Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor builds on the classic side-scrolling formula by introducing branching paths through its 22 missions. From the moment you guide General Hawk ashore, you’re presented with decision points that split and merge, offering multiple routes—some lead to hidden shortcuts, others to tougher mazes or extra weapon pickups. This design encourages replayability, as veterans will return to explore every corridor and challenge.

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Your roster expands as you clear levels, transforming gameplay dynamics. While General Hawk starts as the all-rounder, you’ll soon unlock specialists like Wet Suit, Storm Shadow, Roadblock, Duke, and Snake Eyes—each with distinct jump heights, melee reach, or ranged firepower. Tackling underwater areas with Wet Suit feels markedly different than engaging in close-combat sequences with Snake Eyes, and choosing the right hero for each segment becomes part of the tactical fun.

Weapon and upgrade progression further enriches the experience. Starting with basic punches or a machine gun, you eventually collect a pulse rifle, a laser rifle, and even a rocket launcher. Each weapon levels up through “Pow” pickups scattered across stages or earned via boss encounters, and because each character must develop their weapons separately, you’ll want to experiment with different pairings to maximize damage.

The password-save system is straightforward yet essential. After key missions, you receive a grid-style code that preserves your unlocked cast, weapon levels, and progress across any of the three paths. This allows players to jump back in without replaying every stage, making marathon sessions optional but rewarding for completionists.

Graphics

On the NES hardware, The Atlantis Factor delivers crisp, colorful sprites that capture the iconic look of both the Joe Team and Cobra forces. Character animations—whether it’s Duke firing in eight directions or Storm Shadow delivering a swift sword slash—feel fluid for the era, adding weight to every action.

Level backdrops range from coral-studded ocean floors to the gleaming ruins of Atlantis itself. The transition from dark, watery caverns to sunlit, crumbling temples provides visual variety, and cleverly uses the console’s palette limitations to evoke depth and atmosphere. Enemy designs, from Cobra troopers to mechanical drones, stand out clearly against each setting.

Special effects, though simple by modern standards, are well-executed: weapon blasts light up the screen, explosions send debris flying, and the occasional underwater bubble or crumbling stone tile adds polish. Menus and HUD elements remain clean and legible, ensuring you’re always aware of health bars, weapon levels, and remaining lives without distraction.

Story

The narrative picks up directly after G.I. Joe’s victory over Cobra’s previous stronghold. In a cinematic prologue, we learn that Cobra has tapped into the mythical power source of Atlantis, resurrecting the sunken city and bolstering their armies with underwater fortresses. It’s a classic doomsday setup that propels you into action, giving context to the varied biomes you traverse.

Brief cutscenes between levels ground the campaign’s momentum, showcasing Cobra Commander’s new war machine and raising the stakes as General Hawk rallies the Joes. While dialogue is limited to short text scrolls, it effectively conveys character personalities—Duke’s unwavering resolve, Snake Eyes’ silent determination, and the sinister gleam in Cobra Commander’s eyes.

Unlockable NPC allies like Stalker, Big Bear, Spirit, and Gung-Ho add narrative flavor, each introduced with a nod to their unique abilities: an informant who highlights secret passages, a healer who revives you mid-battle, or a combat medic that restocks your ammo. These appearances, though functionally oriented, help solidify the feeling of a unified Joe Team effort against the Atlantean threat.

Overall Experience

G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor offers a satisfying blend of exploration, action, and strategic character selection. Its branching level design and unlockable roster ensure that no two playthroughs feel identical. Fans of side-scrolling platformers will appreciate the steady difficulty curve and the reward of mastering each hero’s strengths.

While the game’s audio and story presentation are modest by today’s standards, they capture the spirit of the G.I. Joe universe and provide enough motivation to push forward. The password save system, though dated, remains a welcome concession for players facing the more punishing later stages.

Overall, The Atlantis Factor stands as a standout entry in the NES G.I. Joe lineup. Its combination of replayable paths, diverse hero mechanics, and thematic level design makes it a worthwhile purchase for retro enthusiasts and series fans alike. Expect to spend hours uncovering every secret route and fully powering up your favorite Joe operatives before confronting Cobra’s Atlantean headquarters.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10