Arcade Vs NES - Commando

[@shotgunl]

I love Commando. I didn't see the arcade version back in the 80s and only first played that through emulation, not in MAME but I think the emulator was called Starcade maybe? Would have been at least 99. maybe 2000 because I know it was on the PC I worked for and built for Unreal Tournament (which will have it's 25th anniversary tomorrow! yikes, things that remind you that you are getting old...). I love the music in Commando, and I think it's worth saying just how much better it is than 1942, a game only 1 year apart. Tomayo did an great job with the music just as she did with other capcom games and with Taito/Zuntata. My only experience was Commando up until arcade emulation was with the NES version (well, I do remember seeing the box for the 7800 version), which dad got for me used at a flea market in '90. I had so much fun with that cart. One of my favorite games for the system though probably not top-10. These days, I kind of like the music and graphics in the 7800 port more, but I do like how the NES version plays. The arcade version definitely wins here versus the NES (or the 7800, 2600, C-64, Intellivision, etc). But...I do have a whole lot of nostalgia for Commando on the NES.

[@RetroComparisons]

First of all, Unreal Tournament will be 25 tomorrow?? Good god we're getting old! I do prefer the NES version more than any other home port that I've tried though to be fair I've never tried any of the computer versions. I agree that this is way better than 1942 (1943 though is awesome) and it's crazy to think what can change in a year, well at least back then. Also, the box art for the 7800 version is so much more badass than the NES box art.

[@shotgunl]

@@RetroComparisons Yikes, I just saw that it's the 30th anniversary of the US Sega Saturn release too...wow, definitely feeling old.

[@RetroComparisons]

@@shotgunl I feel like that Matt Damon gif from Saving Private Ryan.

[@mikec3260]

I would have loved to have this on the 2600! Lucky!

[@K0ntakt5]

you played commando. suddenly, you are in your 50s and 60s now. where did it all go

[@RetroComparisons]

Time goes way to fast

[@baronhausenpheffer]

The NES version was a game I got very early on when owning an NES -- I think from a garage sale or something. It was an example of a game I could tell was actually pretty good, but it wasn't for me. I thought the difficulty was much more fair than many other "NES hard" style games, even if it required twitch reflexes. I think the arcade is clearly the winner here, but especially considering this was very early NES and arrived only a year after the arcade version debuted, I think this port is very impressive overall. Replicating the catchy (if repetitive) music was a big plus, too.

[@RetroComparisons]

You make a really good point about the difficulty. A lot of games with "NES hard" have mechanics like Castlevania 3 where it's hard to avoid being hit and those hits send you flying back into a pit or off of stairs. This at least gives you a chance if you "git gud" or have better reflexes than I do now at almost 40 years old. Of the 4 console ports that I've played of this game the NES is easily the best.

[@intylab]

There are also ports on the Atari and Intellivision. That would be fun.

[@RetroComparisons]

It's crazy that the 2600 got a port of both this and Ikari Warriors. I have those versions on a few videos including this one at the 12:30 mark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWe7iJSaqdNlnJI

[@ragintombo]

Was going to say it looks a little like Ikari Warriors but apparently this was first! (Ikari Warriors was going commando). Doesn't appear to be a tie in to the movie from the same year.

[@RetroComparisons]

Oh no wonder why they had to censor the crotches on the Ikari Warriors box. Me when recording the NES port before the arcade port: "NES, remember when I promised I'd play you last? I lied."

[@mikec3260]

The NES version is a very strong contender and a great port of the arcade. This is one of the harder games out there, when I was a kid and quarter hunting at the Laundromat, this is a game I would pump the quarters into. I have never made it past the second level in the arcade and the Game Genie made the NES version a lot of fun. Winner: Game Genie for making this game great! Other Winner: Capcom Arcade Classics for adding invincibility. 3rd Winner: Arcade I only beat this game due to cheating and 100% okay with this! Nice job sir on a game that's tough as nails!!!

[@f.k.b.16]

I really thought i remembered playing this as a kid but now that I'm here... Nothing about it seems familiar and I was expecting it to good music... Not sure what I'm thinking of but this wasn't it. I would like to play it though (with a game genie code of course 😂)

[@mikec3260]

@f.k.b.16 Commando and Gun Smoke are tough as nails. Yes playing through with game genie code was amazing. Although playing the arcade version on the Capcom Arcade Collection was rewarding!

[@RetroComparisons]

Lol! There's no shame in playing this game with invincibility. As you can see I couldn't even get 30 seconds of footage at a time without dying. Whenever I am editing one of these videos from a super hard game where I got my ass kicked I think of Mr. Burns getting dragged on the horse and saying "we did 20 takes and THAT was the best one". Also side note, that's freaking brilliant that Capcom Arcade Classics added invincibility. I never knew that and that's such a great idea.

[@RetroComparisons]

@@f.k.b.16 Haha yes cheating in this game is a must unless you want to keep seeing the first level over and over again. It could have been one of the games that came after it that took inspiration like Ikari Warriors that you were thinking of?

[@mikec3260]

​@@RetroComparisonsYeah it is a must with this game! You did good, this is a game you must consistently play in order to be okay at it. I think the Capcom Arcade Classics invincibility is a dlc add on for a couple bucks, 100% worth it! It is funny to play in fast forward plus invincibility. Nice job on this one man! A fun game that def brought back fun memories!

[@mtshark7]

I'd go with the arcade but the nes port is fun.

[@Mrgreenbrixx]

I go with the C64 Version

[@RetroComparisons]

I feel the same way.

[@KrunchyTheClown78]

The NES version is OK, but I think the 7800 version takes the win.

[@oldfan4049]

Hah, sound department got a big hit in the balls I'd say, and all the sprites flickering and overal way duller stage design makes this version not very good to say the least. Never played either version of this one, but if I do it'll be the arcade original or it's sequel on Genesis^^)

[@RetroComparisons]

I know a lot of people love this game but since I have no nostalgia and this was really a game of its time I don't like this one too much but I respect the hell out of it for what it did for the genre. The sequel Mercs on the other hand is a game I adore.

[@oldfan4049]

@@RetroComparisons Yay!))

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Unpopular opinion: I think the NES port is one of the weaker versions.

[@juststatedtheobvious9633]

Far from unpopular. If it wasn't for your comment just now, I'd have no idea anyone really liked it. That said, the Intellivision and C16 are a great bit of perspective. I might need to actually bite the bullets and see if the NES game is as bad as it looks. I've really only tried the Atari ports and C64.

[@juststatedtheobvious9633]

Edit: Nevermind, apparently we're outnumbered. At least in this comment section.

[@RetroComparisons]

I kind of like it but then again I've spent a decent amount of time playing the 2600, 7800 and Intellivision ports so it's at least better than those.

[@RetroComparisons]

@@juststatedtheobvious9633 The 2600 port is actually pretty crazy for it even existing but after having played that, the 7800 & Intellivision ports I think the NES version is pretty good.