We are not a few who have grown up with the most popular war action figures from Hasbro: the famous G.I. Joe, authentic icons of the culture of the 80s. Review with us his most famous game.
Remembering, you will easily remember the wide range of figures and vehicles that were launched on the market for decades, with which many of you lived countless adventures and also enjoyed several series of drawings that were broadcast on television for many years.
The popularity of these small articulated figures, in the hands of millions of children around the world, prompted the adaptation of the endless battles between G.I. Joe y Cobra to the video game world: GIJoe Cobra Strike (Atari 2600), GIJoe A Real American Heroe (Apple II, Commodore 64), ActionForce (Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum), Action Force II (Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum), G.I. Joe (NES), GIJoe The Atlantis Factor (NES), GIJoe Arcade Game (arcades) and GIJoe Rise of Cobra (Xbox360, PS3, Wii, N, PS2, PSP) are the titles that make up the range of virtual adventures of the popular toys of Hasbro.
However, in this look at the past we will focus on that action game released by Konami in 1992 exclusively for recreational purposes (unfortunately, no console received any port of this great arcade), which without a doubt, is the best valued and most remembered program by fans among the handful of video games dedicated to the universe of G.I. Joe
The premise and objectives of the game were, as could easily be guessed, to repel the new attempt at Cobra for dominating the world, counting as the only selectable protagonists with Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock y Snake Eyes. The gameplay was very simple: the player used the arcade stick to move laterally and to move the crosshairs on the enemies, having a machine gun and a rocket launcher as the main weapons, in addition to having different items to recover life or get ammunition. The character moved continuously, with the camera following him from behind, without the possibility of turning or jumping: enemy shots could only be avoided by moving laterally. In addition, the arcade cabin was prepared to support up to four simultaneous players, this feature being one of the strengths of the title.
The first thing that caught the attention of the title was its color and graphic level, thanks to which we could quickly recognize the characters, infantry and vehicles that many of us had in our room.
In addition, at the sound level, Konami He surprised us with details such as the introduction of the tuning of the series in those years to liven up the first level of the game.
Despite the large number of characters that made up the world of G.I. Joe, in the game of Konami they only appeared Duke, Roadblock, Snake Eyes y Scarlett of the side Joe, while representing Cobra we were able to meet with Metal-Head, Baronesses, Tomax y chamot, Major Bludd, Destro and Cobra Commander, exercising the latter as bosses in the different levels of the game, which were only three, but had different sections: a chemical plant of Cobra, a secret base in some caves and the air base of Cobra.
GIJoe Characters
Duke
Scarlett
Roadblock
Snake Eyes
Cobra Characters
Tomax and Xamot- The twins were the first bosses in the game that we faced in chemical silver. Easy peasy.
Metal-Head: second boss, who was in charge of making things difficult for us while firing missiles at us, assisted by numerous soldiers.
Baronesses: This twisted lady faced us aboard a gigantic bomber with which Cobra it was attacking major cities.
Major Bludd: this bloody mercenary surprised us in the middle of the jungle attacking us from the air with his jet pack.
Destro: is in front of MARS., main supplier of arms of Cobra, and tried to stop our feet aboard an imposing Hammerhead.
Cobra Commander: supreme leader of Cobra, a dangerous unscrupulous man willing to do anything to take control of the world. He was the last boss to beat at the airbase in Cobra.
Undoubtedly, G.I. Joe It was one of the funniest arcades of its time and a rare rarity to find today: the most unconditional collectors and fans would break their faces to get one of the recreational furniture.
Really surprised how Konami managed to compress, in a game with such simple but addictive development, the universe of the animated series: some of the best-known characters –which we have just reviewed-, soldiers Cobra, Alley vipers, Annihilators, Laser viperstanks HISS II, condors… Among many others, they made an appearance in the game.
Currently, it is hard to believe how wasted the potential of a license like this is, which today continues to move an important market for collecting retro figures, commemorative editions and others, with a huge community of fans on the net, and even a second animated film was released: GIJoe Resolute, with a more adult cut and with Warren Ellis as a screenwriter, a film that could perfectly make for a good video game. As we all know, the film with real-life actors did well at the box office and had its corresponding video game adaptation that, incidentally, left a lot to be desired. The next summer premiere of GI Joe Retaliation It will be followed, as expected, by the corresponding video game, although there are not many expectations that we can generate given the previous result.