Command & Conquer (Nintendo 64, 1999)

Product Specs

Description

The epic struggle between the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod has finally found its way onto the Nintendo 64, but not without a few changes. This is the first version of Command & Conquer to feature 3D landscapes and polygonal units, meaning you'll be able to fight from elevated terrain, witness dynamic explosions and admire the wisps of smoke from the defeated structures of your enemy. As in previous versions of the game, players can elect to wage war as either the GDI peacekeeping forces or the secret terrorist organization known as the Brotherhood of Nod. No matter which side you choose, you'll have to establish a base, gather resources to fund your operation and start amassing an army large enough to carry out your objectives (detailed at the beginning of each level). Fans of 1994's original Command & Conquer on the PC will find that not much else has changed since they last laced up the combat boots, as missions are taken directly from the computer version. There are, however, four Special Ops missions exclusive to the Nintendo 64. For those who have never played the original, missions generally fall into two categories: production and non-production. Production missions have you building up your forces as previously described, while those classified as non-production involve carrying out tasks with a predefined number of units. Since the Nintendo 64 does not have a mouse peripheral, cursor movement is performed using the analog stick. The cursor is used to highlight specific units, structures or groups so you can activate them by pressing the A button. Shortcuts are also available with the C buttons functioning as four different teams. Simply assign specific units to a team and you can jump to them at any time with a press of a button. Units differ depending on the side you decide to lead into battle. The GDI offers Humvees, APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers), Transport Helicopters, Mobile Rocket Launch Systems, Mammoth Tanks, Medium Tanks, Grenadiers and Orca VTOL Assault Crafts. Nod units include Recon Bikes, Nod Buggies, Flamethrower Infantry, Flame Tanks, Light Tanks, Stealth Tanks and Mobile Artillery. Both sides offer four of the same type of units: Bazooka Infantry, Commandos, Engineers and Minigun Infantry. Options include configuring controls, switching between Medium and High-Resolution modes (the latter requires the Expansion Pak), and adjusting the speed of the cursor. Up to two games in progress can be saved to the 256-Meg cartridge, and completed missions can be replayed to uncover possible variants. Budding generals looking to wage war on their friends should keep in mind that this title is designed as a one-player game only.