With the popularity of cartoonish beat-em-ups these days, it was a matter of time before G.I. Joe got a turn. And just like clockwork, here comes G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra.

I mean, it just makes sense. A beat-em-up based on the popular 80s TV series? And with a formula that follows classic arcade beat-em-up code? Why wouldn’t you make a game like that?

With a number of unlockables and compatibility for up to four players at a time (of course!), Wrath of Cobrahas a lot to offer. That said, it does feel inferior to, say, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. That’s mainly because the gameplay, as well as some aspects of the design, are a bit basic.

If you can get past that, however, and don’t mind beating Cobra Commander to a pulp, Wrath of Cobra still works. It delivers enough nostalgia for fans, and its controls are fairly solid. Don’t expect the next level of beat-em-ups, though. Just jump in screaming “YO JOE!” and indulge.

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra Provides a Devastating Threat

Yep, Cobra Commander is at it again. With his Cobra army by his side, he’s out to rule…gasp!…the world. Fortunately, Duke, Scarlett, Road Block and Snake Eyes are ready to stop him, fisticuffs at the ready.

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is probably the biggest effort yet from the indie developers at Maple Powered Games. And it shows. There’s enough structure here to fit classic beat-em-up formula, including support for up to four players offline. (No online yet, but it’ll likely be patched in.) And it’s a blast beating up a Cobra tank alongside buddies, tell you what.

That said, the gameplay is a bit…general? That’s because Shredder’s Revenge and Streets of Rage 4 have added great new techniques to the genre. So, yeah, by comparison, Wrath of Cobra feels a slight bit uninspired. But the controls are still solid; and the special attacks – particularly Snake Eyes’ adorable dog – are a screen-clearing treat.

There’s also adjustable difficulty, and some noteworthy boss battles. However, some are better than others. Major Bludd seems uninspired compared to the savvy of, say, Destro and Zartan. But maybe that’s the idea, since they’re higher up in the ranks.

What’s really great are the unlockables you can earn. Over the course of the game, you’ll pick up discs. You can use these to unlock new items, including more modes and characters like Gung Ho and Ripcord. What’s more, Maple Powered already has free DLC coming down the line. Hopefully that includes Shipwreck and Lady Jay. It’s not a G.I. Joe party without them. It takes a while to get everything, but it does add replay value.

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra isn’t bad. But in the face of superior brawlers, it does feel a bit lighter in complexity. However, fans will absolutely love it; and it’s a good beat-em-up for all ages. More than likely, patches and long-term content will turn it into what it should be. After all, G.I. Joe’s don’t get made overnight. Just ask Sergeant Slaughter.

A Good Looking Brawler? G.I. Joe Is There!

Where Wrath of Cobra does deliver is in its visuals. The cartoony approach is definitely the right one, reminding us of the classic 80s cartoon. The characters look great; and the enemies, though repetitive, also have their moments. That said, more variety in the backdrops would’ve been nice. (Hey, a Cobra lair! Hey, another Cobra lair!)

The cutscenes, however, are interesting. While they tell a great story and provide inspiration from the 80s cartoon, they’re on and off. Like, some are great and others seem lacking. Maybe it’s me – or maybe I just wanted clips from the show. This is an official Hasbro Arcade product, after all.

At least the sound is good. Along with good thwacks and bumps like a beat-em-up should have, the soundtrack is really something. That’s because it came to us from Tee Lopes, who previously worked on Sonic Mania. No wonder it’s such a banger.

So, slight cutscene inconsistencies aside, Maple Powered did a great job with Wrath of Cobra’s presentation. And it’ll likely improve with patch releases over time.

A Real American Hero? Sure, Mostly

In the end, G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra could’ve been a slight bit better. I would’ve preferred some touches to the gameplay to keep combos interesting. Some more inspired backgrounds and better cutscene consistency would’ve gone a long way, too.

But I digress. It’s still a fun, carefree brawler built for fans and newcomers alike. It’s got fun aspects to it, especially with four friends in tow. Plus did I mention the music was an absolute banger?

It’s a pretty good beat-em-up that I know will get better over time, leading to its console release. And knowing is half the battle.

GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS

Thanks to Maple Powered Games for the review code! The game is available on Steam now, and will debut on consoles at a later date.

Oh, you want more retro goodness from Gamerhub UK? We got you. Check out our coverage on Aero the Acro-Bat 2, Iron Meat and Castlevania Dominus Collection!