GAME CLEAR No. 17 -- Captain Commando

Captain Commando (1991, Multiplatform)

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Clear Date: 2/3/2021
Clear Version: Arcade
Clear Platform: Switch
Compilation: Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle

Another easy, credit-fed weeknight arcade clear. Teamed up with a buddy to take this one down. At his behest, I downloaded the bundle to do something I truly love: shoot the shit while playing a beat ’em up. It’s one of the ultimate genres to play to that end. At their worst, beat ’em ups should be a non-irritating way to punch some guys while catching up with a friend. At their best, you get games like Streets of Rage 4, a technical delight that feels great to play and acts as a great social setting. Captain Commando lies more in the camp of the merely fine, but that’s all right.

The game is at least goofy. The fairly generic title character is joined by a mummy, a ninja, and a mech-driving baby in his quest to stop whoever the bad guy was (I already forgot). You can punch and jump and do a special move. That’s it! Or at least that’s all I figured out. Pretty simple, but with unlimited continues, it at least means you basically do not have to think about what you’re doing at all. Just wipe out bad guys, enjoy the solid pixel-art, and have a nice time with a friend.

Now more than ever, we’re all in this new socially distanced normal together in these unprecedented trying times. Play a beat ’em up online with a friend. You could do worse than Captain Commando.