The Rocketeer

The Rocketeer

Overview & History

Released by Bandai in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, The Rocketeer is a cinematic tie-in based on the Disney film and Dave Stevens' classic comic book. Set in 1938 Los Angeles, the storyline follows stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who discovers a top-secret rocket pack built by Howard Hughes. Cliff must use this jetpack to rescue his girlfriend Jenny Blake from Nazi spies and corrupt Hollywood agents led by the villainous Neville Sinclair. The game adapts the film’s narrative through distinct stages, transitioning from biplane dogfights and carnival shootouts to the final explosive showdown aboard a Nazi zeppelin.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The game breaks away from standard linear platforming by dividing its stages into vastly different play styles. Players experience side-scrolling action, aerial combat, and overhead maze exploration. As Cliff Secord, you must manage your rocket pack's fuel carefully during aerial segments, as thrust is strictly limited. Combat mixes close-quarters fistfights using a trusty punch with projectile weapons like a pistol. Between main stages, players pilot Cliff's stunt biplane in first-person shooting galleries to blast enemy aircraft out of the skies. Health is represented by a stamina meter, and players must navigate treacherous platforming traps, enemy gangsters, and heavily armed Gestapo agents to progress.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move Cliff, steer the biplane, or navigate menus
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump / Fire weapons
• Enter: Start / Pause