Platoon
Description official descriptions
The film Platoon featured a squad of five soldiers on their mission for the US Army in Vietnam. In this action game based around the film, you take control of these five guys in turn, with the chance to switch between them as they each take one of the 3 hits that would kill them.
The game recreates each of the sections of the film, starting with a side-scrolling journey through the jungle, with paths to cross both horizontally and vertically, and the ability to jump or duck hazards. You will need to blow up a bridge and then locate a village, which contains a torch, a map and a trap-door. The enemy has booby-trapped the area and are launching airstrikes, so the danger is not all from enemy ground soldiers.
The next section is in first-person 3D, as you move through a network of tunnels in search of flares and a compass. There are 3 distinct control methods, changing from the standard motion when an enemy appears (this puts you in control of a cross-hair for more accurate targeting), and when you enter a room to search.
After escaping this you settle in a bunker overnight, and have a limited amount of flares with which to locate incoming enemy, and must then shoot them before they can shoot you. The jungle airstrike from the film is the next moment - you have two minutes to rush into a safe position to the north, using your compass for guidance.
Finally you face the treacherous Sergeant Barnes, and must hit him with grenades 5 times whilst trapped in a foxhole to prevent him wiping you out.
Groups +
Screenshots
Promos
Credits (Commodore 64 version)
6 People
Programmer | |
Graphics | |
Designed by |
|
Music and sound FX |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 68% (based on 21 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.0 out of 5 (based on 53 ratings with 0 reviews)
Be the first to review this game!
Discussion
Subject | By | Date |
---|---|---|
cheats | uncleseth | Apr 30, 2023 |
Trivia
BPjS/BPjM index
On May 31, 1988, Platoon was put on the infamous German index by the BPjS. For more information about what this means and to see a list of games sharing the same fate, take a look here: BPjS/BPjM indexed games.
DOS release
One of the few titles released by Data East for the PC that was a DOS executable, and had hard disk installation available.
Extras
- Some UK copies came with a bonus audio cassette featuring the Smokey Robinson song The Tracks of My Tears, as heard in the movie Platoon.
- The original Spectrum, Amstrad, C64, Atari ST, Amiga releases were supplied with an A2 poster of the cover-art overlayed with some screen-shots at the bottom.
Awards
- ACE
- October 1988 (issue #13) - Included in the Top-100 list of 1987/1988 (editorial staff selection)
- Commodore Force
- December 1993 (Issue 13) – #66 “Readers' Top 100”
- Commodore Format
- May 1991 (Issue 8) - listed in the A to Z of Classic Games article (Great)
Information also contributed by Martin Smith, seanp, and Xoleras
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings and price history! (when applicable)
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Old man gamer.
Apple II, NES added by PCGamer77. Amiga, Atari ST added by seanp. ZX Spectrum added by Kabushi. Amstrad CPC added by Martin Smith. Commodore 64 added by wanax.
Additional contributors: Martin Smith, Jo ST, FatherJack.
Game added June 15, 2000. Last modified December 19, 2024.