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Bionic Commando Cheats & Secrets for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360

Bionic Commando key art

Bionic Commando Cheats & Secrets for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360

2009’s Bionic Commando is Capcom’s 7th-generation attempt to revive the Bionic Commando franchise as a third-person 3D action game. Notably, Capcom would not develop the title in-house, instead opting to pass development duties to Swedish developer Grin. The game is the first official sequel to the events of 1988’s Bionic Commando on the NES, retconning the Game Boy Color game from 2000. The title was originally released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 19, 2009, with a Windows PC version arriving not long after on July 28, 2009.

Interestingly, Bionic Commando would prove to be polarizing among critics. While many Western outlets would award the title fairy average reviews, Japanese publication Famitsu awarded Bionic Commando a very respectable 34/40. Player response to the title would also be similarly split, with many noting that the game’s swinging mechanics open up the opportunity for some inventive combat and traversal, while others found the game’s linear structure and arbitrary limitations frustrating. Though Bionic Commando would initially get off to a slow start with its sales, the game has since moved over 1.3 million units as of June 2022, solidifying itself as a 7th-generation cult classic.

Bionic Commando Premise

Bionic Commando gameplay

Picking up 10 years after Nathan’s successful battle against the FSA, Bionic Commando sees the once-great titular hero stripped of his honor and placed in prison. After attempting to save his partner’s life, Nathan is accused of treason and held in anticipation of his execution. When a terrorist group calling itself “BioReign” initiates a bionic purge, Ascension City is thrown into chaos, prompting the government superiors who betrayed Nathan to once again request his service. Together with his former partner Jayne Magdalene, Nathan sets out in search of missing operative Joe “Super Joe” Gibson while also seeking to learn answers regarding his missing wife’s whereabouts.

In terms of its gameplay, Bionic Commando is a 3D action-adventure title with some shooting elements and semi-open levels. Though the game is linear and not open-world, each level presents players with a semi-open sandbox that they can swing around using Nathan’s bionic arm, which opens up some unique approaches to how players tackle each combat encounter and platforming section. Nathan’s bionic arm is the main focus of gameplay, as players can use it to swing around levels, throw objects at enemies, “kite” enemies by pulling them up into the air, and manipulate parts of the environment. In addition to his arm, Nathan also has several weapons at his disposal, including the standard pistol and shotgun as well as more experimental weaponry like lock-on rocket launchers.

Notably, the game shepherds players into primarily relying on their bionic arm by limiting the amount of ammunition players can find for each weapon. Additionally, the game’s guns have no reload mechanic, forcing players to acquire ammo drops to refill their magazines.

Bionic Commando Main Characters

Bionic Commando gameplay

The 3D reboot of the iconic Bionic Commando series picks up 10 years after the events of the NES original and its remake, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, once again putting players in the shoes of the titular hero Nathan Spencer, and his bionic arm. After years of faithful service, Nathan is betrayed by his government and placed in prison, only to be put back in action after a mysterious terrorist force detonates an experimental weapon triggering a bionic purge. Spencer and his partner, Lt. Jayne Magdalene, initially head out in search of operative Joe “Super Joe” Gibson, but quickly learn that not all is as it seems. The main characters in Bionic Commando include:

  • Nathan Spencer: Nathan “Rad” Spencer is the main protagonist of the Bionic Commando series and the hero of the 2009 reboot. After being framed for treason, Nathan takes back the mantle of being the Bionic Commando to thwart a rogue bionic terrorist organization.
  • Jayne Magdalene: Jayne Magdalene is Nathan’s partner and ally. The two work together to track down “Super” Joe Gibson.
  • Joe Gibson: Joe “Super Joe” Gibson is a former operative and ally of Nathan Spencer’s who ends up switching sides to work with the terrorist organization “BioReign”.
  • Groeder: Nathan’s counterpart and a secondary antagonist of Bionic Commando, Groeder is the opposing force’s Bionic soldier and the final boss of the game.

Games in the Bionic Commando Series

Though the original Bionic Commando in arcades would prove to be a reasonable hit for Capcom, it would be that game’s NES port/sequel that would solidify the franchise as a cult classic and one of the more iconic franchises of the third console generation. Following 1988’s Bionic Commando on NES, the series would remain largely dormant except for a Game Boy Color sequel more than a decade later, before finally being rebooted for modern audiences. To bring Bionic Commando back into the mainstream, Capcom would launch a remake of the 1988 NES classic as part of its 20th anniversary, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, which would also pave the way for the new 3D game in the series, also named Bionic Commando. Games in the Bionic Commando series include:

  • Bionic Commando (Arcade, Amiga, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, 1987)
  • Bionic Commando (Famicom/NES, 1988)
  • Bionic Commando (Game Boy, 1992)
  • Bionic Commando: Elite Forces (Game Boy Color, 2000)
  • Bionic Commando: Rearmed (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, 2008)
  • Bionic Commando (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, 2009)
  • Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, 2011)

Bionic Commando Cheats & Secrets

Though there are no official cheats for 2009’s Bionic Commando, there are plenty of secrets to uncover and bonuses to unlock. Additionally, PC players have the option to use third-party cheat engines and cheat trainer files to alter Bionic Commando‘s gameplay.

Bionic Commando Unlockables

Bionic Commando: Rearmed Bonuses

With both Bionic Commando and the retro reboot of the original, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, installed, players can complete tasks in Rearmed to unlock bonuses for use in Bionic Commando. After completing the requirements below, players will need to go to Bionic Commando‘s “Extra” menu and select “Unlock Features” to activate the bonuses.

UnlockableHow to Unlock
Prototype WeaponIn Bionic Commando: Rearmed, head to Area A and find the FSA Symbol there.
Purple MatrixCollect all 12 Yasichi symbols in Bionic Commando: Rearmed and then open the Yasichi door in Area 0.
Retro OutfitAutomatically unlocks if Bionic Commando: Rearmed is installed on your PC/console.

Retro Outfit (Alternate)

If you don’t have Bionic Commando: Rearmed, you can still unlock the classic Nathan “RAD” Spencer outfit from the original 1988 Bionic Commando by beating the main story. The costume will be available for use on any subsequent playthroughs.

Upgrades

Completing the following tasks will unlock different upgrades for Nathan Spencer in Bionic Commando.

UpgradeHow to Unlock
Ammunition Upgrade 1Kill a Grunt using a Grenade
Ammunition Upgrade 2Kill an enemy with the “Death From Above” skill
Faster Reload 1Defeat a Biomech
Faster Reload 2Use the “Kite” ability on 15 Grunts
FirestormKill 3 Grunts with one Bulldog shot
Hip ShotKill 10 Grunts
Hollow PointDestroy one Polycraft
In Your FaceKill 2 Grunts with a single Hiker shot
Light ArmorKill a Grunt in hand-to-hand combat
No ClippingDefeat the MOHOLE boss
PrecisionShoot an enemy while zoomed-in with the pistol
Red MatrixDefeat the MOHOLE boss
ReloadedKill 2 Grunts with the Bulldog while swinging
Six ShooterDestroy the Buraq
SledgehammerKill 3 Grunts with the Hiker while swinging
Super ChargesKill a Grunt using the “Whip Spin” attack
The Bullet HoserKill 3 Biomechs using hand-to-hand combat
White MatrixDefeat the Constructor

Challenges

Throughout Bionic Commando‘s campaign are Challenges — optional objectives separate from the main quest, many of which unlock several of the game’s achievements/trophies. Completing these Challenges offers up additional Challenges, new moves, and upgrades to Nathan Spencer’s existing moves and equipment.

ChallengeHow to Unlock
Arm and Wire Action: Leap Up!Perform a leap up
Arm and Wire Action: BarrageKill 3 enemies at the same time using “Death From Above”
Arm and Wire Action: Feel the Beat, Y’all!Kill 30 Grunts using hand-to-hand combat
Arm and Wire Action: First SwingPerform a swing
Arm and Wire Action: Hand-to-HandKill a Grunt using hand-to-hand combat
Arm and Wire Action: Incoming!Kill an enemy using “Death From Above”
Arm and Wire Action: Jabber ManKill 10 Grunts using hand-to-hand combat
Arm and Wire Action: Kick In The BackPerform 2 Zip Kicks on an enemy
Arm and Wire Action: MonkeymanSwing for more than 30 meters without touching anything
Arm and Wire Action: Pull!Kill an airborne enemy with a throw attack
Arm and Wire Action: Receiving EndThrow an object at an enemy
Arm and Wire Action: Reel InPerform Reel In 3 times
Arm and Wire Action: Speed SwingerComplete 5 consecutive Speed Swings
Arm and Wire Action: SwingerComplete 3 consecutive Swings
Arm and Wire Action: The Pinball EffectKill 2 enemies with 1 throw
Arm and Wire Action: The PitcherKill 50 enemies using throw attacks
Arm and Wire Action: Train BlockPull down the vehicle blocking your way
Arm and Wire Action: Train WreckPull down 3 train cars
Arm and Wire Action: Worthy FoeKill 3 Biomechs in hand-to-hand combat
Enemy Combat: Anti-Air Measures!Destroy 1 Polycraft
Enemy Combat: Biomech SweeperDefeat 15 Biomechs
Enemy Combat: Blood TrialKill 10 Grunts
Enemy Combat: CrackerDefeat 5 Biomechs
Enemy Combat: Fair Fight!Defeat 1 Biomech
Enemy Combat: Headshot BonanzaKill 50 Grunts with headshots
Enemy Combat: NemesisKill 350 Grunts
Enemy Combat: Poly CruncherDestroy 10 Polycraft
Enemy Combat: SlayerKill 25 Grunts
Enemy Combat: The Bold ApproachHit a Biomech using “Death From Above”
Enemy Combat: Torn Into PiecesDestroy a Polycraft while airborne
Weapon Usage: Air To SurfaceKill 6 enemies while swinging using the Tarantula
Weapon Usage: Close UpShoot an enemy while zoomed-in
Weapon Usage: Drive ByKill 3 Grunts while swinging using the Hiker
Weapon Usage: Explosive DeliveryKill 2 Grunts while swinging using the Bulldog
Weapon Usage: KaboomKill a Grunt using a grenade
Weapon Usage: Let The Dog OutKill 3 Grunts with 1 Bulldog shot
Weapon Usage: Man Locked UpKill an enemy using the Tarantula’s lock-on
Weapon Usage: Rocket ManKill 10 enemies using the Tarantula
Weapon Usage: Stroke of LuckKill 1 enemy using the Bulldog
Weapon Usage: The RiverKill 5 Grunts with 1 grenade
Weapon Usage: The TurnKill 4 Grunts with 1 grenade
Weapon Usage: Two-Hit WonderKill 2 enemies with a single Hiker shot

Bionic Commando Secrets

Hidden Ending Message

After completing the game and watching the Credits sequence, a screen with red Morse Code will appear. Translating the Morse Code will reveal the German message:

“BESTAETIGE. AUSFUEHRUNG VON PHASE ZWEI VORBEREITET. AKTIVIERE PROJEKT ALBATROSS.”

Further translating this message into English reveals it to say:

“CONSENT. IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE TWO PREPARED. ACTIVATE PROJECT ALBATROSS.”

Resident Evil 5 Reference

At the beginning of Bionic Commando, after exiting through the hole in the side of the building, players can spot a Tricell billboard. Tricell is the shadow corporation that the remnants of Umbrella secretly control in Resident Evil 5.

Bionic Commando Cheat Engine Cheats (PC Only)

PC players can download any compatible third-party cheat engine and cheat trainer file for Bionic Commando. One such cheat trainer file can be found here and includes the following cheat options:

  • Infinite Health
  • Infinite Ammo

NOTE: Players must reactivate these cheats any time the game loads to a new area or level.

Bionic Commando Achievements/Trophies

Completing the following in-game tasks will unlock the corresponding achievements/trophies:

Achievement/TrophyDescription
Go-Go Bionic!Collect all other Trophies (PlayStation-exclusive, Platinum)
Choke on ThatKill Groeder
End GameComplete the final mission
The CollectorFind all Collectibles
I Got HardBeat the game on Hard mode
I Went CommandoBeat the game on Commando mode
Blood TrialKill 10 Grunts
Close UpShoot an enemy while zoomed-in
Leap Up!Perform a Leap Up
KaboomKill a Grunt using a grenade
Train WreckPull down 3 train cars
SwingerSwing for 3 meters without hitting the ground
Man Locked UpKill an enemy using the Tarantula’s lock-on
Stroke of LuckKill 1 enemy using the Bulldog
Kick In The BackPerform 2 Zip Kicks on an enemy
Receiving EndThrow an object at an enemy
Jabber ManKill 10 Grunts using hand-to-hand combat
Incoming!Kill an enemy using “Death From Above”
SlayerKill 25 Grunts
Torn Into PiecesDestroy a Polycraft using Zip-Kick
Fair Fight!Defeat 1 Biomech
CrackerDefeat 5 Biomechs
Whoo-paah!Kill a Grunt using Whip-Spin
Down to EarthKite 1 Grunt into another
Rocket ManKill 10 enemies using the Tarantula
Two-Hit WonderKill 2 enemies with a single Hiker shot
Explosive DeliveryKill 2 Grunts while swinging (Bulldog)
The Pinball EffectKill 2 enemies with 1 thrown item
Worthy FoeKill 3 Biomechs using hand-to-hand combat
Spence is in the AirKill 1 Polycraft using an Adrenaline move
The RiverKill 5 Grunts with 1 grenade
Let the Dog OutKill 3 Grunts with 1 Bulldog shot
BarrageKill 3 enemies at once using “Death From Above”
Air to SurfaceKill 6 enemies while swinging (Tarantula)
Drive-ByKill 3 Grunts while swinging (Hiker)
Pull!Kill an airborne enemy with a throw attack
Come Out and PlayKill a Biomech using an Adrenaline move
Crowd ControlKill 6 Grunts with 1 Whip attack
Shoot ‘Em Up!Kill 15 Grunts in the air
The PitcherKill 50 enemies using throw attacks
Feel the Beat, Y’all!Kill 30 Grunts using hand-to-hand combat
ShellshockKill 5 enemies using “Death From Above”
Headshot BonanzaKill 50 Grunts with headshots
Out of the BushDefeat the Buraq
Poly CruncherDefeat 10 Polycraft
NemesisKill 350 Grunts
Can You Dig It?Defeat the MOHOLE
Biomech SweeperDefeat 15 Biomechs
Whip ‘Em GoodWhip attack 50 enemies
Bionically ChallengedComplete all Challenges

Bionic Commando Cheat FAQs

Is Bionic Commando an open-world game?

Though the game does feature large semi-open levels, 2009’s Bionic Commando is not an open-world game. Instead, it is a linear, level-based game that affords the player some freedom in how they navigate through environments and tackle objectives.

Who is the main villain in 2009’s Bionic Commando?

The primary antagonist in the Bionic Commando reboot is Groeder, a fellow Bionic Commando like Nathan Spencer who works for the opposing force. Notably, Groeder is also a villain from the remake of the 1988 Bionic Commando, Bionic Commando: Rearmed. Nathan believes that Groeder dies at the end of the original Bionic Commando, only for him to show up again as the leader of a terrorist organization in 2009’s reboot.

Is Bionic Commando hard?

The 2009 reboot of Bionic Commando is similar to many other action, character action, or third-person shooter games of the era in that players will be acting as a one-man army against waves of enemies using both melee combat and firearms. As such, difficulty can be fairly subjective depending on your experience with those genres. For someone with lots of action game experience, Bionic Commando is fairly accessible on the default difficulty mode.

How long to beat Bionic Commando (2009)?

Like most other similar titles of the era, completing Bionic Commando takes roughly 8-10 hours on the standard difficulty setting. To fully complete the game on all additional difficulty modes and unlock all achievements, players can expect to spend about 20 hours.

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