Rambo III (video game)

Rambo III (video game)

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1988
Products	Video games

Rambo III is a collection of video games inspired by the 1988 motion picture Rambo III. The storyline centers on John Rambo, a former Green Beret from the Vietnam War era, who is called back into action to save his captured commander, Colonel Sam Trautman, during a secret operation in Afghanistan under Soviet control. The arcade edition was launched by Taito, whereas Sega handled the development and publishing of the console adaptations. Ocean was responsible for creating the IBM PC compatible version, which Taito published, along with versions for various home computers including Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC.

Ports

Released in 1988, the Master System adaptation is a light gun shooter reminiscent of Operation Wolf, compatible with the Light Phaser accessory.

The Mega Drive edition, arriving in 1989, comprises six distinct missions where players undertake tasks such as liberating hostages and demolishing enemy ammo supplies. This version employs an overhead viewpoint and equips Rambo with a machine gun featuring infinite ammunition, a knife, timed explosives, and a longbow firing explosive arrows—however, supplies for bombs and arrows are finite and must be gathered from defeated foes. Rambo’s health is fragile; a single hit results in death.

Certain stages transition into a third-person perspective for boss encounters against Soviet tanks or helicopters where the bow is used as the primary weapon. During aiming sequences, Rambo is stationary but can seek cover behind environmental objects. This gameplay element draws inspiration from shooting segments found in the Taito arcade game but is implemented differently.

Versions for ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC feature three missions and present gameplay that varies considerably from the console versions.

Reception

The Sega Master System release received acclaim from Computer and Video Games, which described it as "undoubtedly the finest Light Phaser title available on Sega hardware."

UK publication Mean Machines awarded it an 86% score, emphasizing its "thrilling and addictive gameplay."