Ranking RoboCop Video Game Ports: From Bad to Best

The RoboCop Phenomenon in Gaming

Paul Verhoeven’s RoboCop (1987) captured the zeitgeist of the ‘80s with its mix of brutal action, satirical humor, and themes of corporate greed. Naturally, the movie’s success led to a slew of video game adaptations across various platforms. While the 1988 arcade game by Data East set a high standard, its many ports ranged from iconic to infamous.

In this ranking, we explore the highs and lows of RoboCop’s video game legacy, evaluating ports across 8-bit, 16-bit, and handheld systems.

The Worst Ports: Misfires in RoboCop’s Justice

Commodore 64 (1989)

A potentially great game ruined by a game-breaking bug in the drug factory stage. Players were literally unable to progress without community fixes introduced years later. Despite standout music by Jonathan Dunn, this version remains a disappointment.

TRS-80 (1988)

A rudimentary port plagued by laughable sound design and choppy gameplay. RoboCop’s voice here sounds more like Kevin McAllister’s Talkboy in Home Alone.

NES (1989)

The NES port deviates wildly from the source material, with bizarre additions like brown-beret-wearing children attacking RoboCop and malfunctioning stairs. While nostalgic for some, it fails to deliver a cohesive or faithful experience.

Decent but Flawed: 8-Bit Efforts

Apple II (1988)

An impressive effort considering the aging hardware, this version offers single-screen gameplay with decent visuals. However, frame drops and a lack of scrolling functionality hinder the experience.

MSX (1988)

Another limited 8-bit port that struggles with multiscreen scrolling and awkward controls. Though better than the TRS-80 version, it still falls short.

IBM PC (1988)

This DOS version boasts vibrant graphics but is hampered by jarring sound effects that overpower its music. Controls are serviceable, but the experience feels dated compared to other platforms.

The Handheld Standout

Game Boy (1990)

A solid 8-bit interpretation that avoids the pitfalls of its NES counterpart. Featuring smooth gameplay and decent visuals, this portable version does justice to the RoboCop legacy.

The Best 8-Bit Ports

ZX Spectrum (1988)

Despite its monochrome graphics, this port excels in gameplay smoothness and animation quality. With impressive voice synthesis and captivating music, it’s a fan favorite among Spectrum enthusiasts.

Amstrad CPC (1988)

A colorful and polished port that outshines its 8-bit peers. Responsive controls, accurate collision detection, and voice synthesis elevate it above the Spectrum and C64 versions.

16-Bit Excellence

Atari ST (1989)

This version features larger sprites and more accurate visuals compared to the 8-bit ports. While occasional lag and the distracting bezel around the gameplay screen are minor drawbacks, it remains a strong contender.

Commodore Amiga (1989)

The definitive RoboCop port. With a larger gameplay screen, smoother controls, and impressive voice synthesis, the Amiga version edges out its Atari ST counterpart. The shooting gallery mini-game between levels adds extra polish, making this port the most faithful to the arcade experience.

Final Thoughts: RoboCop’s Video Game Journey

From the broken frustration of the Commodore 64 port to the polished brilliance of the Amiga version, RoboCop’s video game adaptations vary wildly in quality. Each version reflects the limitations and ambitions of its respective platform, capturing different facets of Alex Murphy’s cybernetic crusade against crime.

Which version of RoboCop did you grow up with, and how does it rank in your nostalgia-fueled memories? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: Ranking RoboCop Ports.