Robocop is a franchise that has seen multiple video game adaptations over the years, with many stinkers but a few good games including the recent Rogue City. The franchise seemed to lend itself to so many possibilities that we cannot help but wonder what could have been in some instances. When watching a livestream recently, a comment was made about Robocop and gaming that really stood out in pointing out a lost opportunity.
One of the biggest Arcade hits of the 80s was Elevator Action, a game that combined run ‘n’ gun elements with having to navigate buildings using elevators. There was a surprisingly large amount of depth to the game and it’s sequel Elevator Action Returns expanded on it immensely. Elevator Action Returns added multiple characters, much-improved graphics and even deeper gameplay with more varied stages while staying true to the original game.
The missed opportunity here is that this formula would have fit Robocop perfectly. Not even going into the fact that the movies showed very distinctive elevators in the buildings, the blend of run ‘n’ gun gameplay and exploration of stages using elevators would have worked perfectly with the kind of story and setting that Robocop has. This would have also worked well with the constraints the character is supposed to have as well. After all, Robocop cannot typically jump in most media without external aid, so navigating using Elevators is a natural fit.
The way combat works in Elevator Action and Returns would have fit the franchise perfectly, with Robocop normally using his Auto Nine handgun but occasionally finding another gun in a room accessed on one of the floors, or some other form of power-up. Robocop could also have objectives to accomplish in each stage, possibly tying in with his police work which would somewhat work with the spy/secret agent theme of the Elevator Action games. And of course, the franchise has made extensive use of distinct buildings and areas, all of which could make for great stages with variations of elevators for Robocop to use.
Robocop’s enemies could also have been factored into such a game, such as by avoiding an ED-209 using elevators to try and dodge while attacking, or fighting Robocop 2 in ways that made use of Elevators like in some adaptations. Of course, Robocop had plenty of human adversaries to deal with in the movies and other adaptations, and they would all have fit well for such a game. So now I can hear people ask me, why bring this up at all?
The reason is that it is interesting to look at things in hindsight and see where a game could have succeeded if developers had gone in a certain direction. Licensing a franchise like Robocop is too expensive for a game like this now, but back in the days of the Arcades, this could have been a real standout. As it is now though, we will just have to imagine what such a game could have been like.
