first vertical man on a mission game?

[Strider]

The earliest I can find is Commando on the arcade. Can anyone think of anything earlier?

[Duddyroar]

Yeah, then Ikari Warriors and Gunsmoke, I suppose.

Or Robotron? But I suppose that doesn't count, cos the screen doesn't scroll.

[Leon Retro]

I had a look on Mame, and found a game called Wild Western made in 1982, which has a Cowboy on HorseBack going up the screen shooting Indians etc...

I guess it's not exactly a Commando style game, seems too much like a shooter.

[Mayhem]

Taito's Frontline, precursor to SNK's idea for rotating directional shooting. 1983, so after the Wild Western game, but Frontline IS Commando/Ikari Warriors two years early!