Retro Game Review: RoboCop

Players: 1

Co-op: No

Genre: Shooter

Release Date: 08/25/1989

ESRB Rating: E

Developer:  Enigma Variations Ltd |Ocean | Ocean Software Ltd.

Publisher:  Data East Corporation

Platform Reviewed On: Nvidia Shield Android TV (Retroarch core: Nestopia)

Additional Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System, Arcade, and various other platforms with different developers.

Initial Thoughts: In the late 1980’s and early 90’s RoboCop was huge. Now even though the movie was rated R it sure was advertised to kids during that time. They had toys, merchandise, and even his own cartoon show. So of course he would have his own video game as well. A little side note however if my mom had known that RoboCop was rated R I’m sure I wouldn’t have had the video game and had any of the toys. But however she didn’t find this out until a few years ago so the damage was already done. LOL! Anyway there actually were several versions of this game by different developers. However for this review we will be focusing on the NES version of this game. RoboCop games that came out later especially on the SNES, and Sega Genesis were a bit better graphically in my opinion, but I only rented those games and I don’t remember them being memorable. Maybe I’ll do a review on one of those games later on down the line. Maybe RoboCop vs. Terminator. They should’ve made that a movie!

Description: The story to this game is pretty much based on the movie. Crime and drugs has gotten out of control and is at an all time high in the city of Detroit and only RoboCop can restore peace to the city. This is a classic side scrolling shooting game kind of similar to Contra. You play as RoboCop going through levels punching and shooting street thugs, and dogs (poor doggies). However you can’t always use your gun. Typically you start out punching your enemies. When you reach a certain part of the level RoboCop will take out his gun and you are free to use your gun. But not every bad guy will go down by just shooting them. There are some that you have to punch to get to go down. At the bottom of your screen you have a P indicator and T indicator. The P stands for power or health. The T is your time indicator of his battery. You will see P and the lightning rod canisters during the level so you need to get these as you go through the level. RoboCop will take damage regardless of how hard you try. He can’t jump and he is pretty slow. There are no extra lives but if you die you get to continue at the level you were at. However there are no checkpoints but the levels don’t seem too long. But I guess it depends how far you get in the game. I personally only have ever made it up to the 3rd level. Sad I know. I’m sure is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the this game but I personally feel it wouldn’t be all the awarding. (Probably one of the reasons I didn’t break my neck trying to be beat this game). Overall not too much to the game. It’s basic but it’s not a walk in the park either.

Music: Here’s a link to the soundtrack of this game.

Final Thoughts: This game was a part of my introduction to gaming. Even though I never beat it I would always go back to this game just to see if I could make it further than I did the last time. I never let the game frustrate me however. Maybe because I knew I couldn’t beat it but I just had fun playing it. I’m not sure. It’s kind of hard to put my finger on. For the time this game was popular I don’t think it was the best game but it sure had replay value. That is probably the reason why I kept coming back. If you are a fan of classic NES Shooters and are a big retro gamer definitely give this game a try. You’ll probably enjoy it. Also look for the Data East Building if you get a chance. LOL!

My Score: 7.5/10. I feel that is a fair score to give this retro game. It wasn’t the greatest game during its time but with RoboCop being as big as it was during that time you know that this game does have a cult following.

Video Gameplay Footage: I’ll be doing a Twitch Stream on this soon. Let’s see if I can past level 3. LOL! I also want to do some Gameplay of the Arcade game as well!