Gi Joe The Atlantis Factor

G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor is a side-scrolling action game for the NES, released by Capcom in 1992 and developed by KID. It sends the G.I. Joe team into an underwater Cobra stronghold, where the mission unfolds across the mysterious ruins and facilities of Atlantis. Rather than following a strictly linear path, the game gives its adventure a map-based structure, allowing players to move between areas and decide where to go next as they work through the operation.

You begin the game with Duke, using his standard weapon to fight Cobra troops, machines, and other hazards. As the mission progresses, additional members of the Joe team can be rescued and brought into action. Each character has a distinct weapon and combat style, so choosing the right Joe for a particular section adds a modest tactical layer to the run-and-gun action. Weapons can also be upgraded, making exploration and successful battles worthwhile instead of simply pushing forward as quickly as possible.

The controls are straightforward, but enemies, environmental dangers, and demanding encounters make careful movement important. The Atlantis setting gives the game a darker and more unusual backdrop than a typical military shooter, while the familiar G.I. Joe cast and Cobra opposition provide plenty of series flavor. Its blend of platforming, shooting, exploration, and character switching makes it a rewarding choice for NES players who enjoy action games with more structure than a purely linear stage-by-stage design.

If you want to revisit this lesser-known Capcom-era console adventure, RetroCloud lets you play online on your browser. With its nonlinear map, selectable heroes, upgradeable firepower, and solid challenge, G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor remains an interesting one-player NES game for fans of licensed action titles and late-era 8-bit design.