RoboCop (NES) Playthrough
5Playthrough of RoboCop, Data East's 1989 side-scrolling action game for the NES.
RoboCop for the NES is a side-scrolling action game developed by Data East and based on the 1987 film of the same name. Players control RoboCop, a cyborg police officer, as he moves through a series of urban environments to take down criminals and uncover a deeper corporate conspiracy. The game loosely follows the plot of the movie, incorporating key characters and scenes while adapting the action for the NES’s limitations.
Gameplay consists of walking from left to right, defeating enemies using both RoboCop’s fists and an array of firearms. The game features a unique mechanic where RoboCop cannot jump, emphasizing a more grounded and deliberate approach to combat and movement. His main weapon is his Auto-9 pistol, which is available in most levels, though players can occasionally pick up other weapons with limited ammo. Managing RoboCop’s energy and time limit adds an extra layer of strategy, as the player must complete levels before running out of power.
Level design is fairly linear, with a mix of enemy types including street thugs, attack dogs, and bosses inspired by scenes from the film. Enemy placement can be punishing, requiring players to memorize patterns and react quickly. RoboCop’s slower movement and inability to duck or shoot diagonally make positioning crucial in avoiding damage. Some levels include brief first-person shooting segments that offer a change of pace, requiring the player to shoot enemies and avoid civilians within a time limit.
The graphics are detailed for the NES, with recognizable character sprites and backgrounds that reflect the gritty, industrial tone of the movie. RoboCop’s sprite is large and well-animated, and the environments feature a mix of urban decay and high-tech interiors. The sound design includes music adapted from the film’s score, though it loops quickly and can become repetitive. Sound effects are basic but effective, with gunfire and explosions providing solid audio feedback during action sequences.
The game ccaptures the atmosphere of the source material well, and is a challenging and stylistically faithful adaptation that will appeal most to fans of the movie or players looking for a methodical, combat-driven experience.