Commando | NES | Nintendo Entertainment System

About the Game

Commando is a vertically scrolling run-and-gun action game. You control a lone soldier, Super Joe, who advances through enemy territory while fighting large numbers of hostile troops. Armed with a rifle and a limited supply of grenades, players must survive waves of soldiers, destroy enemy positions, and reach the end of each stage. Depending on the version, the game supports single-player or alternating two-player play.

Story & Setting

Along the way, players can rescue prisoners for bonus points, adding optional risk during the assault.

Gameplay & Core Systems

The rifle has unlimited ammunition and fires in the direction the soldier is facing, making movement and positioning important during combat. Grenades are limited but more powerful, allowing players to attack enemies at a distance, clear groups, or hit targets that are harder to reach with gunfire. Enemy soldiers attack from all directions, sometimes charging directly, firing from a distance, or emerging from trenches, buildings, and other hiding places. Some enemies occupy fixed positions that require players to approach from the right angle or use grenades to defeat them safely. The scrolling terrain includes trees, bridges, rivers, barriers, and fortified areas, forcing players to keep moving while watching for ambushes and incoming fire.

Standout Features

• Additional grenades can be collected during play, and careful use of them is often necessary when facing clustered enemies or fortified positions.
• Stages often culminate in heavily defended areas where groups of enemies pour in before players can advance.
• Each stage is a continuous advance through hostile territory, with the screen scrolling upward as players pushes forward.
• Points are awarded for defeating enemies, rescuing prisoners, collecting items, and clearing stages, while losing all lives ends the game.

Modes & Ways to Play

Player support includes Hot Seat and 1-2 Players.