Commando (World)

Capcom’s Commando arrived in American arcades in 1985 and delivers intense, top-down action for up to two players simultaneously. As members of an elite special forces unit, players navigate a jungle landscape battling hordes of enemy soldiers attempting to rescue captured comrades. Movement is deliberately slow and deliberate—a "walking shooter"—requiring careful positioning amidst the chaos as you dispatch foes with limited ammunition and powerful grenades. The game features branching paths and multiple objectives, encouraging replayability as players attempt to optimize their routes and scores. A timer constantly ticks down, adding pressure to the rescue mission, while enemy reinforcements appear unpredictably, demanding quick reflexes and tactical awareness. Commando marked Capcom’s only licensed title for Data East USA, launching a lineage that would later include titles like Mercs and Wolf of the Battlefield. Numerous ports have appeared on various platforms over the years, from home consoles to handheld devices, demonstrating its enduring appeal. A high score of 10,051,200 points was achieved by Tim Balderramos in 1986, establishing a benchmark for skilled players seeking arcade supremacy.