In August 2008, two games were released that had a very big effect on the gaming industry. But you couldn't buy them at Gamestop, Best Buy, or Walmart. They were only available digitally, at first on Xbox Live Arcade. One of them, Braid, was an artsy but obtuse 2D platformer that pretty much single-handedly jumpstarted the indie revolution. Now, I'm not here to to debate the merits of Braid or its creator. But it was a significant game that heralded a whole new world for the industry, and we can trace the reborn genre of 2D games including Ori and the Blind Forest, Hollow Knight, and many lesser (and sometimes pretentious) games back to Braid, as well as the dawn of the digitally-delivered indie game industry.
But this blog isn't about Braid. It's about another game that was released in August of 2008 for Xbox Live Arcade (and I think Windows too at the time). That game is Bionic Commando: ReArmed, a remake/reenvisioning of the original 8-bit NES game Bionic Commando. Updated with modern graphics, a revitalized soundtrack, and some new (and sometimes questionable) features, it was an immediate hit, especially for those of us who had a lot of nostalgia for the original game.
Nowadays we take 2D remakes like this for granted. We've had it done for Ducktales, Mickey Mouse Games, and many another ancient hit. But Bionic Commando: ReArmed (mostly) did it first.
I was thrilled with the release of this game. I enjoyed it very much. I have to admit, I must have beat the original NES game dozens of times, each time culminating in the payoff of watching Hitler's head explode. I loved everything about that game. At the time, I probably could have beaten it blindfolded (maybe not).
The thing about remakes like this is they finally provide us with the games we always imagined we were playing when we were younger. It's easy for young people to look back at the crappy NES graphics and find it hard to imagine why anybody would play them. But our imaginations were part of those experiences. With a remake like ReArmed, we finally saw the game we always imagined (sort of).
Neither of these games is a masterpiece (not to me, anyway). But their effects on the video game world can barely be comprehended.
I could never get into Bionic Commando cause I was always too tempted to jump.
But while I probably would prefer the remake (or the 3D game that came out the same year, if I'm not mistaken) I don't think NES graphics are crappy. I think that was probably the first era of home consoles where there was a distinct style that looked pretty good. Why else would games like Celeste and Shovel Knight try emulating that style to some extent (albeit with much better hardware and fewer limitations on graphics).
Now, Atari or Commodore 64? Those games look outdated to me, but maybe this is all just an age question. Maybe those look fine if you grew up with them, like NES games look fine to me.
yeah, it's weird not being able to jump in a game. I remember when Ocarina of Time came out and the jump was automatic and people were like "What the hell is this?" But it worked pretty well!
I think NES graphics are hit and miss. Some games, like SMB3, are elegant. But others are a bit ugly.
I kind of wish they'd gone with Arc System Works instead of the developer they went with for BC. ASW did a good job with Hard Corps: Uprising as an update to Contra.
I think Grin did a good job with this. But boy, did they blow it with the 3D version.
I bought Braid back in the day. Didn't really like it much because it got too hard.
I didn't get the Bionic Commando remake because I wasn't a big fan of the original, which was also too hard. I have a friend who REALLY liked it, though. I think it's interesting that the character in the Bionic Commando remake made it into Marvel vs. Capcom 3. When we were kids, my friend and I rented the original Bionic Commando on NES and took turns playing stages and we beat it. But I don't know HOW we did that. I certainly can't do it now! We were really surprised at the ending as kids, though.
I didn't like Braid either. Didn't know what to do. But I liked the aesthetic.
I was crazy about Bionic Commando when I was a kid. It was a real art with the grappling hook once you got the hang of it.
Great music too.
The thing that held this game back for me was that I played it on the Xbox 360...and that D-pad was terrible! 
I did make it all the way through the game but I quickly gave up on the challenge rooms. I got the sequel on PS+ one time, I think, but never did get around to playing it. At least the PS3 has a much better D-pad.
I can't remember how I played with the D-Pad. I never finished it (got stuck on a boss), and I can't remember if the swinging was as artful as it was on the NES. I'd like to give it another shot though. Maybe I'll get it on steam sometime if it's on there.
Ah, the early days of Xbox and digital downloads. Braid was such a big deal, but I never liked it. It asked you for very precise jumping and that always drives me crazy. Why should I miss that easy jump up a ledge four times in row? Because I'm not doing it pixel perfect? Bah!
Was that the Bionic Command with the wife/arm? Who thought of that?
wife/arm?
Yeah, we take digital download games for granted now, but it all started back then. Crazy.
It was part of the story for Bionic Commando 2009, the full console game after Rearmed. His wife is somehow part of his bionic arm which needs an emotional connection to the host to work right. It's one of the wackiest video game story elements of all time for me. I should go play the game to get the full experience.
Jeez. I bought it but didn't get very far in it. Got frustrated with it. That sounds crazy.
Funny thing is, I just came across a similar instance in Klonoa 2. You carry a ring that has your priestess friend inside it enabling you to grab enemies. I guess it's not as unusual a concept as I thought.