Forgotten Worlds' theme isn't a particularly original one (post-apocalyptic frontier justice has never been hard to find), but it is notable for its most recent reimagining in Capcom's chart topping Xbox 360 exclusive, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition.
While technically very different (the games are separated by almost 20 years), the premises are uncannily similar. Both games are based on remote, alien-besieged planets previously occupied by humans, now on the losing side of a war with the unknown invaders. Their only salvation lies in the intervention of lone warriors, armed with an array of diverse weaponry and mechanized war machines.
The decimated, dystopian environments in both games are replete with savage, larval life forms that leave behind collectable elements to be used by the player to extend his abilities and overall game time. This might not be unexplored territory for videogames - and Capcom itself has made plentiful use of many individual aspects gleaned from the Jet Pack Trilogy - but a side-by-side comparison of Forgotten Worlds and Lost Planet reveals distinct and identifiable parallels: the crumbling concrete pillars jutting from the ground, burned out vehicles, long abandoned civilizations, menacing alien creatures and rogue humans gone bad (even the names are practically interchangeable).
Alongside the trilogy's well of inspiration for future games, their own resale value has proven to be a genuine commodity for Capcom, especially in today's summery "revival hungry" climate. In 2005, Monolith Soft made excellent use of the Jet Pack Heroes in the star-studded and surreal RPG, Namco X Capcom. Characters from the extended universes of both companies came together in cross-corporate harmony, bringing with them a wealth of wonderfully familiar moves, music and nuances from their respective games.
Most recently, the Heroes have lent their popularity to the multi-format Classics Collection. Side Arms, Section-Z and Captain Commando were all present in the lineup, even if the strong family heritage of these titles went unmentioned. Even now, reviewers of the compilation (and its several "remixes," updates and sequels) sing the praise of the trilogy when labeling the collection's finer points.
This latest re-re-re-rerelease highlights the anomaly that has dogged the Jet Pack Hero trilogy since its inception. Despite providing untold inspiration and being a continual source of familiarity throughout Capcom's videogaming history, a collective acknowledgment is rarely spoken, let alone actively celebrated. Without the Captain, the Hyper Dyne units or the Unnamed Warriors, Capcom's character catalogue would be severely depleted, and the company's personality far less distinguished.
Perhaps the simple fact Capcom and its creative heads have repeatedly drawn upon the trilogy as a valuable resource is homage enough, though it doesn't hurt to openly rejoice, every so often, in a brand which has proven as consistently popular with Capcom's own workers as it has with gamers. Of all the unsung heroes that have been passed over by videogame history, few have yielded such rich and diverse benefits for their creators, and we can only hope they continue to do so for another 20 years.
Spanner has written articles for several publications, including Retro Gamer. He is a self-proclaimed horror junkie, with a deep appreciation for all things Romero.
