Robocop - a name that brings pain and fear to Detroit criminals and snooty film reviewers everywhere. Originally released in 1987, the original Robocop movie followed the story of police officer Alex Murphy, who was torturtured and killed by a group of thugs. This is where OCP (Omni Consumer Products, also an anagram for COP) steps in, giving Murphy a robotic shell and body parts, and subsequently turning him into 'Robocop'. None of this matters though, as Robocop is as brainless as brainless side-scrolling shooters get. For a game based on a movie as violent as Robocop though, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Robocop has been made into many games before - even the cross-promotional Sega Megadrive game "Robocop vs. the Terminator." This is the franchise's first foray into the mobile arena however, and Digital Bridges has done a top notch job of recreating the law enforcing, violent world of Robocop. Players who are used to sidescrolling shooters will feel right at home - the token weapons (pistols, rifles and the like), flame-throwing baddies and female hostages to rescue are all here. Robocop's aim is to kill the bad guys in each of the level, but primarily to each rescue the beautiful hostages in the level, after which Robocop is rewarded with the secret to his success, baby food. Trust me, I've tried it myself, but nothing happened. =(

Various bonuses are littered throughout the levels, including bonus money if you arrest the hostages instead of executing them. The levels are quite short, in true arcade style, but tough boss battles keep the game varied. One factor that also helps greatly is that the movements are very quick, only one short keypress is needed in order to shoot. Such a feature is very important in a fast paced game such as this one.

The game's graphics are very well done, each backstreet and building of decaying urban Detroit is intracately replicated. The character designs are also great - Robocop's armour shines with detail. Sure, it isn't 3D, but impressive looking 2D is the next best thing.
The sound in the game is also above par, albeit not spectacular, featuring the standard shooting, gasping and 'picking up an object' sounds. The Robocop theme plays throughout the main menu, but as far as the actual game is concerned no music is heard.

As far as staying true to the movie goes, the game passes with flying colours. The game looks, sounds and feels like Robocop, and all the primary villains from the first flick are here too. As far as succeeding as a sidescrolling shooter goes, Robocop surpasses all expectations with solid, eye pleasing fun. I reccommend this to both fans of action, and fans of the movie alike (although the two are pretty much interconnected). Anyone looking for a quick, neat shoot 'em up, this game's for you!
Robocop is a by-the-numbers platform shooter, but there's nothing wrong with that at all.
Screen sizes:
176x208
128x128
128x160
176x220