Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
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You could listen to them in the car or before going to bed...why read when you can just listen? :) Just saying.
History:
Cobra Command is a classic arcade game released by Data East in 1984. Here’s a detailed history of the game:
Overview of Cobra Command (1984)
Cobra Command, also known as Thunder Storm in Japan, is a laserdisc-based arcade game developed by Data East and published by both Data East and Nihon Bussan (Nichibutsu). It was one of the many games that capitalized on the popularity of laserdisc technology following the success of Dragon’s Lair (1983).
Gameplay
The game places players in control of an advanced attack helicopter, guiding it through various missions across different landscapes while engaging in fast-paced combat. Cobra Command is an interactive movie-style game, meaning gameplay consists of watching animated sequences and making quick decisions at specific moments (such as dodging obstacles or firing at enemies). If the player fails to react correctly, the helicopter is destroyed, and the player must restart from a checkpoint.
Technology & Influence
Cobra Command used laserdisc technology to present high-quality animated cutscenes, which were visually impressive at the time. The game featured hand-drawn animation, making it stand out from traditional sprite-based arcade games. Players were required to input controls at the correct time to advance, much like Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace.
Although Cobra Command wasn’t as commercially successful as some other laserdisc games, it remains a cult favorite among arcade enthusiasts and collectors due to its animation quality and the novelty of its gameplay.
Ports & Legacy
The game was later adapted for home consoles and computers, including the Sega CD and PlayStation 2 (in collections of Data East classics). It is sometimes confused with another Data East helicopter game, Cobra Command (1988), which was a side-scrolling shoot 'em up rather than a laserdisc-based game.
Because laserdisc arcade games were fragile and expensive to maintain, many original Cobra Command cabinets are rare today. However, the game has been preserved through emulation and home releases.
Final Thoughts
Cobra Command is an interesting part of arcade history, representing the experimental era of laserdisc gaming in the mid-1980s. While the genre didn’t last long due to the high costs and technical difficulties of maintaining laserdisc machines, the game remains a nostalgic piece for those who experienced it in arcades.
Be part of the first 1000 subscribers! Subscribe today!!!! Thank you!!!!
youtube.com/channel/UCsbs3C4KjFJgBLl8h5vM-Mg?sub_confirmation=1 AD - Help Support the Channel! (thanks!!)
amzn.to/3U2Gp4v
Have you tried Audible on Amazon? It's a all-you-can-listen membership that offers access to thousands of titles, including a vast array of audiobooks, podcasts and originals that span genres, lengths, and formats.
You could listen to them in the car or before going to bed...why read when you can just listen? :) Just saying.
History:
Cobra Command is a classic arcade game released by Data East in 1984. Here’s a detailed history of the game:
Overview of Cobra Command (1984)
Cobra Command, also known as Thunder Storm in Japan, is a laserdisc-based arcade game developed by Data East and published by both Data East and Nihon Bussan (Nichibutsu). It was one of the many games that capitalized on the popularity of laserdisc technology following the success of Dragon’s Lair (1983).
Gameplay
The game places players in control of an advanced attack helicopter, guiding it through various missions across different landscapes while engaging in fast-paced combat. Cobra Command is an interactive movie-style game, meaning gameplay consists of watching animated sequences and making quick decisions at specific moments (such as dodging obstacles or firing at enemies). If the player fails to react correctly, the helicopter is destroyed, and the player must restart from a checkpoint.
Technology & Influence
Cobra Command used laserdisc technology to present high-quality animated cutscenes, which were visually impressive at the time. The game featured hand-drawn animation, making it stand out from traditional sprite-based arcade games. Players were required to input controls at the correct time to advance, much like Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace.
Although Cobra Command wasn’t as commercially successful as some other laserdisc games, it remains a cult favorite among arcade enthusiasts and collectors due to its animation quality and the novelty of its gameplay.
Ports & Legacy
The game was later adapted for home consoles and computers, including the Sega CD and PlayStation 2 (in collections of Data East classics). It is sometimes confused with another Data East helicopter game, Cobra Command (1988), which was a side-scrolling shoot 'em up rather than a laserdisc-based game.
Because laserdisc arcade games were fragile and expensive to maintain, many original Cobra Command cabinets are rare today. However, the game has been preserved through emulation and home releases.
Final Thoughts
Cobra Command is an interesting part of arcade history, representing the experimental era of laserdisc gaming in the mid-1980s. While the genre didn’t last long due to the high costs and technical difficulties of maintaining laserdisc machines, the game remains a nostalgic piece for those who experienced it in arcades.
