Code Name: Viper

Developer: Arc System Works    Publisher: Capcom    Release: 03/90   Genre: Action

Capcom were pioneers on the NES, able to balance their output with between arcade conversions and original titles. Even their “ports” to the NES tend to become completely original games, often vastly superior to the arcade brethren. This was especially true in the case of Bionic Commando and Section Z.  So it is a bit strange that they would create such a blatant copy of another title. Code Name: Viper is shockingly close to Namco’s Rolling Thunder, to the point I am surprised they were not sued. That being said despite being a rip off this is a solid title that puts up a fight.

Code Name: Viper was released at the height of the war on drugs and so carries an anti-drug message. You are Special Forces agent Kenny Smith, tasked by his superior Commander Jones with taking down a large drug syndicate in South America. The hostages will help slowly piece together who is the mastermind behind the increasing drug activity in the region. I question the logic of sending one man to take out an entire syndicate in a far off continent but if Rocky can end the Cold War with his two fists and slurry speech I suppose Kenny cannot complain.

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The comparisons to Rolling Thunder and Shinobi are unavoidable; this is basically Rolling Thunder in everything but name. From the way Kenny leaps, his reloading animation, the level design with the revolving doors, even the colored coded enemies and their attacks, this is as obvious a copy as they come. Even the weapon selection is the same with your only options being the standard pistol and a sub machine gun. In spite of the similarities to those titles Viper does manage to distinguish itself in a few ways. This is a much faster game although you still need to move with some caution. Kenny is a more nimble protagonist, able to shoot in the air and control his trajectory while airborne. The biggest difference comes in your mission objective.

Every level has two objectives. You still need to make it to the exit before time runs out. Before that you must locate a commando who will give you the grenades necessary to blow it up. This hostage can be anywhere and it forces you to enter every door. Initially he is in your direct path but later you have to go out of your way to find the bastard. Where entering the doors was optional in those other titles it is mandatory here because of that. You will also find many other civilians. If you take too long you will find nothing but a decaying skeleton.

It also separates itself in terms of its level design. Each map is huge by NES standards with a sufficient amount of horizontal and vertical platforming. The early stages keep it simple with a single path but by the midpoint they become veritable mazes of tunnels and elevators. Finding that one guy becomes a lot harder as time becomes a more critical factor. Although the game is confined to South America there is a great deal of variety as you visit Mayan Ruins, a village, and even a creepy mansion hideout. There were very few if any games set in the region back then so kudos to Capcom for doing something different as it helps the game stand out even more.

For all of its differences Code Name: Viper shares one more trait with the games that inspired it, high difficulty. The soldiers here are much more aggressive than the goofy looking Geldra, actively seeking you out if nearby. As early as the second level you will run into more armed soldiers and some really devious enemy placement. Your life bar might as well not exist since one shot means death. It only serves to protect you from head on collisions which knock you back Castlevania style. My biggest gripe however are respawning enemies. If you double back even slightly enemies respawn which is a drain on ammo. It forces you to keep moving but in a game that demands deliberate pacing it can be frustrating. At least there are passwords to save progress.

Aside from the, uh, borrowed animation Code Name: Viper looks great. The various South America locations are highly detailed with plenty of minor background animation that really bring the setting to life. I have mentioned some of the stage locations such as the village but you also visit a warehouse and a factory on the way to the boss’s hideout. It does start to get pretty strange when you are fighting mutants. I will let that slide as it is a weird but welcome break from the generic soldiers. The soundtrack is more impressive than the graphics as the music is catchy and reminiscent of some of Capcom’s Disney work.

In Closing

Code Name: Viper is far from being original but in the end it does not matter as it is better than the NES port of the game that inspired it. Code Name: Viper is an excellent action title and one that you will not complete in short order.

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