Custom Robo (カスタムロボ Kasutamu Robo?) is a science fiction robotic fighting video game franchise developed by NOISE (Marigul) and published by Nintendo Co., Ltd.. The series currently spans five games, and has graced the Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo DS. The most recent title in the series was first released in Japan on October 19, 2006, while it was later released in North America on March 19, 2007, in Europe on May 25, 2007, and in Australia on September 20, 2007.
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International release
Since its inception in 1999, the Custom Robo series has largely been confined to Japan. In 2001, however, Nintendo released Super Smash Bros. Melee, a fighting game containing characters from throughout the company's history, in the West. In the title's trophy room, three custom robos from Custom Robo V2 appeared as trophies: Ray Mk II, Bayonette, and Annie. Nintendo of America was planning to release Custom Robo GX, the third title in the series, but later cancelled it for unknown reasons and decided to release Custom Robo: Battle Revolution, the fourth title in the series, which became the first to see an international release in 2004. Released outside of Japan in North America simply as Custom Robo, the game was designed specifically with newcomers to the series in mind. All Custom Robo titles produced since have also seen international release, as well as considerable success.
Gameplay
Custom Robo takes place in Nintendo's own collect-and-battle style RPG genre similar to the Pokémon series, but with robo customization and frantic, action battles in confined 3D arenas (2D arenas in Custom Robo GX). In each game's story mode, you slip into the role of a nameless young boy (you name him) who just had a dream about custom robos. When he woke up, he later walks up to his parents, while they talk and give him his first custom robo and some parts for battling. In each game, the first custom robo you obtain and use is always a model of the Ray series. You'll also meet with some friends that will support you throughout each game. The goal is to improve your skills and collect different custom robos and some battling parts so that you can defeat everyone, including champion custom robo users. The main object of the whole game is to finish its plot by collecting every Custom Robo, battle part, and other stuff that the player wants, while winning every battle that moves you from one part of the storyline to the next. In Custom Robo battles, the object is to reduce your opponent's hit points from 1000 to 0 by using different Custom Robos, guns, bombs, pods, and dash attacks. Custom Robos are arranged in groups that are similar to their abilities. There are two views in battle. Normal view is the view that the camera allows the player to see both the Custom Robos. Back view is the view with the back of the player's Custom Robo facing him or her. You can change views by pressing the Select Button during a battle. The endurance bar is located above your hit points. Once it runs out your robo gets "downed" which means that it stays fallen for a couple seconds. After it gets up, it goes into "rebirth", where it stays invincible for about 3 seconds. If the player repeatedly loses the same battle, the game offers the option of reducing the opponent's initial health, to make it easier. If the player continues to lose, the degree of handicap offered increases.
Games
The following is a list of games released in the series.
- Games predating Battle Revolution were released only in Japan (except the first one, which was also released in China for the iQue Player). Due to this, there are no official English language titles for these games. An official English language title may be given if Nintendo of America elects to localize any of these games to North America.
| Cover | Official Western title | Japanese title | Japanese Title Translation | Platform | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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カスタムロボ | Custom Robo | Nintendo 64, iQue Player | Japan: 1999
China: 2006 |
The first title of the Custom Robo series. It is also the first and only title of the series released for the iQue Player in China. | |
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カスタムロボV２ | Custom Robo V2 | Nintendo 64 | Japan: 2000 | Second and last Custom Robo title developed for the Nintendo 64. It is also the first title of the series to allow up to four players to play, instead of up to two players. | |
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カスタムロボGX | Custom Robo GX | Game Boy Advance | Japan: 2002 | The first Custom Robo title to appear on a Nintendo handheld. It is also the first and only Custom Robo rendered in two-dimensional (2D) graphics instead of three-dimensional (3D) graphics for Custom Robo battles. | |
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Custom Robo | カスタムロボ バトルレボリューション
(Custom Robo: Battle Revolution) |
Custom Robo: Battle Revolution | Nintendo GameCube | Japan and North America: 2004 | The first Custom Robo title released inside and outside of Japan, which was released in North America. It is also the first to incorporate full motion video. |
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Custom Robo Arena | 激闘!カスタムロボ
(Gekitō! Custom Robo) |
Rumble! Custom Robo | Nintendo DS | Japan: 2006
North America, Australia and Europe: 2007 |
The first Custom Robo title to use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for playing multiplayer gameplay online. It is also the first and only Custom Robo title to be released in PAL regions. |
See also
References
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