captain Fire,” unleashes a fiery blast to clear out enemies.
• Jennety: Known for his flame-based attacks, Jennety can incinerate foes with his fiery touch and regenerate health, adding a unique twist to the combat dynamics.
• Ginzu the Ninja: Excels in speed and agility, capable of performing swift sword strikes and evading enemy attacks with his ninja techniques.
• Mack the Knife: Specializes in knife combat, offering both ranged and melee options, making him versatile in both close-quarters and distant engagements.

Levels and Enemies

The game features several levels, each with its own set of challenges and enemy types. Players navigate through urban streets, seedy underworlds, and high-tech laboratories, encountering a variety of enemies ranging from standard thugs to mutant creatures and robotic adversaries.

Each stage culminates in a boss fight, requiring players to adapt their strategies and utilize their character’s strengths to overcome these formidable foes. The bosses are creatively designed, often incorporating elements of the level they inhabit, enhancing the thematic consistency of the game.

Cooperative Play

One of Captain Commando’s most praised features is its cooperative multiplayer mode. Supporting up to four players, the game encourages teamwork and strategic collaboration, allowing players to combine their abilities for devastating combo attacks. This cooperative aspect not only enhances the gameplay experience but also adds significant replay value as players experiment with different team compositions.

Graphics and Sound

For its time, Captain Commando boasted impressive graphics, utilizing Capcom’s CPS-1 arcade system board to deliver vibrant, detailed visuals that brought its futuristic world to life. The character sprites are well-animated, showcasing a level of detail and fluidity that became a hallmark of Capcom’s beat ’em up titles.

The stages are richly designed, each with its own distinct aesthetic, from neon-lit streets to cybernetic laboratories, contributing to the game’s immersive atmosphere. The enemy designs are equally varied, providing a visual diversity that keeps the gameplay engaging and visually stimulating.

Accompanying the visuals is a dynamic soundtrack that complements the game’s high-octane action. The music ranges from adrenaline-pumping tracks to more atmospheric tunes, setting the tone for each stage. The sound effects are equally impactful, enhancing the visceral feel of the combat with satisfying hits and explosive special moves.

Legacy and Reception

Upon its release in 1991, Captain Commando received favorable reviews for its engaging gameplay and cooperative mechanics. It stood out in the crowded beat ’em up genre, largely due to its unique character roster and futuristic setting. The game quickly became a staple in arcades, drawing players with its vibrant graphics and compelling cooperative play.

While it may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of Capcom’s other franchises, Captain Commando left a lasting impression on the beat ’em up genre. It paved the way for future titles by showcasing the potential of character diversity and cooperative gameplay in arcade settings.

The game has been ported to various platforms, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), PlayStation, and numerous digital re-releases, allowing new generations of players to experience its classic action. Its influence can be seen in subsequent Capcom games, where team-based mechanics and character variety became more prominent features.

Conclusion

Captain Commando remains a celebrated classic in the arcade beat ’em up genre, known for its engaging gameplay, distinctive characters, and cooperative multiplayer mode. Its impact on the genre is undeniable, as it introduced mechanics and concepts that would influence numerous titles in the years to follow.

While its narrative may be simple, the game’s emphasis on teamwork and variety in playstyles offers a timeless appeal that continues to resonate with players. As a part of Capcom’s illustrious lineup, Captain Commando has secured its place in gaming history as a beloved title that captures the essence of arcade gaming at its finest.