Classic Games Database
ClassicGames DB

Platoon

Review

This action game recreates the film's jungle combat, tunnel exploration, and tense base defense sequences.

Platoon was originally released in arcades in 1986 by Sun Electronics. Ocean Software developed and published the DOS version in 1988.


							Platoon cover
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About Platoon

Platoon is an action game adaptation of the film, set during the Vietnam War. Players manage a squad of five US Army soldiers, switching control between them as each character can sustain three hits before being eliminated.

The gameplay shifts between different perspectives and control schemes to recreate key sequences. One segment uses a side-scrolling view for navigating jungle terrain, where players must avoid hazards, destroy a bridge, and locate items in a village. Enemy threats include ground soldiers, booby traps, and airstrikes.

Another section employs a first-person 3D view for exploring tunnels to find specific objects. Control methods change contextually, shifting to a targeting crosshair during combat. Later, a defensive sequence in a bunker requires using limited flares to spot and eliminate approaching enemies at night.

The game presents a challenging pace with timed objectives, such as a two-minute evacuation to safety during an airstrike using a compass for navigation. The final confrontation involves defeating a character in a confined space by landing multiple grenade hits.

Platoon Screenshots

5 images
Title screen
Platoon Title Screen
This is where you start. Hello, who's that over there?
Aaaaargh...you're hit! Change soldiers?
Yep, you're dead.