Bionic Commando is one of Capcom's beloved NES games, famous for its tight controls and excellent level design. Few games explore their mechanics so well as the grappling in Bionic Commando on NES.
But today...we're taking about the 1987 arcade original, and there is really not much to say. Bionic Commando in the arcade was slow and clunky with vertical level design that did more to frustrate than open up the grappling mechanic. At the end you shoot a helpless computer (or generator or something) and then shoot a near-helpless military commander and the game ends. Ultimately, Bionic Commando arcade just serves to show the incredible turnaround Capcom made with the NES game.
I was just listening to Retronauts and heard Jeremy Parish mention NES Bionic Commando as one of his favorite games. I must've tried it once when I first got my NES but I don't remember much about it. I want to go play it again.
I played Bionic Commando Rearmed, which is supposedly quite faithful to the NES game, and really enjoyed it. I'd love to play Rearmed 2.
I'll keep an eye out for it. Maybe it'll get put on Games with Gold one month.
I honestly remember playing NES Bionic Commando through an emulator, so on mouse and keyboard, and finding that version clunky and frustrating. I guess it just has to be played on an NES.
Yeah, I can't imagine mouse and keyboard is the way to go for that game 
Not many people are familiar with the arcade version of this. I love the nes version but i have played that too. on mame of course!
It's an interesting game to play as a historical curiosity. The NES version made it though.
I remember seeing this in arcades back in the day and noting how much different it was than the NES version. Lots of arcade ports back then were a lot different when on a console.
My friend and I beat NES Bionic Commando when we were kids (taking turns each stage). We were shocked at the ending. I don't know how we beat it, though, because I sure can't beat it now!
When it comes to games that require quick timing and precise reflexes, there is just something in the young child's mind that clicks with it. That and being willing to try again and again and again. Who's got time for that as an adult? 