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NDS: can it resurrect Bionic Commando?

Shikamaru Ninja

任天堂 の 忍者
The GBA created a platform for developers to continue old-school franchises in the same traditional manner with an affordable budget. The only drawback perhaps is that most developers probably wanted to cash in and spend as little money as possible; hence all the ports-remakes we received.

In comes the Nintendo DS. As opposed to the PSP, the DS games warrant a smaller budget. Some also feel that the Nintendo DS audience is expected to be more receptive to old-school Nintendo system titles (Castlevania, Contra, Double Dragon, etc). In contrast, the PSP seems more of a platform for higher budget games and more in legacy to the PS2 familiar IPs (NBA Street PSP, Devil May Cry PSP, GTA PSP).

With Castlevania, Super Mario Bros, Metroid Dread having found a home on NDS. Can we expect more franchises returning to form on the NDS.

BC-Ending-Resurrection.gif


More nominees of great 2D franchises that should be revived on the NDS.

Blaster Master. Strider. Contra. Double Dragon. Final Fight. Rolling Thunder. Ninja Gaiden.

Does Sunsoft still even exist for a possible Blaster Master sequel?
 
I can't see Bionic Commando working in any way other than 2D on the Nintendo DS. Sadly, I think the gameplay's a bit behind the times for a 3D update.
 
Only if it's 2D. The first time I played Bionic Commando was on C64 - 17 years ago. Back then I didn't even know it was an arcade game. Funny how the time flies...
 
I actually just picked up the NES Bionic Commando two days ago to give it another run. I loved the snot out of it back in the day, and it is good to see that the gameplay still holds up. Man, a portable DS version would make me quite happy.

As for other 2D sidescrollers: I would play a new Golgo 13 game. :)
 
With the new 2D Ghouls N' Ghosts from Capcom going to to PSP, I would think a revival of Bionic Commando could go PSP's way. Although it would be cool to grapple from the bottom screen to the top screen on NDS.
 
Who cares about companies' budgets? Give it to us on the PSP.

We do. The higher the development cost, the less likely we see what is considered niche games. Original games, Old school revivals, etc.

With the new 2D Ghouls N' Ghosts from Capcom going to to PSP, I would think a revival of Bionic Commando could go PSP's way.

Honestly I was pretty shocked. One thing we will see if there will be multi-platform PSP/NDS titles. On 2D titles it is very possible.
 
Shikamaru Ninja said:
Blaster Master. Strider. Contra. Double Dragon. Final Fight. Rolling Thunder. Ninja Gaiden.

You pretty much mentioned all the games that I wish these companies could resurrect in 2D, especially the ones that are bolded. I could also see old-school games like Cabal and Wild Guns using the touch screen to aim. It would work so perfectly.
 
Shikamaru Ninja said:
We do. The higher the development cost, the less likely we see what is considered niche games. Original games, Old school revivals, etc.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how Goku Makaimura performs. Personally, I think it'll be profitable.
 
The director of Bionic Commando is currently doing Ghouls and Ghosts on PSP, so perhaps a PSP update is more of a possibilty?
 
The director of Bionic Commando is currently doing Ghouls and Ghosts on PSP, so perhaps a PSP update is more of a possibilty?

If I recall he is the producer of Ghouls N Ghost PSP. He has been involved in many Capcom games but it doesn't say what his role was with them.
 
I only wanted a new 2D Mystical Ninja and it happened. Play the GBC Bionic Commando done by NST. Its quality, except for the weird save bug.
 
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces was pretty good. I mean it's even a lil better than the Game Boy Bionic Commando by Capcom.
 
radcliff said:
With the new 2D Ghouls N' Ghosts from Capcom going to to PSP, I would think a revival of Bionic Commando could go PSP's way. Although it would be cool to grapple from the bottom screen to the top screen on NDS.

I bet the new GnG bombs by PSP game standards, and people will be even more iffy on making new 2D platformers for PSP. :\

That sucks. I just don't see it selling very good. :\
 
Ruzbeh said:
...Jarrod's list has "Team Ninja project" listed by Tecmo for NDS. So it could be?

There is a Team Ninja DS project, that has already been announced. It has heavily been rumored to be a DS NG, but nobody has said boo about the project since.

By the way, I'm surprised the conversation hasn't steered this way yet, but I'd like to throw it in: Bionic Commando DS controls? I'm not in favor of a touchscreen BC. The game's control always seemed about working within the limits of the hook, and a modern game might have to give you full 180degree (or 360, if warranted) hook control. That works for Spiderman, and there might be fun to slinging the hook freely, but I'm not sold on it yet being fun and challenging the way Bionic Commando is. Tossing grapple lines direcly with the touchpad seems to take even more of the original out. However, that's me being doubtful without seeing proof of concept. I've played a few newer 2D and 3D games with grapples, and the addition wasn't anything special, but the games also weren't built around the one cool gadget and didn't really try to make it special.
 
Kleegamefan said:
The director of Bionic Commando is currently doing Ghouls and Ghosts on PSP, so perhaps a PSP update is more of a possibilty?
One can only hope, given that they already have 2.5D engine in place for GnG.
 
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