Commando (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Sculptured Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1989

Commando is a vertically scrolling run 'n' gun game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1985.

+ Includes difficulty options to tailor the game to your skill level, and the stages are well designed with fair checkpoints. 

+ Diagonal shots are easier to hit compared to the NES port (1986), and the Machine Gun is a great inclusion for auto-fire.

+ Fun bosses as the limited space and swarms of enemies resemble the claustrophobia of Robotron: 2084 (1986, Atari 7800).

+ POKEY sound is a gigantic step up from most other 7800 games and the SFX add sufficient weight to the frenetic combat.

- While a two-player mode is present it doesn't allow you to battle simultaneously, as the action is turn-based only.

- Scrolling is choppier than the NES version and there's heavy slowdown when fighting large groups (e.g. during boss battles).

- Missing the cut-scenes between missions and the underground bunkers are incredibly cryptic to locate.