G.I. Joe (video game)
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G.I. Joe was the title of a video game released for the NES. It was published by Taxan and developed by KID. The game was based on the popular toy line, animated series, and comic series of the same name. The game was very successful for its graphics, sound, playability, and overall handing of the franchise. Capcom followed up with a sequel that generated more mixed results called G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor.
In the game you picked among a group of G.I. Joe characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and marched through roughly six levels (16 stages) of action in a quest to finally bring down Cobra Commander and his ruthless terrorist organization. The playable characters included Duke, Snake Eyes, Blizzard, Captain Grid Iron, and Rock and Roll. General Hawk would make himself available during the game's last levels. You collected icons in the game that increased your character's abilities. Gun icons would increase weapon strength, K-rations would recover energy, and Chevron icons would increase your character's maximum stamina. Bullet icons that refilled your ammo and bulletproof vest icons that granted temporary invincibility were also available. Certain levels also had empty enemy vehicles that you could ride in. The three different vehicles were available were the Buzz Boar, the Pogo, and the Battle Copter.
The format of each level was broken up into three different stages. In the first stage, you had to fight your way into a Cobra base. In the second stage, you had to plant a series of bombs. The third stage of each level was always a duel with the base's leader. The enemies and bosses from the video game were familiar to fans of the franchise.
It took a skilled gamer to beat the game as the boss battles were particularly unforgiving. The Game Genie was a big help. A password feature allowed you to resume your game at a later time. Cobra Commander was, of course, the final boss, though Destro was easily the game's most difficult enemy. After you beat the game, and were given an impressive ending, you were then given the option to restart the game from the beginning, only items would be located in different places and your team is limited to two. There is a third quest as well, which puts items in hard-to-find places as well as reduce the bonuses items give you, plus the enemies and traps are much stronger.
The game had impressive animations and cut-scenes between the levels, after you defeated a level and before you met a boss.
[edit] Game characters
There are five playable characters in the game, each with his strength to bring to the game. Players can choose three for each mission. During gameplay, the player can easily alternate between characters by pressing the “pause” button. The basis for the characters’ skills are agility, stamina, strength and firepower.
- Duke – The most rounded. Basically the most balanced, possessing the mid-level skills and powers of his comrades.
- Snake-Eyes – Snake-Eyes can jump higher and punch/throw faster than his teammates and he is also the only one who does not use up any ammunition, using white fireballs instead.
- Capt. Grid-Iron – The captain has the greatest fist power and is average in other departments. Grid-Iron is often overlooked because he is very similar to Duke, but with a shorter jump and a smaller spread weapon.
- Rock ‘n Roll – He has the strongest firepower and the widest range of all but all his other ratings are at or near bottom.
- Blizzard - The most underused of the Joes, he is sub-par in most skills except stamina. Blizzard may come in handy during the Antarctic world, but otherwise does not stand out in any specific areas, though his throwing speed is almost as fast as Snake-Eyes. His special ability is that he can shoot through solid walls.
- General Hawk – This version of General Hawk is based on the 1991 edition of his action figure. He is the only unit who can fly and a requirement when facing Cobra Commander. He only becomes available for use in the final stage.
[edit] Game Vehicles
There are three obtainable vehicles in the game, each with unique abilities. You enter the vehicle by crouching into it. You could get out and destroy the vehicle at any time by pressing 'Select'. The vehicle would have its own weapon, its own infinite ammo supple, and its own energy bar that could not be recovered. Any K-ration icons you pick up would recover the character's energy, but not the vehicle's.
- Cobra Battle Copter – The first vehicle you can discover. It has the fewest energy points, but gives you the ability of flight if you hold down the jump button. It's weapon is a spray gun.
- Cobra Buzz Boar – This vehicle lets you climb the walls and ceilings. The Buzz Boar uses a orbiting ball that spirals outward to attack.
- Cobra Pogo – The strongest of the vehicles, the ability of the Pogo was it could jump incredible distances and fire a spread-shot in three different directions.
