G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor (1992-)

• Developer: KID

• Publisher: Capcom

• Genre: Action

• Composer: Yusuke Takahama, Nobuyuki Shioda

G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor for the NES was developed by KID and released in 1992, this time published by Capcom after the previous publisher, Taxan, exited the market. Like its predecessor, it remained exclusive to the NES with no official ports or later re-releases, making original cartridges highly sought after by collectors. Drawing on Hasbro’s toyline and animated universe, the game built on the premise of an elite squad battling Cobra forces, this time weaving in a plot about the legendary city of Atlantis resurfacing and Cobra attempting to harness its power.

The game shifted from the pure run-and-gun style of the first G.I. Joe NES title to a more mission-structured, interconnected progression. Players began with Duke as the lone playable character, unlocking other Joes by rescuing them throughout the campaign, including fan favorites like Roadblock and Storm Shadow. Missions were chosen from a central map, and cleared areas would often open new routes or lead to branching objectives, creating a sense of strategic choice. Combat was slower and more deliberate than in the first game, with tighter platforming sequences, more vertical level design, and enemies that demanded careful positioning rather than just quick reflexes.

Visually, the game kept the bold, clear sprite work of its predecessor but added more intricate backgrounds and smoother animation, showing that it was a late-era NES release pushing the hardware with careful polish rather than raw spectacle. The soundtrack was composed with a military-adventure tone, leaning on tense bass lines and rising melodies that underscored the higher stakes of the Atlantis storyline. Each mission had a distinct musical identity, with boss fights featuring more urgent and aggressive themes, keeping the atmosphere tight and action-driven throughout.

As a direct follow-up to G.I. Joe on the NES, The Atlantis Factor was promoted through Nintendo Power features, magazine previews, and cross-branding alongside Hasbro’s toy releases of the time. Critics noted that it offered a deeper structure than its predecessor, but some players missed the immediate speed and constant character-switching of the first game. Despite mixed reviews in its day, it has since been re-evaluated as a strong, if slightly more methodical, entry in NES action gaming, and it stands as the final NES outing for the franchise before G.I. Joe’s later appearances on more modern hardware.

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